1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
2. Add flour all at once, stirring constantly until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 2 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. This pause is a perfect opportunity to reminisce about the stories Mama Lou would share while we waited for dough to cool.
4. Stir in eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 1-inch pieces onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Lightly coat churro bites with cooking spray.
7. Place churro bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll warm churro bites in the mixture until well coated.

Each step in this process is a piece of the journey, much like Ouma and I discovering new ways to bring Mama Lou’s recipes to life with our own flair.