In a medium saucepan, combine the water, cubed butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to help the butter melt completely.
Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and swiftly stir in the all-purpose flour and vanilla extract using a wooden spoon. Mix until the dough comes together and forms a soft ball, ensuring there are no dry flour pockets.
Allow the dough to cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and glossy after incorporating all the eggs.
In a deep frying pan, heat enough oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
While the oil is heating, prepare a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and fill it with the churro dough, ensuring it's tightly sealed.
Once the oil is hot, carefully pipe small churro bites (about 1-2 inches in length) directly into the oil, cutting the dough with scissors or your fingers. Fry in small batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, so they can cook evenly. Fry each batch for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and puffed.
Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the golden churro bites from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
In a shallow bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. While the churro bites are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are evenly coated.
Notes
Serve with chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for extra indulgence.