Get ready to fall in love with Churros Poppers—bite-sized bliss that packs all the cinnamon-sugar magic of classic churros into golden, irresistible little morsels. Imagine crisp, airy bites with a warm, fluffy center, bursting with sweet vanilla flavor and dusted generously in cinnamon sugar. Whether you’re sharing them at a party or treating yourself to a cozy night in, Churros Poppers are pure joy in every bite, and once you try them, you’ll crave their comforting crunch and playful pop of sweetness again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of simple, everyday ingredients can come together to create something so wonderfully memorable. Each one plays its part—some lend structure, others bring flavor or that signature golden color—to make your Churros Poppers really shine. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Water: The backbone of your dough, bringing everything together and helping to create that gorgeous, light pop inside each popper.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and depth, ensuring your Churros Poppers have a pleasant, tender crumb inside.
Granulated Sugar (for dough): Sweetens the dough just enough, making sure each bite isn’t bland under that cinnamon sugar shell.
Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and lets the other flavors sing.
All-Purpose Flour: This is what gives your poppers their shape and classic churro bite—don’t substitute cake flour or bread flour here!
Eggs: They add lift and help create a dough that puffs up beautifully when fried.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses a gentle, aromatic sweetness that takes your poppers from good to “I need another one right now!”
Vegetable Oil (for frying): Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point; this is the secret to that signature crackly-crisp churro crust.
Granulated Sugar (for coating): The essential finishing touch for a sparkly, sweet crust on every popper.
Ground Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a lingering, nostalgic flavor that instantly makes you think “churro.”

How to Make Churros Poppers

Step 1: Make the Dough Base

Start by combining water, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a lively boil, letting the butter melt completely into the bubbling water. This step creates a base that’s both rich and neutral—a blank canvas ready to soak up the cinnamon sugar to come.

Step 2: Add the Flour

Turn the heat down to low, then stir in all of the flour at once. Use a wooden spoon to vigorously work the mixture; you want it to turn from a messy paste into a smooth, unified ball. When the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball, you know it’s just right. Give it a few minutes to cool down before the next step—this helps ensure your eggs don’t cook on contact.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla

Once the dough is cool enough to handle but still warm, beat in the eggs one at a time. Don’t worry if it looks split at first; keep mixing, and it will come together into a smooth and glossy batter. Finally, stir in your vanilla extract for that lovely fragrant boost that makes these Churros Poppers absolutely irresistible.

Step 4: Prepare to Fry

Spoon your dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip—the star tip will give your poppers classic churro ridges, but smooth is just as tasty! Heat about 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The right temperature is key for fluffy insides and that crisp, golden exterior.

Step 5: Fry the Churros Poppers

Pipe 1-inch sections of dough straight into the hot oil, snipping them off with scissors for consistency. Don’t crowd the pan; work in batches for the best results. Fry each batch for around 2 to 3 minutes, turning them gently so every side becomes a beautiful golden brown. Once done, transfer to paper towels to blot away excess oil.

Step 6: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While your poppers are still warm, tumble them into a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. Toss until they’re well coated and shimmering. Serve these beauties immediately, while the outside is crisp and the middle is still warm and airy.

How to Serve Churros Poppers

Garnishes

Sprinkle a bit of extra cinnamon sugar over the fresh Churros Poppers for added sparkle. For a decadent finish, offer bowls of chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping—just like at your favorite fair or street market. A dusting of powdered sugar is a pretty bonus for special occasions, too.

Side Dishes

These little bites are wonderful alongside hot coffee, spiced hot chocolate, or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. For brunch, try pairing Churros Poppers with fruit compote or berry sauces—they love company and make even a simple morning feel like a celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile your Churros Poppers high on a rustic wooden platter or tuck them into mini treat bags for a party. For festive occasions, skewer them on sticks for playful “popper pops” or nestle them in paper cones for a street-food vibe. However you present them, they bring instant joy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have extras, store cooled Churros Poppers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best fresh, but a well-sealed container will help maintain their lovely texture a little longer. Don’t refrigerate—they can turn dense if kept too cold.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange cooled poppers in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to a month. For best results, freeze without the cinnamon sugar coating, then toss freshly warmed poppers with the coating before serving.

Reheating

Bring leftover or thawed Churros Poppers back to life by popping them in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This will revive their crisp exterior and gently warm the inside. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to make them soft instead of snappy.

FAQs

Can I bake Churros Poppers instead of frying them?

Absolutely! Pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until puffed and golden brown, about 18 to 20 minutes. The baked version will be lighter and less crisp, but still satisfyingly sweet and delicious.

Do I need a piping bag to make Churros Poppers?

A piping bag helps create uniform shapes, but if you don’t have one, you can use a sturdy zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Even spooning small dollops of dough works in a pinch; they’ll just be a bit more rustic (but no less tasty!).

What’s the best oil for frying Churros Poppers?

Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil. This keeps the flavor pure and lets the cinnamon sugar shine. Avoid olive oil, as its flavor is too strong and it can burn at frying temperatures.

Can I make Churros Poppers gluten-free?

You can experiment with 1:1 gluten-free flour substitutes, but the texture may differ slightly. Look for blends designed for baking, and know that the poppers may be a touch less airy, but still delicious.

How do I keep Churros Poppers warm for a party?

Place freshly fried poppers on a baking sheet in a low oven (200 degrees Fahrenheit) until you’re ready to serve. Coat with cinnamon sugar just before bringing them out for that just-made sparkle and crunch.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about sharing a tray of Churros Poppers with family and friends—watching everyone light up as they try to resist reaching for just one more. These poppers are pure comfort and celebration in every bite, so don’t hesitate—give them a try and let the cinnamon-sugar memories begin!

Churros Poppers Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 poppers 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these delightful Churros Poppers, crispy mini churros coated in cinnamon sugar, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Churros Poppers:

1 cup water
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil for frying

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and stir in the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip.
Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Pipe 1-inch lengths of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting with scissors as you go. Fry in batches, turning occasionally, for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Immediately toss warm churro poppers in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Serve fresh and warm.