Few treats can rival the crispy, sugary goodness of freshly made churros. Whether enjoyed as a late-night snack, a fun family activity, or a festive dessert, homemade churros are the perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and warmth. With their golden-brown exterior and soft, fluffy interior, these fried dough pastries have earned a place in hearts around the world, from street vendors in Spain to fairs and carnivals.
The key to a great churro is in the texture. On the outside, it’s crisp and golden, while the inside remains tender and airy. This contrast in textures makes each bite irresistible. Made from a simple dough of flour, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt, churros are typically flavored with vanilla or a bit of cinnamon. The dough is piped into hot oil and fried until it’s crispy, then immediately rolled in cinnamon-sugar for a sweet finish.
What sets homemade churros apart from store-bought versions is the fresh, melt-in-your-mouth quality. When made at home, churros are fried just before serving, which ensures the perfect crispiness and that warm, freshly fried taste. Plus, making churros at home allows you to control the ingredients and flavors. You can add extra spices like nutmeg, or even a bit of cocoa powder, for a unique twist on this beloved treat.
Traditionally, churros are served with a rich dipping sauce, often chocolate or caramel, that complements the sweet, crunchy pastry. The smooth, velvety sauce provides a delicious contrast to the crispness of the churros and enhances the flavor. While they’re delightful on their own, churros with dipping sauce make for an extra indulgent dessert.
Making churros at home can be a fun family activity or a way to impress guests with your cooking skills. The process is simple, but the results are truly special. Whether you’re enjoying churros at a festive celebration or just indulging in a quiet treat at home, these golden pastries are a surefire way to bring a little sweetness into any day.
Homemade churros are versatile, too. They’re just as delicious served alongside coffee for breakfast as they are for dessert. And with the addition of chocolate dipping sauce or a sprinkle of powdered sugar, they can be customized to suit any taste. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s crispy, sweet, and undeniably satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs room temperature, large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar for rolling
- 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon optional
- as needed vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Remove from heat and immediately stir in the flour until mixture forms a ball.
- Let the mixture cool for 5-7 minutes, then beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract.
- Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Heat oil in a large pot or deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Pipe dough into hot oil, forming long churros, and fry until golden and cooked through, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer fried churros to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Roll churros in sugar mixture while still warm.
- Serve warm with chocolate sauce, sugar, or caramel if desired.
Nutrition
YUM! Just the right amount of sweetness, can I use less sugar though?
I was skeptical at first since I never made these before, but they turned out pretty good! Just be careful with the frying.
I usually make these with chocolate chips in the dough but these were still alright.
Chocolate chips sound delicious! I’ll try that next time. But these churros are still a hit with my family!
Is it possible to bake churros instead of frying? Asking for a friend.
Easy, quick, delicious! My grandma used to make these for me 😊.
Not bad, but a bit too oily for my taste 😕. I think I need to try a different method.
Great recipe! A bit messy but worth it!!
Messy makes it fun! Churros are my favorite and totally worth the effort!
This recipe is sooo easy! I made them in less than an hour. Will make again!
Churros? Isn’t that just fried dough? Not impressed.
Fried dough maybe, but churros are a tradition! They’re so much more than just that. Give them a try!
Are churros supposed to be this fluffy? I thought they were supposed to be crunchy.
Churros can be fluffy on the inside, but they should definitely have some crunch. Maybe you didn’t fry them long enough or the oil wasn’t hot enough? Just a thought!
These were good but too much cinnamon for me. Maybe just a sprinkle next time.
I get what you mean! I also find cinnamon can be overpowering sometimes. Just a little can go a long way!
Nah, I love cinnamon! More is always better. But you do you, I guess. 🤷♂️
I never enjoyed churros until now! Perfect recipe, thanks!
Why do they call them churros? I thought they were just called donuts?
They’re kinda different! Churros are long and crispy while donuts are round and fluffy. So, I get the confusion, but they’re their own thing! 🙂
Delicious! I didn’t have vanilla so I used almond extract instead and they were great!
I burnt mine 😩. They look more like churro sticks than churros though!
These churros were amazing! They turned out so crispy and delicious. My kids loved them!