Last updated on April 18th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
When I think of easy summer desserts, I think of something that’s fun, festive, and doesn’t take a ton of effort in the kitchen. These Star-Shaped Churro Bites are exactly that! Made with puff pastry instead of traditional churro dough, they’re a shortcut version of the carnival classic—with all the delicious cinnamon sugar flavor and none of the fuss. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, fireworks party, or just a chill summer evening on the porch, these churro bites make the perfect fun treat.
These are the kind of easy summer desserts that look like you went the extra mile, but really they come together in less than 30 minutes. That’s a win in my book. So if you’re looking for a show-stopping idea for 4th of July desserts or just a sweet way to celebrate the sunshine, this one’s for you.
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Ingredients for Star-Shaped Churro Bites
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of these cinnamon-sugar stars. Bonus: you probably already have most of these ingredients on hand!
Ingredients:
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (but still cold)
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
- ½-1 cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 tsp cinnamon (adjust to taste)
- Optional: chocolate sauce or dulce de leche for dipping
That’s really it! Just 4 simple ingredients and you’re on your way to the most adorable summer desserts with very minimal effort!
How to Make Star-Shaped Churro Bites
Prep:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut your stars:
Unfold the puff pastry and lightly roll it out to smooth creases. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many stars as you can. Place them on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
Bake:
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the stars are puffed and golden brown.
Churro-ify:
While still warm, brush each star with melted butter (front and back). In a bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon, then toss the warm stars in the mixture until well coated.
Serve:
Let cool slightly and serve with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or even red/blue sprinkles for extra festiveness!
Serve warm with a little dish of dulce de leche, melted chocolate, or vanilla glaze. I personally love stacking them on a white platter and adding a few patriotic sprinkles to the dip for that Fourth of July desserts flair.
Pro Tips for Flaky Churro Bites
- Use cold (but thawed!) puff pastry: Keeping the pastry cold before baking helps it puff up evenly and hold its shape.
- You can reuse your puff pastry scraps: After you’re done cutting out your original stars, you can carefully press the dough scraps together, roll them out and re-cut. The reused dough won’t puff up nearly as beautifully as the original dough, but they still taste wonderful. I liked to stick those stars at the bottom of the plate so that people see the pretty, super puffy ones first. 😉
- Don’t skip the butter: Brushing the bites with melted butter after baking helps the cinnamon sugar stick and gives them that classic churro vibe. Also, I would really recommend using a brush rather than just dipping your baked stars in the melted butter. If you dip your stars a lot, they might get soggy from too much butter. A light brushing with butter is all they ned.
- Medium-sized to small cutters work best: Bite-sized stars are perfect for parties and easier to eat than larger ones.
FAQs About Star-Shaped Churro Bites
Can I make these ahead of time?
These are best the day they’re made, but you can prep and cut the puff pastry in advance and store the stars in the fridge (covered) for a few hours before baking. I would leave the stars either spread out or stick pieces of parchment paper between them to prevent sticking, too.
Can I fry these instead of baking?
Puff pastry is best baked for this recipe! Frying tends to make the layers separate too much and can lead to greasy bites. Puff pastry is like that magical best-of-both-worlds kind of dough. It gets crispy and fluffy like doughnuts do, but you don’t have to fry them.
What if I don’t have a star-shaped cutter?
No problem! You can cut the pastry into squares, circles, or even stripes. The stars are especially cute for Fourth of July treats, but any shape will taste just as good.
How should I store leftovers?
If you have leftovers (you probably won’t!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. Reheat briefly in a low oven to refresh the crispiness.
There’s just something magical about churros—and turning them into little edible stars makes them even more delightful! These Star-Shaped Churro Bites are crispy, golden, and sweet with a nostalgic cinnamon sugar crunch, perfect for everything from poolside snacking to patriotic party trays.
Whether you’re whipping these up for the Fourth of July or just because you want a quick and festive treat, they’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. And best of all, they fall squarely into that sweet spot of easy summer desserts—the kind you’ll want to come back to all season long.
Star-Shaped Churro Bites
Equipment
- 1 star-shaped cookie cutter
- 1 basting brush
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed (but still cold)
- 1/4 cup butter melted (approximately)
- 1 cup granulated sugar approximately, adjust for your tastes
- 2-3 tsp cinnamon approximately, adjust for your tastes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unfold the puff pastry and lightly roll it out to smooth creases. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many stars as you can. Place them on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- You can carefully press together, re-roll out and re-cut your puff pastry to get more out of it. Just notes that the stars from the re-rolled dough won't be as puffy.
- Bake stars for 10-12 minutes of until they are puffed and golden brown
- Melt butter in one bowl. Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a separate bowl.
- Brush both sides of each star with melted butter. Then, dip the stars in the cinnamon sugar until they're fully coated.
- Let cool slightly and serve
