Keep this churro snacks recipe in your back pocket and you’ll have a festive, shareable dessert ready whenever the craving strikes no special equipment required beyond a saucepan and a piping bag or zipper bag. It’s simple, satisfying, and absolutely irresistible.
Quick Introduction — Churro Snacks Recipe
This churro snacks recipe delivers bite-size churros rolled in cinnamon sugar with three cooking options: fry, bake, or air-fry. The choux dough mixes in one pot, pipes easily, and turns into crisp, golden snacks perfect for dipping and sharing.
Storage Options
- Room Temp (Same Day): Best within 2–4 hours for peak crispness.
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days; re-crisp in a 350°F (175°C) oven or air fryer for 5–7 minutes.
- Freeze (Uncoated, Cooked): Up to 2 months. Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, then toss in fresh cinnamon sugar.
- Make-Ahead Dough: Pipe onto a parchment-lined sheet and freeze raw pieces until solid; store frozen up to 1 month. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes.
Summary
Golden, cinnamon-sugar churro bites made from a quick one-pot choux. Choose frying for classic crunch or bake/air-fry for a lighter take. Perfect for dipping and sharing.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan and wooden spoon
- Piping bag with large star tip (or zipper bag with corner snipped)
- Sheet pan lined with parchment
- Thermometer (for oil, optional but helpful)
- Skillet or Dutch oven (for frying) or air fryer
- Slotted spoon or tongs
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 6 tbsp (85 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- Neutral oil for frying (about 2–3 cups) — skip if baking
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1–1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Optional Dips
- Warm chocolate sauce or ganache
- Dulce de leche or caramel
- Vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla)
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in vanilla, then add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the pan (about 1–2 minutes). Remove from heat and cool 3–5 minutes.
- Add eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time until glossy and pipeable. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or a zipper bag with the corner snipped).
- Mix coating: Combine sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a shallow bowl; set aside.
Option A — Fry (Classic Texture)
- Heat 1–1.5 inches of oil to 360–375°F (182–191°C). Pipe 1–2 inch lengths, snipping with scissors.
- Fry 1–2 minutes per side until deep golden. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels for 30 seconds, then toss warm in cinnamon sugar.
Option B — Bake
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Pipe 2-inch strips onto a parchment-lined sheet.
- Lightly mist with oil (or brush with melted butter). Bake 18–22 minutes until puffed and golden. Brush with a little melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
Option C — Air Fry
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Pipe 1–2 inch pieces on parchment that fits the basket; lightly mist with oil.
- Air-fry 7–10 minutes until golden. Brush lightly with butter (optional) and toss in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Let the dough cool briefly before adding eggs to avoid scrambling.
- If dough seems too thick to pipe, beat in 1–2 tsp milk.
- Toss in cinnamon sugar while warm for best adhesion.
Tips for Success
- Consistent size: Pipe uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Oil temperature: Keep between 360–375°F; too cool = greasy, too hot = exterior burns.
- Do not crowd: Cook in batches to keep heat steady.
- Fresh finish: Coat in cinnamon sugar right after cooking and serve warm.
Additional Tips and Variations
- Chocolate Churros: Add 2 tsp cocoa powder to the cinnamon sugar or drizzle with chocolate.
- Spiced Sugar: Swap in pumpkin spice or add a pinch of cardamom.
- Filled Bites: Pipe a dab of dulce de leche into cooled bites using a small tip.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant butter and skip buttery finish.
- Whole-Wheat Twist: Replace 1/4 cup flour with white whole-wheat; add 1 tsp milk if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make the churro dough ahead?
Yes. Pipe onto a tray and freeze, then cook from frozen. Add 1–3 minutes to cook time.
Why are my churro snacks collapsing?
They may be undercooked. Cook until deeply golden to set structure, and avoid excess moisture in the dough.
Can I bake instead of fry?
Absolutely—see the bake option above for lighter churro bites with great crunch.
How do I keep them crisp?
Hold on a wire rack (not a plate) and re-crisp in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes.
What oil is best for frying?
Use neutral, high-heat oil such as canola, peanut, or vegetable oil.
Conclusion
This churro snacks recipe makes party-perfect bites with minimal effort and maximum payoff. Whether fried for classic crunch, baked for a lighter option, or air-fried for speed, these cinnamon-sugar snacks are guaranteed crowd-pleasers—warm, fragrant, and impossible to resist.