Fluffy Baked Churro Donuts Recipe: Cinnamon-Sugar Magic

Churro donuts bring a delightful twist to traditional Mexican pastry magic.

Sweet cinnamon aromas will dance through your kitchen moments after popping these treats into the oven.

Crispy exterior and soft inner texture promise pure indulgence for dessert lovers.

Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this recipe accessible to baking enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Warm spices create a nostalgic comfort that connects you to cherished culinary traditions.

Dust these golden delights with extra sugar and watch faces light up with pure joy.

You cannot resist the temptation of these irresistible homemade churro donuts.

What Makes Baked Churro Donuts So Special

• Baked instead of deep-fried, these donuts provide a lighter alternative to traditional churros without sacrificing that irresistible cinnamon-sugar flavor.
• Switch up the coating by adding cocoa powder, experimenting with different spices, or drizzling melted chocolate for a personalized sweet treat that suits every taste preference.
• Kids and adults will love these simple-to-make donuts that bring the carnival-style churro experience right into your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.

What You Need for Baked Churro Donuts

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the donuts.
• Baking Powder: Helps the donuts rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the donuts.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet spice flavor to the donut base.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the donuts' golden-brown color.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
• Milk: Contributes to the donuts' soft and tender crumb.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender texture.

• Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Creates a classic churro-like sweet and spicy exterior for the donuts.

How to Make Baked Churro Donuts

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and give your donut pan a quick spritz of cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create the Dry Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon

Blend everything until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Whip Up the Wet Wonderland

• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Milk
• Melted butter

Blend until smooth and dreamy.

Step 4: Marry the Mixtures

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Stir gently until just combined.

Remember, gentle mixing means super fluffy donuts!

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Carefully spoon the batter into your greased donut pan.

Fill each cavity about three-quarters full for perfect donuts.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.

You’ll know they’re done when they turn a gorgeous golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cinnamon Sugar Transformation

While the donuts are cooling slightly, mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.

Roll each warm donut in the sweet, spicy coating until completely covered.

Step 8: Serve and Celebrate

Transfer your churro donuts to a serving plate and watch them disappear in minutes!

These treats are best enjoyed warm and fresh.

Tips for Baked Churro Donuts That Shine

• Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together to maintain a light, airy texture in your donuts, stopping as soon as the batter looks just combined.
• Use a piping bag or zip-lock bag with the corner snipped off to distribute batter evenly and avoid messy edges in each donut cavity.
• Insert a toothpick into the center of a donut – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, your donuts are perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
• Let donuts cool for a few minutes before rolling to ensure the cinnamon-sugar mixture sticks well without making the surface soggy.
• Replace melted butter with vegetable oil for a slightly different texture and to accommodate dairy-free dietary needs.

Store and Reheat Baked Churro Donuts

• Place cooled churro donuts in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain best texture and flavor.
• Store donuts at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days, keeping away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent staleness.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen donuts in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes, ensuring they regain their original soft texture and crispy cinnamon-sugar coating.

Sips and Sweets to Go with Churro Donuts

• Pair Rich Mexican Hot Chocolate: Serve these churro donuts alongside a steaming mug of traditional Mexican hot chocolate, which brings deep cocoa warmth and cinnamon notes that perfectly complement the donuts' sweet spice.
• Create Dulce de Leche Dipping Sauce: Whip up a smooth, creamy dulce de leche sauce for drizzling or dipping, adding caramel complexity that enhances the donuts' cinnamon-sugar crunch.
• Match with Café con Leche: Brew a strong Cuban-style coffee with warm milk, creating a balanced beverage that cuts through the donuts' sweetness while highlighting their crispy texture.
• Serve with Spiced Orange Horchata: Prepare a refreshing rice-based horchata infused with orange zest and light spices, offering a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, sugary donuts.

Flavor Swaps for Baked Churro Donuts

• Gluten-Free Churro Donuts: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic churro flavor and texture.
• Vegan Churro Donuts: Substitute egg with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based milk, and swap butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative.
• Chocolate-Infused Churro Donuts: Add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and mix dark chocolate chips into the batter for a rich, decadent chocolate variation that complements the traditional cinnamon profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener in the batter and coating, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the delicious churro essence.

FAQs

• Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture.

• How do I prevent my donuts from sticking to the pan?

Generously grease the donut pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter. You can also use a silicone donut pan for easy release.

• What if I don't have a donut pan?

Use a muffin tin instead. The shape will be different, but the taste will remain the same. Fill each cavity about 2/3 full with batter.

• Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. The donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day they’re made.

Easy Baked Churro Donuts Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Churro donuts bring Spanish street fair magic into home kitchens with crispy cinnamon-sugar coatings and golden-brown perfection. Warm pastry delights wait for you to savor sweet comfort in each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (or vegetable oil)
• 1 large egg

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Coating:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and apply a light coating of grease to the donut pan to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon using a whisk to eliminate any potential lumps.
3. Create a separate mixture by whisking together the sugar, egg, milk, and melted butter until the ingredients are fully integrated and smooth.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring carefully to maintain a light texture. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined, avoiding overmixing which can result in dense donuts.
5. Transfer the batter into the donut pan, carefully filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full to allow room for rising during baking.
6. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until the donuts transform into a golden-brown hue and a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center.
7. While the donuts are cooling, create a cinnamon-sugar coating by combining the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Once the donuts have slightly cooled and firmed up, delicately roll each one in the fragrant mixture, ensuring an even, generous coating.

Notes

• Gentle mixing prevents tough donuts by keeping gluten development minimal, ensuring a soft, tender texture.
• Precise pan filling prevents overflow and creates uniform donuts with perfect shape and consistent baking.
• Room temperature ingredients help batter blend smoothly and promote even cooking throughout the donuts.
• Non-stick spray or parchment paper makes removing baked donuts easier and prevents potential sticking issues.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg