Crispy, Golden Churros with Rich Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Q: Can I bake churros instead of frying for a healthier option when learning how to make churros?

While baking churros won't give you the same crispy, golden-brown result as frying, it's definitely a healthier alternative. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), pipe the churro dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. For a little extra crispiness, you can lightly brush them with oil before baking, though I'd suggest that this option be kept as a secondary option.

How to Make Churros: Crispy & Golden, Just Like Spain!

By Rafael CruzMay 29, 2025

4.49 (47 Ratings)

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Ever had one of those days where you just need something sweet? i do. that's where knowing how to make churros comes in clutch.

It's not just a dessert; it's a little moment of happiness.

Crispy Comfort: More Than Just Dessert

Churros, those delightful fried dough sticks, have roots in spain and latin america. they are so globally known and have been around for ages.

Making them at home? it's easier than you think. this recipe is simple and delivers incredible results. it takes about 40 minutes from start to finish.

This batch will give you around 12 homemade churros , perfect for sharing. or not. wink

Why These Churros Are Special

Besides being ridiculously tasty, they offer a little boost, too. did you know that cinnamon, a key ingredient, has antioxidant properties? plus, these churros are fantastic for any get-together.

Especially if it's christmas. i mean, air fryer christmas treats that are this good? come on! let's dive in, shall we? next, is the ingredients you will need for homemade churros recipe air fryer , and the oven version.

Let's Get Started!

So you want to know how to make churros in air fryer , let me tell you more. making churros at home is easier with the right technique and a few essential ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup (240ml) Water
1/2 cup (113g) Unsalted Butter
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
1 cup (120g) All-Purpose Flour
2 Large Eggs
Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup (100g) Granulated Sugar
2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup (120ml) Heavy Cream
6 ounces (170g) Semi Sweet Chocolate
1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional)

Can't Wait? Oven and Air Fryer Options

I get it. Sometimes you want churros but don't want to deal with all the oil. No worries! You can bake them in the Oven Churros option, or for a quicker healthier twist, let's talk Easy Air Fryer Churros !

Air Fryer Magic: A Sneak Peek

For churro recipe air fryer folks: preheat your air fryer recipes gourmia to 375° f ( 190° c). lightly spray your air fryer christmas treats basket, and cook them for about 6- 8 minutes, flipping halfway.

I personally use air fryer recipes gourmia for all my air fryer needs.

Recipe: Air Fryer Version

This way is pretty similar to frying! Prepare the dough the exact same. It just changes the way it's cooked. This step is key!

Oven Option

For oven churros , preheat your oven to 400° f ( 200° c). place the piped churros on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 12- 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

No matter which way you choose, those Homemade Churros won't disappoint.

Alright, let's talk ingredients and equipment for how to make churros ! Honestly, getting this bit right is half the battle. It's all about nailing that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture.

Main Ingredients: Let's Get Precise

First, the churro dough itself. you'll need 1 cup (240ml) of water . quality tap water's fine. then, 1/2 cup (113g) of unsalted butter , cut into cubes.

Go for a good brand you can taste the difference. add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar .

Finally, 1 cup (120g) of all-purpose flour .

After that, comes 2 large eggs .

These are your essentials! Now, for frying, you'll need vegetable or canola oil. Use enough for deep frying.

Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life

The magic happens with the cinnamon sugar coating. Mix 1/2 cup (100g) of granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon . For a kick, add a pinch of nutmeg!

Want a twist? A bit of lemon zest in the dough is chefs kiss.

For the chocolate dip, we're talking 1/2 cup (120ml) of heavy cream , 6 ounces (170g) of semi sweet chocolate . chop it finely .

Finally, 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter . a dash of vanilla extract? up to you.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You'll need a medium saucepan and a wooden spoon. essential! a piping bag with a large star tip too. i use ateco #826 for proper ridged churros.

A candy thermometer is vital for oil temp.

A slotted spoon or spider helps remove cooked churros and transfer them to paper towels. line a shallow dish with for cinnamon sugar.

You can adapt your homemade churros using your air fryer . let's look at how to make churros in air fryer .

I love air fryer recipes gourmia . consider the air fryer christmas treats . an alternative to deep frying, a good churro air fryer recipe will bake in the air fryer or you can bake oven churros .

Homemade Churros Air Fryer Recipe

This makes the recipe more accessible to use an air fryer. an easy air fryer churros recipe that can be made as homemade churros recipe air fryer .

Let's keep going to how to make churros .

Alright, let's talk churros! honestly, who doesn't love those crispy, cinnamon sugary sticks of deliciousness? whether you're after classic oven churros , or you're curious how to make churros in a quicker, easier way, i've got you covered.

Prep Like a Pro for Churro Success

First things first, essential mise en place . get everything measured out and ready to go. this makes the whole process way smoother.

Nobody wants to be scrambling for flour when the butter’s already melted, you know? i swear, half the battle in cooking is just being organised.

How To Make Churros Like a Boss

Okay, here’s the lowdown on getting these bad boys done right. We're aiming for that perfect balance of crispy outside and fluffy inside!

Boil: Pop 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of butter, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar into a saucepan. Get it bubbling!
Flour Power: Take the pan off the heat and chuck in 1 cup of flour. Stir it like you mean it until it forms a ball.
Egg-cellent Addition: Let it cool a tad (around 5 minutes ). Then, crack in 2 large eggs, one at a time, mixing after each one.
Heat Up: Heat your oil to 350° F ( 175° C) . A candy thermometer is your best mate here.
Pipe It Real Good: Get your dough into a piping bag with a star tip and pipe 4-5 inch strips into the hot oil. Be careful, now!
Fry Time: Fry 'em in batches for 2- 3 minutes per side until they're golden brown.
Sugar Rush: Drain on paper towels, then toss in your cinnamon sugar mix like there's no tomorrow.
Choco licious Dip: Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream, pour over 6 ounces chopped chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter. Let it sit, then stir. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla if you fancy.

