Churros Poppers Recipe
If you’re looking for a way to bring a little fiesta into your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flavor, these Churros Poppers are going to be your new go-to treat. Imagine sweet, golden nuggets of crispy yet tender dough all wrapped in an addictive cinnamon sugar hug, ready to dip or pop right into your mouth! Whether you’re making them for a party, a family movie night, or simply to treat yourself (no judgment), Churros Poppers bring that unbeatable street-style magic home — and they disappear almost as quickly as you make them.

Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be delighted at how the most basic pantry staples come together to make these irresistible Churros Poppers. Every single ingredient is essential for that signature crispy outside, fluffy interior, and that iconic cinnamon-sugar finish.
- Water: Acts as the base of your choux pastry, creating steam and ensuring a beautifully airy popper.
- Granulated sugar: A touch of sweetness in the dough and a generous amount for the irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Salt: Just a pinch brings all the flavors into sharp, delicious focus.
- Unsalted butter: Richness and tenderness come from melting it right into the dough.
- All-purpose flour: Gives body and bite to the classic churro texture.
- Large eggs: Create stability, tenderness, and a glossy sheen in the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that beautifully warm, aromatic background note.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Neutral and high-smoke point oil keeps things crisp and golden.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm, spicy-sweet flavor that combines perfectly with sugar for that authentic finish.
How to Make Churros Poppers
Step 1: Make the Dough Base
Start by adding the water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, and unsalted butter to a medium saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium flame until the butter melts completely and you have a gentle boil happening. This step not only flavors the base but helps melt everything together before you add the flour. Once it boils, remove from heat and immediately stir in all the flour using a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula. Keep mixing until a dough forms, pulling away cleanly from the sides of the pan.
Step 2: Cool and Enrich the Dough
Allow the dough to cool for about 5 minutes. This cooling time is key — you don’t want to scramble the eggs when you mix them in! Beat in the eggs one at a time, really working each egg into the dough until smooth before adding the next. This might feel a bit odd at first, but keep mixing vigorously; the dough will become glossy and slightly stretchy. Stir in the vanilla extract last for that little extra flavor boost.
Step 3: Pipe and Fry the Churros Poppers
Now for the fun part: heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip — this creates those classic churro ridges. Pipe 1-inch segments of dough directly into the hot oil, snipping each piece free with clean kitchen scissors. Fry in batches, giving them 2 to 3 minutes in the oil, gently turning them until golden, puffy, and crisp all over. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels.
Step 4: The Cinnamon-Sugar Finish
In a shallow bowl, mix together half a cup of sugar and the ground cinnamon until combined. While still warm (but not too hot), roll the freshly fried Churros Poppers in the cinnamon sugar, making sure every side is coated in that fragrant, glittering goodness. Serve immediately for best taste and texture!
How to Serve Churros Poppers

Garnishes
The moment you roll your Churros Poppers in cinnamon sugar, a few creative garnishes take them over the top. Think a drizzle of melted chocolate, ribbons of caramel sauce, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for extra flair. For a little crunch, sprinkle on toasted nuts or crushed freeze-dried berries — both look and taste fantastic.
Side Dishes
Churros Poppers pair perfectly with a medley of dips: rich chocolate ganache, dulce de leche, or even a creamy vanilla sauce. For something fresh, offer bowls of macerated berries or citrusy fruit salads that provide a little zing and balance out the sweetness of the poppers.
Creative Ways to Present
Arranging Churros Poppers in mini cupcake liners or on skewers makes for fun, grab-and-go party snacks. Try building a “popper tower” with layers of poppers threaded onto a stick, or serve them on a rustic wooden board for a tapas-style dessert platter. For special occasions, provide several dipping sauces in tiny cups for an interactive churro bar that delights all ages.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Churros Poppers (if you have any!) should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. While they’re best enjoyed fresh, they’ll keep reasonably well for a short while and stay satisfyingly soft inside.
Freezing
For longer storage, Churros Poppers freeze beautifully. Place the cooled, uncoated poppers in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-friendly bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, re-warm and toss with cinnamon sugar for that fresh-from-the-fryer magic.
Reheating
To revive Churros Poppers, pop them in a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for 5 to 8 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them chewy rather than crisp. If you’re reheating from frozen, simply add a couple more minutes to the oven time.
FAQs
Can I bake Churros Poppers instead of frying?
Absolutely! To bake, simply pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 22 minutes. They’ll puff up and take on a lovely golden hue, though the texture will be less crisp than frying. Roll them in cinnamon sugar as soon as they come out of the oven.
What’s the best oil for frying Churros Poppers?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil. These ensure the poppers get crisp and golden without imparting unwanted flavors.
Why does my dough look greasy or separated after adding eggs?
This can happen if the dough was still too hot when the eggs were mixed in, causing the eggs to cook too quickly. Always let the dough sit for about 5 minutes off the heat before adding eggs to keep everything emulsified and glossy.
What can I do if my Churros Poppers are too dense?
Overmixing or adding too much flour are common culprits. Be careful to measure flour properly and mix just until combined. Also, be sure your oil is hot enough — underheated oil can lead to greasy, heavy churros.
Can I make Churros Poppers ahead for a party?
Yes! You can fry the poppers a few hours ahead and refresh them in a hot oven just before serving. Hold off on tossing them in cinnamon sugar until after they’re warmed to keep them perfectly tasty and crisp.
Final Thoughts
Churros Poppers are the kind of joyful, shareable treat that never fails to bring people together — and you don’t have to wait for a fair or street festival to indulge! With just a handful of pantry staples and a little bit of love, you can whip up a golden batch of these cinnamon-sugar delights anytime. Give them a try the next time you want to bring a little extra sparkle to your dessert table — your kitchen (and your taste buds) will thank you!
Print
Churros Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Churros Poppers are a delightful twist on the classic churros, featuring bite-sized portions coated in a cinnamon sugar mix. Perfect for a sweet treat or dessert!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying and Coating:
- Vegetable oil
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Combine water, sugar, salt, and butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form dough. Let cool, then mix in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Fry Churros: Heat oil, pipe dough into hot oil, fry until golden brown, then drain on paper towels.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Roll warm churro poppers in cinnamon sugar until coated.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- For extra indulgence, serve with chocolate or caramel dipping sauce.
- If you prefer to bake, pipe dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–22 minutes, then roll in cinnamon sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg