
Crispy and golden churros dipped in warm chocolate sauce are pure joy in edible form and they remind me of carefree summertime evenings at street fairs. This is a recipe I turn to when I want to bring that magic into my kitchen and share it with family or friends
The first time I made these on a rainy afternoon my entire kitchen filled with laughter and the scent of fresh cinnamon every time I fry a batch I feel that same joy
What You Will Need in Your Kitchen
- All purpose flour: creates a tender structure look for fresh flour that smells pleasantly wheaty
- Vegetable oil: works for both the dough and frying choose a clean neutral-flavored oil
- Sugar: sweetens the dough and the finishing coating use superfine if you have it
- Salt: balances the sweetness and lets the cinnamon shine
- Ground cinnamon: gives warmth and classic flavor choose Saigon or Ceylon for fragrance
- Heavy cream: makes the chocolate dip lush and silky opt for full fat for best texture
- Dark or milk chocolate: brings deep flavor pick a high quality bar for richness
- Butter: lends gloss and smoothness to the dip European style if possible
- Vanilla extract: optional but adds lovely aroma pure extract is best
How to Make It Like a Pro
- Make the Dough:
- Combine water sugar salt and a splash of oil in a saucepan over medium heat stir gently until the mix starts to boil watch closely to avoid scorching
- Add the Flour:
- Remove from heat then add flour all at once immediately stir hard with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the pan and looks smooth this step is key for light churros
- Cool and Pipe:
- Let the dough rest 3 to 5 minutes so it is safe to handle transfer to a pastry bag with a star tip for those classic ridges do not overfill your bag
- Heat and Fry:
- Bring a generous amount of vegetable oil up to 350 degrees in a deep pan pipe the dough directly into the hot oil using scissors or a knife to snip off lengths fry in batches so you do not crowd the pan
- Turn and Watch:
- Fry each churro about 2 to 3 minutes per side use tongs to turn when deeply golden and crisp lift to a towel lined plate so they drain well
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a wide shallow bowl roll each still warm churro in the mix for full coverage while the exterior is still hot so it sticks
- Make the Chocolate Dip:
- Warm the cream in a small heavy saucepan just until it steams but does not boil add chopped chocolate and butter stir gently until completely melted and smooth swirl in vanilla if using for depth

My favorite part is the smell of cinnamon sugar filling the kitchen it always reminds me of summer street festivals when my dad would laugh at how many churros we managed to eat together
Keep It Fresh and Delicious
Churros taste best hot and straight from the fryer but you can prepare the dough in advance and store it covered for a few hours at room temperature. If you need to reheat fried churros pop them in a low oven for a few minutes to revive their crispiness. Avoid covering them tightly when warm so they stay crisp
Genius Ingredient Swaps
You can use orange zest in the dough or swap in nutmeg for half the cinnamon for a playful twist. For dairy free chocolate dip full fat coconut cream is an excellent substitute for heavy cream and you can even try bittersweet chocolate for a less sweet finish
Plating Like a Chef
Pile the churros on a wide platter and set the bowl of chocolate dip right in the center for easy sharing. Sprinkle with a touch of extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar if you want to impress. If serving at a party tie small parchment pockets for a fun street food vibe
The Story Behind the Bite
Every time I make these churros I am back to a summer night with my family laughing and swapping stories over a paper bag packed with warm sweets. They are more than dessert they are a ticket to a treasured memory and a moment of pure fun you can hold in your hand
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes churros so crispy?
Frying the dough in hot oil ensures churros develop a crunchy exterior while staying soft inside.
- → Can I use milk chocolate for the dip?
Yes, both dark and milk chocolate work well, depending on your preferred sweetness and richness.
- → How should churros be served?
Churros taste best served warm, coated in cinnamon sugar, and accompanied by the melted chocolate for dipping.
- → Can the dough be flavored?
Absolutely! Add vanilla extract or orange zest to the dough for subtle flavor variations.
- → How do I keep churros crisp?
Drain churros on paper towels after frying and avoid covering to maintain their crisp texture before serving.