Homemade Churros – Crispy, Sweet, and Perfectly Dippable

Churros are a beloved fried pastry that originated in Spain and have become popular worldwide. These long, ridged doughnuts are crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and traditionally coated in cinnamon sugar. Served with a side of thick chocolate sauce for dipping, churros make a delightful treat for breakfast, dessert, or any time you’re craving something sweet and indulgent.

Making churros at home is easier than you might think, and with just a few basic ingredients, you can recreate that crispy, sugary goodness right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re making them for a family treat or as a party snack, churros are guaranteed to impress.

Why Make Churros at Home?

Homemade churros allow you to enjoy these irresistible pastries fresh and hot, straight from the fryer. While you can find churros at fairs or food trucks, making them at home gives you control over the ingredients and allows you to customize them to your liking. You can make the classic version coated in cinnamon sugar or try fun variations like dipping them in chocolate or caramel sauce. Plus, homemade churros are free from preservatives and artificial flavors, so you know exactly what’s going into your sweet treat.

Ingredients and Tools:

Churros are made from a simple choux dough, which is the same dough used to make éclairs and cream puffs. The ingredients are basic—flour, water, butter, and eggs—making churros an easy pastry to whip up with pantry staples.

• Ingredients: All-purpose flour, butter, sugar, cinnamon, eggs, water, and oil for frying.
• Tools: A medium saucepan, piping bag with a star tip, frying pan or deep fryer, slotted spoon, and tongs.

Recipe: Homemade Churros

• Yield: About 12 churros
• Serving Size: 2 churros
• Approximate Nutritional Values per Serving (values are approximate and can vary based on the ingredients used):
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugars: 10 g
  • Protein: 4 g

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For Coating:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Dipping (Optional):

• Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter melts. Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and stir in the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the pan, forming a smooth ball.
2. Cool the Dough:
   • Remove the saucepan from heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. This step is important to prevent the eggs from cooking when you add them to the dough.
3. Add the Eggs:
   • Once the dough has cooled slightly, add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition. The dough will appear lumpy at first, but continue mixing until it becomes smooth and shiny. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Prepare the Piping Bag:
   • Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. The star tip will create the ridged texture that churros are known for. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a large plastic bag with the corner snipped off, but a star tip will give you the best results.
5. Heat the Oil:
   • In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). You can test the temperature by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle and start to turn golden after a few seconds.
6. Fry the Churros:
   • Pipe 4- to 6-inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, using scissors or a knife to cut the dough at the desired length. Fry the churros in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the churros from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
7. Coat the Churros:
   • While the churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are fully coated. This step adds the classic sweet and spicy flavor that makes churros so irresistible.
8. Serve:
   • Serve the churros warm, either plain or with your favorite dipping sauce. Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche are all excellent choices for dipping.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Churros:

• Use the Right Temperature for Frying: Be sure to keep the oil at the right temperature (350°F) to ensure that the churros fry evenly and don’t absorb too much oil. If the oil is too hot, the churros will brown too quickly on the outside without cooking through on the inside.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the churros in batches to prevent them from sticking together and to ensure they fry up nice and crispy.
• Customize the Dipping Sauces: While chocolate is the most traditional dipping sauce for churros, you can get creative with caramel, Nutella, or even a fruity sauce like raspberry or strawberry.

Creative Variations for Churros:

• Filled Churros: For an extra indulgent treat, you can pipe filling inside the churros after frying. Use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to fill the churros with dulce de leche, cream, or Nutella.
• Savory Churros: If you’re in the mood for something different, try making savory churros by omitting the sugar in the dough and adding grated cheese or herbs. Serve them with a dipping sauce like marinara or cheese sauce.
• Churro Bites: Instead of making long churros, pipe the dough into smaller bite-sized pieces for mini churros. These are perfect for parties or sharing!

Serving Ideas for Churros:

• Dessert Platter: Serve churros alongside other Spanish-inspired desserts like flan or tres leches cake for a sweet and decadent dessert spread.
• Churro Sundae: Create a churro sundae by serving warm churros with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with whipped cream.
• Churros and Hot Chocolate: In Spain, churros are often enjoyed with a cup of thick, rich hot chocolate for dipping. You can recreate this experience at home for the ultimate comfort treat.

Health Considerations for Churros:

Churros are an indulgent treat that should be enjoyed in moderation. While they are fried and coated in sugar, you can make small adjustments to lighten them up, such as using less sugar or baking them instead of frying. Keep in mind that homemade churros are best enjoyed fresh, as they can lose their crispiness over time.

Storing and Reheating Churros:

Churros are best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat churros, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to restore their crispiness.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that churros are believed to have been invented by Spanish shepherds? The dough was easy to fry over an open fire, and the long, ridged shape of the churros resembled the horns of a breed of sheep known as the Churra. Today, churros are enjoyed all around the world, from Spain to Latin America, and have become a staple of street food culture.