Churros Poppers Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that mixes pure childhood joy with a dash of grown-up deliciousness, Churros Poppers are just the thing to make your kitchen (and your heart) burst with happiness. These tiny, crunchy-on-the-outside, melt-in-your-mouth bites are dusted with cinnamon sugar and practically beg to be dipped in warm, luscious chocolate. With a simple ingredient list and only 30 minutes from start to finish, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to invite Churros Poppers to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need much to create magic—just a handful of kitchen staples that come together to form everything you adore about churros, mini-sized for even more fun. Each ingredient plays its own special role in delivering the classic flavor, golden color, and unforgettable texture of Churros Poppers.
- Water: This forms the steamy base of your dough, turning ordinary ingredients wonderfully light and airy when fried.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor; using unsalted butter lets you control the final taste.
- Granulated Sugar: Just enough to sweeten the dough without overpowering, creating a perfect balance inside and out.
- Salt: A small amount wakes up all the flavors, keeping your Churros Poppers from tasting flat.
- All-Purpose Flour: This gives the churros their signature structure and irresistible bite.
- Large Eggs: Eggs are the secret to churros’ tender, custardy centers—don’t skip them!
- Vanilla Extract: Just half a teaspoon adds a subtle aromatic warmth that elevates each popper.
- Vegetable Oil: For deep-frying—pick a neutral oil with a high smoke point to keep things light and crisp.
- For Cinnamon Sugar: ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon—this classic coating is what makes them utterly irresistible.
- Optional Dipping Sauce: ½ cup chocolate chips and ½ cup heavy cream—because why not go all out with a rich, silky dip?
How to Make Churros Poppers
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a medium saucepan, add your water, butter, sugar, and salt all together and bring it to a happy boil over medium heat. Once bubbling, turn the heat down, and swiftly stir in the flour. Stir vigorously—the dough will come together surprisingly fast and start pulling away from the sides of the pan, forming a ball. This is the secret to that chewy, tender interior we adore!
Step 2: Cool and Add Eggs
Remove the saucepan from the heat and give the dough a quick 5-minute rest. You want it warm, but not piping hot (so the eggs don’t scramble). Now, add the eggs in one at a time, beating each one into the dough until it looks smooth, glossy, and almost stretchy. Blend in the vanilla extract for a boost of aromatic sweetness.
Step 3: Prepare for Frying
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip. Star tips add even more crunch! In a deep pan, heat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F. You want the temperature just right for golden results—too hot will brown the outside before the center cooks, too cool and the poppers will absorb oil.
Step 4: Pipe and Fry Churros Poppers
Pipe 1-inch pieces of dough directly into the hot oil, snipping each piece with kitchen scissors. Fry in batches, turning gently as they puff up and turn deep golden brown, about 2–3 minutes per batch. Give them plenty of space and don’t crowd the pan for the best, crispiest texture.
Step 5: Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
With a slotted spoon, transfer your cooked Churros Poppers to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. While still warm (this is important for the best stick!), roll them generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture so every side gets a good dusting.
Step 6: Optional Chocolate Dipping Sauce
If you want to give your Churros Poppers the royal treatment, make the chocolate dipping sauce: Warm the cream until it just simmers, pour over chocolate chips, let sit briefly, and stir until glossy and smooth. Serve those poppers warm and watch everyone swoon!
How to Serve Churros Poppers
Garnishes
Churros Poppers don’t need much, but sprinkling a little extra cinnamon sugar right before serving gives them that bakeshop sparkle. For a fancy touch, add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a pinch of flaky sea salt on top. Fresh berries on the side will add a pop of color and balance the sweetness beautifully.
Side Dishes
If you’re serving these as part of a dessert spread, they go fabulously with coffee, hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For parties, nestle them between bowls of fresh fruit and a variety of sweet dips—everyone will love creating their own mini dessert plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Churros Poppers shine in little paper cones for parties, or stacked high on a platter so guests can grab and dip as they please. For a wow-factor, serve them skewered with fruit for cute dessert kabobs. If you’re packing them as gifts, pop them into little pastry boxes, tied up with string, with a container of dipping sauce on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Churros Poppers (an unlikely event!), let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll soften a bit, but a quick fix will revive their signature crunch.
Freezing
To freeze, line the cooled poppers on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can hang out there for up to 1 month. When you’re ready, just reheat straight from frozen for fresh flavor any time.
Reheating
To regain their crispy texture, warm Churros Poppers in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes. Avoid the microwave, which can make them soggy. A few minutes in a toaster oven also does the trick, bringing back their just-fried magic.
FAQs
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before piping and frying for the best texture.
Can I bake Churros Poppers instead of frying?
While you can bake them at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, they won’t have the same crispy exterior as fried. For the full Churros Poppers experience, frying really is best, but baked works in a pinch!
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No problem! Use a freezer bag with the corner snipped off, or simply scoop the dough with a spoon and drop it into the oil. Your poppers may not have the traditional ridges, but they’ll still be scrumptious.
Why aren’t my Churros Poppers crispy?
This usually means the oil wasn’t hot enough or the pan was overcrowded. Fry in batches and double-check your oil temperature for the crispiest results every time.
Is the chocolate sauce necessary?
Nope! Churros Poppers are fantastic on their own or rolled in cinnamon sugar. But the chocolate sauce takes them over the top—especially if you’re entertaining or want restaurant-style flair at home.
Final Thoughts
Churros Poppers are pure, simple joy in every bite—so easy to whip up, and guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone lucky enough to try them. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends, dive right in and make a batch. You’ll see why these crave-worthy treats are a favorite in my kitchen!
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Churros Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 25–30 poppers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Churros Poppers are bite-sized delights that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. Perfect for a fun dessert or snack, these mini churros are easy to make and even more enjoyable to eat!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- vegetable oil for frying
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Optional Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Cook until it boils, then add flour and mix until dough forms.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Fry the Churros: Pipe dough into hot oil, fry until golden, then coat in cinnamon sugar.
- Make Optional Sauce: Heat cream, pour over chocolate chips, stir until smooth.
- Serve: Enjoy warm churro poppers with the optional dipping sauce.
Notes
- To keep churros crispy, fry in small batches and avoid overcrowding the pan.
- You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 poppers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
