Churros Recipe

Crispy Homemade Churros Recipe: Sweet Magic in Minutes

Sweet, crispy churros represent a delightful culinary journey into Spanish-inspired dessert magic.

Golden-brown delicacies emerge from simple ingredients combined with precise techniques.

Crackling exteriors give way to soft, pillowy centers that melt in your mouth.

These delectable treats promise a sensory experience beyond ordinary pastries.

Cinnamon and sugar dance together, creating an irresistible coating that redefines basic dough into something extraordinary.

Homemade churros offer a connection to traditional street food culture, inviting you to craft something truly special.

Mastering this recipe means unlocking a world of delicious possibilities.

What Makes These Churros Extra Special

  • Savor Quick Homemade Delight: Churros are a super fast dessert that takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for sudden sweet cravings.
  • Experience Crispy Texture Magic: These churros deliver an incredible contrast with a crunchy golden exterior and soft, tender interior that melts in your mouth.
  • Master Simple Cooking Technique: The recipe uses basic kitchen tools and straightforward steps, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, even beginners can create professional-looking desserts with minimal effort.
  • Enjoy Versatile Serving Options: Churros shine as a crowd-pleasing treat that works for casual family gatherings, movie nights, and impromptu dessert sessions, especially when paired with chocolate or caramel dipping sauces.

Everything You Need to Fry Up Churros

Dough Base:
  • Water: Essential liquid for creating the churros dough base.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a smooth, tender texture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundational substance for churros.
  • Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweet flavor profile.
Seasoning Components:
  • White Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and provides balanced taste.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and traditional churros aroma.
Frying and Coating:
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil perfect for deep-frying churros to golden crispy perfection.
  • Cinnamon Sugar: Classic coating mixture for rolling freshly fried churros, providing sweet and spicy exterior.

How to Pipe and Fry the Perfect Churro

Step 1: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a wide, shallow dish, mix:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Set aside for final coating.

Step 2: Create Churro Base Mixture

In a large saucepan, combine:
  • Water
  • Unsalted butter
  • Sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt

Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Incorporate Flour Blend

Reduce heat to medium-low. Gradually add flour using a wooden spoon. Stir vigorously until mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy dough with minimal lumps.

Step 4: Cool and Enhance Dough

Transfer dough to mixing bowl. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Add:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Egg

Whisk using electric mixer until perfectly blended and silky.

Step 5: Prepare Piping Station

Fill piping bag with star-tipped nozzle (Wilton M1 recommended).

Step 6: Heat Frying Oil

Pour vegetable oil into deep skillet, reaching 1.5-2 inches depth. Heat to 360°F, monitoring with candy thermometer.

Step 7: Shape and Fry Churros

Carefully pipe 6-inch churro lengths into hot oil. Use kitchen scissors to cut edges. Fry until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes per side.

Step 8: Drain and Coat

Remove churros with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels briefly. Immediately roll in prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate warm churros. Offer chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 10 churros

Calories: 139 per serving

Tips for Golden, Crispy Churros Every Time

  • Master Oil Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to maintain exactly 360°F for perfectly crispy, golden churros without burning or undercooking.
  • Pipe Like a Pro: Hold the piping bag at a 45-degree angle and use sharp kitchen scissors to create clean, even churro lengths for consistent frying.
  • Prevent Soggy Churros: Pat fried churros on paper towels briefly to remove excess oil, then quickly roll in cinnamon-sugar for maximum crispiness.
  • Avoid Dough Disasters: Mix flour mixture thoroughly until it becomes smooth and shiny, ensuring no large flour lumps that could affect texture.
  • Dipping Sauce Perfection: Serve churros immediately after coating with cinnamon-sugar, paired with warm chocolate or caramel sauce for maximum flavor and enjoyment.

Storing Churros Without Losing the Crunch

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover churros in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual churros in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months to preserve their crispy texture.
  • Reheat: Warm churros in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Place them on a baking sheet to restore their original crispiness. Avoid microwaving, which can make them soggy.

Sweet Pairings for Hot, Fresh Churros

  • Dip into Dreamy Chocolate Sauce: Melt rich dark chocolate with a touch of heavy cream to create a velvety, luxurious dipping companion for these crispy churros. The deep chocolate intensity perfectly complements the sweet cinnamon coating.
  • Pair with Warm Mexican Hot Chocolate: Brew a traditional Mexican hot chocolate using dark chocolate, cinnamon, and a hint of chili powder. This spicy-sweet beverage mirrors the churros' warming flavors and creates a nostalgic cultural experience.
  • Complement with Caramel Café Latte: Brew a smooth espresso and top with steamed milk and drizzled caramel sauce. The coffee's robust notes and caramel sweetness dance beautifully with the churros' crispy texture and sugary finish.
  • Match with Dulce de Leche Drizzle: Warm up creamy dulce de leche and use as an additional dipping sauce. This classic Latin American caramel sauce adds another layer of indulgent sweetness that elevates the churros' already delightful flavor profile.

Churro Twists Worth Trying Out

  • Chocolate Churro Fusion: Infuse melted dark chocolate into the dough for a rich, intense chocolate flavor throughout the churros.
  • Savory Herb Churros: Add finely chopped rosemary or thyme to the dough, creating a sophisticated savory version perfect for appetizer platters.
  • Fruit-Filled Churros: After frying, use a piping bag to inject raspberry, dulce de leche, or cream cheese filling into the center of each churro for a surprising inner treat.
  • Coconut Crunch Churros: Roll the finished churros in a mixture of toasted coconut flakes and cinnamon sugar for an extra layer of tropical crunch and texture.
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Churros Recipe

Churros Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy Spanish churros invite you on a delightful culinary journey through Madrid’s streets. Golden, cinnamon-sugar-dusted pastries promise a sweet escape that connects you directly to authentic Latin American flavors.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, diced into small pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, cold

Seasoning and Spices:

  • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating and Frying:

  • Vegetable oil for frying

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare a shallow dish with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon for coating the churros, then set it aside.
  2. Combine water, butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large saucepan, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and incorporate flour using a rubber spatula, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes glossy, smooth, and free of significant lumps.
  4. Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and allow it to cool for approximately 5 minutes.
  5. Using an electric mixer, blend vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture, ensuring a uniform and smooth consistency. Continue mixing if the batter appears separated.
  6. Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with the churro dough.
  7. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or cast-iron skillet to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer.
  8. Carefully pipe 6-inch churro lengths directly into the hot oil, using kitchen scissors to cut the dough. Maintain adequate spacing between churros to prevent overcrowding.
  9. Fry each batch until achieving a rich golden-brown color, approximately 2 minutes per side.
  10. Remove churros with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towels.
  11. Immediately roll the warm churros in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
  12. Repeat the frying and coating process with remaining dough.
  13. Serve the churros warm, accompanied by chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for an indulgent treat.

Notes

  • Quick work station setup prevents messy churro-making chaos.
  • Keep oil temperature steady between 350-370°F for perfect golden crispiness.
  • Multiple batches require maintaining consistent oil heat and fresh paper towels for draining.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 37 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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