Imagine sinking your teeth into golden, crispy sticks dusted in sweet cinnamon sugar, paired with a luscious, velvety chocolate dip — that’s exactly what my Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe delivers. It’s a simple indulgence that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and creates memories with every bite.

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

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m seriously passionate about this Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe because it nails that perfect balance of crunchy and soft with that dreamy chocolate dip that’s far better than anything store-bought. Making churros at home is easier than you think, and the result? Pure magic that always impresses friends and family.

Simplicity: The dough comes together with just a few pantry staples, but feels special and authentic.
Freshness: Nothing beats piping fresh churros straight into hot oil, creating that perfect crispy shell.
Chocolate Sauce: It’s rich and creamy, made from real dark chocolate and heavy cream — no shortcuts here.
Customizable: You can tweak the cinnamon sugar or opt for vegan butter to match your tastes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe plays a star role—from buttery dough that puffs up perfectly to cinnamon sugar that clings just right, then that luscious chocolate sauce that finishes everything off like a dream. When you shop, grab the freshest eggs and a good-quality dark chocolate for the best results.

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: Helps cook the flour into a sticky dough when combined with butter and sugar.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and the cinnamon sugar coating.
Salt: Enhances all flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that tender, flaky texture.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, it gives churros their structure.
Large eggs: Bind the dough together and contribute to the lightness.
Vegetable oil: Perfect for deep frying due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and pairs perfectly with the sweet sugar dusting.
Heavy cream: Creates a smooth chocolate sauce that's luscious and just thick enough.
Dark chocolate: Choose good-quality to get that rich, intense chocolate flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle depth and aroma to the chocolate 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 Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe is a great blank canvas. I’ve tried adding orange zest to the chocolate sauce for a festive twist, and trust me, it brings a hint of brightness that’s outstanding. Feel free to experiment with different spices in the cinnamon sugar, like cardamom or nutmeg, to find your perfect flavor combo.

Variation: I swapped butter for coconut oil once, creating slight tropical notes that my family loved.
Gluten-Free Option: Try a trusted gluten-free flour mix, but be ready for a slightly different texture, still delicious though.
Spicy Cinnamon Sugar: A pinch of cayenne adds a subtle kick that complements the rich chocolate beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Cinnamon 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: Preparing the Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Start by heating the heavy cream gently in a small saucepan until it just starts to simmer — you don’t want to boil it, just get it hot enough. Then remove from heat, add the chopped dark chocolate, and let it rest for a minute. This lets the chocolate soften before you stir it smooth. Finish with a splash of vanilla extract. This silky sauce is what makes the churros truly indulgent.

Step 2: Making the Churro Dough

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter, then bring it to a boil over medium heat. As soon as the butter melts, reduce the heat and stir in the flour vigorously. You’ll see the mixture pull away from the sides and form a smooth ball — that’s the magic stage. Remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. When the dough isn’t too hot to touch, beat in eggs one at a time. This part looks strange at first, like the dough might separate, but keep mixing until everything comes together into a silky, pipeable batter.

Step 3: Frying the Churros to Perfection

Heat your vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep skillet or fryer — using a thermometer here is key to avoid greasy or undercooked churros. While the oil heats, stir together your cinnamon sugar. Fit a piping bag with a large star tip, fill it with the dough, and carefully pipe 3 to 4 inch strips right into the oil, cutting with scissors. Fry in small batches to give them space, flipping after 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy all over. Drain briefly on paper towels, then roll each one in the cinnamon sugar while still warm — this helps it stick and gives you that iconic sweet crust.

Top Tip

From my many attempts at churros, these tips made a big difference in getting that authentic texture and flavor every time. I hope they save you some trial-and-error moments!

Temperature Control: Keep the oil steady at 375°F for crispy, not greasy, churros.
Don't Crowd the Pan: Fry in small batches – overlapping dough means soggy spots and uneven cooking.
Stirring Eggs Thoroughly: When adding eggs, mix well each time until dough looks smooth and glossy.
Pipe with Confidence: Use a large star tip to get classic churro ridges which hold the cinnamon sugar perfectly.

How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic and simple with just a dusting of cinnamon sugar – you really don’t need much more. But sometimes I like to add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or even a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the dipping sauce to contrast the sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pairing churros with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream transforms it into a full dessert experience. I’ve also served them alongside a café con leche for the perfect afternoon snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like setting up a churro bar with different dipping sauces like salted caramel, raspberry coulis, or dulce de leche alongside the classic chocolate. Arranged in a tall glass jar with cinnamon sticks tucked inside, they also look fantastic on your dessert table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend eating churros fresh whenever possible, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. Recoating in fresh cinnamon sugar after reheating revitalizes their flavor beautifully.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen raw piped churros laid out on a baking sheet until firm, then transferred to a freezer bag. Fry them straight from frozen; it’s a lifesaver when spontaneous churro cravings hit!

Reheating

To reheat, pop leftover churros in a hot oven (around 350°F) for about 5 minutes to regain their crispness. Avoid microwaves—they’ll turn chewy instead of crunchy. Warm the chocolate sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make churros without a piping bag?

While a piping bag with a star tip gives the best classic shape and texture, you can spoon the dough into the hot oil for rustic churros, though they won’t have those beautiful ridges.

How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

Using a deep-fry thermometer keeps things precise at 375°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil — it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface within seconds.

Can I make the chocolate dipping sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the chocolate sauce a day ahead and gently reheat it before serving. Just stir it well to restore its smooth texture.

What’s the best way to keep churros crispy?

Serve churros fresh and warm for the best crispiness. If storing, keep them at room temperature in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to bring back their crunch. Avoid covering them while hot to prevent steaming.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about making homemade churros from scratch—you get to enjoy that wonderful crunch and warm cinnamon aroma surrounded by friends or family. This Homemade Cinnamon Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to desserts when I want to treat myself or impress guests without fuss. Give it a try—you'll love how easy and satisfying it is to whip up these golden delights at home.