There’s something magical about the warm, cinnamon-spiced aroma of freshly fried dough paired with a silky chocolate sauce that’s simply irresistible. This Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe brings that magic right into your kitchen with crispy, golden churros and a rich dipping sauce you'll want to dunk again and again.

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 Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made churros from scratch several times, and this recipe nails that perfect balance of crunchy outside and soft, tender inside every time. Plus, that homemade chocolate sauce? Game changer.

Authentic Taste: This recipe captures the classic churro flavor with cinnamon sugar that’s just right, not overwhelming.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a long grocery list—just pantry staples and a few fresh items.
Fun Process: Piping the dough and frying them yourself makes for a really rewarding kitchen experience.
Decadent Chocolate Sauce: Made from real dark chocolate and cream—no weird shortcuts here.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays an important role, working together to create that perfect churro texture and flavor. Let me break down why these basics are so essential and what to look for when buying.

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: Forms the base of the dough and steams to give churros their light interior.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the dough slightly and the coating for that classic cinnamon sugar crust.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor overall.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create tender dough.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure base—makes sure to use fresh flour for best texture.
Eggs: Help bind and create a crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft.
Vegetable Oil: For frying—you want something with a high smoke point like canola or sunflower.
Cinnamon: The star spice that powers the cinnamon sugar coating.
Heavy Cream: Essential for making the chocolate sauce silky smooth.
Dark Chocolate: I recommend at least 60% cacao for that deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth 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

I love mixing things up depending on the occasion, so I encourage you to experiment! Whether it’s tweaking the chocolate sauce or trying different cinnamon sugar blends—you’ll enjoy putting your own twist on this classic treat.

Variation: One time, I added a pinch of cayenne powder to the cinnamon sugar for a subtle spicy kick—surprisingly addictive!
Dairy-free option: Swap butter for coconut oil and use a dairy-free chocolate to make this recipe vegan friendly.
Gluten-free: Try a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend; just note the texture may be slightly different.
Flavor twists: You can add orange zest to the dough or a pinch of nutmeg to the sugar for added warmth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping 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: Prepare the luscious chocolate dipping sauce

Start by gently heating the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Take it off the heat and add your chopped dark chocolate—let it sit untouched for about a minute so it melts perfectly. Then stir until silky smooth, and finish with a splash of vanilla extract. This sauce is rich and smooth, the perfect partner to the churros.

Step 2: Make the churro dough

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter over medium heat. Once the butter melts and the mixture boils, lower the heat and quickly stir in the flour until it clumps into a ball. Let it rest a couple of minutes to cool down slightly—this is key to avoid scrambling the eggs.

Step 3: Add eggs and achieve the perfect dough texture

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough might look odd at first—like it’s breaking apart—but stick with it; it will come together smoothly. This step gives you that crisp-churro exterior and delicate bite inside.

Step 4: Frying to golden perfection

Heat your oil to 375°F (190°C) using a deep-fry thermometer—it’s a game changer to keep temperature steady! Pipe 3–4 inch strips with a large star tip straight into the hot oil. Fry them in small batches, turning once, until they’re beautiful golden churros. Then drain on paper towels.

Step 5: Cinnamon sugar coating and serving

While churros are still warm, roll them in a mix of granulated sugar and cinnamon. The warmth helps the sugar stick so well and adds that addictive sweet-spicy crunch. Serve immediately with your homemade chocolate dipping sauce for dunking delight.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really take this Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe to the next level, so you don’t just get good churros—you get perfect ones.

Oil Temperature is Key: Use a thermometer to keep the oil around 375°F; too hot burns them and too cool makes greasy churros.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry in small batches. Giving them space means each churro fries evenly and crisps up perfectly.
Use a Star Tip: The classic star shape not only looks amazing but also creates crispy ridges that hold on to the cinnamon sugar beautifully.
Chill Dough if Needed: If dough feels too loose after eggs, a brief chill in the fridge makes it easier to pipe without losing shape.

How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just the cinnamon sugar coating, but occasionally I’ll sprinkle a tiny pinch of powdered sugar on top for a subtle look that’s surprisingly delightful. Some friends love a dust of cocoa powder for double chocolate fun.

Side Dishes

These churros shine on their own, but if you want to elevate dessert night, pair them with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A cup of spiced Mexican hot chocolate also makes a dreamy drink to go alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like serving churros in little paper cones—it feels festive and makes dipping a breeze. You can also offer a trio of dipping sauces: chocolate, dulce de leche, and caramel sprinkled with sea salt for variety that impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which doesn’t happen often), store cooled churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Avoid the fridge—it makes them soggy. Then just reheat them to get some crispiness back.

Freezing

I sometimes pipe churros onto parchment-lined trays and freeze them raw. Once frozen solid, transfer to bags. When craving hits, fry them straight from frozen—this works surprisingly well and saves prep time!

Reheating

You can reheat leftover churros in a 375°F oven for about 5 minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving—while faster, it makes them chewy instead. Pop them briefly back into hot oil if you want an ultra-crisp finish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake churros instead of frying?

Traditional churros are deep-fried to get that signature crispy exterior and light interior. Baking churros is possible but they won’t have the same texture or flavor. For best results and that authentic churro experience, frying is recommended.

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

The best way is to use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain 375°F. If you don’t have one, test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough — it should bubble up quickly and rise to the surface without burning immediately. If it browns too fast, lower the heat.

Can I make the chocolate sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! The chocolate dipping sauce can be made a day ahead and warmed gently before serving. Just give it a good stir if it thickens too much in the fridge.

What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?

If your dough feels too sticky to pipe, let it cool a bit longer and try chilling it slightly before piping. If it seems too dry and crumbly, add an extra egg a little at a time until it becomes smooth and pipeable.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re serving it as a sweet treat for your family or impressing guests, it’s a celebration on a plate—warm, comforting, and utterly delicious. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy that first dip into that luscious chocolate sauce just like I do.