Churros

Gina Whitley
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Gina Whitley
Gina Whitley, private chef with 25+ years of experience, creator of "Sabores de mi Cocina", mother and gastronomic entrepreneur. Specialist in traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine,...
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11 Min Read

Homemade Churros Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare some homemade churros that have nothing to envy those you find in the best churrerías. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and with that sweet touch that makes them irresistible. Perfect to enjoy at home with a hot chocolate or as a sweet craving at any time.

Preparation time

To make these sweet churros, here are the approximate times:

  • Preparation: 10 minutes
  • Cooking: 20 minutes
  • Total: 30 minutes
  • Servings: 18
  • Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup of wheat flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the coating

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For frying

  • Vegetable oil sufficient for frying (approximately 3-4 cm deep)

If you don't have cinnamon on hand, you can substitute it with a mixture of sugar and cocoa powder for a different flavor. For the oil, use a neutral-flavored one like sunflower or canola so it doesn't interfere with the churro's taste.

Utensils we will use

  • Deep pot or pan for frying
  • Thermometer to measure oil temperature (optional but recommended)
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Sturdy piping bag with a rounded star nozzle
  • Kitchen scissors for cutting the dough
  • Plates with absorbent paper

Preparation

1. Prepare the dough

  1. Boil liquids: Place water, butter, sugar, and salt in a pot over medium-high heat. Let it boil until the butter melts and the mixture is uniform.
  2. Incorporate flour: Remove from heat and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a silicone spatula until the mixture detaches from the sides and forms a smooth ball, although it may have some small lumps.
  3. Chill the dough: Transfer this dough to a large bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes, to prevent the egg from cooking when incorporated.
  4. Add egg and vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla to the dough and mix with an electric mixer at medium speed until a homogeneous and smooth texture is obtained. At first, it may look like it's separating, but continue beating until it is well integrated.

2. Fry the churros

  1. Heat the oil: Pour enough oil into the pot and heat it to 180°C (356°F). If you don't have a thermometer, you can test with a small piece of dough; if it bubbles and rises quickly, it's ready.
  2. Form churros: Fill the pastry bag with the dough, placing a rounded star nozzle to achieve the classic design.
  3. Form and cut: Press to form strips of approximately 15 cm directly over the hot oil and cut the dough with scissors to release each churro.
  4. Fry and flip: Fry the churros on both sides for about 2 minutes each until golden and crispy.
  5. Drain: Remove the churros with a slotted spoon and place them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil.

3. Cover with sugar and cinnamon

  1. Prepare mixture: In a deep plate, mix the sugar with the ground cinnamon.
  2. Roll churros: When the churros are warm, roll them in the sugar and cinnamon mixture so that the coating adheres perfectly. Do not let them dry too much before coating them so that the mixture does not fall off.

To finish and serve

Adjust the amount of sugar and cinnamon to taste, and serve the churros hot. If you want to make them more special, accompany them with a cup of hot chocolate or a dulce de leche dip. They are ideal for sharing with family or at gatherings with friends, and always cause a sensation.

For more sweet ideas, you can get inspired by delicious recipes of churro cakes or try Nutella cakes to vary the flavor.

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 139 kcal
  • Proteins: 1 g
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g

Values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the size of the churros and the exact quantities of ingredients used.


7 practical tips for making perfect churros

  • Control the oil temperature: Keep the oil at 180°C so that the churros cook well inside and are crispy outside.
  • Use the correct nozzle: The rounded star-shaped nozzle helps churros have that classic look and crispy texture.
  • Do not overload the piping bag: If you put too much dough, it will be difficult to handle and the churros may come out misshapen.
  • Cut with clean scissors: This will allow you to control the length and prevent them from sticking together.
  • Drain quickly: Do not let the churros cool on absorbent paper for too long so they don't lose the necessary moisture for the sugar to adhere.
  • Fresh mixture for coating: Prepare the sugar and cinnamon mixture just before coating the churros to achieve better flavor and texture.
  • Serve them hot: Churros lose a lot when they cool down; they are at their best freshly made.

When is it ideal to enjoy churros?

Homemade churros are a great sweet treat for any occasion, from a special breakfast to a dessert at family or friends' gatherings. They are especially popular at weekend celebrations or fairs, but their ease of preparation at home makes them a perfect craving for a cold day or for a snack with children. Furthermore, accompanied with chocolate or dulce de leche, they elevate any simple moment to a memorable experience, which is why places like The Happy Churro o Artisan Churros include them as the star of their menu.


