Churros have long been a favorite dessert, and for good reason: they’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. But have you ever thought about turning those churros into bite-sized poppers? This recipe for churros poppers takes everything we love about traditional churros—crispy golden dough, sweet cinnamon, and a light texture—and puts it into an irresistible, snackable form. These bite-sized treats are perfect for serving at a party, as an after-school snack, or for any occasion when you want a little indulgence.

The process of making churros poppers is surprisingly simple. With just a handful of ingredients and a few basic steps, you’ll have a plate full of crispy, cinnamon-coated poppers that will disappear in no time. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering or making them for a personal treat, churros poppers are a guaranteed hit. So, let’s dive into this easy-to-follow recipe that’ll have you enjoying fresh churros in popper form in just a few minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Churros poppers are the perfect combination of crispy and sweet, offering all the flavor and texture of traditional churros in a fun, bite-sized form. They’re quick to make and require just a few ingredients, making them an ideal dessert for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The cinnamon-sugar coating gives each popper an irresistible flavor, and the golden, crispy exterior pairs perfectly with the soft interior. Whether you serve them as a fun snack or a dessert, these churros poppers are sure to delight everyone who tries them.

Ingredients

Granulated sugar
Ground cinnamon
Water
Sugar
Salt
Vegetable oil
All-purpose flour
Oil for frying

Variations

Chocolate Dipping Sauce: Serve your churros poppers with a side of warm chocolate sauce for dipping. It adds a rich and indulgent twist to this already delicious treat.
Maple Cinnamon: Mix maple syrup with the cinnamon-sugar coating for a sweet, maple-infused flavor that pairs wonderfully with the churros.
Coconut Sugar: For a more natural sweetener, substitute the granulated sugar with coconut sugar. It will add a slightly caramelized flavor to the churros.
Stuffed Churros: Fill the dough balls with Nutella or cream cheese before frying for a decadent surprise inside each popper.
Spicy Cinnamon: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a spicy twist.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture

In a medium bowl or a brown paper bag, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for later use. This will be used to coat the churros poppers once they’re fried.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

In a deep fryer or large pan, heat about 2-1/2 inches of oil to 375°F. The oil should be hot enough to fry the dough and give it that golden brown, crispy texture. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan to ensure each popper fries evenly.

Step 3: Make the Dough

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it comes to a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the flour until the mixture forms a dough ball. Let the dough cool until it’s safe to handle.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Once the dough is cool enough to handle, scoop portions of the dough and lightly roll them into small balls, about the size of walnuts. These are the poppers that will fry up into delicious golden bites.

Step 5: Fry the Poppers

Carefully drop 3-4 dough balls into the hot oil at a time, being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the dough balls for 3-4 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. Use a slotted spoon to remove the poppers from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 6: Coat the Poppers in Cinnamon-Sugar

Immediately after frying, shake or stir the warm churros poppers in the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture. This will coat them evenly, giving them that signature churro flavor.

Step 7: Serve

Once all the poppers are coated, serve them immediately while they’re still warm and crispy. Enjoy the sweet, cinnamon goodness with a side of chocolate sauce or your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Temperature is Key: Make sure the oil is heated to the correct temperature (375°F) before frying. If the oil is too cool, the poppers will absorb excess oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, they might burn on the outside before cooking through.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the churros poppers in small batches to prevent overcrowding. This ensures they cook evenly and get that perfect crispy texture.
Cool Dough: Allow the dough to cool slightly before handling. This will make it easier to roll into balls without the dough sticking to your hands.
Dipping Sauces: Serve the poppers with various dipping sauces, such as chocolate sauce, caramel, or even vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

How to Serve

These churros poppers are best served fresh and warm, right after they’ve been coated in cinnamon-sugar. They make a great snack for parties, gatherings, or movie nights. You can also serve them as a fun dessert after a meal, alongside some creamy vanilla ice cream or chocolate sauce for dipping. They’re versatile and can easily be enjoyed on their own or with other sweets.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

While churros poppers are best enjoyed fresh, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. However, they may lose some of their crispiness as they sit. To refresh them, heat them up in the oven for a few minutes to crisp them back up.

Freezing

You can freeze churros poppers before frying. After shaping the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 30 minutes. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag and store them for up to 2 months. When ready to cook, fry the frozen poppers directly from the freezer, but they may need a few extra minutes in the oil.

Reheating

To reheat, place leftover churros poppers in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to regain some of their crispiness. Avoid microwaving them, as it will make them soft and less enjoyable.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it. Just allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and frying.

2. Can I make the cinnamon-sugar mixture in advance?

Yes, you can mix the cinnamon and sugar ahead of time and store it in an airtight container.

3. What oil should I use for frying?

Vegetable oil works best for frying, as it has a neutral flavor and high smoke point. You can also use canola oil or sunflower oil.

4. Can I bake these churros poppers instead of frying them?

While frying gives the best crispy texture, you can try baking them at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes until golden, but they won’t have the same crispy exterior as fried poppers.

5. How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?

The oil should be 375°F for optimal frying. You can test the temperature by dropping in a small piece of dough; if it sizzles and rises to the surface immediately, the oil is ready.

6. Can I use different spices in the cinnamon-sugar mixture?

Yes! You can add a pinch of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a unique flavor twist.

7. How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands?

If the dough is sticky, you can lightly grease your hands with vegetable oil or dampen them with water before rolling the dough balls.

8. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! You can double the ingredients if you’re making a larger batch, just be sure to fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

9. How long do the churros poppers stay crispy?

They are best eaten immediately, but can stay somewhat crispy for 1-2 hours if stored properly in an airtight container.

10. Can I stuff the churros poppers with filling?

Yes, you can stuff them with chocolate chips, Nutella, or cream cheese before frying for a decadent surprise!

Conclusion

Churros poppers are the ultimate sweet treat—crispy, cinnamon-coated, and bite-sized for maximum enjoyment. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion or simply treating yourself to something delicious, these churros poppers are sure to please. Quick and easy to make, they’re perfect for anyone who loves churros but wants a fun, poppable version. Enjoy them while they’re hot and freshly coated in cinnamon-sugar for the best experience!