Churros, with their crispy exteriors, soft interiors, and irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating, have won the hearts of dessert enthusiasts worldwide. While traditional churros are fried to golden perfection, there's a healthier and equally delicious alternative: Baked Churros.
Jump to:
- Making Baked Churros
- A Healthier Alternative
- Gather Ingredients and Preheat Oven
- Combine Butter and Milk in a Saucepan
- Prepare Dry Mixture in a Bowl
- Add Wet Ingredients to Bowl with Dry Mixture and Mix Together
- Pipe Churro Batter onto Greased Baking Sheet
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating and Dipping Sauce
- Making Your Churros Gluten Free
- Tips for Perfectly Baked Churros
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Baked Churros
Making Baked Churros
Churros are a beloved treat that originated in Spain but have since become popular worldwide. These delightful pastries are known for their unique shape, crunchy texture, and delightful flavors. Whether enjoyed at a fair, theme park, or as a homemade dessert, churros hold a special place in the hearts of dessert lovers.
A Healthier Alternative
While traditional churros are fried in hot oil, baked churros offer a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor or texture. Baking allows you to enjoy the same irresistible taste while significantly reducing the fat content. Whether you're looking to indulge without guilt or introduce a family-friendly treat, baked churros are the way to go.
Gather Ingredients and Preheat Oven
To make these easy churros, you'll need a few basic ingredients. Gather your all-purpose flour, butter, salt, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil and ground cinnamon. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before starting.
Combine Butter and Milk in a Saucepan
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine your butter and milk over medium heat. Let the mixture come to a strong boil before removing it from the heat and transferring it to a bowl or large measuring cup. Allow the mixture to cool off for 15 minutes before continuing with the recipe.
Prepare Dry Mixture in a Bowl
In a separate bowl, mix together the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and all-purpose flour. Slowly pour it into the cooled off milk mixture and stir until everything is well combined. In a third container, prepare your egg yolks by whisking them until they become pale in color before adding them to the mixture. Combine all of the ingredients thoroughly before setting aside your dough.
Add Wet Ingredients to Bowl with Dry Mixture and Mix Together
Once your dough is ready, you can proceed to adding wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry mixture and mixing everything together. Add half a cup of oil and two tablespoons of water, then mix again until all the ingredients are combined. Keep in mind that if the dough is still too soft, you may need to add more flour until you get the desired texture. Finally, let the dough cool down at room temperature before proceeding with baking your delicious churros.
Pipe Churro Batter onto Greased Baking Sheet
Grease a baking sheet with butter or cooking spray and preheat your oven to 375F. Take a pastry bag, spoon the churro dough and pipe it onto the greased baking sheet. To create the traditional pattern that makes churros look so distinctive, cut pieces of about 2-3 inches in length once you’ve filled the pastry bag. Make sure to leave enough space between the churros as they will expand when cooked./
Cinnamon Sugar Coating and Dipping Sauce
While the baked churros are still warm, toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to coat them generously. The heat from the churros will help the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere, creating that classic churro flavor.
For an extra layer of indulgence, serve your baked churros with a variety of dipping. sauces. Popular choices include caramel sauce . You can even dip them in chocolate glaze or even a homemade strawberry compote.
Making Your Churros Gluten Free
You can substitute gluten free flour in place of the regular flour but I've found that it does change the texture and consistency a little bit. I've had the best luck using Cup4Cup gluten free all purpose flour.
See Cup 4 Cup Flour IngredientsTips for Perfectly Baked Churros
Here are some tips to ensure your baked churros turn out perfectly:
- Use a Star-Tip Piping Bag: A star-shaped piping tip creates the signature ridges and texture of churros.
- Maintain Consistent Size: Pipe churros of similar size to ensure even baking.
- Don't Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Leave enough space between churros on the baking sheet to allow for proper circulation.
- Rotate if Needed: Depending on your oven, you may need to rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour to make baked churros for those with dietary restrictions.
While baked churros are slightly less crispy than their fried counterparts, they still have a delightful crunch with a softer interior.
Baked churros are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore some crispiness.
You can get creative with toppings by using powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or even drizzling melted chocolate over your baked churros.
Baked Churros offer a guilt-free twist on a classic dessert. These delightful treats are the perfect way to satisfy your churro cravings while embracing a healthier alternative. With the warmth of cinnamon-sugar coating and a variety of delicious dipping sauces, baked churros are sure to become a family favorite.
Baked Churros
Equipment
- Piping bag
- Cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- In a sauce pan, place the water, butter, sugar and vanilla.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once mixture has reached a boil, remove the pan from the stove top and stir in the cup of flour, stirring until a dough forms.
- Once dough is formed, stir in the eggs one at a time, stirring until each egg is incorporated into the mixture.
- Place the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe six inch by one inch strips onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Turn heat to broiler and broil for 30 seconds to one minute until outside becomes browned. Turn churros and broil an additonal 30 seconds to one minute. (Only do this if you would like your churros extra crispy and browned).
- Remove churros from oven and turn them in the cinnamon and sugar mixture until all sides are coated.
alex
these sound so simple! they are one of my favorite treats! I'll have to try these!
