There’s something irresistible about warm, crispy churros dusted with cinnamon sugar, especially when dipped into a rich, velvety chocolate sauce. This Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe brings the magic of that fairground classic right to your kitchen, so you can enjoy that perfect crunchy-soft bite anytime.

A white plate filled with about twenty small churros, each golden brown and coated with cinnamon sugar, arranged in a slightly overlapping pile. On the top left side of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with smooth, dark chocolate sauce. The plate sits on a light gray surface sprinkled with cinnamon powder and some chocolate pieces are put around, with two cinnamon sticks in the top right corner. The texture of the churros looks crunchy outside and soft inside. 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 have a soft spot for churros, and making them from scratch is such an enjoyable process! This recipe is straightforward, no fancy ingredients, just simple steps that deliver a delicious, authentic taste. Plus, pairing these buttery, crunchy churros with homemade chocolate sauce feels like treating yourself to a little celebration—any day of the week.

Authentic texture: The star-shaped piped dough fries up crispy on the outside and tender inside, just like from your favorite street vendors.
Rich chocolate sauce: The dipping sauce is smooth, decadent, and super easy to whip up with just cream and real dark chocolate.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand, making it an accessible treat for any day.
Customizable fun: Once you make your basic churros, it’s fun to experiment with cinnamon blends or different dipping sauces to suit your mood.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a vital role in building the perfect churro, from the buttery dough to the crisp sugar coating. Here’s why I love these selections and how they come together beautifully.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a few tablespoons of granulated sugar loosely piled beside it, a small pile of fine salt crystals, a square of unsalted butter with a smooth surface, a small mound of all-purpose flour, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with golden vegetable oil, a shallow white dish with a mix of granulated sugar and reddish-brown ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of thick heavy cream, a small pile of chopped dark chocolate chunks, and a tiny white bowl holding clear 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: Creates steam during cooking that puffs up the dough for a light interior.
Granulated sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness in the dough and the coating, complementing the chocolate sauce.
Salt: Balances the flavors and enhances sweetness without overpowering.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps keep the dough tender.
All-purpose flour: The base that creates structure, with enough gluten to hold shape but still yield a tender bite.
Eggs: Emulsify the dough, add moisture, and help bind everything for a smooth piping consistency.
Vegetable oil: Ideal for frying thanks to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
Cinnamon: Classic warm spice that pairs perfectly with sugar on the churros.
Heavy cream: Creates a luxuriously smooth chocolate sauce when combined with finely chopped dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate: For a rich, slightly bitter contrast that cuts the sweetness of the churros.
Vanilla extract: Adds subtle depth and warmth to the chocolate dipping sauce.

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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

Churros are such an adaptable treat! I enjoy switching up the cinnamon-sugar blend sometimes—like adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a unique twist. Also, you can try dipping sauces beyond chocolate, such as dulce de leche or a caramel sauce, for extra indulgence.

Variation: Personally, I’ve made gluten-free churros using a blend of gluten-free flours and a bit more egg to keep the dough sturdy—still delicious and crisp.
Healthier twist: For a lighter option, baking instead of frying works, though you’ll miss some crunch.
Seasonal spin: During holidays, I sometimes mix pumpkin pie spice into the cinnamon sugar for a cozy feel.

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

A round dark metal tray holds a pile of golden-brown churros covered with sugar and cinnamon, showing a rough and crunchy texture. At the front right of the tray is a round white bowl with a thick, smooth dark chocolate sauce inside. One churro is dipped halfway into the chocolate, adding a shiny contrast to the matte churros. In the background, there is a soft green fabric add a calm touch. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface 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 simmers—you’ll see little bubbles forming at the edges. Then, remove from heat and stir in the chopped dark chocolate. Let it sit for a minute to start melting before stirring smoothly. Finally, add the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma. I like to make this first so it’s ready and warm by the time the churros finish frying.

Step 2: Prepare the Churro Dough

In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, salt, and butter and bring it up to a boil. Once the butter melts, reduce the heat and stir in the flour vigorously. You’re aiming for a dough that clumps together and forms a ball—it’ll look a bit glossy and smooth. Let it cool a few minutes before adding the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. It might seem strange when adding the eggs as the dough loosens—keep at it; the texture will come together nicely.

Step 3: Heat Oil and Prepare Cinnamon Sugar

Heat your frying oil to 375°F (190°C)—using a thermometer really helps get the perfect temperature. While that’s warming, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl, ready for coating the churros fresh out of the fryer.

Step 4: Pipe and Fry Your Churros

Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip—this shape is key to achieving those signature ridges that hold the cinnamon sugar beautifully. Carefully pipe 3-4 inch strips directly into the oil, using scissors to cut the ends. Fry in small batches, turning once, until golden and crisp—about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels, then immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar for that perfect sweet crunch.

Top Tip

I've had a few “oops” moments making these, so these tips will save you time and headaches:

Oil Temperature Matters: Keeping the oil at 375°F ensures the churros cook quickly and become crispy without absorbing too much oil.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Frying in small batches gives each churro room to puff up and crisp properly—crowding leads to soggy treats.
Large Star Piping Tip: Use this for authentic texture and crisp edges—it really makes a difference in both appearance and texture.
Mix the Dough Thoroughly: When adding eggs, the dough might look broken at first, but keep mixing; it’ll come together smooth and perfect for piping.

How to Serve Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a generous coating of cinnamon sugar—it really is classic for a reason. On special occasions, I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the chocolate sauce to contrast the sweetness. Fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar also add a nice touch if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Churros shine as dessert, so simple sides work best. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side makes the experience extra indulgent. For a brunch spread, pairing churros with fresh fruit or café con leche is delightful.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged churros in a circle around a jar filled with dipping sauce and wrapped cinnamon sticks for décor. Alternatively, stacking them in a pretty bowl and topping with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar makes a warm, inviting centerpiece. Mini churros also work great on skewers for a fun finger-food approach.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which sometimes I don’t!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day to maintain crispness. Avoid the fridge, as moisture will make them soggy.

Freezing

I like to pipe raw churros onto a baking sheet and freeze them individually. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag so you can fry batches straight from frozen whenever churro cravings hit. It’s super convenient and they come out almost as good as fresh.

Reheating

To revive leftover churros, a few minutes in a hot oven or air fryer works wonders to crisp them back up. Avoid microwaving unless you like soggy churros—they just don’t reheat well that way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make churros without a piping bag?

While a piping bag fitted with a large star tip is ideal for that classic churro shape and crisp ridges, you can use a sturdy plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Just note the shape won’t be as defined and may affect frying slightly.

What’s the secret to crispy churros?

Maintaining the oil temperature around 375°F and not overcrowding the frying pan allows churros to cook quickly and crisp up without becoming greasy or soggy. Also, rolling them in cinnamon sugar immediately after frying locks in texture and flavor.

Can I bake churros instead of frying?

Yes, baking is an option for a lighter version. Pipe the dough onto a baking sheet and bake at a high temperature until golden. The texture will be less crispy and more cake-like, but still tasty.

How do I store leftover chocolate sauce?

Store any leftover chocolate dipping sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring to bring back the smooth texture.

Final Thoughts

Making Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe brings back warm memories of weekend fairs and simple happiness. It’s a recipe I genuinely enjoy sharing because it’s approachable yet feels special—and every bite is a little celebration. I’m sure once you try making them yourself, you’ll love the process and results as much as I do. So go ahead, make a batch, curl up with your favorite coffee, and dip away!