Cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce are the perfect indulgence for any occasion. These crispy, warm, and golden treats coated in cinnamon and sugar, paired with a smooth and rich chocolate sauce, create an unforgettable combination of textures and flavors. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a movie night, or craving something sweet after dinner, churros are the ultimate dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Not only are churros a delicious treat, but they’re also surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. If you’ve ever tasted fresh churros at a fair or theme park, you’ll know that there’s something magical about that crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. With this recipe, you can recreate that same magic in your own kitchen—no need to leave the house!

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about making the best cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce, from the ingredients and instructions to tips for perfecting your churro-making skills.

1. Why Choose Cinnamon Sugar Churros with Chocolate Sauce?

Cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce are a crowd-pleasing dessert for many reasons. From their irresistible crispy texture to the balance of sweet cinnamon and rich chocolate, these churros offer an experience unlike any other.

1.1 Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether it’s a weekend treat, a special celebration, or a casual gathering, churros are always a hit. They’re easy to share and perfect for dipping into the rich, velvety chocolate sauce that takes them to the next level.

1.2 Simple Ingredients

Cinnamon sugar churros are made with simple pantry ingredients, so you won’t need to buy anything fancy or hard to find. The dough requires only flour, water, butter, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon—items that you likely already have at home.

1.3 Versatile Flavor Pairing

The combination of the warm cinnamon sugar coating and the rich chocolate sauce is a flavor match made in heaven. If you want to get creative, you can add other toppings or sauces such as caramel, fruit, or whipped cream.

1.4 Customizable

Churros can be customized to suit your tastes. You can make them as thick or thin as you prefer, adjust the amount of cinnamon, or even experiment with other spices like nutmeg or cardamom. The chocolate sauce can be made as dark or milk chocolate, depending on your preference.

2. Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Churros with Chocolate Sauce

To make the best cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. The beauty of churros lies in their simplicity—each element contributes to the overall flavor without overwhelming the palate.

2.1 Ingredients for Churros

1 cup water: The base of the dough, creating a smooth consistency.
2 tablespoons butter: Adds richness to the dough and contributes to the crispy texture.
1 tablespoon sugar: Sweetens the dough slightly.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
1 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, making it firm and easy to pipe.
2 large eggs: Provide structure and create that light, fluffy interior.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor to the churro dough.
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Just a pinch for a subtle flavor inside the dough.

2.2 Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Coating

1/2 cup granulated sugar: This is the base for the cinnamon sugar coating.
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: The signature flavor that makes churros so special.

2.3 Ingredients for Chocolate Sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream: Creates a rich, creamy base for the sauce.
4 ounces dark chocolate (or milk chocolate for a sweeter flavor): Use high-quality chocolate for the best results.
1 tablespoon sugar: Optional, depending on how sweet you want the sauce.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds richness and complements the chocolate.

2.4 Optional Ingredients

1/4 cup water (for thinning the sauce, if desired).
Pinch of sea salt: A tiny bit of salt enhances the chocolate flavor and adds depth.

3. How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Churros with Chocolate Sauce

Making cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce is easy and fun, and the process is a great way to enjoy homemade churros without any complicated steps. Here’s how you can make this delicious treat at home.

3.1 Preparing the Churro Dough

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, butter, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted, and the mixture is simmering. You want to make sure the butter is fully melted before proceeding.
Add the Flour: Once the mixture is simmering, add the flour all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring for about 1-2 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball.
Cool the Dough: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial because it allows the dough to cool slightly before adding the eggs, preventing them from scrambling.
Add the Eggs and Flavoring: Once the dough has cooled slightly, beat in the eggs one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. After the eggs are added, stir in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon until everything is combined and smooth.

3.2 Frying the Churros

Heat the Oil: In a deep frying pan or pot, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). To test the oil, drop a small piece of dough into the oil—if it sizzles and floats to the surface, the oil is ready.
Pipe the Dough: Fit a piping bag with a star tip (a 1M or 2D tip works well) and fill it with the churro dough. Carefully pipe 4-6 inch strips of dough into the hot oil, cutting them with scissors to the desired length. Fry the churros in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry Until Golden: Fry the churros for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

3.3 Coating the Churros

Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Once the churros are cool enough to handle but still warm, roll each churro in the cinnamon sugar mixture until it’s fully coated.

