The present invention is directed to a staged fuel injector that includes, inter alia, a main fuel circuit for delivering fuel to a main fuel atomizer and a pilot fuel circuit for delivering fuel to a pilot fuel atomizer which is located radially inward of the main fuel atomizer. The main fuel atomizer includes a radially outer prefilmer and a radially inner fuel swirler. Portions of the main fuel circuit are formed in the prefilmer and portions of the pilot fuel circuit are formed in the prefilmer and the fuel swirler and are positioned proximate to and in thermal contact with fuel exit ports associated with the main fuel circuit and formed in the prefilmer. As a result, the pilot fuel circuit cools the stagnant fuel located in main fuel circuit, including the exit ports, even when performing at engine power levels of up to 60% of the maximum take-off thrust.