Mary @ Best Lose Weight Book
This is like an answer to my dreams! : ) I've been thinking about churros a lot lately (for some bizaree reason). I think it has something to do with a Nigella Lawson show I watched where she fries up a batch of them. I've been wanting to make it but the frying part is a turn-off. I would love to try this. Thanks for the recipe and for all your hard work in getting it just right! : )
THANK YOU.
burntapple
Thank you so much--these are delicious! Enjoy!!
Tumbleweed Contessa
Oh yay! I love Churros and have avoided them for years. I can't wait to try these! I am pinning right now. I hope you'll come and share them at my weekly party: http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/whatd-you-do-this-weekend-18/
Saw you over at Mandatory Mooch. Best wishes for tasty dishes this week!
Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly
Yum! Those sound awesome!! 🙂
D@TheShadyPorch
Stopping by from Full Plate Thursday…just wanted to say what a yummy recipe and healthier too! Would love it if you would join in at the Rock ‘N Share Linky Party. Have a great weekend! Blessings, D@TheShadyPorch
Lori Who Needs A Cape?
My kids would devour these, pinning 🙂 Found you on Tuesdays At Our House!
We're hosting our 1st SUPER SUNDAY Linky Party, feel free to link this post up!
http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/06/super-sunday-party-1/
Lori
Whoneedsacape.com
Not Your Average Super Moms!
Maria
These churros look great, and I love that they are BAKED!!!! I need to try that sometime, they sound fabulous!
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime
These sound really good! I'm so glad you linked up at Romance on a dime. Hope to see you this week!
Anne @Authentic Simplicity
Yum, I love churros. You make them sound so simple! Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!
Miz Helen
Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Rachel
Hi, Burnt Apple. I stumbled upon your website through pinterest, and decided to give this recipe a try. There are a few mistakes in the recipe- you never said when to put in the water (I assumed with the butter, sugar, and vanilla), and then you have a typo where you said to take the pan off of the stove but leave on the heat. You never use the pan again in this recipe (unless you're supposed to scramble the eggs), so that was confusing. Anyway, I had put my churros in the oven for 17 just in case, and then I broiled them like you said. But when I pulled one out and dipped it in sugar/cinnamon, expecting a bite of heaven, I got a mouthful of hot, bland dough. I ended up baking them for 30 minutes, and they look exactly like yours, but they're not good. You crushed my hopes and dreams of having some delicious, easy churros.
burntapple
So sorry, I wrote this recipe up at 2:00 in the morning. I usually double check the next morning to make sure it looks okay after I've had a few hours of rest, but I forgot to. I made the changes on the recipe, and they can be viewed now. Thank you so much for stopping by and for bringing that to my attention. Please stop by again, Traci
Ayla
The recipe calls for 1 cup water, but it doesn't say anywhere in the recipe to use it? Help! 🙂
burntapple
So sorry, I wrote this recipe up at 2:00 in the morning. I usually double check the next morning to make sure it looks okay after I've had a few hours of rest, but I forgot to. I made the changes on the recipe, and they can be viewed now. Thank you so much for stopping by and for bringing that to my attention. Please stop by again, Traci
Carmela
Please, I need help, ¿ water ????????? I love this recipe but I don't understand where is the water in the recipe, thanks.
burntapple
So sorry, I wrote this recipe up at 2:00 in the morning. I usually double check the next morning to make sure it looks okay after I've had a few hours of rest, but I forgot to. I made the changes on the recipe, and they can be viewed now. Thank you so much for stopping by and for bringing that to my attention. Please stop by again, Traci
Carmela
Thanks so much !!
Mary
I was going to make this for about 20 people, how many does this recipe make?
burntapple
For best results, I would double the recipe. It usually makes about 14-18 per batch.
Elizabeth
Do I allow the dough to sit for it to actually turn into a dough? I've followed the recipe exactly and mine is way to runny to be handled as dough?
burntapple
I would add a little more flour and see if it pulls together as a dough.
Monica
These were pretty good... not too sweet. i did tweek the recipe a bit. Added about 1/4 cup extra flour to thicken the batter(mine was runny after adding eggs) and about 3tbsp of sugar...didnt think 1tbsp was gonna do it for my sweet tooth family. But over all this was an easy recipe and yummy with my coffee...(chocolate milk for the kids)!!
Thanks 🙂
Kate
Wow! These look delicious, I love that they are baked. They don't have much butter which is good on the tummy. Can't wait to try. & I love your blog. I'm new to the blogging community myself, if you happen to check out my blog please let me know any suggestions you have for it. I've been up 2 days so I am still learning a great deal.
God Bless, Kate
Megan
Hi. Any suggestions on what to do if I don't have the pastry bag with a star fitting?
I can't wait to try this recipe
burntapple
Good question. You might want to try putting the pastry in a ziploc bag and snipping the corner off. Hope that works!
Tabitha
Do I put the tbsp of sugar and the one cup on sugar into the stove top mixture?!
burntapple
You will use the 1tbsp of sugar in the stove top mixture. The one cup will be used to roll the churros in later. Hope that helps!