Air fryer churro donut holes rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with warm caramel sauce for a quick, cozy treat everyone will love.
Churros are one of my favorite snacks whenever we're out and there's a stall selling them, and my family absolutely loves when they come with different dips and sauces to try. I personally love that cinnamon-sugar coating and the crispy-yet-soft texture that makes churros feel like a treat every time.
When I started experimenting with air fryer donut holes, the different glazes and coatings reminded me of those fun churro sauces we'd get from street vendors, and I immediately knew exactly what was coming next. What I've learned from testing different dough types is that using a pre-made option actually works better for this application than churro dough from scratch.
Traditional churro dough is a choux pastry that requires precise technique and is designed specifically for deep frying. The denser, biscuit-style dough holds its structure better in the air fryer and creates that a nice contrast between crispy exterior and soft interior without needing the steam and high heat that choux requires.
The air fryer method is what makes this practical for home cooking. Traditional churros need oil heated to exactly 375°F and constant attention to prevent burning or undercooking. The air fryer's circulating heat creates consistent browning on all sides without any temperature monitoring or oil disposal, which means I can make these on a weeknight instead of saving them for special occasions.
My kids love dipping these in the warm caramel sauce, and honestly, I love how I can make them without heating up the whole kitchen or dealing with safety concerns. They come out golden brown and perfectly crispy on the outside while staying soft inside. These have become our go-to treat when we're craving churros but don't want to wait for a festival or fair to come around.
Ingredients
Refrigerated biscuit dough (the kind without flaky layers) makes these churro donut holes so easy because it saves so much time and bakes up with that dense texture that's perfect for bite-sized treats. Melted butter brushed on while they're warm helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick to every donut hole and gives you that signature churro coating with the perfect amount of sweetness.
For the caramel sauce, brown sugar creates that rich, molasses-like base that pairs well with the cinnamon flavor. Unsalted butter adds creamy richness, while heavy cream makes the sauce smooth and pourable.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Churro Donut Holes?
These air fryer churro donut holes are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Paired with homemade brown sugar caramel sauce, they make the perfect dessert or snack that’s easy to make and incredibly delicious.
Prepare the Donut Holes
Start by cutting each biscuit in half. Roll each piece into a small ball, making sure to keep them roughly uniform in size for even cooking. The dough will expand slightly during air frying, so leave a little space between each ball when placing them in the basket.
Preheat the Air Fryer and Cook the Donut Holes
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent the donut holes from sticking. Arrange the dough balls in a single layer, don't overcrowd to allow for even air circulation. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to achieve even browning. The donut holes should be golden brown and puffed up once they’re done.
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Coat the Donut Holes in Cinnamon Sugar
While the donut holes are still warm, brush them with melted butter. This helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to them. In a separate bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Once the donut holes are buttered, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are completely coated. Make sure every bite has a sweet, spiced exterior.
Make the Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Place the pan over medium heat and stir constantly to melt the ingredients together. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, continuing to stir as it simmers. Let the sauce boil for about 3-5 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Finish the Caramel Sauce
Once the caramel has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt, mixing well to incorporate the flavors. Allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it appears a little thin when first made.
Serve and Enjoy
To serve, you can either drizzle the warm caramel sauce directly over the churro donut holes or offer it as a dipping sauce on the side. The choice is yours!
Storage
Store any leftover churro donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to 4 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to restore their crispy texture.
For the caramel sauce, store any leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk if needed to restore the desired consistency.
Top Tips for Air Fryer Churro Donut Holes
Evenly sized dough balls: Make sure the biscuit dough pieces are roughly the same size when you roll them into balls. This will help them cook evenly in the air fryer.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: Place the donut holes in a single layer with a bit of space between each one. Overcrowding can prevent them from cooking evenly and getting crispy.
Customizing the caramel sauce: If you prefer a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract to the caramel sauce for an extra layer of warmth and depth.
Recipe
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Air Fryer Churro Donut Holes with Caramel Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
Mini Churro Donut Holes Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough not flaky layers
- 2 –3 tablespoon melted butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt optional
Instructions
- Cut each biscuit in half and roll the pieces into small balls.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the dough balls in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they turn golden brown.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. While the donut holes stay warm, brush them with melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon sugar until you coat them completely.
- Combine brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Let it boil for about 3-5 minutes while you continue stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Let the sauce cool a bit before using — it will thicken more as it cools.
- Warm the caramel sauce and serve it on the side for dipping or drizzle it on top of the donut holes.
