Mexico By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Mexico: Churros (Recipe)

Golden churros dusted with cinnamon sugar beside a bowl of chocolate sauce

In this article

Crisp, golden and dusted with cinnamon sugar, churros are one of Mexico’s most irresistible sweet treats. These fried dough sticks boast a shatteringly crunchy outside and a soft, tender centre, and they taste every bit as good dunked in warm chocolate as they do enjoyed on their own. Easy to make and endlessly versatile, churros bring a little fiesta to breakfast, an afternoon snack or a cosy dessert at home.

About Churros

Churros are a traditional fried pastry found throughout Mexico and across many Spanish-speaking countries. This sweet, fried dough is loved for its crisp exterior and its soft, pillowy inside, and it is most often served with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar or a rich chocolate sauce for dipping. Equally at home as a breakfast indulgence or an anytime snack, churros owe much of their charm to how simple they are to make and how many ways they can be served, delighting anyone with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

125ml water
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
125g plain flour
1 egg
Oil for deep-frying
Cinnamon and sugar, to taste

Shopping for the ingredients

To make the best churros, reach for fresh, good-quality ingredients. Where possible, choose unbleached plain flour for a more authentic result. The oil for frying should be neutral in flavour — sunflower oil or plain vegetable oil both work well — so it doesn’t interfere with the taste of the finished churros. All of these basics are easy to find in any regular supermarket.

Preparing the dish

Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin, as this makes the dough far easier to work with. It also helps to set everything out in advance, so the batter comes together quickly once the water is hot. Most importantly, choose a sturdy, deep pan for safe deep-frying, and have a tray lined with kitchen paper ready for draining.

Step-by-step instructions

Bring the water, sugar, salt and one tablespoon of oil to the boil in a small pan.
Add the flour and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Stir the egg into the still-warm dough until it is fully incorporated.
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle.
Heat the oil in a deep pan and pipe the churros directly into the hot oil in strips.
Fry the churros until golden brown, then drain on kitchen paper.
While still warm, roll the churros in cinnamon sugar.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

Churros can be adapted for different dietary needs with a few simple swaps. For a gluten-free version, use a good-quality gluten-free plain flour blend in place of regular flour so the dough still pipes smoothly. The recipe is naturally lactose-free, since it contains no dairy, but do check that any dipping sauce you serve alongside is also free from milk if needed. That way everyone at the table can enjoy them.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

Churros are already vegetarian, and they are easy to make vegan too. Simply swap the egg for a liquid egg alternative — whisked flaxseed or an equal amount of apple purée both work beautifully. If you fancy serving them with a chocolate sauce, choose a dairy-free version so the whole treat stays plant-based. Fresh, simple ingredients are all you need for a crowd-pleasing result.

More tips and tricks

For especially even churros, pipe the dough strips onto a surface first and then lower them gently into the oil. Keep a close eye on the frying temperature: it should be hot enough for the churros to turn golden quickly, but not so hot that the outside browns before the inside has cooked through. A reliable churro is crisp without and tender within, so patience with the oil pays off.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

Churros are wonderfully easy to tailor to your own preferences. Flavour the dough with a little vanilla extract or some lemon zest for an extra dimension, or experiment with the topping. Beyond the classic cinnamon sugar, churros are delicious served with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche or even a fruit coulis. This kind of versatility is part of what makes Mexican cuisine so much fun to cook.

Ingredient substitutions

If you don’t have everything to hand, there are plenty of creative alternatives for churros. Apple purée or whisked flaxseed can stand in for the egg, while a gluten-free flour blend replaces plain flour with ease. For the topping, piloncillo (Mexican raw cane sugar) lends a deeper, more caramel-like note than ordinary white sugar — much like the rustic sweetness you’ll find in Crepas con Cajeta. Small swaps like these let you adapt the recipe to what you have or to your own taste.

Drink pairing ideas

A cup of hot chocolate or warm milk is the classic accompaniment to churros, and dipping them straight into the chocolate is half the pleasure. For something lighter, freshly squeezed juices or a fruit smoothie make a refreshing contrast. A cup of coffee is another lovely match if you are enjoying churros as a morning or afternoon treat.

Serving and presentation ideas

Presentation can make churros feel like a real occasion. Stand them upright in a tall cup or glass to show off their length and make dipping easy, then serve a small bowl of your chosen sauce alongside. Arranged this way, with cinnamon sugar glinting on top, they make a striking centrepiece. A dusting of extra sugar just before serving adds the finishing flourish.

A bit of history

The exact origins of churros are not entirely settled, but they are widely believed to have been created by Spanish shepherds as a substitute for fresh bread, since they were quick and easy to cook in a pan over an open fire. Over time they became a fixture of the sweet kitchens of both Spain and Mexico, and today they are enjoyed the world over as a beloved fried treat.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Churros

Churros are a simple yet utterly delicious pastry that can be enjoyed on all kinds of occasions. Whether served for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, their crisp texture and the sweet variety of toppings make them a favourite for young and old alike. Roll up your sleeves, heat the oil and treat yourself to a batch of warm, golden churros — a sweet taste of Mexico in your own kitchen.