If you’re craving a treat that feels like a warm hug from the inside out, this Churros with Chocolate Recipe is absolutely for you. Picture crispy, golden churros dusted with sugar, perfectly paired with a rich, velvety chocolate dipping sauce that melts on your tongue. This recipe brings together simple, everyday ingredients but transforms them into an indulgent dessert that’s both comforting and delicious. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking bites solo, there’s something truly magical in every crunchy bite and velvety dip.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows three golden-yellow funnel cakes frying in bubbling hot oil inside a red pot. Two funnel cakes are floating in the oil, shaped in irregular loops. One funnel cake is being lifted with a shiny perforated ladle revealing its crispy texture. The oil is clear with many small bubbles around the funnel cakes, showing the frying process. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Churros with Chocolate Recipe uses straightforward ingredients, each playing a vital role in delivering that perfect texture and decadent taste. From the crispiness of the fried dough to the smooth, luscious chocolate, every component is essential for making this dessert shine.

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour: The base of our churro dough, providing structure and chewiness.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Adds a slight lift to keep the churros light and airy inside.
1 1/4 cup water: Key for hydrating the dough and achieving the right consistency.
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil: Introduces subtle richness and helps the dough come together smoothly.
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Frying oil (sunflower, safflower, or light olive oil): Needed for that perfect golden fry with crispy exteriors.
Granulated sugar: For tossing the churros while still warm to add signature sweetness and crunch.
1 tablespoon cornstarch: Vital for thickening the chocolate sauce into a luxuriously smooth texture.
4 cups whole milk (or plant-based milk): Creates the creamy base of the chocolate dipping sauce.
1 cinnamon stick (optional): Adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements chocolate beautifully.
1 star anise (optional): Offers a subtle licorice note for a more complex flavor profile.
8 ounces (227g) 70% chocolate, chopped: The star of the sauce, providing richness and depth with each dip.

How to Make Churros with Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl. This simple blend is the backbone of your churro dough, ensuring it has just the right texture when fried.

Step 2: Boil Wet Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, bring the water, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat. This hot mixture will help gelatinize the starches in the flour, making the churros crisp on the outside yet tender inside.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

Remove the pan from heat and immediately add the flour mixture in one go. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a thick ball. This takes muscle, but it’s important — a sturdy dough means churros that hold their shape and don’t fall apart when frying.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Once the dough cools enough to handle but remains warm, load it into a churrera or cookie press fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough into 8 to 9-inch strips on parchment or a silicone baking mat — these beautiful ridges will help the churros hold onto the sugar.

Step 5: Make Loops (Optional)

You can leave your churros straight or elevate their charm by forming teardrop loops. Simply pick up one end and fold into a loop about 4 inches tall and 2 inches wide, pressing the ends together to seal. Cover all shapes with plastic wrap or a damp towel to prevent drying.

Step 6: Prepare the Hot Chocolate Sauce

Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of cold milk. Meanwhile, heat the remaining milk with cinnamon stick and star anise until it reaches a boil. This infusion adds delicious aromatic layers that make your chocolate sauce extra special.

Step 7: Thicken the Chocolate

Lower the heat and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened, then add the chopped chocolate, stirring until melted and silky. Keep the sauce warm but not boiling as you fry the churros.

Step 8: Preheat the Oil

Fill a heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven with about 2 inches of frying oil and heat it to 425°F. Maintaining this temperature is key for churros to become golden and crisp without absorbing excess oil.

Step 9: Prepare for Frying

Line a plate with paper towels and have a spider or slotted spoon ready near the stove. This setup will help you efficiently drain the churros after frying and keep things tidy.

Step 10: Fry the Churros

Carefully lower churros into the hot oil in batches of 3 or 4. Fry about 1 minute per side until beautifully golden. Remove them with a spider and drain on paper towels, then toss immediately in granulated sugar for that perfect sweet coating.

Step 11: Serve

Give your chocolate sauce a final stir and pour into dipping cups. Serve the churros warm alongside, creating an irresistible combo that’s perfect for dipping and devouring right away.

How to Serve Churros with Chocolate Recipe

The image shows a white plate full of golden fried churros shaped in loops and strips, each with a ridged texture and light dusting of sugar on top. The churros are stacked unevenly, showing crisp edges and a soft, flaky interior. Around the plate, there are blurred cups with hot chocolate drinks on white marbled surface. The whole scene looks warm and inviting with soft natural light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkling freshly ground cinnamon or a pinch of powdered sugar can add an extra touch of flair to your churros. You might also try drizzling a little caramel or sprinkling finely chopped nuts over the chocolate sauce for delightful textures that surprise the palate.

Side Dishes

While churros and chocolate hold their own, serving fresh fruit like strawberries or orange slices alongside can bring a refreshing contrast. For brunch or a festive touch, pair with a steaming cup of coffee or spiced hot cider to complement the dessert beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider arranging churros on a rustic wooden board with small ramekins of chocolate sauce and perhaps a bowl of whipped cream. For a party, serve churro bites with skewers and individual dipping cups. Such presentation encourages sharing and fun interaction with this beloved treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any churros left (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To prevent sogginess, avoid refrigeration, which can cause them to lose their crisp texture.

Freezing

Churros freeze wonderfully. Place cooled churros on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 1 month, ready to be reheated for a quick, tasty snack anytime.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or leftover churros in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or until crisp again. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them chewy rather than delightfully crisp. Warm your chocolate sauce gently on the stove or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently.

FAQs

Can I use plant-based milk for the chocolate sauce?

Absolutely! Plant-based milks like almond, oat, or soy work well and add subtle variations to flavor. Just make sure to choose an unsweetened version for the best chocolate balance.

What’s the secret to crispy churros?

Maintaining the oil temperature around 425°F is crucial. Too cool, and the churros soak up oil becoming greasy; too hot, and they brown too fast but remain raw inside. Also, piping dough with ridges helps hold the crispy sugar coating beautifully.

Can I make churros without a churrera or cookie press?

You can! Use a sturdy plastic bag with the corner snipped off in a star shape to pipe the dough. Just be sure to pipe steadily as the dough is thick and needs a firm hand.

Should I use dark or milk chocolate for the sauce?

Dark chocolate, especially around 70% cocoa, balances sweetness and richness wonderfully, giving a sophisticated flavor. Milk chocolate is sweeter and creamier, so it depends on your taste preference.

How long can the chocolate sauce be kept warm?

Keep the sauce warm on the lowest heat setting, stirring occasionally, and it will stay perfect for about 30 minutes. Beyond that, it might thicken too much or scorch, so reheating gently before serving again is best.

Final Thoughts

This Churros with Chocolate Recipe is a joy to make and an even bigger joy to eat. From that first crunchy bite to the last chocolate-dipped morsel, it’s a treat that brings simple ingredients to life in the most delightful way. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a homemade churro experience you won’t forget.