Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh churros at Disney parks? Every time I walk through those gates, that sweet cinnamon scent pulls me in like a magnet. After my last trip with the kids, I couldn’t stop thinking about those warm, sugar-coated treats. So, I decided to bring a bit of Disney magic into my own kitchen.
These churro bites are just like the ones you get at the park, but in fun, bite-sized pieces that are perfect for sharing (or not – I won’t judge!). The best part? You can make them right at home whenever the craving hits. No need to wait in those long park lines or plan a whole vacation just to get your churro fix.
And let me tell you – making these is way easier than you might think. All you need are some basic pantry ingredients and about 30 minutes. My kids love helping roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, though I can’t guarantee they all make it to the serving plate!
Why You’ll Love These Churro Bites
- Theme park magic at home – You can recreate those warm, cinnamon-sugar coated treats from Disney right in your own kitchen, without the long lines or expensive park tickets.
- Quick preparation – These churro bites come together in just 30-40 minutes, making them perfect for when those sweet cravings hit.
- Simple ingredients – You probably already have most of these basic pantry staples at home – no special trips to the store needed.
- Kid-friendly activity – Rolling the warm churros in cinnamon sugar is a fun cooking project that kids can help with, making it perfect for family baking time.
What Kind of Flour Should I Use?
For these churro bites, regular all-purpose flour is your best friend. While you might be tempted to experiment with other types of flour, stick to plain all-purpose flour to get that authentic Disney churro texture you’re after. Self-rising flour won’t work here since the recipe already has its own balance of ingredients for the perfect rise. Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife – this prevents using too much flour which could make your churros dense or heavy. If you can, try to use unbleached all-purpose flour, though regular bleached flour will also give you good results.
Options for Substitutions
While churros have some key ingredients that shouldn’t be changed, here are some helpful substitutions you can try:
- Plain flour: All-purpose flour is best here, but you can use bread flour in a pinch. Avoid cake flour as it won’t give you the right texture. Note that gluten-free flour blends don’t work well for this recipe – the churros won’t puff up properly.
- Butter: If you’re out of unsalted butter, you can use salted butter – just skip the added salt in the recipe. You can also use margarine, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
- Vegetable/canola oil: Any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point works well – try sunflower, peanut, or corn oil. Avoid olive oil as its flavor is too strong.
- Cinnamon: For a different spin, try using pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or just plain sugar. You could also add a bit of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Eggs: The eggs are crucial for this recipe and can’t be substituted – they provide the structure needed for proper churro texture.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making churro bites is getting the oil temperature just right – too hot and they’ll burn on the outside while staying raw inside, too cool and they’ll become greasy and soggy (maintain oil at 350°F using a thermometer for perfect results).
Getting the dough consistency right is crucial – when adding eggs to the flour mixture, make sure the dough has cooled slightly or you’ll end up with scrambled eggs instead of smooth churro dough, and be sure to add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition.
A common mistake is overcrowding the frying pan – give your churro bites plenty of space to cook evenly and maintain oil temperature (fry in small batches of 4-5 pieces at a time), and don’t forget to roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm so the coating sticks properly.
For extra-crispy results, avoid using a paper towel to drain excess oil – instead, place the fried churros on a wire rack, which allows air to circulate and keeps them crunchy.
What to Serve With Churro Bites?
These sweet and crispy churro bites are begging to be paired with some tasty dipping sauces! A warm chocolate sauce is the most popular choice – just melt some chocolate chips with a splash of heavy cream for the perfect dunking companion. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, try serving them with dulce de leche, vanilla ice cream, or even a simple cream cheese frosting. For drinks, these cinnamon-sugar treats go perfectly with a hot cup of Mexican hot chocolate, coffee, or even a cold glass of milk to balance out the sweetness.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These churro bites taste best when eaten fresh and warm, right after cooking. If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days. Just know they might lose some of their signature crispiness over time.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the churro dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, let the dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before frying. This is super handy when you’re planning to serve these for a party!
Refresh: To bring back some of that fresh-made magic to day-old churros, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Then give them a quick roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture again. While they won’t be exactly like fresh ones, they’ll still be pretty tasty!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 3500-3700
- Protein: 30-40 g
- Fat: 300-320 g
- Carbohydrates: 350-370 g
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 cup water
- 8 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 1/4 cups plain flour
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil
Step 1: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
In a small bowl, mix together sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon until well combined.
Set this mixture aside as it will be used to coat the churros after cooking.
Step 2: Make the Dough Base
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon over medium heat.
Stir the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Add the flour to the saucepan, working quickly to stir it into the liquid mixture until it forms a ball of dough.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the dough to rest for 5-7 minutes.
After resting, add the eggs one at a time, stirring until each is fully incorporated.
Set the mixture aside.
Step 4: Prepare to Fry
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F.
While the oil is heating, transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Once the oil is ready, carefully pipe 1-inch to 2-inch strips of dough over the skillet, cutting with a knife to let them gently drop into the hot oil.
Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Fry and Drain the Churros
Fry the churro bites until they are golden brown, turning them once to ensure all sides are evenly cooked.
Remove the fried churros from the oil using a spider or slotted spoon and place them on a bowl covered with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 6: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
While the churros are still warm, gently toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until all sides are well coated.
Place the finished churros onto a serving plate.
Step 7: Serve
Serve the churro bites warm with a side of chocolate dipping sauce for an extra treat.
Enjoy the delightful combination of crispy, sweet churros and rich chocolate!