Homemade churros are easier to make than you might think and require only a handful of basic ingredients. They’re made without any fancy equipment, and the results are always crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re serving them hot and fresh for a family gathering or prepping them in advance for a celebration, their irresistible crunch and sweetness will leave everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Water
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Salt
All-purpose flour
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional for serving:
Chocolate sauce
Dulce de leche
Extra cinnamon sugar
Directions
In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted and the mixture is boiling, reduce heat and stir in the flour all at once. Mix vigorously until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball.
Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract.
Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Carefully pipe 4–6 inch lengths of dough into the hot oil, using scissors or a knife to cut the ends. Fry in batches until golden brown, turning occasionally.
Remove churros with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
While still warm, roll churros in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Serve immediately with chocolate sauce or dulce de leche.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields about 20–24 churros and takes approximately 40 minutes to prepare from start to finish, including cooking time.
Variations
Filled Churros: Use a skewer to hollow out the center and pipe in chocolate, caramel, or cream filling.
Baked Churros: For a lighter version, pipe the dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar.
Spiced Sugar: Add nutmeg, cardamom, or cayenne pepper to the cinnamon sugar for a unique twist.
Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter and egg substitutes like flax eggs to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
Mini Churros: Pipe smaller lengths for bite-sized treats that are perfect for dipping.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5–8 minutes until warmed through and crispy. Avoid microwaving as it may make them soggy.
FAQs
How do I keep churros crispy?
To keep churros crispy, avoid overcrowding the frying pan, and make sure the oil stays at a consistent 375°F. Drain them well on paper towels and serve immediately.
Can I make churro dough in advance?
Yes, you can make the dough a few hours in advance. Store it in the piping bag in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature before frying.
What oil is best for frying churros?
Neutral oils with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil, are ideal for frying churros.
Can I freeze churros?
Yes, fry the churros, let them cool completely, and then freeze them in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Why are my churros raw inside?
Churros that are too thick or cooked in oil that’s too hot may brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw inside. Make sure the oil stays at 375°F and avoid piping overly thick churros.
Do I need a piping bag to make churros?
While a piping bag with a star tip gives churros their signature ridged shape, you can also use a zip-top bag with a snipped corner in a pinch, though the texture may differ slightly.
Can churros be made gluten-free?
Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. The texture may vary, but it can still work well.
Are churros supposed to be hollow?
Churros are not typically hollow but should have a soft, airy interior. If they’re too dense, the dough might need more mixing or the oil might not be hot enough.
What’s the best dipping sauce for churros?
Classic chocolate ganache is the most popular option, but caramel, dulce de leche, or even fruit sauces like raspberry work wonderfully.
Can I make churros without eggs?
Yes, you can use an egg replacer or make a pâte à choux-style dough using only water, butter, and flour for an eggless version, though the texture may be slightly different.
Conclusion
Homemade churros are a fun and rewarding treat that combines simplicity with indulgence. With crispy exteriors and soft, tender centers, they’re sure to impress at any occasion. Whether served plain, filled, or with a decadent dip, these churros will quickly become a favorite in your dessert rotation.
Homemade Churros are golden, crispy pastries rolled in cinnamon sugar and perfect for dipping in chocolate sauce or dulce de leche. With a crunchy outside and soft inside, they bring fairground charm right to your kitchen.
Author:Catherine
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:20–24 churros
Category:Dessert
Method:Fried
Cuisine:Spanish
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil (for frying)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
Optional: chocolate sauce or dulce de leche for serving
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and stir in flour all at once. Stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from sides.
Remove from heat and cool for a few minutes.
Beat in eggs one at a time until dough is smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract.
Transfer dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Heat oil in a deep pan to 375°F (190°C).
Pipe 4–6 inch lengths of dough into hot oil, cutting ends with scissors. Fry in batches until golden brown, turning occasionally.
Drain churros on paper towels.
Roll warm churros in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
Serve immediately with chocolate sauce or dulce de leche.
Notes
Pipe smaller churros for bite-sized snacks.Try filled churros with chocolate or caramel inside.For baked churros, pipe onto a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.Add nutmeg or cayenne to cinnamon sugar for unique flavor.Vegan option: use plant-based butter and egg substitutes.
