Churros are one of the most beloved and recognizable desserts in Spanish cuisine, known for their crispy, golden exterior and soft, fluffy interior. Whether enjoyed at a festive fair, a cozy café, or freshly made at home, churros bring a unique blend of sweetness and warmth that captivate the senses. The tradition of churros dates back to Spain, but they have since spread globally, delighting taste buds around the world.

If you’ve ever craved a freshly fried churro, dipped in cinnamon sugar, and perhaps accompanied by a rich, velvety chocolate sauce, then you know just how irresistible this treat can be. What makes churros even more amazing is their versatility; they can be enjoyed as a snack, breakfast, or even a dessert. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the recipe and guide you through the process of making these indulgent pastries at home, so you can enjoy them anytime you desire.



Ingredients

To create these crispy, cinnamon-coated churros, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • For the dough:

    • 1 cup of water
    • 2 ½ tablespoons of granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon of salt
    • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (or butter)
    • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
    • A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

  • For the coating:

    • 1 cup of granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

  • For frying:

    • 2 to 3 cups of vegetable oil (enough to submerge churros while frying)

  • Optional chocolate sauce for dipping:

    • 4 ounces of dark chocolate
    • ½ cup of heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

This recipe yields a simple yet flavorful batch of churros with the perfect balance of sweetness and crispiness.

Prep Time

Before you dive into making churros, there’s a bit of preparation involved, but nothing too complicated. You’ll need to prepare the ingredients, mix the dough, and set up your frying station. The prep time for churros takes about 15 minutes.

  • First, gather all your ingredients and measure them out. This will make it easier when assembling the dough.
  • Then, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating by combining the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set this aside for later use.

Cook Time

The actual cooking time for churros is relatively quick. Frying the churros until they’re golden and crispy will take about 4 to 5 minutes. While the dough needs to be carefully prepared, the frying step is the most exciting part, as you’ll watch your churros turn from dough to a crispy, golden brown treat.

Total Time

The total time for making churros, from start to finish, is approximately 30 minutes. This includes prepping the ingredients, making the dough, frying the churros, and coating them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Servings

This recipe yields 12 to 15 churros, depending on the size of the churros you make. The serving size is typically 2 to 3 churros per person, but feel free to adjust this depending on the size of your guests or family members.

Yield

With this recipe, you’ll have a satisfying batch of churros that should serve around 4 to 6 people. This makes it an ideal treat for a small gathering or a fun weekend breakfast with family. If you’re preparing churros for a larger group, you can easily double the recipe.

Directions

Now that you have all your ingredients prepped and ready, let’s walk through the steps to make churros at home. Follow these directions carefully, and you’ll be enjoying freshly made churros in no time!

  1. Prepare the dough:

    • Start by bringing 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
    • Add 2 ½ tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Let the mixture come to a simmer, but be careful not to let it boil over.
    • Once the water mixture is simmering, reduce the heat to low and add 1 cup of all-purpose flour all at once. Stir the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. You may notice the dough pulling away from the sides of the pan, which is a good sign.
    • Remove the dough from the heat and let it cool for a minute or two. This will help it cool down enough to add the egg without scrambling it.
    • Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough and mix thoroughly. The dough will become smooth and slightly sticky. If you prefer a bit of cinnamon flavor in the dough itself, you can also add a pinch of cinnamon at this stage.

  2. Prepare the frying oil:

    • Pour 2 to 3 cups of vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or Dutch oven. The oil should be enough to submerge the churros. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). You can test the temperature by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil – if it bubbles and rises to the surface immediately, it’s ready.

  3. Prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating:

    • In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Set this aside for later.

  4. Pipe the churros:

    • Once your oil is hot, transfer the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. This star tip will give the churros their signature ridged shape. Alternatively, you can use a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
    • Carefully pipe the dough into the hot oil, cutting the dough into pieces that are about 4 to 6 inches long. Fry the churros in batches, being sure not to overcrowd the pan.
    • Fry the churros for 4 to 5 minutes, turning them occasionally with tongs to ensure even cooking. They should be golden brown and crispy when done.

  5. Coat the churros:

    • Once the churros are fried to perfection, use tongs to remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
    • Immediately roll the churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring they’re evenly coated on all sides. This gives churros their signature sweet, spicy finish.

  6. Optional chocolate dipping sauce:

    • If you want to take your churros to the next level, you can prepare a simple chocolate dipping sauce. In a small saucepan, heat ½ cup of heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove it from the heat and add 4 ounces of dark chocolate, stirring until the chocolate is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for added flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Churros are best served hot and fresh. You can enjoy them on their own or pair them with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or even a glass of milk. If you made the optional chocolate sauce, dip each churro into the sauce for a decadent treat.

Churros can also be served as part of a larger breakfast spread, alongside fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. Their versatility makes them perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual weekend breakfast or a special celebration.

If you have any leftovers (though they’re usually gone pretty quickly!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. Reheat them briefly in the oven to restore some of their crispiness, or enjoy them cold as a snack.

Variations of Churros

Churros are wonderfully versatile, and there are many ways to customize them. Here are a few ideas to try next time:

  • Filled churros: Instead of rolling the churros in cinnamon-sugar, pipe a filling into the center of each one, such as chocolate ganache, dulce de leche, or whipped cream.
  • Chocolate-covered churros: After frying and coating the churros in cinnamon-sugar, dip them halfway into melted chocolate for an extra indulgent twist.
  • Different spices: Experiment with various spices in the dough or coating, such as nutmeg, cardamom, or even a touch of chili powder for a spicy kick.

Churros are a delicious pastry that can be easily adapted to your tastes and preferences. Whether you stick with the classic version or get creative with fillings and toppings, churros are sure to be a hit!