There’s something truly magical about crispy, golden churros dipped into velvety chocolate, and that’s exactly what this Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe brings right to your kitchen. It’s all about that warm, crunchy texture paired with rich, silky chocolate — a treat that’s genuinely worth every minute spent making it.

A white plate filled with about twenty small churros, each golden brown and coated with cinnamon sugar, arranged in a slightly overlapping pile. On the top left side of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with smooth, dark chocolate sauce. The plate sits on a light gray surface sprinkled with cinnamon powder and some chocolate pieces are put around, with two cinnamon sticks in the top right corner. The texture of the churros looks crunchy outside and soft inside. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this recipe on a chilly weekend afternoon, and it instantly became a favorite comfort treat in my house. It’s straightforward enough for home cooks but special enough to impress guests — plus that chocolate sauce is pure heaven!

Classic Flavors: The blend of cinnamon sugar dusting and rich chocolate is a timeless combo that never gets old.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, making it easy to whip up on a whim.
Fun Technique: Piping the dough and frying bursts that homemade vibe — plus, you get that perfect crispy edge with a soft center.
Customizable & Freezable: Make extra batches ahead of time by freezing raw churros, then fry fresh whenever the craving hits.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This combination of ingredients creates churros with a beautifully crisp outside and tender inside. Each element balances texture and flavor perfectly, from the buttery dough to the spicy cinnamon sugar.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a few tablespoons of granulated sugar loosely piled beside it, a small pile of fine salt crystals, a square of unsalted butter with a smooth surface, a small mound of all-purpose flour, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with golden vegetable oil, a shallow white dish with a mix of granulated sugar and reddish-brown ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of thick heavy cream, a small pile of chopped dark chocolate chunks, and a tiny white bowl holding clear vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Water: Serves as the base to hydrate the flour and butter mixture.
Granulated sugar: Adds subtle sweetness both in the dough and in the cinnamon coating.
Salt: A pinch enhances all the flavors without being overpowering.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness and helps the dough come together smoothly.
All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure; opt for fresh flour for best texture.
Large eggs: Bind the dough and lend moisture, making the churros tender.
Vegetable oil: Neutral for frying, ensuring the churros crisp up without added flavor.
Ground cinnamon: Brings that signature warm spice that's irresistible in churros.
Heavy cream: Creates the luscious base of the chocolate dipping sauce.
Dark chocolate: Use good-quality chopped chocolate for depth and richness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate sauce's flavor with a sweet aroma.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe is how simple it is to customize. I like to play around with the cinnamon sugar coating or even add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick!

Variation: Once, I swapped the dark chocolate for milk chocolate in the dipping sauce, which my kids loved — it’s sweeter but just as addictive.
Dietary tweak: You can make these dairy-free by using vegan butter and coconut cream in the chocolate sauce.
Seasonal twist: Try mixing pumpkin pie spice into the cinnamon sugar in the fall for a festive spin.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

A round dark metal tray holds a pile of golden-brown churros covered with sugar and cinnamon, showing a rough and crunchy texture. At the front right of the tray is a round white bowl with a thick, smooth dark chocolate sauce inside. One churro is dipped halfway into the chocolate, adding a shiny contrast to the matte churros. In the background, there is a soft green fabric add a calm touch. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare the decadent chocolate dipping sauce

I always start by heating the heavy cream gently until it just begins to simmer — not boiling, just enough to melt the chocolate smoothly. Then I add chopped dark chocolate, let it sit for a minute, and stir until silky. A bit of vanilla extract seals the deal, making this dipping sauce incredibly rich and aromatic.

Step 2: Make the churro dough base

Next, in a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, I reduce the heat and stir in the flour vigorously until it forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the pan. This step is key — keep stirring so the dough isn’t lumpy.

Step 3: Incorporate eggs for that perfect texture

After letting the dough cool just a bit, I add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each to get a silky, pipeable dough. It might look a little odd at first — like it’s separating — but keep going; it always comes together nicely.

Step 4: Fry the churros to golden perfection

I heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 375°F (190°C) — use a thermometer for accuracy to avoid greasy or undercooked churros. Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, I pipe 3-4 inch strips directly into the hot oil, snipping with scissors as I go. Fry them turning once until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side, then drain briefly on paper towels.

Step 5: Coat the churros in cinnamon sugar and serve warm

While still warm, I gently roll the churros in a cinnamon and sugar mix — this step adds that iconic sweet-spicy crunch. Serve them alongside the luscious chocolate dipping sauce immediately for the best experience.

Top Tip

After making these churros a handful of times, I’ve learned a few things that really make the process smoother and the results better — and I’m excited to share them with you.

Don’t crowd the pan: Frying in small batches means the oil temperature stays steady and your churros crisp up perfectly without becoming greasy.
Use a star-shaped tip: This creates the classic ridges, which crisp up better and hold more cinnamon sugar.
Mix eggs patiently: The dough might look strange when adding eggs, but slow, steady mixing brings it back together flawlessly.
Freeze before frying: For quick treats, pipe raw churros on a tray, freeze them solid, and fry directly from frozen to satisfy your cravings faster.

How to Serve Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar over the served churros for a sparkling finish. Sometimes, I’ll dust a bit of powdered sugar on top for a snowy look when serving for parties.

Side Dishes

Since churros are sweet and rich, I like pairing them with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or berries, which add a juicy contrast. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is also dreamy for an indulgent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or gatherings, I’ve arranged churros upright in a tall glass like a bouquet and placed the chocolate sauce in a fancy dish at the center. It’s a fun, interactive dessert display that always gets compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any churros leftover (rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. They begin to lose crispness after that, so eating them fresh is best.

Freezing

For me, freezing raw piped churros is a game-changer. I place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When cravings hit, frying straight from frozen gives you freshly cooked churros anytime.

Reheating

Reheating is easiest in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for a few minutes to regain crispiness. I avoid microwaves because they make churros soggy, which is a total bummer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make churros without a piping bag?

Although a piping bag with a star tip is best for that classic churro shape and texture, you can use a plastic bag with the corner snipped or even a sturdy spoon to drop dough into the oil — but expect less traditional shapes.

How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?

Using a deep-fry thermometer is the most reliable way to hit 375°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil — it should bubble and rise to the surface fairly quickly without burning.

Can I prepare the churros dough ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough ahead, but it’s best to freeze piped churros rather than the raw dough itself, which won’t hold shape well. Then fry fresh for best results.

What chocolate works best for the dipping sauce?

High-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa gives the richest flavor and smoothest texture. You can experiment with milk or semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer it sweeter.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a snack — it’s about the joy of making something from scratch that delights your family and friends. Trust me, once you fry up these golden beauties and dunk them in luscious chocolate, you’ll want to keep this recipe close for all your cozy days and celebrations.