In a medium saucepan, combine the water and unsalted butter. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer until the butter has fully melted, stirring occasionally to combine.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
Once the butter has melted in the saucepan, remove it from the heat. Carefully pour the flour mixture into the saucepan. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a cohesive dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Allow the dough to cool for about 5 minutes. It should be warm but manageable. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip for the classic churro texture.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to heat for approximately 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Pipe small, bite-sized churros about 1 inch long directly into the air fryer basket. Space them generously apart to allow for even expansion. Lightly spray the churro bites with cooking spray to promote crispiness.
Cook the churro bites in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are evenly cooked on all sides.
While the churro bites are air frying, prepare the cinnamon sugar by mixing together 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
Once the churro bites are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer. While they are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are fully coated and irresistibly sweet.
Arrange the churro bites on a serving platter. Consider serving them with a small bowl of chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for an extra special treat!
Notes
Serve with chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for extra flavor.