Churros Recipe

Our deep-fried Churros recipe is soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Serve with chocolate for dipping!

Surprise your family with homemade churros for Cinco de Mayo or the next time you make Mexican food for dinner! This easy recipe will guide you through the steps to make homemade churros, so you can enjoy this delightful treat in the comfort of your own home anytime the craving hits.

Where do churros come from?

Many countries have their own version of churros, although the exact origins are unclear. One theory is that the Portuguese brought them to Europe by changing the dough for Chinese youtiao. Others say that they originated from shepherds in Spain who would fry the dough over their fires.

Some countries make their churros with ridges, and others are smooth. There are filled versions and sugared versions. In some areas, churros are served with breakfast, and in others, it is a snack.

Whichever way the churros are made, they have one main thing in common…they are delicious! This churros recipe is like the ones found at theme parks, carnivals, and fairs in America and is eaten as a treat.

Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

• Water: The water hydrates the flour and creates a dough.
• Butter: The butter melts and helps to create a rich, tender dough.
• Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar helps sweeten the dough. You can also use brown sugar if you prefer.
• Seasoning: Season the dough with a bit of salt and ground cinnamon. We like the flavor the ground cinnamon adds to the dough, but you can leave it out if you want.
• Flour: The all-purpose flour forms the base of the dough and provides structure.
• Eggs: Two large eggs add richness and help to bind the ingredients together.
• Oil: Oil is used for frying the churros. We used peanut oil, but canola oil and vegetable oil would also work.
• Coating: We coated the outsides with cinnamon sugar.

How To Make Churros

This recipe uses a choux pastry (or pâte à choux) which is made from water, butter, flour, and eggs. Start by putting the water, butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Turn the heat to low, add the flour, and stir until a ball forms.

Remove the dough from the heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Add the eggs and stir until a dough forms.

Heat oil in a deep fryer (or large pot or a skillet) to 350˚F. Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Squeeze out 3-5 inch strips of dough over the oil and use kitchen shears to cut it off.

Deep fry several churros per batch for about 4 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.

Drain the churros on a paper towel-lined plate and then cover with cinnamon sugar.

Churros con Chocolate

Churros con chocolate translates to churros with chocolate, and we can’t think of a better combination! So we dipped our churros in homemade chocolate sauce. You could also dip them in hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, or chocolate buttercream frosting.

Additional Dipping Sauces

Churros can be dipped in just about anything. When we visit our favorite Mexican restaurant, they give us three dips to choose from chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry! Here are some additional dipping sauces to try:

• Powdered sugar icing: This classic dipping sauce is simple to make and adds a sweet touch.
• Strawberry sauce: A fruity sauce is a great way to add a touch of sweetness and a pop of flavor.
• Marshmallow cream: This creamy, fluffy dip is a perfect match for the crispy texture of churros.
• Caramel syrup: This rich and flavorful sauce is a classic choice.
• Maple glaze: This sweet, maple-flavored icing is a great way to add a touch of fall flavor.
• Ice cream: Dipping them in ice cream is a delicious way to cool down on a hot day.
• Nutella: This dip is similar to churros con chocolate but with a hazelnut twist!

Cinnamon Churros

• This recipe for cinnamon churros has a little cinnamon inside, and it includes the classic cinnamon sugar coating!
• The addition of cinnamon gives the churros a warm and comforting flavor that pairs perfectly with the fried dough.
• You can make cinnamon sugar by combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Or you can buy it premixed from the grocery store.

Air Fryer Churros

You can make air fryer churros instead of deep-frying them in oil. Although the texture and flavor are not quite the same as the fried version, my family still loves them prepared in an air fryer.

• Prepare the dough as directed in the recipe and transfer it to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Preheat an air fryer to 380˚F.
• Spray the basket with olive oil and then pipe the dough into strips directly into the basket. Lightly spray or brush the dough strips with olive oil. Set the remaining dough aside for a second batch.
• Cook the churros at 380˚F for 10-12 minutes, until crispy.
• Remove from the air fryer basket and immediately coat with cinnamon sugar. You can melt butter to brush on the churros before coating them with cinnamon sugar to help it stick better.
• Repeat with the remaining batter.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Deep Fried Treats

These golden, fried Oreos are the perfect fair food at home. They’re sweet, crispy, and totally dunkable. Your family is sure to love them!

This easy funnel cake recipe is a great way to make fair food at home. Just add your favorite toppings to these sweet, crispy funnel cakes for a delicious and fun treat.

These easy-to-make donut sticks are flaky and buttery, and they’re coated in cinnamon sugar for a delicious and irresistible snack. Best of all, they’re deep-fried, so they’re sure to satisfy your cravings.

This fried ice cream is a unique dessert. It has a warm, crunchy shell with cold vanilla ice cream inside. It’s served with cinnamon chips for an extra touch of sweetness.