Stack the foil-wrapped parcels in the prepared slow cooker, layering them gently and loosely. It’s fine if they’re piled up; just don’t pack them down tightly so the heat can circulate.
Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or on LOW for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, until the dough inside the center parcels is cooked through and no longer doughy. If you’re unsure, carefully open one parcel and check a bite with a fork.
Slow cooker filled with foil parcels ready to cook
Slow cooker filled with foil parcels ready to cook
Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and carefully open each foil parcel just enough to expose the tops of the churro bites, leaving them sitting in the foil. Use oven mitts or tongs; the steam will be hot.
Brush or drizzle a little of the remaining melted butter over the exposed tops of the churro bites (re-warm the butter briefly if it has firmed up), then sprinkle generously with the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture so they have a visible dusting on top.
Leave the lid off for 5–10 minutes to let the tops set slightly under the cinnamon-sugar, then serve the foil-wrapped churro bites warm directly from the slow cooker so everyone can unwrap their own sweet parcel.
Freshly opened churro bite parcels dusted with cinnamon sugar
Freshly opened churro bite parcels dusted with cinnamon sugar
Variations & Tips
For a richer flavor, use brown sugar in place of half of the granulated sugar in the cinnamon mixture; it gives a deeper, caramel note that tastes a bit like the old-fashioned fried dough at county fairs.
If you’d like a hint of vanilla, stir 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract into the melted butter before dipping the dough pieces. You can also tuck a few mini chocolate chips into the center of each parcel before sealing for a chocolate-filled surprise.
If you’re cooking for a smaller crowd, use half a tube of biscuit dough and make fewer parcels, checking for doneness a little earlier. For a crisper exterior, open the foil parcels and transfer the bites to a baking sheet, then broil for 1–2 minutes before returning them to the slow cooker to keep warm.
Leftovers can be cooled, wrapped, and reheated in the foil parcels in a low oven or the slow cooker on WARM. If you need to keep them on a buffet, place a clean kitchen towel under the slow cooker lid to catch condensation so the cinnamon-sugar topping stays nicely dusted instead of soggy.
Churro bites on a baking sheet with extra cinnamon sugar
Churro bites on a baking sheet with extra cinnamon sugar
