The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Making Perfect Homemade Churros

Few desserts capture the magic of street food quite like churros. These crispy, golden delights, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with rich dulce de leche, are a favorite across Mexico, Spain, and beyond. Best of all, making churros at home is easier than you might think.

Print

If you’ve never made fried dough before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through each step to ensure you get perfect results. Whether you’re making these for a special occasion or simply craving a sweet treat, this guide will help you achieve crispy, golden churros that rival any street vendor’s.

Why This Churros Recipe is Perfect for Beginners

Many beginner cooks are intimidated by deep frying, but this recipe is straightforward and uses just a few pantry staples. Churros come together quickly and require no special skills beyond piping and frying. They are also:

• Time-efficient – Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish
• Beginner-friendly – Made with simple ingredients and clear steps
• Vegan and egg-free – A great option for those with dietary restrictions
• Customizable – Enjoy them plain, dusted with cinnamon sugar, or served with a dipping sauce

Now, let’s dive into the recipe.

Ingredients and Preparation

Before you begin, gather all your ingredients to make the process seamless.

For the Churros Dough

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or canola/sunflower oil)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

For Frying

• Oil (vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil)

For Serving

• Dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, or vanilla sauce

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

• Instead of white sugar, try coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor.
• Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend if needed.
• Use avocado oil for frying as a healthier alternative.
• If you don’t have cinnamon powder, try nutmeg or a mix of both.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to make perfect churros every time.

Step 1: Make the Churro Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, oil, salt, and vanilla extract.
2. Slowly add in the flour while whisking. The dough should be thick, sticky, and smooth—similar to a thick batter.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

1. Pour oil into a deep skillet or fryer and heat it over medium heat.
2. The oil is ready when a small drop of dough floats to the top and starts sizzling immediately.

Step 3: Pipe the Churros

1. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a star tip with the dough.
2. Pipe 4 to 5-inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, using scissors or a knife to cut each strip.
3. Do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches.

Step 4: Fry Until Golden Brown

1. Fry each batch for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once.
2. When the churros are golden brown and crisp, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

1. In a large paper bag or bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon powder.
2. While the churros are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve the churros warm with dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, or vanilla sauce.

Beginner Tips and Notes

Avoiding Soggy or Undercooked Churros

• Ensure the oil temperature is medium-high. If it’s too low, the churros will absorb oil and turn soggy.
• If the oil is too hot, the churros will brown quickly on the outside but remain raw inside. Adjust the heat as needed.

How to Get the Perfect Shape

• Pipe the dough directly into the oil rather than onto a baking sheet before frying.
• If you don’t have a pastry bag, use a sturdy Ziploc bag with a small hole cut in the corner.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

• Churros are too dense – The dough might be too thick. Add a tablespoon of warm water and mix again.
• Churros are oily – The oil temperature was too low. Make sure it’s hot before frying.
• Churros break apart – The dough may have too much flour. Reduce the amount slightly.

Making Churro Donuts

If you don’t have a piping bag, you can still make churros by dropping small dollops of dough into the oil, creating bite-sized churro donuts. They will have the same delicious flavor with a different shape.

Serving Suggestions

Dipping Sauces

Churros are amazing on their own, but dipping them in a sauce takes them to the next level. Here are a few options:

• Classic Chocolate Sauce – Melt dark chocolate with a splash of cream for a rich dip.
• Vanilla Sauce – Mix sweetened condensed milk with a little vanilla extract.
• Dulce de Leche – The most traditional pairing, offering a creamy caramel flavor.

Pairing with Other Treats

• Serve with fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas for a refreshing balance.
• Add a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
• Sprinkle some crushed nuts or drizzle honey for extra texture and flavor.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers, store them properly to keep them fresh.

• Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator – Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, but note that they may lose crispiness.
• Freezer – Freeze unfried churro dough in a piping bag for up to a month. When ready, thaw slightly and fry as usual.
• Reheating – Warm them in an oven at 350°F for a few minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as this makes them soft and chewy.

Final Thoughts

Making homemade churros is a rewarding experience, especially when you see how simple and fun it is. Whether you are making them for a family gathering, a weekend treat, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, this beginner-friendly recipe ensures success every time.

The key to perfect churros is maintaining the right oil temperature, using a good-quality piping bag, and enjoying the process. Don’t stress about getting perfect shapes—what matters most is the crispy, golden exterior and soft, tender inside.

Now, it’s your turn to try this recipe. Have fun making them, experiment with different toppings, and share your experience. What dipping sauce did you try? Did you add any unique twists? Let me know how your churros turned out.

Happy cooking!