What Are Churros?

Churros are a popular fried dough pastry with a signature ridged look and a coating of cinnamon sugar. With origins in Spanish and Portuguese kitchens, churros have become favorites in many countries, such as those in Latin America, the Philippines, France, and the southwestern United States. While they share a soft, airy center similar to a doughnut, churros stand out for their crispy exterior thanks to a special frying process.

Churros are common at events like fairs and carnivals, but are also enjoyed as breakfast or a snack in many regions. In Spain and Latin America, people often eat churros in the morning dipped in coffee, or as an afternoon treat with thick hot chocolate. Their easy-to-love texture and flavor have made churros a treat appreciated around the world, with each region adding its own spin while keeping the classic fried pastry appeal.

Origin and History of Churros

No one knows exactly where churros came from, and there are several stories about their beginnings. One idea is that Portuguese sailors brought back a recipe for a Chinese fried dough called youtiao and adapted it in Europe. In Spain, they changed the shape by using a star-shaped tube, giving churros their unique ridges.

Another story claims that Spanish shepherds made churros as a simple meal they could cook over a fire while moving through the mountains. While this version is fun, needing a large amount of oil makes it less likely for daily use by shepherds. In any case, fried dough treats have been cooked in different ways in Europe since ancient times, so churros fit into a long tradition of similar snacks across the Mediterranean.

Traditional Characteristics

Classic churros are usually long sticks of ridged fried dough, but they can also be curled or spiral-shaped. The dough is piped through a churrera (a tool with a large, star-shaped nozzle) to achieve the crisp outside and soft inside.

In Spain, churros come in thin or thick shapes. The thick kind is called porras, jeringos, or tejeringos depending on the region. The dough itself is not sweet; the sugary flavor comes from rolling the hot churros in cinnamon sugar after frying. Churros are served hot, often with thick hot chocolate for dipping, or with coffee in the morning.

Common Variations Around the World

Churros have changed over time as they spread. In Mexico, churros are rolled in cinnamon sugar and can be filled with sweet spreads like dulce de leche, chocolate, or vanilla cream. In Brazil, similar fillings are common. Cuba offers churros stuffed with fruit paste like guava. Other countries, such as Colombia and Venezuela, fill churros with sweetened condensed milk or guava paste.

Churros aren’t always filled. In the Philippines, they are usually plain and shaped straight, U-shaped, or round, simply coated in white sugar. Uruguay even serves churros stuffed with cheese. In Spain, some areas make slimmer, smooth-surfaced churros without any sugar. In the United States, churros are a popular snack at theme parks and street fairs, usually dusted with cinnamon sugar. This variety shows how different places have put their own twist on the classic churro.

What Do Churros Taste Like?

Churros taste like a mix between a doughnut and a crunchy cinnamon stick. When fresh, they are warm and crispy on the outside, and soft and airy inside. The dough itself isn’t very sweet; most of the sweetness comes from the cinnamon sugar on the outside. Eating a churro dipped in chocolate sauce makes the overall flavor even richer, adding a smooth, slightly bitter taste to balance the sweet and spiced coating. The texture is light and springy in the middle with a satisfying crunch on the outside.

What Ingredients Are Used to Make Churros?

You don’t need fancy ingredients to make churros. The basic recipe uses common pantry staples, and the real magic appears when these simple items are fried.

The dough is a type of choux pastry, different from regular bread or doughnut recipes. Instead of rising with yeast, it puffs up and gets its shape from steam during frying. Apart from frying, the churro experience isn’t complete without the cinnamon sugar and the dipping sauces that go with it.

Essential Ingredients in Classic Churros

• Water – the base for the dough
• Unsalted Butter – for flavor and richness
• Salt – just a pinch, for balance
• All-Purpose Flour – stirred in to make a thick dough
• Eggs – added one at a time for structure and a light texture
• Vanilla Extract (optional) – for mild sweetness and aroma

The dough doesn’t contain sugar. The sweetness comes from rolling the cooked churros in cinnamon sugar after frying. Some recipes use baking powder, but classic versions often skip it.

Making Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Coating the churros is simple: mix granulated sugar with ground cinnamon, then roll hot, drained churros in this blend so it sticks well. A usual mix is about 1/4 cup sugar to 2 teaspoons cinnamon, but you can change it for a stronger flavor. Coat the churros as soon as they come out of the oil.

Popular Dipping Sauces

• Chocolate Sauce: Most popular, made by mixing hot cream and chocolate chips until smooth. A pinch of salt or cinnamon can boost the taste.
• Caramel Sauce: Sweet and creamy, sometimes a bit salty, for those who want something besides chocolate.
• Dulce de Leche: Thick, sweet caramel made from milk, common in Latin America and sometimes used as a filling.
• Fruit Sauces: Raspberry or strawberry sauces offer a tangy flavor to go with the sweet dough.
• Other: Vanilla sauce and drinks like Mexican champurrado (a hot chocolate) are also served for dipping.

