Growing up, I never understood why people waited in long lines at the fair for churros when we could just get regular donuts anywhere. That changed the day my friend shared her homemade churros – warm, cinnamon-coated, and so much better than the ones at the fair.
These angel cake churro bites combine everything I love about both treats, but without the hassle of deep frying or the fear of hot oil splatters. They’re basically little bites of cake that get rolled in cinnamon sugar, and honestly, they’re perfect for those times when you want something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Angel Cake Churro Bites
- Quick and easy dessert – Ready in just 20-30 minutes using store-bought cake, these churro bites are perfect when you need a last-minute sweet treat.
- Just 4 ingredients – With only angel food cake, sugar, cinnamon, and oil needed, you won’t have to run all over the grocery store to make these tasty bites.
- Budget-friendly – Using a store-bought angel food cake and basic pantry staples makes this an affordable way to serve a crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Fun twist on classic churros – You get all the cinnamon-sugar goodness of traditional churros but with a light, airy texture from the angel food cake – and no mixing dough!
What Kind of Angel Food Cake Should I Use?
Store-bought angel food cake is perfect for this recipe, and you’ve got a few options at the grocery store. You’ll find it either in the bakery section as a whole ring-shaped cake or in the packaged cake aisle where they sell pre-cut loaves. Either type will work great for making churro bites – just make sure the cake is fresh and not dried out. If you’re shopping at the bakery counter, look for a cake that’s springy when you gently press it with your finger, and avoid any that feel hard or stale. Most grocery stores carry plain angel food cake, which is exactly what you want for this recipe since we’re adding our own flavoring.
Options for Substitutions
Let’s talk about what you can swap in this recipe if needed:
- Store-bought angel food cake: While store-bought angel food cake is super convenient, you can use homemade angel food cake too. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before cutting. Pound cake can work in a pinch, but it will give you a denser result.
- Vegetable oil: Any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point works great here. Try canola oil, peanut oil, or even refined coconut oil. Avoid olive oil as it will change the taste.
- Cinnamon sugar mixture: The classic cinnamon-sugar combo is what makes these taste like churros, but you can play around with the ratio – use more or less cinnamon to suit your taste. You could also add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a different spin.
- Granulated sugar: Regular granulated sugar works best for the coating, but you can use caster sugar too. Avoid powdered sugar as it will melt into the warm bites.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Frying
The biggest challenge when making angel cake churro bites is getting the oil temperature just right – too hot and they’ll burn before cooking through, too cool and they’ll become greasy sponges, so maintain the oil at 350°F using a thermometer. A common mistake is cutting the angel food cake pieces too large, which prevents them from cooking evenly – aim for 1-inch cubes to ensure perfect golden-brown results. The success of your churro bites also depends on how you handle them after frying – don’t let them sit in the cinnamon-sugar mixture too long before serving, as the moisture can make the coating clumpy and less crispy. For the best texture, make sure to pat the fried pieces quickly with paper towels to remove excess oil before tossing them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and serve them while they’re still warm.
What to Serve With Angel Cake Churro Bites?
These sweet and crispy angel cake churro bites are begging to be paired with some tasty dipping sauces! A warm chocolate sauce or dulce de leche makes for an amazing combo that’ll remind you of authentic Mexican churros. If you’re serving these at a party, try setting up a little dipping station with vanilla cream sauce, caramel, and maybe even some strawberry sauce – it’s such a fun way to let everyone customize their treats. For a nice finishing touch, serve these alongside a cup of hot coffee or Mexican hot chocolate to balance out the sweetness.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These angel cake churro bites are best enjoyed right after making while they’re still warm and the cinnamon-sugar coating is fresh. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Just know they might lose some of their crispy exterior over time.
Make Ahead: You can cut the angel food cake into bite-sized pieces up to a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, just fry them up fresh and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The coating always tastes better when it’s fresh!
Refresh: If your churro bites have gotten a bit soft, you can pop them in a 350°F oven for about 3-5 minutes to crisp them up again. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t get too brown. A quick roll in fresh cinnamon-sugar mixture can help bring back some of that classic churro taste.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2400-2600
- Protein: 20-25 g
- Fat: 60-70 g
- Carbohydrates: 480-500 g
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought angel food cake
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup ground cinnamon
- Vegetable oil for frying
Step 1: Prepare the Angel Food Cake
Begin by allowing your Angel Food Cake to thaw completely if it was previously frozen.
Once thawed, cut the cake into cubes measuring about 1.5 inches x 1.5 inches.
Set these cubes aside as you prepare the cooking and flavoring process.
Step 2: Fry the Cake Cubes
In a pan, heat some vegetable oil over low-medium heat.
Carefully add the cake cubes in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry the cubes until they turn a golden brown color, which should take a few minutes on each side.
Use a slotted spoon to gently turn them to ensure even browning.
Step 3: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Once the cake cubes are fried to a golden brown, immediately transfer them into a bowl containing a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Toss the cubes around in the bowl to ensure they are evenly coated with the sweet cinnamon sugar goodness.
Repeat this process with all the cubes until they are all cooked and coated.
Step 4: Add an Optional Sweet Drizzle
For an added touch of sweetness and flavor, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with a tablespoon of milk to create a simple sugar glaze.
Stir until smooth, then drizzle over the cinnamon sugar-coated cake bites.
Allow the glaze to set slightly before serving.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Your fried Angel Food Cake bites are now ready to enjoy!
Serve them warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
These sweet treats make a delightful snack or dessert.
Enjoy every bite!