Crispy Spanish fried dough with thick hot chocolate
Churros con Chocolate
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4
20 churros
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Budget
$
Churros con Chocolate
Crispy Spanish fried dough with thick hot chocolate
★4.3(6)
Golden, ridged churros fried until crispy and tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with a cup of thick, rich Spanish hot chocolate for dipping.
15m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
30m
Total Time
4
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
In Spain, churros con chocolate is a breakfast tradition—crispy fried dough dunked in a cup of thick, almost pudding-like hot chocolate. It is the ultimate indulgence at any hour of the day.
Life is better with dessert, and this recipe proves that homemade always beats store-bought. The results are worth every minute.
What makes Churros con Chocolate worth adding to your regular rotation is the balance between effort and reward. The ingredient list is straightforward, the technique is approachable, and the result consistently delivers the kind of deep, satisfying flavor that makes people ask for the recipe. Whether you are cooking for yourself on a quiet evening or feeding a table full of guests, this dish scales beautifully and never disappoints.
Successful baking comes down to precision and patience. Measure carefully, follow the order of operations, and trust the recipe. The oven does most of the work — your job is to set it up for success with properly mixed ingredients, the right temperature, and restraint (no peeking during the first two-thirds of baking time).
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tbsp butter for dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar for coating
- 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup whole milk, 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1
Bring water, sugar, salt, and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the pan.
- 2
Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- 3
Heat oil to 375°F. Pipe 6-inch lengths of dough into the oil, cutting with scissors, and fry 3-4 minutes until golden.
- 4
Drain on paper towels and immediately roll in cinnamon sugar.
- 5
For chocolate: heat milk, whisk in cornstarch, then add chopped chocolate and stir until thick and glossy. Serve churros with the hot chocolate for dipping.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering
Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor
Substitutions
Dark chocolateMilk chocolate or Mexican chocolate
Mexican chocolate adds cinnamon and is very traditional
Butter in doughOlive oil (2 tbsp)
Olive oil is the traditional Spanish choice for a lighter churro
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Spanish-style hot chocolate is thick like pudding—use cornstarch to achieve the right consistency.
Pipe churros directly into the hot oil using scissors to cut—it is faster and safer than shaping by hand.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Churros are best eaten immediately. Store fried churros up to 4 hours and re-crisp in the oven.
Reheating
Re-crisp in a 375°F oven for 5 minutes. Make fresh chocolate for serving.
Recipe Notes from Our Kitchen
Editor's Note
Editor's note: Read the entire recipe before starting. Baking rewards preparation — having everything measured and at the right temperature before you begin makes the process smooth and the results consistent.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (10mg) · 4 servings
Calories340
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein5g
Carbohydrates16g
Fat46g
Fiber140mg
Sugar2g
Sodium24g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I bake churros instead?
- Yes, pipe onto a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 425°F for 15-18 minutes.
- Why are my churros not crispy?
- The oil was not hot enough, or the dough was too wet. Cook until deeply golden.
- Can I substitute the sugar?
- In baking, sugar does more than sweeten — it affects texture, browning, and moisture. You can reduce by up to 25% without major issues, but substituting entirely often changes the result significantly.
- Why did my recipe not turn out right?
- The most common causes are inaccurate measuring, incorrect oven temperature (use an oven thermometer), or substituting ingredients. Baking is chemistry — precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
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About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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