Disneyland-Inspired Churro Bites - Crispy Fried Pastry
These bite-sized churros capture the magic of Disneyland's famous treat with crispy exteriors and tender, airy interiors. Made from choux pastry dough that's piped and fried until golden, then rolled in cinnamon sugar while warm. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or when you want to bring a taste of the theme park home. The star-tip piping creates the classic ridged texture that holds the sweet coating beautifully.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Whisk together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside
- 2
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat to 360 degrees and monitor temperature closely throughout cooking
- 3
Combine milk, water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring just to a boil
- 4
Remove from heat once boiling and immediately stir in vanilla and flour
- 5
Stir with spatula until mixture comes together and is smooth, removing any lumps
- 6
Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip
- 7
Pipe 2-4 inches of dough directly into oil, cutting dough to allow it to drop
- 8
Work in small batches as dough pieces tend to stick together in oil
- 9
Fry churros until golden brown and remove with wire strainer
- 10
Drain on wire rack for a couple minutes
- 11
Toss warm drained churros in cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly
- 12
Serve warm with dipping sauce if desired
Tips
Monitor oil temperature closely throughout frying to maintain 360 degrees for even cooking and proper texture
Work in small batches when frying as the dough pieces tend to stick together in the oil
Add more cinnamon sugar as needed since the mixture can become moist from the heat of the churros
Good to Know
Best served immediately while warm and crispy. Can be stored covered at room temperature for 1 day but will lose crispness
Dough can be prepared and piped onto parchment paper, then refrigerated for up to 2 hours before frying
Serve immediately while warm with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or caramel for dipping
Common Mistakes
Monitor oil temperature constantly to avoid burning or greasy churros
Don't overfill the pot with dough pieces to prevent them from sticking together
Toss in cinnamon sugar while still warm for best coating adhesion
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
may affect texture slightly
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Baking won't achieve the same crispy texture that makes churros special, but you can try baking at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
What if I don't have a star tip for piping?
You can use a large round tip or even cut a corner of a plastic bag, though you won't get the classic ridged texture.
How long do these keep fresh?
Churros are best eaten immediately while warm and crispy. They can be stored for 1 day but will lose their texture.