Homemade Churros
I make the fried version when I'm feeling festive and the air fryer version when I'm feeling "responsible." Both are excellent. Both get devoured in under ten minutes. The only difference is how I feel about myself afterward.
Ingredients
For the Churro Dough
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the Chocolate Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Optional: Polish Farmer Cheese Filling
- 1/2 cup twarog or ricotta + 2 tablespoons sugar + 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Method
Make the Dough
- In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and oil. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Let cool 5 minutes, then beat in the egg and vanilla. The dough should be thick, smooth, and pipeable. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (the star shape creates the classic ridged churro surface that catches extra cinnamon sugar).
Fried Method
- Heat 2 inches of oil to 175C / 350F. Pipe 4-5 inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil (use scissors to cut). Fry 3-4 minutes, turning once, until deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Immediately roll in cinnamon sugar while still hot — the warmth makes the sugar stick.
Air Fryer Method
- Pipe strips onto parchment-lined surface. Freeze 15 minutes until firm (makes them easier to handle). Transfer to the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray. Air fry at 190C / 375F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden. Roll in cinnamon sugar immediately. They're slightly less crispy than fried but still excellent, and I feel 40% less guilty eating four of them.
Chocolate Sauce
- Heat cream in the microwave 30 seconds. Pour over chocolate chips. Let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Add a pinch of salt. This is a 2-minute ganache that makes churros feel like a restaurant dessert.