Name: Churros Poppers Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup water; ½ cup unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Vegetable oil; ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating); 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

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If you’re searching for a dessert that’s pure joy in every bite, you have to try Churros Poppers! These little golden wonders are crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside, and each one is tumbled in a magical cloud of cinnamon sugar. They’re basically everything you love about churros—just miniaturized for sharing (or for hoarding to yourself, I won’t judge). With a simple dough and quick fry, these treats turn any gathering into a fiesta, and their bite-sized fun makes them absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Churros Poppers are built on a handful of pantry staples, but every single ingredient plays its part in creating that signature flavor and irresistible, tender-crisp texture. Let’s walk through what you’ll need and why each one matters!

Water: This provides the base for your dough, helping everything come together smoothly and creating steam for lightness as they fry.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and that melt-in-your-mouth feel; using unsalted lets you control just how much salt goes in.
Granulated sugar: A delicate sweetness in the dough plus an addictive sugary crunch on the outside—double duty!
Salt: Just a pinch brings out all the buttery flavor and balances the sweet notes.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, giving structure and substance to those irresistible poppers.
Large eggs: These help bind everything together, add richness, and help the dough puff ever so slightly.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon deepens the aroma and creates a delicious warmth that lingers in every bite.
Vegetable oil (for frying): A neutral oil is key for frying up crisp poppers without adding flavors that overpower the cinnamon sugar coating.
Granulated sugar (for coating): The real churro magic happens here—each popper gets a generous roll!
Ground cinnamon: Aromatic, warmly spiced, and utterly classic—cinnamon makes Churros Poppers sing.

How to Make Churros Poppers

Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base

Begin by grabbing a medium saucepan and popping it on the stove over medium heat. Into the pot go your water, butter, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and salt. Give everything a quick stir so the butter melts evenly and sugar dissolves, then let the mixture come up to a lively boil. This step melds the flavors together and preps the dough for that iconic churro fluffiness!

Step 2: Mix in the Flour

Once your liquid boils, reduce the heat to low and add all the flour at once. Now, muster some elbow grease: stir, stir, stir until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the edges of the pan. This will happen quickly, forming a smooth, thick ball—just what you want.

Step 3: Cool the Dough Slightly

Take the pan off the heat and let your dough rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Cooling it slightly is key—you don’t want scrambled eggs in the next step. Letting it sit makes the dough just right for blending in the eggs and vanilla.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Now, with either a sturdy spoon or hand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time. The dough may look slippery or even a little split at first, but keep going! After both eggs are incorporated, blend in the vanilla extract until the mixture looks glossy and smooth. That shine means you’ve nailed it.

Step 5: Heat the Oil

Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy pot and set it over medium-high heat. Use a thermometer if you have one—you’re aiming for 350°F. Keeping the oil at the right temp is important for poppers that are golden on the outside and perfectly cooked in the center.

Step 6: Pipe and Fry the Churros Poppers

Spoon your dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip. Holding the bag over the oil (carefully!), pipe 1-inch pieces directly in, snipping them with clean kitchen scissors. Work in batches and don’t rush—they’ll puff and dance in the bubbling oil! Fry each batch for 2 to 3 minutes, giving them a gentle turn now and then, until they’re beautifully golden-brown and crispy.

Step 7: Drain and Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

Use a slotted spoon to lift out the fried poppers and let them drain briefly on paper towels. While they’re still warm, roll them lovingly in a shallow bowl of cinnamon and sugar so every surface is blanketed in sparkly, fragrant sweetness. Now you’ve officially mastered Churros Poppers!

How to Serve Churros Poppers

Garnishes

For the finishing touch, pile your Churros Poppers high on a pretty platter and dust with a flurry of extra cinnamon sugar, if you’re feeling fancy. You can jazz up the dessert plate with a few curls of citrus zest, a sprig of fresh mint for color, or even a pinch of edible glitter for parties. And don’t forget little bowls of chocolate or caramel sauce for the ultimate dipping experience—absolutely irresistible!

Side Dishes

Churros Poppers are undeniably the star, but they’re even more delightful paired with something creamy and cool. Offer some homemade vanilla or coffee ice cream alongside, or surround your poppers with fresh sliced strawberries, raspberries, or a fruit salad for a bright, fresh twist that balances out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the ordinary! Serve Churros Poppers in cute paper cones or small mugs for grab-and-go snacking. Thread a few onto toothpicks for dippable “churro kabobs” at party tables, or stack them into a playful tower on a cake stand with drizzle lines of chocolate sauce. For brunch or weekend breakfast, scatter them around a pot of warm drinking chocolate and let everyone dunk away.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Have some leftover Churros Poppers? Store any extras, once they’re cooled completely, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. After that, they start to lose their magical crispness, but a quick refresh (see below) can bring them back to life!

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze your cooled Churros Poppers in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep their best texture and flavor for about a month—just hold off on the cinnamon sugar coating until after you reheat, for maximum crunch.

Reheating

To revive that just-fried texture, pop your Churros Poppers onto a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes until hot and crisp again. If frozen, add a minute or two. Once reheated, toss them in fresh cinnamon sugar, and they’re ready to wow all over again!

FAQs

Can I make the dough for Churros Poppers ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough, let it cool, and then cover it tightly in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to fry, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften, then pipe and fry as usual.

Can I bake Churros Poppers instead of frying them?

While classic Churros Poppers are all about that irresistible crispy fried exterior, you can bake them for a lighter version. Pipe them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with melted butter, and bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes until golden, then toss in cinnamon sugar. The texture won’t be quite as crunchy, but they’re still delicious!

What’s the best oil for frying Churros Poppers?

A neutral, high-heat oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil works best and lets the delicate flavor of the dough and cinnamon sugar really shine. Avoid olive oil or any oil with a strong flavor, as it could overpower the poppers.

How do I keep Churros Poppers crisp if I need to serve them later?

If you need to make your Churros Poppers ahead for a party, fry and sugar-coat them as usual, then hold them in a single layer on a wire rack in a 200°F oven for up to 45 minutes. This keeps them warm and helps maintain their signature crunch. Avoid stacking, which causes sogginess.

Can I make Churros Poppers gluten-free?

Definitely! Substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free certified. The texture may change slightly, but you’ll still get delicious results that everyone can enjoy.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about sharing a platter of Churros Poppers—especially when you see everyone’s eyes light up at that first cinnamon-sugary bite! Whether you’re making them for a special celebration or just want to treat yourself, these little poppers guarantee smiles all around. So go ahead, grab your saucepan, and let the churro festivities begin!

Churros Poppers Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 30 poppers 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Churros Poppers are delightful bite-sized treats with a crispy exterior coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, perfect for a quick and tasty dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

1 cup water
½ cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Frying and Coating:

Vegetable oil
½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Boil, then add flour and stir until a ball forms. Cool slightly. Mix in eggs and vanilla until smooth.
Fry the Churros: Heat oil in a skillet. Pipe dough into hot oil, fry until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss warm churros in the mixture until coated.
Serve: Enjoy the churros poppers warm.