White Sands-Inspired Churro Bites with Cinnamon Sugar
Mini fried dough bites dusted with cinnamon sugar, evoking the soft, white dunes of gypsum sand in every sweet, crunchy bite. This Spanish-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, layers water, unsalted butter, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Step 2: Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 cup all-purpose flour until the mixture forms a smooth dough and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Step 3: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let cool for 5 minutes. Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until smooth and glossy.
- Step 4: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 360°F (use a thermometer for accuracy).
- Step 5: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, carefully drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and puffed.
- Step 6: Remove churro bites with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain.
- Step 7: In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tsp ground cinnamon. Toss the warm churro bites in the cinnamon sugar until well coated. Serve immediately.