How to Make Churros at Home

It’s not hard to cook churros at home, and the reward is a fresh treat with a crispy outside and soft center. With a bit of planning and care, you can make churros similar to those at your favorite street stand.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

1. Mix water, butter, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
2. Take the pan off the heat and add flour quickly, stirring until the dough forms a ball.
3. Let the dough cool for 5-10 minutes so the eggs won’t cook when added.
4. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each, until the dough is smooth and pipeable. Add vanilla if you like.
5. Put the dough into a piping bag with a large star-shaped tip.

Tips for Shaping and Frying

• Heat 2-5 cm (about 1-2 inches) of vegetable or canola oil in a deep pot to 170-190°C (340-375°F).
• Use a thermometer to keep the oil at the right temperature. If you don’t have one, drop a small bread cube in the oil; it should turn golden in about 20 seconds.
• Pipe 15 cm (6-inch) strips of dough into the oil, cutting them off with kitchen scissors near the surface to avoid splashes.
• Fry 3-4 churros at a time so the oil temperature stays steady. Turn them as needed and fry 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
• Drain churros on a paper towel for 30 seconds, then roll them in cinnamon sugar while still hot. Serve with your dipping sauce of choice.

How Long Does It Take to Make Churros?

Churros can be made quickly at home. The dough takes about 5-10 minutes to prepare, and frying is about 10-15 minutes. Overall, you can finish a batch within 20-30 minutes, making churros a great last-minute snack or dessert.

How to Achieve Perfect Texture

• Make sure the dough isn’t too thick or too thin – it should hold its shape but be soft enough to pipe.
• Control the oil temperature between 170-190°C (340-375°F). Too hot and the outside burns before cooking inside; too cool and they absorb too much oil.
• Fry small batches and drain on paper towels before coating with sugar while warm, to keep them crispy and light.

How to Serve Churros

Serving churros while they’re fresh and warm makes them most enjoyable. The way you present them and what you serve them with can turn churros into a fun or special treat for any occasion.

Best Ways to Present Churros

• Serve churros in a lined basket or on a platter, in a pile or fanned out for a nice look.
• Bite-size churros are easy for parties or sharing.
• Offer small bowls of dipping sauce for easy access. You can also sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate before serving.

Pairing with Dips and Beverages

• Dips: Chocolate sauce is the classic choice, but dulce de leche and berry sauces are great alternatives.
• Beverages: In Spain, churros are often paired with coffee in the morning. Hot chocolate is a favorite in Latin America, especially for dipping. Ice cream is another fun partner for churros, adding a hot/cold flavor contrast.

Can You Store or Reheat Churros?

Though churros taste best right after frying, you can store and reheat them if needed. Keeping their texture takes a little care, but it’s possible to still enjoy them later.

How to Store Leftover Churros

• Let churros cool completely. Store them without the sugar coating to avoid stickiness.
• Put in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Don’t refrigerate, as this can make them soggy.

Recommended Reheating Methods

• Reheat uncoated churros in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 5 minutes on a wire rack over a baking tray. This helps keep all sides crisp.
• Once hot, roll in fresh cinnamon sugar before serving.
• An air fryer also works for reheating in a few minutes.

Can You Freeze Churros?

• Yes, you can freeze churros (uncoated). Lay them out on a tray to freeze separately, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
• To enjoy, thaw at room temperature, then reheat in the oven (180°C/350°F) for 5-10 minutes. Coat in cinnamon sugar before serving.

What Are the Most Popular Churro Variations?

Churros have inspired other treats, from filled versions to creative desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Churros

What Can You Use Instead of a Piping Bag?

If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a strong resealable plastic bag with the corner cut off. This won’t give the traditional ridges, but the churros will still taste good. You can also spoon balls of dough into the oil for churro “bites,” or use a cookie press if you have one.

Are Churros Vegan or Gluten-Free?

Standard churros use butter and eggs, so they are not vegan. They also use wheat flour, so they are not gluten-free. However, you can find recipes for vegan or gluten-free churros using plant-based or gluten-free substitutes. Always check the ingredients if you have dietary needs.

Can You Bake Churros Instead of Frying?

Yes, churros can be baked for a lighter version, though they will be less crispy. Pipe the dough onto a lined baking sheet, bake at 175°C/350°F for about 10 minutes, then if needed, broil briefly to color them. Brush with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar after baking.

How Long Do Churros Stay Fresh?

Churros are best fresh and warm, staying crispy for about 20 minutes after frying. After 30 minutes, they start to soften. Stored at room temperature (uncoated, airtight), churros keep 1-2 days but lose some of their crispness. Reheat them before rolling in sugar for best results. For longer storage, you can freeze them as explained above.