3.4 Preparing the Chocolate Sauce

Heat the Cream: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Add Sugar and Vanilla: Taste the chocolate sauce, and if you’d like it sweeter, add the sugar. Stir in the vanilla extract for extra depth of flavor. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water to thin it to your desired consistency.

3.5 Serving the Churros

Serve the warm cinnamon sugar churros on a platter with a small bowl of chocolate sauce on the side for dipping. You can also drizzle the chocolate sauce directly over the churros for an extra indulgent touch.

4. Variations and Customization

While classic cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce are delicious on their own, there are plenty of ways to customize them to suit your tastes.

4.1 Add a Flavor Twist to the Dough

Vanilla or Almond Extract: Swap the vanilla extract for almond extract for a nutty, aromatic twist.
Nutmeg or Cardamom: Experiment with adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a unique spice.

4.2 Try Different Dipping Sauces

Caramel Sauce: For a rich, buttery alternative, serve your churros with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce.
Strawberry Sauce: A fresh strawberry sauce adds a fruity, tangy element to balance the sweetness of the churros.

4.3 Stuffed Churros

For an extra indulgent treat, you can stuff your churros with a sweet filling like Nutella, dulce de leche, or even a rich cream cheese filling.

4.4 Spice It Up

For a kick of spice, add a bit of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the cinnamon sugar coating. The heat from the chili balances the sweetness of the churros and chocolate, creating a unique contrast.

5. Healthier Alternatives to Traditional Churros

While churros are definitely a treat, there are ways to make them slightly healthier without sacrificing flavor.

5.1 Air-Fried Churros

Instead of deep-frying the churros, you can make them in an air fryer. Spray the churros lightly with oil and cook them at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method significantly reduces the amount of oil used, making them a healthier option.

5.2 Use Whole Wheat Flour

For a slightly more nutritious version, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour. This will add fiber and give the churros a heartier texture.

5.3 Reduce Sugar

You can reduce the amount of sugar in both the churro dough and the cinnamon sugar coating. You could also use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a low-calorie version.

6. When to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Churros with Chocolate Sauce

Cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce are versatile and can be served on many occasions, whether casual or celebratory.

6.1 Dessert for Dinner Parties

Churros are a fun and interactive dessert for a dinner party. Set out the churros with chocolate sauce and other dips, allowing guests to enjoy them while socializing.

6.2 Fair-Style Treat for Kids

Churros are a great dessert for kids—serve them at birthday parties or as a special treat after a family meal. The combination of crispy churros and chocolate sauce is sure to delight kids and adults alike.

6.3 Movie Nights

Enjoy churros while watching your favorite film. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends or family during a cozy movie night at home.

7. Storing Leftover Churros

If you happen to have leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat them.

7.1 Storing Churros

Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.

7.2 Reheating Churros

To reheat, place the churros in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. This will restore their crispness without making them soggy.

FAQs

1. Can I make churros without a piping bag?
Yes, if you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Alternatively, you can shape the dough by hand, though it may not be as uniform.

2. Can I use gluten-free flour for churros?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. The texture may be slightly different, but they should still turn out delicious.

3. Can I freeze churros?
Yes, you can freeze churros before frying. After piping them, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, store them in a freezer bag for up to a month. Fry them from frozen when you’re ready to enjoy.

4. Can I make the chocolate sauce in advance?
Yes, you can make the chocolate sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat it gently before serving.

5. How do I prevent churros from becoming soggy?
To prevent soggy churros, avoid overfilling the oil and cook the churros in batches. Also, make sure to coat them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm to ensure the coating sticks.

6. What kind of oil is best for frying churros?
Neutral oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil work best for frying churros as they have a high smoke point and won’t interfere with the flavor.

7. Can I use milk chocolate for the sauce instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, milk chocolate can be used in place of dark chocolate if you prefer a sweeter, milder chocolate sauce.

8. How can I make the churros spicier?
You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a spicy twist. This balances the sweetness and adds a warm kick.

9. How do I prevent the churros from sticking together after frying?
Allow the churros to cool slightly before coating them in cinnamon sugar, and make sure they’re not touching while cooling.

10. Can I make churros without eggs?
Yes, you can make egg-free churros by using a flax egg or chia egg substitute. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding it to the dough.