There’s something undeniably magical about warm, crispy sticks coated in cinnamon sugar, especially when paired with a rich chocolate sauce. This Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe brings that magic right into your kitchen with simple ingredients and no fancy equipment. Trust me, once you try making these from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

A white oval plate holds about 18 golden brown churros covered with a light layer of cinnamon sugar. The churros are thick and slightly curved, placed piled up mostly on the right side and spreading towards the center. On the top left side of the plate, a small white bowl filled with smooth, rich, dark chocolate sauce sits. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a few pieces of dark chocolate and some cinnamon sticks scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these homemade churros — I was convinced it would be complicated, but it turned out so satisfying. There’s a rhythm to the process, and the result is this perfect crispy outside with a soft inside that melts in your mouth. Plus, that cinnamon sugar coating? Simply addictive.

Authentic Flavor: Made with simple ingredients you probably already have, these churros taste just like the ones from your favorite street vendor.
Crispy Yet Soft Texture: The recipe nails that wonderful contrast that makes churros so irresistible.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want to tweak the cinnamon sugar or add a dipping sauce twist, this recipe lets you get creative.
Fun to Make: Piping and frying churros feels like a little celebration in your kitchen — and a delicious one at that.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient plays a role in creating those crisp, fluffy churros you love. The balance between wet and dry components, plus the frying method, is the secret behind their signature texture. Here’s why I love working with these ingredients.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of water, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with salt, a small white ceramic bowl holding unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped dark chocolate, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Water: The base liquid to create the dough, perfect for that light structure when combined with flour.
Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough and also for the coating to give churros that classic sugary crunch.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the overall flavor — small but mighty!
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps with the dough’s smooth texture.
All-purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
Eggs: They bind the dough and give it the elasticity needed for piping and frying.
Vegetable Oil: For frying, choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point to get that perfect crisp.
Cinnamon and Sugar for Coating: Combining these two creates that warm, sweet, slightly spicy exterior that’s so irresistible.
Heavy Cream & Dark Chocolate: For the dipping sauce — rich, decadent, and an absolute must-have alongside churros.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash enhances the chocolate sauce’s flavor beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can adjust the cinnamon sugar ratio or try dipping sauces beyond chocolate — the possibilities are endless!

Variation: I sometimes sprinkle a pinch of cayenne or chili powder in the cinnamon sugar for a spicy-sweet kick, which my friends absolutely adore.
Dietary Twist: If you want to make them dairy-free, swap butter for coconut oil and use a dairy-free chocolate for dipping — works like a charm!
Seasonal Flair: During fall, I mix a bit of pumpkin pie spice with the cinnamon sugar for a seasonal spin that's cozy and festive.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

The image shows a dark round plate with many golden-brown churros covered in sugar and cinnamon. One churro is dipped halfway into a small white bowl filled with smooth, dark brown chocolate sauce. The churros are thick and have a slightly rough texture with sugar crystals visible. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and a green and white checkered cloth is blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whip up the luscious chocolate dipping sauce

Start by gently heating the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just starts to simmer — no boiling, just warm enough to melt the chocolate perfectly. Remove from the heat, toss in the chopped dark chocolate, and let it sit for a minute. Then stir until glossy and smooth. Adding the vanilla at the end layers in a lovely warmth to the sauce. Pro tip: use the best quality chocolate you can find; it truly makes a difference.

Step 2: Make the churro dough

In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter over medium heat until the butter fully melts and the mixture starts boiling. Lower the heat and add all the flour at once, stirring vigorously until it forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides — about a minute. This part is key to cook the flour properly so your churros aren’t doughy inside. Let it cool a bit before moving on.

Step 3: Add the eggs and get the dough right

Once the dough has cooled but is still warm, add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each until the mixture looks smooth and shiny. At first, it will feel like it’s separating or off — don’t panic! Keep mixing, and it will come together beautifully. This step gives the churros their light, airy texture.

Step 4: Heat the oil and prepare cinnamon sugar

Heat your vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 375°F (190°C). You want it hot enough for the churros to puff and crisp but not so hot they burn. Meanwhile, mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish – this classic combo is what gives churros their iconic sweet coating.

Step 5: Pipe, fry, and coat with cinnamon sugar

Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip — this shape is what creates those ridges that hold onto sugar so well. Carefully pipe 3 to 4-inch strips directly into hot oil — scissors help you snip the dough for consistent lengths. Fry in batches, turning once, until golden and crisp (about 2-3 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels, then roll each one in the cinnamon sugar while they’re warm. This step locks in that melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks after making this Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe a bunch of times that can really make your churros stand out and keep the process smooth. Little details matter here!

Perfect Oil Temperature: Use a deep-fry thermometer to keep your oil around 375°F — too hot and the outside burns before cooking inside, too cool and they get soggy.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry churros in small batches to give them enough space to puff and crisp up evenly. I made the mistake once of overfilling the fryer — soggy churros, no thanks!
Patience with the Dough: The dough looks weird and separated when you add eggs, but keep stirring — it’ll transform into a silky batter that pipes easily.
Roll While Warm: Coat churros in cinnamon sugar immediately after frying, when they’re still warm so the sugar sticks perfectly and tastes incredible.

How to Serve Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it classic with the cinnamon sugar coating, but sometimes I sprinkle a little powdered sugar or even a dash of cocoa powder on top just for a pop of color and extra flavor. Fresh berries or a dusting of edible gold glitter can also turn these into a party-worthy dessert.

Side Dishes

Besides the chocolate dipping sauce, I love serving these churros alongside a cup of thick Mexican hot chocolate or a fruity salsa like mango habanero for a sweet and spicy contrast. They also pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange churros in a spiral tower on a pretty platter and drizzle extra chocolate sauce over the top. Setting them up in little paper cones is another fun idea — it makes sharing easy and mess-free, perfect for gatherings or kids’ parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Churros are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Re-coating with cinnamon sugar after reheating freshens them up nicely.

Freezing

I’ve found the best way to freeze homemade churros is to pipe them raw onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When a craving hits, you can fry them straight from frozen — no thawing needed, and they come out great!

Reheating

To reheat, pop churros into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it makes them soggy pretty quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake churros instead of frying them?

While traditional churros are fried to get that signature crispy exterior, you can bake them for a lighter version. Keep in mind, baked churros won’t be as crispy and might have a different texture. For the best results, frying is recommended if possible.

How do I know when the oil is the right temperature?

Using a deep-fry thermometer is ideal, aiming for 375°F (190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small piece of dough into the oil; it should sizzle and rise quickly without browning immediately. Adjust the heat accordingly.

Can I make the churros dough ahead of time?

I recommend making the dough fresh, especially because the eggs need to be incorporated while the dough is still warm for the right texture. However, you can prep the piping bag in advance. For freezing, pipe raw dough and freeze them for future frying.

What dipping sauces work best besides chocolate?

Besides the classic chocolate, dulce de leche, caramel sauce, or fruit coulis like raspberry or mango all pair beautifully with churros. Even sweetened cream cheese dip can be a fun alternative.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s more than just a treat — it’s a little moment of joy and nostalgia that you create yourself at home. I hope you enjoy the process as much as the delicious results. So get your piping bag ready and make some memories — your taste buds will thank you!