Churros Poppers

Craving churros but don’t want the hassle of frying long strips of dough? These Churro Poppers are the perfect solution! These bite-sized, golden, and crispy treats are coated in cinnamon sugar and filled with delicious flavor. Whether you’re making them for a party, a fun snack, or just to satisfy a sweet tooth, these mini churros are sure to be a hit. Serve them with chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche for an extra indulgent treat!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Dipping (Optional):

• Chocolate sauce

• Dulce de leche

• Caramel sauce

Substitutions

• Butter – Use coconut oil for a dairy-free option.

• Flour – Swap for a gluten-free flour blend for a GF version.

• Sugar – Try coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a deeper caramel taste.

• Eggs – Substitute with ¼ cup applesauce or a flax egg for an egg-free version.

How to Make Churro Poppers

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil over medium heat.

2. Reduce heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir continuously until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 2 minutes).

3. Remove from heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add the Eggs & Vanilla

4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition (a hand mixer or wooden spoon works best).

5. Stir in vanilla extract and mix until the dough is smooth and sticky.

Step 3: Heat the Oil

6. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot to 350°F (175°C).

Step 4: Fry the Churro Poppers

7. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip (or a plastic bag with a small corner cut).

8. Pipe small dollops of dough into the hot oil, using scissors to cut them as they drop into the oil.

9. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown.

10. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

11. While warm, roll the churro poppers in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!

12. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Mix-Ins & Additions

• Stuffed Churro Poppers – Fill them with Nutella, cream cheese, or dulce de leche using a piping bag.

• Spiced Churros – Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice to the dough for extra warmth.

• Chocolate-Coated Churros – Dip them in melted chocolate for a fun twist.

Recipe Tips

• Use a piping bag – This helps create the signature churro ridges for a crispier texture.

• Maintain oil temperature – Keep the oil at 350°F for even frying and crispy churros.

• Work in batches – Fry in small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping.

Storage Instructions

Refrigeration:

Churro poppers are best eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Freezing:

Freeze after frying but before coating in cinnamon sugar. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes, then coat with sugar.

Reheating:

Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to regain crispiness.

Recipe Variations

• Air Fryer Churro Poppers – Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through.

• Baked Churro Poppers – Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

• Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches – Cut poppers in half and sandwich them with vanilla ice cream.

FAQs

Can I make these in advance?

Yes! Make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Fry when ready to serve.

Can I bake instead of fry?

Absolutely! While frying gives the classic crispy texture, baking is a great alternative.

What’s the best dipping sauce?

Chocolate sauce, caramel, or even strawberry jam pairs wonderfully with these bite-sized churros.

These Churro Poppers are the perfect way to enjoy the flavor of traditional churros in a fun, bite-sized treat! Try them today and watch them disappear in seconds.

Churros Poppers

These Churros Poppers are crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. They make a perfect snack or dessert, especially when served with chocolate or caramel sauce!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Rest time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Mexican, spanish

Servings 23 poppers

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Wooden spoon
• Piping bag or small cookie scoop
• Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
• Slotted spoon
• Paper towels

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil for frying, about 2 cups

For the Coating:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Optional Dipping Sauces:

• Melted chocolate sauce
• Caramel sauce

Instructions

 

Step 1: Make the Dough

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and add flour all at once, stirring constantly until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan (~1 minute).
• Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Eggs & Vanilla

• Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Stir in vanilla extract. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.

Step 3: Heat Oil & Fry

• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Using a piping bag with a round tip or a small cookie scoop, carefully drop bite-sized dough balls into the oil.
• Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 4: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

• In a bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
• Roll warm churro poppers in the mixture until fully coated.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

• Serve warm with melted chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping!

Pro Tips:

• ✔ Don’t overmix the dough after adding eggs—this keeps them light and airy.
• ✔ Maintain the right oil temperature (350°F) for crispy churros without being greasy.
• ✔ For baked churro poppers, pipe dough onto a baking sheet, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, then toss in cinnamon sugar.

Storage & Reheating Tips:

• Best fresh! But if storing, keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
• Freeze: Store uncoated poppers in the freezer for up to 1 month, then reheat and toss in cinnamon sugar.

Keyword bite-sized churros, churros poppers, cinnamon sugar, fried dessert

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