Decadent Churros Recipe

Crispy Homemade Churros Recipe: Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Bliss

Golden, crispy churros dance with cinnamon sugar, promising a delightful street food-style churros recipe that transports you straight to the vibrant streets of Spain.

Every bite tells a story of sweet indulgence and culinary tradition.

These delectable treats emerge from a simple dough that puffs and crisps beautifully when fried to perfection.

The aroma of warm cinnamon and sugar will fill your kitchen, creating an irresistible sensory experience.

With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, you can craft these legendary pastries that sparkle with nostalgia and pure deliciousness.

Whip up these churros and watch as they become an instant favorite at any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 282 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Churros

For Base Dough:
  • Water: Provides moisture and helps bind ingredients together, ensuring smooth dough consistency.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and creates tender texture with delicate flavor.
  • White Granulated Sugar: Introduces subtle sweetness and helps with golden-brown coloration.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and gives churros their classic crispy exterior.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structural stability to the dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
For Seasoning and Flavor:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Infuse warm, aromatic spices that complement the sweet pastry.
  • Salt: Balances flavors and heightens overall taste sensation.
For Cooking and Coating:
  • Vegetable Oil: Enables deep-frying and creates crispy, golden-brown churros.
  • Cinnamon Sugar: Provides a classic, sweet coating that transforms churros into an irresistible treat. Choose fine sugar for even coating and fresh ground cinnamon for maximum flavor intensity.

Tools to Make Churros at Home

  • Large Saucepan: Essential for boiling water, butter, and creating the churros dough base.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for cooling and mixing the dough after initial cooking.
  • Hand Electric Mixer: Crucial for whisking eggs and vanilla into the dough smoothly.
  • Piping Bag with 1/2 inch Star Tip: Key tool for shaping churros with classic ridged design.
  • Large Pot or Deep Cast-Iron Skillet: Necessary for deep frying churros evenly.
  • Candy Thermometer: Important for maintaining precise oil temperature at 360°F.
  • Slotted Spoon: Helps safely remove churros from hot oil.
  • Kitchen Scissors: Useful for cleanly cutting churros while piping.
  • Paper Towels: Helps drain excess oil from fried churros.
  • Shallow Dish: Used for preparing cinnamon-sugar coating.
  • Whisk: Helps mix cinnamon and sugar together.
  • Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Helps stir dough during initial cooking stage.

How to Prepare Classic Churros

  • Cinnamon Sugar Blend

Grab a shallow dish and mix sugar with cinnamon, creating a delightful coating that will transform your churros into a sweet sensation.

  • Magical Dough Preparation

In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and spices, bringing the liquid to a rolling boil. Gently stir in flour until the mixture becomes glossy and smooth, creating a silky base for your churros.

  • Mixing Magic

Let the dough cool slightly, then whisk in vanilla and egg until perfectly blended. The mixture should look creamy and unified.

  • Oil Heating

Warm vegetable oil in a deep pan, aiming for a toasty 360 degrees. This is where the crispy transformation begins.

  • Churro Shaping

Fill a piping bag with the dough and carefully squeeze 6-inch lengths into the hot oil. Snip the ends with scissors, creating those classic churro curves.

  • Frying to Golden Perfection

Cook each churro until it turns a beautiful golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Patience is key to achieving that crispy exterior.

  • Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Drain the churros briefly on paper towels, then quickly roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This is where the magic happens!

  • Serving Delight

Serve these warm, crispy treats alongside chocolate or caramel sauce for an irresistible dipping experience.

Flavor Tips and Recipe Tweaks for Churros

  • Churros Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Oil Temperature Precision: Keep oil consistently at 360°F for perfect golden-brown churros without burning or undercooking. Use a candy thermometer for accurate monitoring.
  • Piping Pro Technique: Practice steady hand movements when piping churros to create uniform shapes. Cut dough with sharp kitchen scissors for clean edges and consistent length.
  • Dough Consistency Magic: Mix flour mixture thoroughly to achieve smooth, lump-free texture. Allow mixture to cool slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
  • Flavor Adventure: Experiment with spice variations like adding orange zest, cardamom, or replacing some sugar with brown sugar for deeper flavor profiles.
  • Dipping Sauce Creativity: Beyond classic chocolate and caramel, try unconventional dips like dulce de leche, berry compote, or cream cheese frosting for unique taste experiences.

Serving Up Fresh, Crispy Churros

  • Sweet Chocolate Haven: Drizzle warm, rich chocolate sauce over churros for a decadent dessert experience that melts in your mouth. Chocolate adds depth and luxury to the crispy, cinnamon-coated treat.
  • Caramel Indulgence: Pair churros with smooth, silky caramel sauce for a classic dipping combination. The golden, buttery caramel complements the churros' crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly.
  • Fruity Twist: Serve churros alongside fresh berry compote or strawberry sauce for a bright, tangy contrast. The fruit's natural sweetness balances the churros' rich, sugary coating and creates a refreshing dessert option.
  • Ice Cream Companion: Top warm churros with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for an incredible hot-and-cold dessert sensation. The creamy, cold ice cream melts slightly against the warm, crispy churros, creating an irresistible texture combination.

Churros Storage and Prep Planning

  • Quick Serving Suggestions: Enjoy churros fresh and warm immediately after cooking for the crispiest texture and most delightful flavor. Serve with warm chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooled churros in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Keep refrigerated for up to 2-3 days, understanding they'll lose some crunchiness.
  • Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated churros by warming them in an oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make them soggy and less appetizing.
  • Freezing Option: Wrap completely cooled churros individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in oven before serving for best results.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Decadent Churros Recipe

Decadent Churros Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Sweet Spanish churros invite home cooks on a delightful culinary journey through crispy, golden pastry delights. Homemade churros deliver authentic Mediterranean flavors with simple ingredients and easy preparation methods you can master quickly.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, diced into small pieces
  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, cold
  • 2 tbsps (30 g) white granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) white granulated sugar (for coating)
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare Coating: Blend sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish, setting aside for final churro dusting.
  2. Create Dough Base: In a large saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, bringing to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat. Reduce temperature to medium-low and swiftly incorporate flour using a rubber spatula, stirring until the mixture transforms into a glossy, smooth consistency without significant lumps.
  3. Mix Dough: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl, allowing it to cool for 5 minutes. Utilize an electric mixer to integrate vanilla extract and egg, ensuring a uniform batter. If the mixture appears separated, continue mixing until smooth.
  4. Prepare for Frying: Load the churro dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or cast-iron skillet to 360°F, carefully monitoring temperature with a candy thermometer.
  5. Fry and Coat: Pipe 6-inch churro lengths directly into the hot oil, using kitchen scissors to cut the dough. Maintain spacing between churros. Fry each batch until achieving a rich golden-brown color, approximately 2 minutes per side. Extract with a slotted spoon, briefly drain on paper towels, then immediately roll the warm churros in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture for complete coverage.
  6. Serve: Present the churros warm, accompanied by chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for an indulgent experience.

Notes

  • Temperature Precision: Use a candy thermometer to maintain exactly 360°F for perfect golden-brown churros without burning.
  • Dough Consistency: Mix flour thoroughly until the dough becomes glossy and smooth, eliminating large lumps for a tender texture.
  • Piping Technique: Use a star-tipped piping bag for authentic ridged churros and cut dough evenly with kitchen scissors to ensure uniform size.
  • Oil Management: Avoid overcrowding the pan and maintain consistent oil temperature to achieve crispy exterior and soft interior.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 282
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Sodium: 145 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 37 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star