Pro Tips for Churro Glory

Want to take your churros to the next level? You can actually master Easy Air Fryer Churros

Hot Oil is Key: This is a must. Not hot enough, and you get soggy churros. Yuck.
Don't Overcrowd: Give those churros some space to breathe in the oil.
Ever heard of Homemade Churros Air Fryer ? Seriously, have you ever heard about Air Fryer Recipes Gourmia ? For a healthier twist try air frying! Preheat your air fryer to 375° F ( 190° C) and cook for around 8- 10 minutes , flipping halfway through. Don't forget to brush them with a little oil or melted butter before air frying!

Honestly, nothing beats fresh churros straight from the fryer (or air fryer!), especially as festive air fryer christmas treats ! give this churro air fryer recipe a go.

This churro recipe air fryer will become your favourite, and don't forget the rich chocolate dipping sauce it's the perfect end to your homemade churros recipe air fryer .

Alright, let's dive into some crucial recipe notes for nailing these churros! trust me, it's the little things that make a huge difference.

I was making homemade churros for the first time, and oh my gosh, i almost set off the smoke alarm.

Learn from my mistakes, alright? let's make sure your experience is less… dramatic.

Recipe Notes: The Secret Sauce to Success

These are the bits and bobs that'll really elevate your churro recipe air fryer experience.

Serving Suggestions: Presentation is Key!

Listen, presentation matters. We eat with our eyes first! Arrange your freshly fried churros artfully on a plate. A dusting of extra cinnamon sugar never hurts.

Think about this: a small bowl of that luscious chocolate dipping sauce right beside them? perfection. a cup of strong coffee, or, if you're feeling a bit extra , some proper spanish hot chocolate.

Vanilla ice cream is always a fun option too.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh (ish)

Honestly? Churros are best eaten fresh. Like, immediately after frying.

That said, life happens. if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. but you know, they’re not gonna be as crispy.

Pro-tip: reheat them in the oven at 350° f ( 175° c) for a few minutes to try and revive some of that crispiness.

I wouldn't recommend freezing the fried churros. they tend to get a bit soggy. however, the dough itself can be frozen! just thaw it completely before piping and frying.

This works super well if you are using an air fryer as you can cook them straight from the freezer.

Variations: Let's Get Creative!

Feel like tweaking things a bit? go for it! add a dash of spice to the cinnamon sugar. a little cardamom or nutmeg can be amazing.

A lot of people are asking how to make churros in air fryer and i will be making a post about some air fryer recipes gourmia .

Want to make a dietary swap? Swap the heavy cream in the chocolate sauce for full fat coconut milk. Boom: dairy-free dipping deliciousness.

During the air fryer christmas treats season, I like to add cinnamon extract to the dough.

Nutrition Basics: A Little Heads-Up

Let's be real: churros are a treat. They are not health food. They taste delicious however! The approximate nutritional information per serving, with dipping sauce, is roughly 450-550 calories.

This is mostly from carbs and sugar. But hey, everything in moderation, right? And sometimes, you just need a crispy, sugary churro air fryer recipe dipped in chocolate!

Now, go forth and conquer those churros! you've got this. and if you're trying out the homemade churros air fryer method, remember to preheat it properly.

Let me know how it goes. this churro recipe air fryer is going to be your next party star. you could even try oven churros .

Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Help! Why are my churros soggy? Like a wet weekend in Blackpool!

Soggy churros are usually down to one of two things: the oil temperature wasn't hot enough, or you overcrowded the pan. Make sure your oil is at a steady 350°F (175°C) and fry in batches to avoid dropping the temperature. Think of it like queuing for the best fish and chips patience is key!

The dough just won't come together! What am I doing wrong trying to learn how to make churros?

Don't despair, it's a common hiccup! Usually, this means the flour wasn't mixed in quickly enough after removing the saucepan from the heat. Make sure to add all the flour at once and stir vigorously until a smooth ball of dough forms.

Think of it like whisking a batter for Yorkshire puddings you want to incorporate air and create a smooth, consistent base.

Can I make churros ahead of time and reheat them?

Churros are best enjoyed fresh, as they lose their crispness over time a bit like a perfectly brewed cuppa that's been left to go cold. If you absolutely must make them ahead, you can fry them, cool completely, and then reheat them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes to crisp them up again.

However, nothing beats that just out-of-the-fryer experience!

What's the best way to store leftover churros (if there are any!)?

If you have leftover churros (a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will soften, so consider giving them a quick toast in the oven to regain some crispness before enjoying. They're best eaten within a day or two, before they become too stale.

You can also freeze fried, un-sugared churros for longer storage (up to a month) just reheat and coat with cinnamon sugar before serving.

Any tips for making the perfect chocolate dipping sauce? It always seems either too thick or too thin!

The ratio of cream to chocolate is crucial! Using good quality chocolate also makes a difference. Make sure to finely chop your chocolate so it melts evenly in the hot cream. If it's too thick, add a splash more cream. If it's too thin, gently warm it over low heat for a few minutes to allow it to thicken slightly.

Just don't let it burn!

Can I bake churros instead of frying for a healthier option when learning how to make churros?

While baking churros won't give you the same crispy, golden brown result as frying, it's definitely a healthier alternative. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), pipe the churro dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

For a little extra crispiness, you can lightly brush them with oil before baking, though I'd suggest that this option be kept as a secondary option.