If you adore the crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated magic of traditional churros but want something bite-sized and irresistibly snackable, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Churros Poppers Recipe. These little golden delights pack all the flavor, crunch, and warmth of classic churros into perfectly portioned poppers that are easy to fry up and even easier to devour. Whether it’s a festive party, a cozy family dessert, or an anytime treat, these churros poppers bring joy in every crispy, sugary bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple, pantry-friendly, and they work together beautifully to create that perfect churros popper texture and flavor. Each item is essential, from the butter that adds moisture and richness to the eggs that ensure a tender yet airy popper inside.
- Water: The base liquid that helps create a silky dough.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds subtle sweetness to balance the dough.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness and helps the dough bind perfectly.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough’s structure and chew.
- Large eggs: Critical for moisture and lightness in the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic notes that elevate the flavor.
- Vegetable oil for frying: For that perfect golden brown and crispy exterior.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Needed to coat the finished churros poppers, pairing perfectly with cinnamon.
- Ground cinnamon: Provides that signature spicy-sweet churro flavor in the coating.
How to Make Churros Poppers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the churro dough
Start by heating water, sugar, salt, and butter together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and stir in the flour until a smooth dough forms that pulls away cleanly from the sides—this ensures your batter has just the right consistency for piping.
Step 2: Cool and incorporate eggs
Let your dough cool for about five minutes so it doesn’t scramble the eggs when added. Then beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Finish by stirring in vanilla extract which gives this churros poppers recipe a lovely fragrant touch.
Step 3: Heat the oil and prepare to fry
Get a heavy-bottomed pot ready with about two inches of vegetable oil heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is crucial for achieving that crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Step 4: Pipe and fry the poppers
Transfer your dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip—this creates the signature ridged churro texture. Pipe one-inch sections directly into the hot oil, cutting each with scissors. Fry them in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy, then remove to drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Coat and serve
While the poppers are still warm, toss them in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon so every curve is beautifully coated with that classic churro sweetness and spice. It’s the finishing touch that makes this Churros Poppers Recipe totally irresistible.
How to Serve Churros Poppers Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar on top for that eye-catching sparkle and a little extra crunch. A dusting of powdered sugar can add a snowy contrast, or drizzle some melted chocolate or caramel sauce on the side for dipping—because who doesn’t love a sauce companion with churros?
Side Dishes
These poppers are delicious on their own but pair beautifully with fresh fruit like berries to cut through the sweetness, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cool and creamy complement. They also work great as a snack alongside a hot cup of coffee, tea, or rich hot chocolate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve churros poppers in mini paper cones or small decorative baskets lined with parchment for a fun street-food vibe. For a party, stick them on skewers and stand them upright in a festive mug, or arrange them on a platter with an assortment of dipping sauces for a colorful, interactive dessert station.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place leftover churros poppers in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within a day or two for the best freshness and crispness. Beyond that, they may start to lose their delightful crunch.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked poppers by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freezing until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, you have quick and easy churros poppers ready whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or stored churros poppers in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes. This warms them through nicely and restores much of their crispy texture without making them greasy or soggy like microwaving would.
FAQs
Can I make churros poppers without a piping bag?
While a piping bag with a star tip is ideal for that classic churro shape and texture, you can use a plastic zip-top bag with a corner snipped off in a pinch. The ridged effect might not be as pronounced, but the flavor and crispiness remain delightful.
Is vegetable oil the best choice for frying churros poppers?
Vegetable oil is preferred because it has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it perfect for frying. You can also use canola or peanut oil if you prefer, but avoid oils with low smoke points which might burn and impart off-flavors.
Can I bake churros poppers instead of frying?
Baking will produce a different texture than frying, likely less crispy on the outside. If you want to bake, try brushing the dough lightly with oil before baking at a high temperature, but frying really gives the authentic crunchy texture that churros poppers are known for.
Why does the dough need to cool before adding eggs?
Adding eggs to hot dough can cause them to cook right away, resulting in clumpy dough. Letting it cool slightly ensures the eggs blend smoothly, giving your churros poppers a perfect glossy, elastic batter.
How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?
An oil thermometer is the most accurate way, but if you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil—it should sizzle and float to the top quickly without burning. If it browns too fast, lower the heat; if it sinks and bubbles little, raise the temperature.
Final Thoughts
This Churros Poppers Recipe is a joyful bite of crispy, cinnamon-sugar magic that you can easily make at home and share with loved ones. The process is simple, the ingredients are straightforward, and the result is pure happiness in every popper. Give it a whirl, and watch as these golden treats disappear faster than you can say “¡delicioso!”
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
Churros Poppers are bite-sized, crispy fried dough treats coated in cinnamon sugar, perfect as a fun and delicious Mexican dessert. Crispy outside with a soft, tender inside, these poppers are easy to make and delightful to share. Serve them warm with chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for an extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup water
- 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
- Vegetable oil (enough for 2 inches deep in pot)
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, salt, and unsalted butter. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour vigorously until the dough forms a ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and allow the dough to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Beat the eggs one at a time into the cooled dough mixture, ensuring each egg is fully combined before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and glossy, indicating it is well combined and ready for piping.
- Heat the Oil: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy to ensure the correct frying temperature for crispiness without greasiness.
- Pipe and Fry Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Carefully pipe 1-inch lengths of dough directly into the hot oil. Use scissors to cut the dough as you pipe to maintain uniform popper size. Fry the poppers in batches, avoiding overcrowding, for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain and Coat: Use a slotted spoon to remove the churro poppers and drain them on paper towels to absorb excess oil. While still warm, toss them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the churro poppers warm, optionally with chocolate or caramel dipping sauces for added flavor and indulgence.
Notes
- Serve churro poppers with chocolate or caramel dipping sauces for an extra treat.
- To make ahead, fry the churro poppers, freeze them on a baking sheet, then store in an airtight container.
- Reheat frozen poppers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes to restore crispiness.
