If you’ve ever walked past a churro stand at a festival or local fair, you know there’s nothing quite like that sweet, cinnamon-sugar crunch. But who says you can’t recreate that magic at home? With just a handful of pantry staples and minimal effort, you can whip up a batch of golden-brown churros that are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and impossible to resist.
Best of all, this easy recipe includes a rich dipping sauce that brings every bite to the next level. Grab your piping bag, heat some oil, and get ready to turn your kitchen into a mini dessert haven!
1. Gather Your Ingredients
For the Churros
– 1 cup water
– 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Equipment You’ll Need
– Medium saucepan
– Piping bag with a large star tip
– Deep pot or fryer
– Candy thermometer (optional but helpful)
– Slotted spoon or spider
– Paper towels
2. Prepare the Churro Dough
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of oil, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour until the mixture forms a smooth, slightly sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes—this makes it easier to pipe.
3. Heat the Oil to the Right Temperature
Pour enough oil into your pot or fryer to reach about 2 inches of depth. Heat to 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small dab of dough into the oil—if it sizzles and rises to the top immediately, you’re ready to fry. Maintain steady heat to ensure even cooking.
4. Pipe and Fry Your Churros
Fit your piping bag with the star tip and fill with the churro dough. Holding the bag vertically over the hot oil, pipe 4- to 6-inch strips of dough, cutting them off with kitchen scissors. Fry in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Turn the churros occasionally until they’re golden brown on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil.
5. Coat in Cinnamon-Sugar
While the churros are still warm, toss them in a shallow bowl filled with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Make sure each churro gets a generous, even coating so every bite is perfectly sweet and spicy.
6. Whip Up the Perfect Dipping Sauce
Decadent Chocolate Sauce
– 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
In a small saucepan, heat the cream until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped chocolate and butter until smooth and glossy. Pour into a dipping bowl and serve warm alongside your fresh churros.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Arrange churros on a platter, add the dipping sauce, and watch your friends and family dive in. These treats are best enjoyed piping hot for maximum crunch, so plan to serve them immediately after frying and coating.
8. Flavor Variations and Expert Tips
Feeling adventurous? Swap the cinnamon sugar for:
– **Pumpkin Spice Sugar:** Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
– **Matcha Sugar:** Replace cinnamon with 1 teaspoon of matcha powder.
– **Dulce de Leche Drizzle:** Warm dulce de leche and drizzle over the churros instead of dipping.
Pro Tip: If you need to keep churros warm while you finish frying, place them on a wire rack in a 200°F oven for up to 15 minutes without losing their crunch.
There you have it—crispy, golden churros with an indulgent dipping sauce that rivals any churro stand. Whether you’re hosting a movie night, a fiesta, or just craving something sweet, these homemade churros will hit the spot. Give it a try, customize your flavors, and enjoy every crunchy, sugary bite!