Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Churros offer the perfect combination of crunchy and soft, with a sweet, cinnamon-sugar coating that makes them irresistible. They are incredibly easy to make with a few basic ingredients and can be fried fresh to order, ensuring that they are warm, crispy, and delicious every time. Whether you enjoy them with a rich chocolate dipping sauce or just dusted with cinnamon sugar, churros are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Perfect for parties, casual gatherings, or as an indulgent snack, churros are sure to impress.
Ingredients
For the churros:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the cinnamon sugar:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the chocolate dipping sauce (optional):
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the churro dough:
- Make the dough: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, salt, and butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add the flour: Once the mixture is boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the dough comes together and forms a ball, pulling away from the sides of the pan.
- Cool slightly: Let the dough cool for a few minutes to avoid cooking the eggs.
- Incorporate the eggs: Once the dough has cooled slightly, add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. The dough should become smooth, glossy, and thick.
- Add vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly mixed.
Prepare the cinnamon sugar:
- Mix the cinnamon sugar: In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside for rolling the churros after frying.
Fry the churros:
- Heat the oil: Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping in a small piece of dough; it should sizzle and float to the top.
- Pipe the churros: Transfer the churro dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped tip. Once the oil is hot, carefully pipe strips of dough (about 4-6 inches long) directly into the oil. You can cut the dough with scissors or your hands if necessary. Fry the churros in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry until golden: Fry the churros for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip them and ensure even cooking. Once fried, remove the churros from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Coat the churros:
- Coat in cinnamon sugar: While the churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Make the chocolate dipping sauce (optional):
- Melt the chocolate: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate.
- Stir and combine: Stir the chocolate into the cream until smooth and glossy. Add sugar if you want a sweeter sauce, and vanilla extract for extra flavor. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Serve:
- Serve the churros immediately with a side of the warm chocolate dipping sauce, or enjoy them as they are—crispy, sweet, and perfect on their own!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Frying time: 2-3 minutes per batch
- Total time: 20-25 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate-filled churros: Instead of plain churro dough, pipe a bit of chocolate or Nutella into the center before frying to make chocolate-stuffed churros.
- Filled churros: For a twist, you can pipe whipped cream, custard, or fruit preserves into the center of the churros after frying.
- Baked churros: If you want a slightly healthier version, you can bake the churros at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, brushing them with melted butter and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Spiced churros: Add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cayenne pepper to the cinnamon sugar for a bit of warmth and spice.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Churros are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The churros will soften as they sit, so it’s best to consume them as soon as possible.
- Reheating: To re-crisp churros, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes until they regain their crunch. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven.
FAQs
Can I make churros in advance?
While churros are best when freshly made, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to fry, just pipe the dough and fry as usual. However, freshly fried churros will give the best texture and flavor.
Can I use a churro maker instead of piping the dough?
Yes! A churro maker works just as well as a piping bag and can make the process easier. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for frying the churros.
Can I make churros without a star-shaped piping tip?
Yes, while a star-shaped tip creates the classic churro texture, you can use any piping tip or even pipe the dough directly from a plastic bag with the tip cut off. You can also shape the dough by hand if you prefer.
Why are my churros not crispy?
If your churros are not crisping up, make sure your oil is at the correct temperature (350°F/175°C). If the oil is too cold, the dough will absorb too much oil and become soggy. Ensure the dough is piped in small pieces and fried in batches to maintain even cooking.
Can I make churros with a gluten-free recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but the churros will still be delicious.
Conclusion
Churros are a fun, sweet, and irresistible treat that’s sure to bring joy to any occasion. Their crispy exterior, soft interior, and delightful cinnamon-sugar coating make them a crowd-pleasing favorite, whether you’re enjoying them with chocolate sauce or on their own. Easy to make and even easier to devour, churros are a perfect dessert or snack that will transport you to a Spanish fiesta with every bite. Try this recipe and enjoy the delicious, warm, and comforting flavors of homemade churros!
PrintChurros: A Crispy, Sweet Spanish Treat
- Churros are crispy, golden Spanish dough sticks that are rolled in cinnamon sugar and often served with warm chocolate sauce. These fried treats are a perfect combination of crunchy and soft, making them a popular dessert worldwide.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- For the cinnamon sugar:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- For the chocolate dipping sauce (optional):
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter. Bring to a boil until butter melts, then remove from heat and stir in flour. Stir until the dough pulls away from the pan.
- Let the dough cool for a few minutes, then add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a frying pan. Pipe dough into 4-6 inch strips and fry in batches for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Roll churros in cinnamon-sugar while still warm. Serve with chocolate dipping sauce or enjoy plain.
- For the chocolate sauce, heat heavy cream in a saucepan and add chopped chocolate. Stir until smooth, adding sugar and vanilla if desired. Keep warm.
Notes
- Churros are best served fresh but can be stored for up to 2 days at room temperature.
- For a healthier version, try baking churros instead of frying them, though they may not be as crispy.
- You can also make churros in advance by refrigerating the dough for up to 24 hours before frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 churro
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
