Churros

4.4
(843)

Churros (Mexican fritters) are very common at fairs. In my border hometown, the line at this stand is always overwhelming. People wait hours in line just to get a taste of these churros. I have run across several recipes but this is the best one by far.

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A plate of churros served with chocolate dipping sauce
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4

These churros are crispy on the outside, yet wonderfully tender on the inside. This restaurant-worthy churro recipe will quickly become a staple in your dessert rotation.

What Is a Churro?

A churro is a cinnamon- and sugar-topped fried pastry dough stick with Spanish and Portuguese origins. Churros are similar to doughnuts, but they have ridges because they are piped out of a pastry bag. Because they are fried instead of baked, churros have a fluffy and tender interior with a satisfyingly crispy exterior.

How to Make Churros

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Churros Ingredients

These are the six ingredients you'll need to make this homemade churro recipe:

  • Water: This recipe for churros starts with a cup of water.
  • Sugar: White sugar goes into the churro dough and into the cinnamon-sugar topping.
  • Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Oil: You'll need vegetable oil for the dough and to fry the churros.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour gives the churro dough structure.
  • Cinnamon: The fried churros are rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before serving.

How to Make Churros Step-By-Step

Here's a very brief overview of what you can expect when you make churros at home:

  1. Boil water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil. Remove from the heat, then stir in flour.
  2. Transfer the dough to a pastry bag and pipe into strips.
  3. Fry the strips in hot oil until they're golden.
  4. Drain the churros, then roll in cinnamon-sugar.

Recipe Tip

Keep the oil temperature consistently between 350 and 375 degrees F (175 and 190 degrees C) as you fry. If it gets too hot, turn off the heat and let the temperature drop down to that range.

How to Serve Churros

Churros are traditionally served with a sweet dipping sauce. Try pairing them with homemade chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or vanilla sauce.

How to Store Churros

Store the (completely cooled) churros in an airtight container lined with paper towels at room temperature for up to two days.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"My kids love this recipe and are always wanting me to make them," says Shaun Gordon. "I recommend doing a double batch because they won't last long."

"These were amazing," raves Robyn Harrison. "The recipe was easy and quick!! We ate them with hot fudge and ice cream. It was a perfect summer treat!!!"

"This was a really easy, fun, and delicious recipe," says IRIS SHELDON. "It also did not take very long. I piped my churros thin and I would recommend that because then they don't take as long to fry."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 cup water

  • 2 ½ tablespoons white sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 quarts oil for frying

  • ½ cup white sugar, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make churros

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  2. Combine water, 2 ½ tablespoons sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.

    A simmering pan with water, sugar, salt, and oil

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  3. Stir in flour, stirring until mixture forms a ball.

    A small pot with a ball of dough and a wooden spoon

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  4. Heat oil for frying in a deep fryer or deep pot to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Transfer dough to a sturdy pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip.

    A piping bag with dough, fitted with a large star tip

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  5. Carefully pipe a few 5- to 6-inch strips of dough into the hot oil; work in batches so you don't crowd the fryer.

    Two hands pipping pieces of dough into a large pot of hot oil

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  6. Cook until golden; use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer churros to paper towels to drain.

    A paper towel-lined plated with pieces of fried dough

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  7. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

    A plate of churros served with chocolate dipping sauce

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

Editor's Note

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount may vary depending on cook time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.

1,808 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

364 Calories
14g Fat
57g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 364
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 268mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 57g 21%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 33g
Protein 3g 7%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 2mg 8%
Potassium 37mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.