Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe gives you all the delicious flavor of churros without the mess and effort of making traditional churros. The bite-sized nature of churro poppers makes them easy to serve, perfect for sharing, and ideal for dipping into rich chocolate or creamy caramel sauces. Plus, you only need a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. These churro poppers are an instant crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
Ingredients
-
1 cup water
-
2 tablespoons butter
-
1 tablespoon sugar
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1 cup all-purpose flour
-
2 large eggs
-
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
1/2 cup sugar (for coating)
-
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
-
Oil for frying
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
-
In a medium saucepan, bring the water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil over medium heat. Stir the mixture to ensure the butter melts completely.
-
Once the mixture is boiling, add the flour and stir constantly until a dough forms. Continue to cook and stir for about 1-2 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan.
-
Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes.
-
Add the eggs one at a time, beating them into the dough thoroughly after each addition. The dough should become smooth and slightly sticky.
-
Stir in the vanilla extract.
-
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot over medium-high heat to about 350°F (175°C).
-
While the oil is heating, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
-
Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, carefully drop small spoonfuls of the dough into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the dough for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
-
Using a slotted spoon, remove the churros poppers from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
-
Immediately toss the warm churros poppers in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat them evenly.
Servings and Timing
-
Servings: This recipe makes about 20-24 churro poppers, depending on the size you make them.
-
Prep Time: 10 minutes
-
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
-
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
-
Stuffed Churros Poppers: For an added twist, you can stuff the churro poppers with a chocolate or cream cheese filling before frying them.
-
Air Fried Churros: To make these churros poppers a bit healthier, you can use an air fryer instead of deep frying. Spray the poppers with a light coat of oil before air frying at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
-
Churro Bites with Ice Cream: Serve the churro poppers with a side of vanilla ice cream or chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert experience.
Storage/Reheating
-
Storage: Store any leftover churros poppers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
-
Reheating: Reheat churros poppers in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes to bring back their crispy texture.
FAQs
How do I make churros poppers without deep frying?
You can air fry the churros poppers by spraying them lightly with oil and cooking them at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes. They’ll come out crispy without the need for deep frying.
Can I freeze churros poppers?
Yes, you can freeze churros poppers! Once they’re fully cooked, let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer them to a resealable bag for storage. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer.
Can I use a churro dough mix instead of making dough from scratch?
Yes, if you’re looking for a shortcut, you can use a churro dough mix. Just follow the instructions on the package and proceed with frying and coating the poppers in cinnamon-sugar.
Can I add chocolate to the dough?
Yes, you can add cocoa powder to the dough to make chocolate churros poppers. Add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the flour before mixing it into the wet ingredients.
How do I make the churro poppers extra crispy?
Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature (about 350°F) when frying, and avoid overcrowding the pot. Fry the poppers in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Can I use butter instead of oil for frying?
It’s best to use oil, as butter can burn at higher frying temperatures. However, you can use a neutral oil like vegetable oil, which will not affect the flavor of the churros.
How can I serve churros poppers?
Churros poppers are great on their own, but they can also be served with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Can I make churro poppers in advance?
Churros poppers are best when freshly fried. However, you can prepare the dough in advance, store it in the fridge, and fry the poppers when you’re ready.
What can I do if the dough is too thick?
If your dough is too thick, try adding a small amount of water (1 tablespoon at a time) to loosen it. The dough should be smooth but still thick enough to hold its shape.
Can I make a smaller or larger batch?
Yes, you can adjust the recipe as needed. Just make sure to adjust the frying time if you make the poppers significantly smaller or larger than the original recipe.
Conclusion
Churros poppers are the perfect bite-sized treat that combines the crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated exterior with a soft, warm interior. Whether served as a snack, party food, or dessert, they are sure to please everyone at the table. This easy-to-follow recipe will have you making churros poppers again and again, and with the option for air frying, freezing, and varying the flavors, it’s versatile enough to suit all your cravings.

Churros Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 poppers
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Churros Poppers are a fun, bite-sized twist on the classic churro, with a crispy, golden exterior and soft, warm center. Coated in cinnamon sugar, these mini churros are perfect for dipping in chocolate or caramel sauces. Easy to make, this recipe provides a crowd-pleasing treat for parties or as a sweet snack. Whether deep-fried or air-fried, these churros poppers are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar (for coating)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Oil for frying
Instructions
-
In a medium saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil over medium heat. Stir to melt the butter.
-
Once boiling, add the flour and stir constantly until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes.
-
Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes.
-
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.
-
Stir in the vanilla extract.
-
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
-
Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
-
Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, drop small spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
-
Remove churro poppers using a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on paper towels.
-
Immediately toss the warm churro poppers in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
Notes
- For a fun twist, stuff churros with chocolate or cream cheese before frying.
- To make air-fried churros poppers, lightly spray them with oil and cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired