If you have a sweet tooth and love a little crunch with your cinnamon, you are going to fall head over heels for this Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe. Imagine warm, golden churros with a perfectly crunchy exterior dusted in a fragrant cinnamon sugar mixture. Each bite delivers a delightful contrast between crispy shell and tender inside that melts in your mouth. It’s the kind of treat that brings out smiles at any gathering or simply brightens your day as an indulgent snack. Let me take you through every step to make these irresistible churros that will quickly become your new favorite dessert at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are surprisingly simple, yet every one is essential to achieving that classic churro texture and rich flavor. From the creamy butter that enriches the dough to the cinnamon that gives it that warm, aromatic touch, each component plays a starring role in crafting these perfect crispy treats.
- 1 cup water: Provides moisture to create the dough’s smooth structure and helps activate the butter’s richness.
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds creaminess and flavor that balances the cinnamon and sugar sweetness.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors and keeps the dough well-rounded.
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon (divided): Cinnamon is the heart of this recipe, offering warmth in the dough and the sugar coating.
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure and that satisfying chew.
- 3 eggs: Eggs bind the dough together and contribute to the light, airy texture inside the churros.
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil (or canola oil): Essential for frying to create that crispy, golden crust.
- ½ cup sugar: Coats the churros for that signature sweet crunch, perfectly paired with cinnamon.
How to Make Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Infused Water and Butter
Begin by combining water, unsalted butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil, allowing the butter to melt completely and cinnamon to infuse the liquid with its warm aroma. This step lays the flavorful foundation of your churro dough, ensuring every bite has that classic taste you love.
Step 2: Create the Dough
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the all-purpose flour to the saucepan all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls together into a ball of dough and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This technique cooks off some moisture while helping the dough come together smoothly. Remove the pan from heat and let the dough rest for 5 to 7 minutes so it cools slightly, making it easier to mix in the eggs.
Step 3: Incorporate the Eggs
With the dough slightly cooled, add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. This slow incorporation is key to achieving a silky, cohesive dough perfect for piping. Each egg adds richness and helps give the churros that signature lightness inside, balanced with a sturdy exterior.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
Pour your vegetable or canola oil into a medium skillet or a 1-quart saucepan. Heat it over medium-high heat until the oil reaches about 350ËšF (or hot enough so a small piece of dough sizzles immediately). Proper oil temperature ensures your churros come out crispy and golden without absorbing too much oil.
Step 5: Pipe and Fry the Churros
Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with the churro dough. Pipe 1-inch strips directly into the hot oil, cutting each strip with a knife as you go. Fry batches with enough spacing so the churros don’t stick together and have room to puff. This step is where your churros get that iconic ridged, crunchy exterior everyone loves.
Step 6: Cook Until Golden
Let the churros fry until they turn a beautiful golden brown, usually just a few minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon or mesh strainer to remove them from the oil, then transfer onto paper towels to drain off any excess oil. This resting moment keeps the churros perfectly crisp without being greasy.
Step 7: Toss in Cinnamon Sugar
In a medium bowl, mix the remaining cinnamon with sugar, and while the churros are still warm, toss them gently in this cinnamon sugar mixture. Coating them while warm allows the sugar to stick beautifully, creating that addictive sweet-crisp shell you won’t be able to resist!
How to Serve Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe
Garnishes
While the cinnamon sugar coating is a star, customizing your churros with garnishes can add an exciting twist. Sprinkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra decadence. Fresh berries or a side of whipped cream can introduce a bright, fresh contrast to the warm, crunchy churros.
Side Dishes
Serving churros alongside rich dipping sauces like warm chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, or even dulce de leche elevates the experience. A cup of vibrant coffee or thick hot chocolate perfectly complements the cinnamon notes and crispy texture, making it a cozy treat no matter the occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by stacking churros in a festive cone or arranging them on a decorative platter with ramekins of different sauces for dipping. For parties, try churro bites on skewers alternating with pieces of fruit or marshmallows to create fun, sharable snacks. The Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe is wonderfully versatile and fun to present in any way that inspires you!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. Keeping them sealed prevents them from becoming stale, although they are best enjoyed fresh for maximum crunch.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze cooled churro pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer bag or container. They can be frozen for up to a month and will retain their delicious flavor and texture when reheated.
Reheating
To bring back that signature crispiness after storage, reheat churros in a preheated oven at 350ËšF for 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make them soggy instead of crunchy. This little step revives them close to freshly made perfection.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best to make the dough fresh for piping and frying, but you can prepare it up to a few hours ahead and keep it covered tightly at room temperature. The churros fry best with fresh dough for optimal texture.
What if I don’t have a piping bag and star tip?
You can use a plastic zip-top bag and snip off the corner to pipe the dough, though the shape won’t have the classic ridges. A large star tip does create the signature texture, but improvising still works well for taste.
Can I bake churros instead of frying them?
While frying produces the best crunch and color for the Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe, you can bake them for a lighter version. Brush with melted butter and bake until golden, though the texture will be less crispy than frying.
What is the best dipping sauce for churros?
Chocolate sauce is the classic favorite, but caramel, dulce de leche, fruit coulis, or even vanilla glaze all pair beautifully. Feel free to experiment based on your sweetness preference!
How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?
Use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches 350˚F for perfect frying temperature. Without one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil—if it bubbles vigorously and rises to the surface quickly, the oil is ready.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe is pure joy in every bite. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or to impress friends, the crunchy outside combined with the sweet, cinnamon-kissed coating never fails to delight. Grab your ingredients, gather your favorite dipping sauces, and treat yourself to these little pieces of happiness. I promise, once you try this homemade version, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought churros again.
Print
Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Description
Crispy, golden-brown churros coated in cinnamon sugar, perfect for dipping and sharing. This traditional Spanish fried dough treat is easy to make at home with simple ingredients and a straightforward frying method.
Ingredients
Churro Dough
- 1 cup water
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
For Frying
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil (or canola oil)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the dough base: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, combine water, unsalted butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Make the dough ball: Once boiling, reduce heat to low and add the all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball of dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the warm dough, stirring well after each addition until the dough is smooth and fully combined. Set the dough aside.
- Heat the oil: In a medium skillet or a 1-quart saucepan, heat the vegetable or canola oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Pipe the churros: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 1-inch strips of dough directly over the surface of the hot oil. Use a knife or scissors to cut the dough strips off the piping bag as you go. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan to ensure even frying.
- Fry until golden: Fry the churro pieces until they are golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally for even cooking. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
- Drain the churros: Remove fried churros with a slotted spoon or mesh strainer and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Coat with cinnamon sugar: In a medium bowl, mix ½ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Toss the warm churro bites in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
- Serve: Transfer the churros to a serving plate and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces such as chocolate or caramel.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature stays consistent at 350°F for perfect frying results.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pan to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Adding eggs one at a time ensures a smooth dough perfect for piping.
- Serve churros warm for the best texture and flavor.
- You can use vegetable or canola oil as they have high smoke points suitable for frying.
