If you’ve ever found yourself wandering the magical streets of a Disney park, you’ll know there’s something absolutely irresistible about the scent of warm, cinnamon-laced dough wafting through the air. Today, I’m thrilled to bring the magic straight to your kitchen with this Disney Churro Bites recipe. These crunchy little delights are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and generously rolled in sweet cinnamon sugar, making them an ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a themed birthday, planning a movie night, or just craving a nostalgic treat, these bite-sized churros capture the joy of Disney in every delicious bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Disney Churro Bites begins with a handful of pantry staples. Each ingredient is chosen for its crucial role in creating that perfect delicate crunch and soft, fluffy interior—making these churros taste just like the ones from the parks!
- Water: The foundation of our dough, it brings everything together and helps create steam for that signature airy texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor, ensuring each bite is melt-in-your-mouth decadent.
- Salt: A little salt amplifies the sweetness and enhances the cinnamon notes.
- Ground Cinnamon: Divided between dough and sugar coating, it infuses classic warmth and spice throughout.
- All-Purpose Flour: Our structure—this helps the dough puff up and hold its golden, crispy shape.
- Large Eggs: Essential for binding; they make the dough smooth, glossy, and easy to pipe.
- Vegetable Oil (for frying): Get ready for the deep-fried crunch; use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for best results.
- Granulated Sugar: The sweet sparkle that clings to each bite, giving that classic churro finish.
How to Make Disney Churro Bites
Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, unsalted butter, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Stir occasionally and watch as the butter melts, infusing the liquid with flavor. Once you see everything come to a lively, rolling boil, get ready for the next step—things start moving fast now!
Step 2: Mix in the Flour
Reduce the heat to low and add the all-purpose flour all at once. Now, grab a sturdy wooden spoon and stir like you mean it! The dough will quickly come together and pull away from the sides, transforming into a thick, smooth ball. This step is essential to activate the flour and lay the groundwork for churro bites that are fluffy inside and perfectly crisp outside. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
With the dough just cool enough to handle, add the eggs one at a time, mixing very well after each addition. The dough may look like it wants to separate or become lumpy, but trust the process—keep going until it’s glossy and smooth. This step ensures your Disney Churro Bites have that signature light, pillowy center with every bite.
Step 4: Pipe the Dough
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. The star tip is what gives churros their iconic ridged edges! Heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan or sturdy skillet until it reaches 350°F for the crispiest results. Carefully pipe 1-inch pieces of dough directly into the hot oil, snipping them off with scissors for perfectly uniform bites.
Step 5: Fry and Finish With Cinnamon Sugar
Fry the churro bites in batches for 2 to 3 minutes each, turning as needed until they reach an irresistible golden brown. Once done, remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. While they’re still warm, toss your bites in a mixture of granulated sugar and the remaining cinnamon. Each roll in the sugar mixture makes these Disney Churro Bites sparkle just like those from Main Street, USA!
How to Serve Disney Churro Bites
Garnishes
Nothing says “wow” like a pile of freshly made Disney Churro Bites dusted with extra cinnamon sugar. For a special treat, set out small bowls of chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, or even fruit compote—these churros love to be dunked. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey if you’re feeling fancy!
Side Dishes
While churro bites are certainly the main attraction, they play well with others. Pair these with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that warm-and-cold contrast, or serve alongside fruit kabobs, café au lait, or spicy Mexican hot chocolate. They shine as part of a dessert platter for parties, bringing a bit of magic to any celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with Disney Churro Bites by stacking them tall in a clear glass jar or arranging them in mini cups for a personal touch. For a fun party vibe, thread a few onto decorative skewers and tie with colored ribbon. You can even build a “churro bar” with a variety of sweet dips and sprinkle mixes, letting everyone top their bites just how they like.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Disney Churro Bites (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. To help them retain their texture, let them cool completely before sealing them away, and avoid refrigeration, which can make them soggy.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze cooked churro bites. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their quality for up to 2 months. Hold off on rolling in cinnamon sugar until after reheating, for best results!
Reheating
To revive that just-fried churro magic, pop leftover or thawed Disney Churro Bites into a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. They’ll crisp right up without losing their tender centers—then toss them in cinnamon sugar, and it’s like they’re freshly made again.
FAQs
Can I bake Disney Churro Bites instead of frying?
While frying yields the most authentic, crisp-and-tender churro bite, you can bake them as a lighter option. Pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with melted butter, and bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes. The texture will be a bit different, but still totally delicious!
What type Dessert
A large star tip is the classic choice for Disney Churro Bites. It gives each bite those lovely ridges that crisp up beautifully and catch the cinnamon sugar. If you don’t have one, you can use a plain round tip—it will still taste fantastic!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a few hours ahead, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready, let it come to room temperature for easier piping, then proceed with frying.
What’s the best oil for frying churro bites?
Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These keep the flavors clean and allow your Disney Churro Bites to turn gorgeously golden without burning.
How do I keep churro bites warm for a crowd?
If you’re serving these at a party, keep your batches warm in a low oven (about 200°F) on a baking sheet lined with a rack. This way, your Disney Churro Bites stay crisp until you’re ready for the big reveal.
Final Thoughts
Sharing homemade Disney Churro Bites feels like sprinkling a bit of magic into the day. One batch and you’ll see just how easy it is to create this theme park favorite at home—so don’t wait for your next vacation! Try this recipe and treat your friends and family to that unforgettable Disney joy, one golden bite at a time.
Print
Disney Churro Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious Disney Churro Bites at home with this easy recipe. These fried dough treats coated in cinnamon sugar are a perfect snack or dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (divided)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
Coating:
- vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a saucepan, boil water, butter, salt, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Stir in flour until a ball forms. Let cool, then mix in eggs.
- Fry: Pipe dough into hot oil, fry until golden brown.
- Coat: Toss bites in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Enhance with chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Best served fresh, reheat at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6–8 bites
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
