1. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar

The first step in making churros is preparing the cinnamon sugar. This sweet and aromatic mixture will give your churros that signature flavor that everyone loves. It’s also incredibly easy to make. In a shallow dish or plate, whisk together the white granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until they are fully combined. Set this mixture aside, and it will be ready for use when the churros come out of the fryer. The warmth of the churros will allow the cinnamon-sugar coating to adhere perfectly to each churro, enhancing that sweet, spicy flavor.

2. Make the Churro Dough

The dough for churros comes together in a few simple steps. First, place the water, butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into a large saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and the water begins to boil. As the butter melts, the sweet scent of cinnamon and nutmeg will fill your kitchen, hinting at the deliciousness to come. Once the mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the flour.

Stir the flour in gradually using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mixing constantly to avoid lumps. The dough will start to thicken and come together. Keep stirring until the dough becomes smooth, shiny, and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. This process should take around 1-2 minutes. You may notice the dough starts off lumpy, but don’t worry. As you keep stirring, it will become smooth. At this point, your churro dough should resemble a thick paste—firm but still flexible enough to be piped.

3. Cool the Dough

After the dough has come together, transfer it into a large mixing bowl. It’s crucial to let the dough cool for about 5 minutes before continuing to the next step. Cooling it slightly prevents the egg from scrambling when added. The dough should still be warm but not hot to the touch. This cooling process will ensure that the dough maintains the right consistency for piping and doesn’t cook the egg too quickly. It also helps the dough set up just right for piping into those perfectly shaped churros.

4. Add the Egg and Vanilla Extract

Once the dough has cooled, it’s time to mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, add the cold egg into the dough, mixing thoroughly. At first, the dough may look a bit separated, but keep mixing until it comes together. You may think it’s not going to come together, but after a minute of mixing, the dough will become smooth and slightly glossy. The egg helps provide the structure needed for the churros to rise and puff up when fried. The vanilla extract adds an extra depth of flavor that enhances the overall sweetness of the churros, balancing the cinnamon and nutmeg in the dough.

Once the egg is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth, you’ll know it’s ready to be piped into churro shapes.

5. Pipe the Churros

Now comes the fun part: piping the dough into churros! To do this, you’ll need a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip. A Wilton M1 star tip is perfect for this job, creating that signature ridged churro texture. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can also use a large ziplock bag with the tip of one corner snipped off, though a piping bag gives you more control.

Fill the piping bag with the churro dough, but don’t overfill it. This helps prevent the dough from oozing out of the top while you pipe. If the dough feels too stiff, you can gently squeeze it down into the bag using your hands. Keep the piping bag upright while piping to avoid spills.

6. Heat the Oil for Frying

While you’re preparing the dough, it’s a good idea to begin heating the oil for frying. Pour about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large pot or deep cast-iron skillet. Place the pan over medium-high heat, and allow the oil to heat up to 360°F (182°C). To ensure your oil is the right temperature, use a candy thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough into it. If it bubbles and rises to the surface quickly, the oil is ready.

Frying at the right temperature is key to achieving crispy churros. If the oil is too hot, the churros will burn on the outside while remaining raw on the inside. If it’s not hot enough, the churros will become greasy and soggy. Once the oil reaches 360°F, you can start frying.

7. Fry the Churros

Carefully pipe the dough into the hot oil in 6-inch lengths. As you pipe each churro, use clean kitchen scissors to cut off the dough at the end to make uniform pieces. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan—fry the churros in batches to allow for even cooking. Fry the churros for about 2 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. You’ll notice that they puff up as they cook, creating a light, airy interior that contrasts beautifully with the crisp exterior.

As they fry, the churros will begin to turn a golden-brown color, and you’ll know they’re done when they are crispy and have a slight crunch. Use a slotted spoon to gently lift each churro from the oil and place it onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

8. Coat the Churros in Cinnamon Sugar

After the churros have been drained and are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture you prepared earlier. Roll each churro gently in the sugar to coat it evenly. This simple yet delicious cinnamon-sugar coating gives the churros their signature flavor. Be sure to coat each churro thoroughly for the best flavor and texture. The warmth of the churros helps the cinnamon sugar stick, making each bite a sweet, cinnamon-infused treat.

9. Serve and Enjoy

Your churros are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them warm for the best experience. These churros can be enjoyed on their own, or you can serve them with dipping sauces like melted chocolate, caramel sauce, or a creamy dulce de leche. Churros are perfect for a variety of occasions—whether you’re having them as a fun snack for breakfast or serving them as a special dessert at a party. The crispy exterior and soft interior make churros a perfect treat for any occasion.