Classic Cinnamon Sugar Churros

Aug 5, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Classic cinnamon sugar churros piled on a plate, coated in cinnamon sugar, with a small bowl of dipping sauce

Light, crisp churros made from traditional fried choux dough, coated generously with cinnamon sugar and infused with real vanilla for authentic flavor.

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 10 min

Total 45 min

Yield 20 churros

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

churros

1.0 cup (240.0 ml)water
6.0 tbsp (85.0 g)unsalted butter
1.0 tbsp (12.0 g)granulated sugar
¼ tsp (1.0 g)fine sea salt
1.0 cup (125.0 g)all-purpose flour
3.0 large (150.0 g)eggs
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
neutral oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar, for coating
1 ½ tsp (3.0 g)ground cinnamon, for coating

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat immediately.
Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes.
Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing each in thoroughly with a wooden spoon or electric mixer on low. Add the vanilla extract with the last egg. The dough should be smooth, thick, and glossy.
Heat neutral oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C), enough to submerge churros completely.
Fit a pastry bag with a large star tip and transfer the dough into it.
Pipe 4- to 5-inch lengths of dough carefully into the hot oil, cutting with scissors or a knife. Fry in batches, without crowding, until golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer churros to paper towels to drain briefly, then immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes to firm up slightly before serving warm.

Tips

Ensure the dough cools slightly before adding eggs to prevent cooking them and creating lumps.
Use real vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to highlight the classic aroma in the dough.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic cinnamon sugar churros?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 10 minutes to rest. The recipe makes 18–24 churros.

How should I store classic cinnamon sugar churros?

Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness; avoid microwaving to keep them crisp.

Can I make classic cinnamon sugar churros ahead?

The dough can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and kept covered at room temperature before frying.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Light, crisp churros made from traditional fried choux dough, coated generously with cinnamon sugar and infused with real vanilla for authentic flavor.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 20 servings this recipe makes.

157 Calories / serving

12.2g Fat

10.5g Carbs

1.6g Protein

5.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (20 servings): ~3140 cal · 244g fat · 210g carbs · 32g protein · 114g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 157 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 30 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 21 min·1.1 mi·~2100 steps
Moderate cycling 16 min·3.2 mi
Swimming laps 22 min
Jogging 15 min·1.3 mi·~2400 steps
Stair climbing 15 min·~1350 steps
Dancing 26 min
Bodyweight circuit training 16 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 36 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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