Easy Gluten-Free Churros Recipe [+ How-To Video] | GFP (2024)

Light and crispy, these gluten-free churros are so good and will bring back memories from your summer carnivals and fairs. Some people compare traditional churros to a cross between cream puffs and donuts – and these are no different.

Crispy on the outside with a soft, tender, and chewy center, the ridges are filled with cinnamon sugar and completed with a generous chocolate dipping sauce.

Are Churros Gluten-Free?

While these desserts traditionally use wheat flour, all of Gluten Free Palate’s recipes are delicious and made with 100% celiac-friendly ingredients.

4 Reasons to Love Our Gluten-Free Churros Recipe

Many people are under the impression that gluten-free churros are hard to make. In reality, these Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American treats are super easy to make at home. As long as you get the oil temperature correct, you’ll have perfectly crisp outer ridges and a soft, chewy center.

Easy to Make

If you’ve ever made choux pastry before, you might think that this recipe looks complicated – but it isn’t tricky. In fact, you'll probably wonder why you've never tried this gluten-free dessert before!

Great for Parties

These are ideal additions for Cinco de Mayo, party platters, or your next taco Tuesday.

Nostalgic Taste

Looking for a taste of Disneyland or a state fair? You won’t be disappointed by these sweet treats.

Simple Ingredients

No fancy ingredients are required. In fact, most of these ingredients are common pantry staples.

Special Equipment for Making Gluten-Free Churros

You may need a few pieces of equipment to ensure that your baking efforts are successful. Luckily, these are affordable tools that can be used again and again.

• Piping bag - reusable or disposable works here.
• Star tip - ¼" stars will make ¾” churros. For thicker churros, use a wider star tip.
• Candy thermometer - ensures that hot oil is heated to the correct temperature.
• Double boiler - the most effective method for melting chocolate without burning it.
• Spider strainer - prevents food from breaking when it’s lifted out of the frying oil.
• Whisk or electric mixer - thoroughly combines wet and dry ingredients.

Missing something? No worries! Order missing ingredients from GoPuff and have them arrive at your doorstep in minutes.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Churros Anywhere

1. Mix the batter properly. We recommend an electric hand mixer, but you can use a whisk (so long as the pastry dough is thoroughly combined).
2. Working with gluten-free choux pastry isn’t easy. We recommend using a piping bag and star tip.
3. Make sure that the oil is at the correct temperature (375°F/190°C) with the help of a candy thermometer.
4. The best store-bought flour blend for gluten-free churros might be Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Baking Flour. That said, there are countless GF flours and blends you can make at home!
5. When the fried churros come out of the oil, be generous with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. You’ll need more than you think!

Gluten-Free Churros Ingredients

CHURRO BATTER

• 1 cup gluten-free baking flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Oil for frying (we recommend peanut or corn oil)

SUGAR CINNAMON COATING

• ½ cup white sugar
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

CHOCOLATE DIPPING SAUCE

• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tsp butter, softened
• ½ cup bittersweet chocolate, chopped

CHURROS INSTRUCTIONS

To Make the Sugar Cinnamon

On a shallow plate, mix the sugar and ground cinnamon. Set it aside.

To Make the Chocolate Dipping Sauce

1. In your double boiler, heat the milk just until it starts bubbling.
2. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate.
3. Whisk until the chocolate is fully melted. Add the butter and mix until incorporated. Pour into a thin glass (for dipping) and set aside

Making & Frying the Churros Dough

1. 
2. Add gluten-free baking flour and cornstarch into a mixing bowl. Mix well until fully incorporated.
3. In a saucepan, heat the water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat until boiling.
4. As soon as the liquid boils, turn the heat off. Quickly mix the flour mixture into the saucepan and combine until smooth. You’ll know when it’s done when the batter doesn't stick to the walls of the pan.
5. Pour the dough into a large mixing bowl.
6. Using a low-speed electric mixer or whisk, continue mixing to release hot steam within the dough. Note: If the batter is too hot, it will cook the egg.
7. Once the dough has cooled considerably, add the egg, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix well until incorporated and smooth.
8. Transfer the dough into a piping bag with a star tip already attached.
9. Pour oil into a large heavy bottom pan or deep fryer (around 2 inches from the bottom of the pan). Heat to 375°F/190°C on medium heat.
10. Pipe 3-4 churros (at the length of your choice) into the oil. Cut off the ends using scissors or a sharp knife.
11. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown.
12. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and allow them to dry for about 1 minute.
13. While still warm, roll the churros in the cinnamon/sugar mixture, then drizzle – or dip – them into the chocolate coating.
14. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Churros Doughy?

If your churros have a doughy texture, the oil wasn’t hot enough, you overcrowded the pan, or you made them too thick. Use a candy thermometer, keep the oil at 375°F/190°C, and fry them in smaller batches.

Can You Make Gluten-Free Churro Dough in Advance?

This recipe can be stored for up to two days in the refrigerator, then fried as usual.

What Can I Top My Churros With?

While chocolate sauce is the most popular churro topping, there’s no end to the powders and sauces you can use. Pulverize a gluten-free cereal, dip them in dulce de leche, drizzle fruit jam on top, or use your piping bag to fill them with cream cheese or custard!

How Long Can You Keep Gluten-Free Churro Dough?

When sealed tightly, this dough can be stored for up to two days in the refrigerator. Before frying it, churro dough first needs to be brought back to room temperature.

Can I Make Gluten-Free Baked Churros Instead of Frying Them?

Churros tend to lose their shape when they’re baked in the oven. Frying in oil is the superior method for preparation.

Can I Make Gluten-Free Churros in an Air Fryer?

Raw choux pastry doesn’t necessarily bake well in an air fryer. That said, you can consider reheating churros in the air fryer for extra crispiness.

Why Are My Churros So Greasy?

If your oil isn’t hot enough, it might let oil seep into the edges (rather than create a golden crust).

Why Aren’t My Gluten-Free Churros Crispy?

Either the oil isn’t hot enough or you haven’t cooked them long enough.

Can I Make GF Churros Dairy-Free?

Absolutely. You can use butter substitutes and a vegan chocolate sauce to replace dairy ingredients in this recipe.

Dive Into Gluten-Free Desserts

Just because you can’t eat wheat flour doesn’t mean you have to give up scrumptious desserts like cakes, cookies, and other sweets!

• These Gluten-Free Madeleines couldn’t be easier. Dip them in Nutella, jam, or eat them as-is!
• These effortlessly easy Gluten-Free Ladyfingers make the perfect tiramisu base.

Did you make these gluten-free churros recipe? Please leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought.