Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Oven-Baked Churros

Making homemade cinnamon-sugar churros can seem a bit intimidating, especially with frying involved. But I’ve got a much simpler solution—oven-baked churros! This recipe is so easy that you’ll be amazed how such warm, crispy churros can come from the oven without any frying oil!

These baked churros are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a perfectly chewy center. Trust me, you’re going to love them! Let’s dive right in.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Oven-Baked Churros

• No frying! Deep frying at home can be intimidating, but with these baked churros, there’s none of that involved. You won’t lose any crispiness or flavor, I promise.
• You can make this easy churro recipe from start to finish in under an hour.
• Enjoy the flavors of your favorite fair, carnival, or Disney World churros, without leaving the house. Plus, you can even call them Churros Poppers for a fun twist!

Ingredients for Homemade Churros

Here’s what you’ll need to make these oven-baked churros:

• Water
• Vanilla Extract: Use high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Salt: I use kosher salt, but feel free to use what you have on hand. Adjust to your taste.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is best so you can control the salt levels. You’ll need it in three stages: for the dough, melted to brush on the churros before baking, and more to dip them in once they’re baked.
• Brown Sugar: I recommend light brown sugar, but dark brown works if that’s all you have. Be sure to pack it into your measuring cup.
• All-Purpose Flour: Measure carefully by scooping the flour into the measuring cup, then leveling it off. For even more accuracy, use a kitchen scale.
• Eggs: I use large eggs (US size).
• Granulated Sugar
• Ground Cinnamon: Make sure it’s fresh! If your spices are older than 6 months, grab some new ones for a potent cinnamon flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Oven-Baked Churros

Step 1: Make the Churro Batter

Start by preparing the churro batter. In a medium saucepan, set over low heat, combine the water, vanilla extract, salt, and brown sugar. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil. Once it’s boiling, add the flour all at once, stirring well to form a thick paste.

Step 2: Mix in the Eggs

Once the flour is incorporated, add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This part takes some elbow grease, but keep stirring! It may look like the eggs aren’t mixing at first, but don’t worry, they will. You’ll end up with a smooth, thick dough.

Step 3: Pipe the Churros

Now that you have the dough, it’s time to pipe it. Add the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle or any other tip you have available. If you don’t have a piping bag, just use a large ziplock bag and snip off one corner, about ¼ inch in size.

Pipe the dough into 6-inch long churros on a prepared baking sheet. Once they’re piped, use a knife or kitchen shears to cut the dough from the piping bag.

Step 4: Brush with Melted Butter

Gently brush the piped churros with melted butter. This helps them get crispy and golden in the oven.

Step 5: Bake

Bake the churros in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes, depending on their size. Be sure to rotate the baking sheet halfway through. They should be golden brown and crisp on the outside.

Step 6: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

While the churros are baking, prepare the coating. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. In another shallow bowl, melt more butter.

Once the churros are baked and slightly cooled, dip them into the melted butter, letting the excess drip off. Then, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. I recommend sprinkling the sugar on top rather than dipping the buttered churros in the sugar to avoid clumps.

Place the coated churros on a fresh piece of parchment paper and repeat with the rest.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your oven-baked churros warm, with dipping sauces like dulce de leche, salted caramel, or hot chocolate sauce. They’re best enjoyed right away, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Storage Tips

Baked churros don’t need refrigeration. Keep them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you have leftovers, I recommend reheating them in the oven for 5 minutes before serving for that fresh-baked feel.

So there you have it! These crispy, cinnamon-sugar churros are easy to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a Cinco de Mayo party, a movie night, or just a treat for yourself. You can even call them Churros Poppers for a fun twist on a classic snack. Enjoy!