How to Make Churro Donuts That Wow: Cinnamon, Sugar & Fun

Imagine the irresistible crunch of a churro and the soft, fluffy bite of a donut — together. That’s what churro donuts deliver: the best of both worlds. Sweet, golden, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these treats look bakery-worthy but are surprisingly simple to make at home.

Whether you bake or fry them, churro donuts are the kind of dessert that wows guests, thrills kids, and satisfies any sweet craving. Let’s get whisking and see how it’s done!

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Step 1: Gather Your Simple Ingredients

You don’t need anything fancy — most of these are pantry staples.

Ingredients for the Donuts:

• 1 cup water
  
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 2 tablespoons sugar
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 2 eggs
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
  

For Coating:

• ½ cup sugar
  
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  

Optional (but highly recommended):

• Warm chocolate ganache or dulce de leche for dipping
  

Pro Tip: Have everything ready before you start. Choux-style dough (the base for churros) comes together fast, so preparation is key.

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Step 2: Make the Churro Dough

This dough is similar to the one used for cream puffs or éclairs — only easier and meant for frying.

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt.
   
2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
   
3. Once it starts bubbling, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot.
   
4. Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove excess moisture, then remove from heat.
   
5. Let it cool slightly (about 5 minutes), then mix in vanilla and eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
   

Pro Tip: The dough should be thick but pipeable — if it’s too runny, your donuts won’t hold their shape.

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Step 3: Shape the Donuts

Here’s where the fun starts! You can shape your churro donuts a few different ways:

For Traditional Frying:

• Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  
• Pipe circles of dough (about 3–4 inches wide) onto parchment squares.
  
• These will make those classic churro ridges that catch all the cinnamon sugar.
  

For Baking (Less Messy Option):

• Pipe the dough into a greased donut pan.
  
• Smooth the tops slightly with a damp finger.
  

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a piping bag, use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. The ridges won’t be as defined, but they’ll still taste amazing!

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Step 4: Fry or Bake

To Fry (Classic Style):

1. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
   
2. Fry 2–3 donuts at a time for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
   
3. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel–lined plate.
   

To Bake (Easier, Cleaner):

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   
2. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and slightly puffed.
   
3. Brush lightly with melted butter once out of the oven for that signature churro flavor.
   

Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan — frying too many at once lowers the oil temperature and makes them soggy.

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Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the donuts are still warm, roll them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. The warmth helps the sugar stick perfectly and gives you that nostalgic churro crunch.

To make the coating:

• Mix ½ cup sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a shallow dish.
  

Pro Tip: If you baked your churro donuts, brush them with a thin layer of butter first to help the sugar adhere.

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Step 6: Add a Dipping Sauce (Optional but Irresistible)

No churro donut is complete without something delicious to dip it in. Try one of these:

• Chocolate Ganache: Melt ½ cup chocolate chips with ¼ cup cream until smooth.
  
• Dulce de Leche: Warm gently until pourable.
  
• Vanilla Glaze: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and a drop of vanilla.
  

Pro Tip: Serve the sauce warm — that contrast between hot donuts and velvety chocolate is pure magic.

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Step 7: Serve & Enjoy

Serve your churro donuts warm and fresh. They’re best enjoyed right away while the outside is crisp and the inside stays tender.

Pair them with:

• A cup of hot coffee or espresso
  
• Mexican hot chocolate for extra indulgence
  
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert heaven
  

Pro Tip: Store leftovers (if there are any!) in an airtight container for up to two days and reheat in the oven to crisp them back up.

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Final Bite

Churro donuts bring the fun of a fairground treat right into your kitchen — golden, crunchy, and coated in cinnamon-sugar happiness. Whether you fry them for tradition or bake them for ease, they’ll impress everyone at the table.

So grab your piping bag and a little cinnamon — your next dessert showstopper is just a few swirls away.

Save this recipe for later — because once you make churro donuts, you’ll want them again and again!