There’s something magical about the crunch of a freshly fried churro dusted in cinnamon sugar paired with a smooth, velvety chocolate dip. This Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe is your ticket to recreating that moment anytime you want, right in your own kitchen.

A white oval plate holds about 18 golden brown churros covered with a light layer of cinnamon sugar. The churros are thick and slightly curved, placed piled up mostly on the right side and spreading towards the center. On the top left side of the plate, a small white bowl filled with smooth, rich, dark chocolate sauce sits. The plate is on a white marbled surface with a few pieces of dark chocolate and some cinnamon sticks scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely love this homemade churro recipe because it takes something simple and turns it into a decadent treat with only a few ingredients and a little patience. It’s not just about the taste but also the joy of making them from scratch and sharing that warmth around the table.

Authentic texture and flavor: The crispy exterior with a soft, airy interior nails that classic churro experience.
Rich chocolate dipping sauce: Made with real dark chocolate, it’s smooth, indulgent, and perfectly balanced with a hint of vanilla.
Simple ingredients: You don’t need a long shopping list or fancy equipment, just basics you probably have on hand.
Customizable and fun to make: Piping the dough and frying churros is a super satisfying process with delicious rewards every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe plays an important role, creating that perfect balance of crispy and soft dipped in rich chocolate. Here’s why each one is essential and a few tips to get your best batch.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of water, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with salt, a small white ceramic bowl holding unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped dark chocolate, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Water: The base for your dough, it’s gentle warmth helps activate the butter and sugar, setting the stage for perfect texture.
Granulated sugar: Added to the dough and again in the cinnamon sugar coating, this gives the churros their sweetness and caramelized crunch.
Salt: Just a pinch to elevate flavors and balance the sweetness beautifully.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that tender crumb inside the crisp exterior.
All-purpose flour: The structure builder for churros; make sure it’s fresh for best results.
Eggs: They give the dough moisture and help it rise slightly, keeping the inside soft and light.
Vegetable oil: Perfect for frying due to its neutral taste and high smoke point.
Cinnamon: Combined with sugar for coating, it delivers that classic churro aroma and flavor.
Heavy cream: Used to make the chocolate sauce smooth and luscious.
Dark chocolate: Go for good quality for the richest, most decadent dipping sauce.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the chocolate sauce, making it even more irresistible.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it. Whether you prefer a twist on the coating or want to make it vegan-friendly, you can customize it to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Cinnamon Sugar Swap: Try mixing in a little ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal spin I love to serve around holidays.
Chocolate Variations: If you’re into white chocolate or milk chocolate, go for it! Just keep the cream ratio the same for consistency.
Vegan Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil and eggs with flaxseed “eggs”—I’ve tested these and was pleasantly surprised at how close it comes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

The image shows a dark round plate with many golden-brown churros covered in sugar and cinnamon. One churro is dipped halfway into a small white bowl filled with smooth, dark brown chocolate sauce. The churros are thick and have a slightly rough texture with sugar crystals visible. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and a green and white checkered cloth is blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whip Up the Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Start by heating the heavy cream just until it begins to simmer—don’t let it boil! Then remove from heat, add your chopped dark chocolate, and let it rest for about a minute. My trick? Stir gently but thoroughly until you get that smooth, glossy texture. Finish with vanilla extract for that extra comforting note. This sauce can sit warm on the stove at very low heat while you fry, or you can rewarm gently later.

Step 2: Prepare Your Churro Dough

In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, salt, and butter to a boil. Once the butter’s melted, reduce your heat and add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously—it’ll seem a bit tough at first, but keep at it until the dough pulls away from the pan and forms a ball. Take it off the heat and let it cool just a few minutes; this helps when you add the eggs.

Now for adding the eggs one at a time: this part always feels a little tricky because the dough might look like it’s separating or curdling. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal! Just keep mixing until it comes back together and feels smooth—trust me, that patience pays off with the perfect churros every time.

Step 3: Fry Those Golden Sticks

Heat your oil in a deep pan or fryer to 375°F (190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, aim for an oil that’s hot enough to sizzle a small piece of dough immediately but doesn’t darken in seconds. While the oil heats, mix your cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish.

Fit a piping bag with a large star tip and fill it with your churro dough. Pipe 3-4 inch lengths into the hot oil, using scissors to snip the dough and free them—this little technique keeps everything neat. Fry in small batches, turning once, until golden brown (roughly 2-3 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels, then roll each churro in cinnamon sugar while still warm.

Top Tip

After making churros dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference. These tips helped me go from “meh” to truly mouthwatering churros your friends will rave about.

Get that oil temperature right: Use a thermometer if you can! Too cool and your churros soak oil; too hot and they burn outside but stay raw inside.
Don’t crowd the pan: Frying a few at a time means even heat distribution and a crispier finish.
Pipe with a star tip: This isn’t just for looks—it creates crevices that hold the cinnamon sugar and help cook churros evenly.
Roll ‘em warm: The sugar sticks best when churros are fresh out of the fryer and still hot.

How to Serve Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with just the cinnamon sugar coating, but sometimes I sprinkle extra powdered sugar for a pretty, snowy touch. Another favorite? A pinch of flaky sea salt shaved over the chocolate dipping sauce—sounds wild, but it’s a game changer!

Side Dishes

Homemade churros are a sweet treat in themselves, but if I’m making them for a party, I’ll sometimes offer fresh fruit like berries or slices of mango alongside to balance the richness. A cup of rich café con leche or a creamy hot chocolate pairs beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, arrange churros wrapped in parchment paper cones tied with colorful twine, served with little ramekins of chocolate sauce for dipping. I’ve also piled churros in a rustic basket lined with a pretty tea towel—inviting and charming for casual get-togethers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any churros leftover (and let’s be honest, it’s rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. They’re best eaten fresh, but this helps prevent them from getting too soft.

Freezing

I often freeze raw piped churros on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When the craving hits, fry them straight from frozen—the texture holds up beautifully and the chocolate sauce makes them feel freshly made.

Reheating

To reheat, pop churros in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving—it makes them soggy. Reheated this way, they regain their crunch and are almost as good as fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make churros without eggs?

Yes! You can substitute eggs with flaxseed eggs or applesauce to make a vegan version. The texture changes slightly but they still turn out tasty. Make sure you mix thoroughly to get a good dough consistency.

What’s the best oil to fry churros in?

Vegetable oil or canola oil works best for frying churros because they have a high smoke point and neutral flavor. Avoid olive oil as it burns quickly and imparts strong flavors.

How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?

The ideal frying temperature is 375°F (190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test by dropping a small bit of dough into the oil – it should sizzle and puff immediately without browning too fast. Adjust the heat as needed.

Can I prepare churros dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can pipe churros dough onto a baking sheet and freeze them before frying. This makes last-minute churros easy and fast to cook from frozen. Just fry until golden and enjoy with your chocolate sauce!

Final Thoughts

Making homemade churros with chocolate dipping sauce quickly became one of my favorite kitchen rituals—there’s something so satisfying about frying up these golden sticks and watching everyone’s eyes light up at the first dip. I promise, once you try this recipe, it will be your go-to whenever you want a special yet simple treat. So grab your piping bag, heat that oil, and get ready to enjoy churros like never before!