If you’ve ever craved a treat that’s crispy, golden, and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar magic, Churros Poppers are about to be your new obsession. Bite-sized and utterly irresistible, these poppers bring the beloved flavors of classic churros into a snackable, party-perfect form. Each piece is fried to puffy perfection, then rolled in a sweet cinnamon-sugar coat—so every bite gives you that signature churro crunch and warmth. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself, Churros Poppers deliver pure, joyous comfort in every mouthful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Churros Poppers is a joy because every ingredient is easy to find but absolutely essential. Each one plays its part to deliver those gorgeous golden centers and the most delicious sugar-dusted finish.
- Water: The foundation for your dough—helps melt everything together and create the perfect texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and is also a must for that sparkling cinnamon coating.
- Salt: Just a touch enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness balanced.
- Unsalted butter: Infuses richness and helps produce that wonderfully tender crumb inside each popper.
- All-purpose flour: The structure-builder—gives your poppers shape and the classic churro chew.
- Large eggs: These bind the dough and add that lovely puffiness as the poppers fry.
- Vanilla extract: A splash adds warmth and rounds out the classic churro flavor.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Use a neutral oil to get that irresistible crispy shell without any added flavor.
- Granulated sugar (for coating): This is what gives your Churros Poppers their iconic sparkle and crunch.
- Ground cinnamon: The essential finishing touch—adds warmth and the unmistakable churro aroma.
How to Make Churros Poppers
Step 1: Make the Dough Base
Start by grabbing a medium saucepan and setting it over medium heat. Add the water, sugar, salt, and butter, letting everything melt together. Bring it just to a boil—this helps meld the flavors and gives your dough its signature richness. Once the mixture bubbles, pull it off the heat. Now, stir in the flour vigorously until you have a thick, smooth dough that easily pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Step 2: Cool and Enrich the Dough
Let the dough sit for about 5 minutes; this quick break cools everything, so your eggs won’t scramble in the next step. Once slightly cooled, add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition for a silky, glossy dough. Stir in the vanilla extract to add that cozy, fragrant note.
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour 2–3 inches of vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot and bring it up to 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, test by dropping in a pinch of dough—it should sizzle, but not burn too quickly. The right oil temperature gives you golden, puffed Churros Poppers without absorbing too much oil.
Step 4: Shape and Fry
Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, gently drop 1-inch balls of dough into the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 3–4 minutes each, turning occasionally so they get that dreamy golden color all over. When they’re puffed and crispy, remove them with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Toss in Cinnamon Sugar
While your poppers are still warm (but cool enough to handle!), tumble them in a bowl with cinnamon and sugar. This sugary coating sticks best when the Churros Poppers have just come out of the oil, so don’t wait too long. Roll them around until each one is completely covered in glimmering, fragrant goodness.
How to Serve Churros Poppers
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, drizzle your warm Churros Poppers with chocolate sauce, caramel, or even a little dulce de leche. You can also sprinkle on a bit more cinnamon sugar or add a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Side Dishes
While these poppers shine on their own, serving them with a small bowl of fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream instantly turns your snack into a show-stopping dessert. Hot coffee or Mexican hot chocolate also makes a lovely pairing for dunking and sipping.
Creative Ways to Present
Try threading Churros Poppers onto skewers for a playful party treat, or stack them high on a platter for a stunning centerpiece. You could even serve them in mini cupcake liners for a grab-and-go treat at brunches or birthdays. However you serve them, these little delights never fail to draw a crowd!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, let the Churros Poppers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two days for best freshness—though trust me, they rarely last that long!
Freezing
Want to enjoy Churros Poppers down the road? Arrange the cooled poppers in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully in the freezer for up to two months. When you get a craving, just heat and toss in fresh cinnamon sugar before serving.
Reheating
To bring your Churros Poppers back to life, pop them in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until warmed through and crisp outside. If you prefer, the air fryer works wonders too—just a few minutes at 350°F is all it takes. Once heated, you can roll them in another dusting of cinnamon sugar for that just-made finish.
FAQs
Can I bake instead of fry Churros Poppers?
Yes! For a lighter option, you can pipe or scoop mini balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes until golden. The texture will be a bit different from frying, but still delicious.
Is there a way to make Churros Poppers gluten-free?
Absolutely—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Be sure to check your flour label, as the dough should be thick and pliable before piping or scooping.
Can I make Churros Poppers in an air fryer?
Yes, you can! After preparing the dough, scoop or pipe small balls onto parchment, then air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes or until golden and puffy. They’ll be a bit lighter but just as fun and flavorful.
Why did my poppers turn out oily?
If your churro poppers feel greasy, the oil temperature was likely too low. Make sure you’re frying at a steady 350°F; oil that’s not hot enough causes the dough to absorb excess oil instead of crisping up quickly.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
You sure can! The dough can be made several hours ahead and kept covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to fry, just let it come back to room temperature and get scooping.
Final Thoughts
I can’t say enough good things about Churros Poppers—they turn any gathering into a celebration and never fail to put big smiles on faces. Whether you’re introducing friends to this recipe or savoring a few on your own, get ready for warm, cinnamon-sugary joy in every bite. Give Churros Poppers a try soon and discover just how spectacular homemade churro magic can be!
Print
Churros Poppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious Churros Poppers, a delightful twist on traditional churros that are perfect for snacking or dessert. These bite-sized treats are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying and Coating:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter. Boil, then stir in flour. Let cool. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Fry the Churros: Heat oil, drop dough balls, and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Toss warm churro poppers in the mixture.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Pair with chocolate sauce, caramel, or dulce de leche for dipping.
- For an air fryer version, pipe dough onto parchment, spray with oil, and air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 poppers
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