Comparison between churros and other sweets

RecipeKey ingredientsDifference/advantage
Homemade ChurrosFlour, egg, sugar, and cinnamonCrispy on the outside and tender on the inside, easy to make at home
Churro KekosChurro dough, sweet fillingBaked version that combines softer textures and flavors
Nutella CupcakesNutella Chocolate, sweet doughCreamier and richer in chocolate, ideal for cocoa lovers
Nutella NeapolitansPuff pastry, NutellaUses puff pastry, lighter and flakier, different texture
Piloncillo CoyotasFlour, piloncillo, cinnamonMore traditional Mexican flavor, with piloncillo sweet
HotcakesFlour, egg, milkSpongy dough cooked in a pan, not fried

5 tricks that help your churros turn out perfect

  • Prepare the dough well: Mix until there are no lumps to avoid churros with an unpleasant texture.
  • Add the egg at the right temperature: The dough should be warm, not hot, to prevent the egg from cooking and ruining the mixture.
  • Do not overheat the oil: If the oil is too hot, they burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside.
  • Fry in small batches: To maintain a constant oil temperature and prevent them from sticking together.
  • Use sugar and cinnamon in the right amount: Don't forget to mix well for a uniform and delicious coating.

For those who enjoy the irresistible combination of Churros and Chocolate, once this base recipe is mastered, they can also try incredible variations of the fine sweet pastry which include surprising fillings and toppings.


Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Don't hesitate to comment on how these turned out for you express churros, if you followed any tricks, or if you dared to try special accompaniments! Every family has its touch and it's wonderful to learn other ways to bring these delights to life.

Culinary glossary of churros

  • Pastry bag: Reusable cloth or plastic bag for shaping the dough with nozzles and forming the churro.
  • Star nozzle: Serrated tips for a pastry bag that give texture and a fluted shape to the churro.
  • Cinnamon powder: Ground spice that adds aroma and sweet flavor to churros.
  • Absorbent paper: Thin paper cloth to remove excess grease after frying.
  • Electric mixer: Appliance that facilitates mixing ingredients quickly and uniformly.
Churros
Churros

Churros: step-by-step recipe baked to perfection with perfect texture. Ideal for sharing. Serve immediately and adjust spiciness and salt to your taste.

Type: Recipe

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: churros, Mexican, desserts, recipe, easy, homemade

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 500 kcal

Preparation Time: PT15M

Cooking Time: PT10M

Total Time: PT25M

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 cup of wheat flour
  • 2 eggs
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
  • Melted chocolate for dipping
  • Dulce de leche
  • Condensed milk
  • Fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas

Recipe Instructions:

Preparation: :

Preparation: 15 minutes

Churros

Cooking: :

Cooking: 10 minutes

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Total: :

Total: 25 minutes

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Servings: :

Servings: 4-6 units

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Difficulty: :

Difficulty: Easy

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Prepare the dough base: :

Prepare the dough base: In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter is completely melted and the mixture boils vigorously.

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Incorporate the flour: :

Incorporate the flour: Remove from heat and add all the flour at once. With a wooden spoon, stir vigorously until the dough forms a solid ball and easily detaches from the sides of the pot.

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Cool the dough: :

Cool the dough: Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes, allowing it to cool down a bit and be manageable for piping.

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Add the eggs: :

Add the eggs: Place the dough in a bowl and, with the help of an electric mixer, add the eggs one by one. Beat for about 2 minutes after each egg to thoroughly incorporate the ingredient and obtain a uniform texture.

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Form the churros: :

Form the churros: Use a pastry bag with a star nozzle to pipe the dough directly into the hot oil at 375°F. Form lines approximately 6 inches long, carefully dropping the churros into the oil.

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Fry until golden: :

Fry until golden: Cook the churros in batches, turning them occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 2 minutes per side.

Churros

Drain and sprinkle: :

Drain and sprinkle: Remove the churros with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Immediately, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to enhance their flavor.

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Serve: :

Serve: Enjoy the freshly made churros with your preferred topping, whether chocolate, dulce de leche, or fruits.

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Do not overcrowd the pan: :

Do not overcrowd the pan: Frying in small batches prevents lowering the oil temperature and ensures even frying.

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Check the consistency of the dough: :

Check the consistency of the dough: It should not be liquid; if it is, gradually add more flour and mix well.

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Use the right amount of sugar: :

Use just the right amount of sugar: Sprinkle while hot so it adheres better, but without excess that stains the texture.

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Choose a stable oil: :

Choose a stable oil: Such as peanut oil, which withstands high temperatures and keeps the flavor clean.

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Rest the dough if it's too cold::

Rest the dough if it's too cold: If the dough hardens in the refrigerator, warm it slightly before piping to facilitate the process.

Churros
Editor's Rating:
4.6
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Gina Whitley, private chef with 25+ years of experience, creator of "Flavors of my Kitchen", mother and gastronomic entrepreneur. Specialist in traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine, with international recognition.
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