National Dish Mexico: Churros con Chocolate (Recipe)
In this article
Treat yourself to Churros con Chocolate, one of Mexico’s most irresistible sweet pleasures! Crisp golden sticks of fried dough are rolled in cinnamon sugar and served alongside a thick, glossy pot of warm chocolate for dipping. Crunchy on the outside and soft and airy within, they are a fairground favourite and a cosy treat in equal measure. Bring a taste of the Mexican street stall straight into your own kitchen.
About Churros con Chocolate
Churros con Chocolate is a much-loved Mexican dessert made from fried dough and served with a rich, velvety chocolate sauce. It is not only a cornerstone of Mexican cooking but a sweet treat enjoyed the world over. The outside of each churro is crisp and golden brown, while the inside stays soft and light. That contrast is exactly what makes them so heavenly — a versatile indulgence that suits almost any occasion, much like the comforting bowls of Atole de Chocolate that warm a Mexican evening.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for the sugar coating)
- 1 cup sugar (for the sugar coating)
- 1 cup dark chocolate (for the sauce)
- 1/2 cup cream (for the sauce)
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for the ingredients for churros, it is worth paying attention to the quality of what you buy. Flour, sugar and chocolate should all be fresh and of good quality to get the best flavour in the finished dish. It is best to choose dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, as this gives the sauce a deeper, more intense note. Where you can, reach for organic butter and eggs to achieve a fuller, rounder taste.
Preparing the dish
To prepare the churros, start by setting out all your ingredients. It helps to combine the butter with the water and sugar in a saucepan so you can heat them slowly and let everything melt together. While that mixture warms on the hob, you can weigh out the flour and set the eggs to one side. Prepare a shallow bowl of cinnamon sugar too, ready to toss the fried churros in as soon as they come out of the oil.
Step-by-step instructions
- Bring the water, sugar and butter to the boil in a saucepan.
- Add the flour to the pan and stir well until a smooth dough forms.
- Let the dough cool a little, then work in the eggs one at a time.
- Heat oil in a deep pan so the churros can be fried in it.
- Spoon the dough into a piping bag and pipe the churros into the hot oil.
- Fry the churros until golden brown, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- For the chocolate sauce, melt the chocolate with the cream over a bain-marie.
- Serve the finished churros with the warm chocolate sauce.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Making gluten-free churros is perfectly possible by using a gluten-free flour that works as a direct swap for wheat flour. For lactose-free churros, use plant-based margarine or coconut oil in place of butter. There are lactose-free options for the chocolate sauce too, such as lactose-free cream or a plant-based milk. That way anyone with a particular intolerance can still enjoy this delicacy.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For vegans, churros are easy to adapt by replacing the eggs with mashed banana or apple purée. Health-food shops and supermarkets also stock dedicated egg replacers designed for baking. Use a plant-based fat in place of the butter, and take care to choose a vegan chocolate, since many shop-bought varieties contain milk solids. With those small swaps, this classic treat suits a plant-based diet beautifully.
More tips and tricks
A great tip when making churros is that the temperature of the oil is crucial to success. If the oil is not hot enough, the churros soak up too much fat and never turn properly crisp. Raw churros are best shaped right before frying to make sure they go in fresh and fluffy. Avoid leaving them in the oil too long, as they can scorch surprisingly quickly.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
One of the joys of churros is their versatility, as the recipe is easy to tailor to personal preference. You might fold different spices into the dough, such as vanilla or cardamom, to add a special note. The sweetener can vary too — try honey or agave syrup for a more natural sweetness. You can also lift the chocolate sauce with flavours like chilli or extra cinnamon for a distinctly Mexican kick.
Ingredient substitutions
If some ingredients are not to hand, there are plenty of alternatives that work just as well. In place of regular sugar you could use coconut sugar or stevia to make the churros a little lighter. There are gluten-free flour alternatives too, such as almond or chickpea flour, which slot neatly into the recipe — the same clever swaps that help fill the dough for Empanadas de Plátano. Just keep an eye on the consistency of the dough so the churros still turn out well.
Drink pairing ideas
Churros are not only a versatile dessert but a wonderful companion to all sorts of drinks. A hot chocolate is the traditional match, echoing and rounding out their sweetness, just as a cup of Atole de Chocolate might. For something fruitier and fresher, a glass of Horchata or a sparkling cocktail brings out the sweet notes nicely. Coffee lovers, meanwhile, might choose a strong espresso to intensify the flavour.
Serving and presentation ideas
The presentation of churros can make them even more enjoyable. Serve the freshly fried sticks on a rustic wooden board and garnish with edible flowers or fresh fruit. Use small bowls for the chocolate sauce so guests can dip the churros as they go. An inviting arrangement with a few different dips alongside makes the whole experience feel that bit more special.
A bit of history
The history of churros reaches back to the 18th century and is closely bound up with both Spanish and Mexican culture. The recipe is said to descend from the churros once made by Spanish shepherds in the mountains as a nourishing meal. In Mexico they became a symbol of the street-food scene, beloved by locals and visitors alike and woven into the fabric of Mexican cuisine. In time they grew into a festive classic, and today no celebration feels quite complete without them — much like a slice of Pan de Muerto at the right moment in the year.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Churros con Chocolate
To sum up, Churros con Chocolate are an irresistible delicacy that bring pleasure both in the making and in the eating. They can be adjusted to suit your own taste and are perfect for special occasions or simply as a sweet snack. With the right technique and good ingredients, this classic Mexican dish comes together at the very first try. So why not whip up a batch of delicious churros this very evening and treat yourself to that wonderful explosion of flavour?
