Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Name: Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs; vegetable oil (for frying); ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ cup heavy cream; 4 ounce dark chocolate (chopped); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

There’s something so magical about crisp, golden churros dusted in cinnamon sugar, especially when paired with a rich, velvety chocolate sauce. My Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe is a little bit of love in every bite — totally worth pulling out the fryer and impressing yourself (and anyone lucky enough to share them).

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

Making churros from scratch might sound intimidating, but once you try this recipe, you'll see how straightforward and rewarding it is. I’ve made plenty of fried treats, and these churros have become my go-to because of their perfect crispness and buttery, tender interior.

Classic taste & texture: Crispy edges with a fluffy center that feels just like a little fiesta in your mouth.
Rich chocolate sauce: Real dark chocolate combined with cream makes a dipping sauce you’ll be dunking into endlessly.
Simple ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, plus it's easy to whip up quickly.
Fun to make and eat: Piping the dough and frying batches creates an engaging kitchen experience — plus everyone loves eating freshly fried churros.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe plays a key role in bringing out that authentic churro charm and rich chocolate bliss. Here's a quick breakdown so you know what each one is doing.

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 helps create a smooth batter when combined with butter and flour.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the churro dough itself, plus extra for coating.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a tender crumb to the dough.
All-purpose flour: The foundation of the churro dough, giving structure and that perfect chew.
Eggs: These bind everything together and give the churros their light, airy texture.
Vegetable oil (for frying): Ideal for deep frying since it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor.
Cinnamon: Paired with sugar to coat churros, it adds warm spice that brightens the flavor.
Heavy cream: Essential for making the chocolate sauce silky smooth and luscious.
Dark chocolate: I recommend real chopped chocolate for a deep, intense flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle sweetness and complexity to the 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

This Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe is wonderfully adaptable. I love playing with different spices or chocolate mixtures depending on my mood — and you should totally feel free to get creative.

Variation: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or even cayenne to the cinnamon sugar mix for a surprising kick that wakes up your taste buds.
Dairy-free option: Using coconut cream instead of heavy cream for the chocolate sauce keeps it creamy without dairy.
Healthier twist: You can bake churros instead of frying, just keep an eye on them so they crisp up nicely.
Seasonal flavors: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice during fall to keep things festive.

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: Prepare the luscious chocolate sauce

Start by warming the heavy cream in a small saucepan — don’t let it boil, just get it to the point of simmering. Then remove it from the heat and add your chopped dark chocolate. Let it sit for a full minute so the chocolate melts gently, then stir it until the mixture is silky smooth. Finish by stirring in vanilla extract. This sauce will be the perfect balance to your warm churros, so set it aside while you make the dough.

Step 2: Craft the churro dough

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter, then bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once the butter melts completely, reduce heat to low and dump in all the flour at once. Stir vigorously — it’ll look like a thick ball at first, but keep going for about a minute until the dough pulls away from the sides. This step might feel a bit like arm day at the gym, but trust me, it’s key for good texture.

Step 3: Mix in the eggs carefully

Once the dough is cool enough to handle but still warm, beat in the eggs one at a time. It looks weird and a bit soupy after the first egg, but that’s completely normal — keep mixing until the dough comes together into a smooth, pipeable consistency. Patience here really pays off!

Step 4: Fry with care and patience

Heat your oil to a steady 375°F (190°C) — I use a deep fryer with a thermometer so I can keep the temp exact. While the oil warms, mix cinnamon and sugar for coating. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with your dough. Pipe 3-4 inch strips directly into the oil, cutting with scissors. Don’t crowd the pan; frying in small batches gives you those crisp, light churros. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Step 5: Coat and serve immediately

Drain churros briefly on paper towels, then toss them in your cinnamon sugar mix while still hot — the warmth helps them soak up that delicious coating. Serve them immediately alongside your chocolate sauce, and prepare for smiles all around.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that a few little tweaks make all the difference when making Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe. These tips are game changers for getting the perfect texture and flavor every time.

Use a thermometer: Keeping the oil at 375°F means churros cook evenly and don’t absorb too much oil, so they stay crispy.
Don’t skimp on the cinnamon sugar: This coating isn’t optional — it’s what makes churros taste like churros!
Beat eggs one at a time: The dough can look strange adding eggs, but adding them slowly and mixing well helps keep the texture just right.
Pipe with a star tip: The ridges help trap that cinnamon sugar and create those iconic churro edges.

How to Serve Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar, but sometimes I'll sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before serving — it brings the chocolate flavor alive in a lovely way. A tiny drizzle of caramel is also fun if you want to glam it up a bit.

Side Dishes

Though churros are the star, I like pairing them with fresh fruit like strawberries or banana slices, which add a nice fresh contrast to all that rich sweetness. On occasion, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side elevates this simple dessert into an indulgent delight.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve lined up churros in colorful cups, each with their own mini chocolate dipping pot. It makes serving super easy and looks adorable. Another time, I sprinkled edible gold dust on the chocolate for a festive holiday vibe — everybody loved it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover churros don’t keep their crispness well at room temp, so I store them in an airtight container in the fridge and re-crisp before serving. It’s best to enjoy them the day you make them, but leftovers still taste pretty good if reheated properly.

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing raw churros piped on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you're ready to indulge, just fry them straight from frozen – it’s super convenient and they turn out just as crispy!

Reheating

To reheat churros and revive their crispness, toss them in a preheated oven at around 375°F for 5-7 minutes or pop them in an air fryer if you have one. Avoid microwaving – it makes them soggy and sad.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake churros instead of frying them?

Yes! Baking is a healthier option and can still yield decent results. Pipe the churros onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, turning halfway until golden. However, frying gives you that iconic crispiness that's hard to beat.

What’s the best oil for frying churros?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are ideal since they have high smoke points and neutral flavors. This ensures your churros cook evenly at the right temperature without imparting any unwanted taste.

Why does my churro dough look weird when I add eggs?

It's totally normal for the dough to separate or look strange when you first add the eggs — keep mixing, and it'll come together into a smooth, soft dough. Patience is key here to get the right consistency before piping.

Can I make the chocolate dipping sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! The chocolate sauce can be made in advance and gently reheated before serving. Just warm it slowly in the microwave or on the stovetop in a double boiler to keep it smooth and luscious.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe enough — it’s a total crowd-pleaser and a kitchen adventure rolled into one. Trying this for the first time brought back memories of summer street fairs and cozy winter treats alike. So, grab your piping bag, fire up the oil, and treat yourself to something truly special. You’ll be glad you did!

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