There’s something about walking through a Disney park and smelling freshly fried churros covered in cinnamon sugar. They’re warm, slightly crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, and somehow taste even better when you’re eating them on holiday.
The good news is that you don’t need a Disney ticket to enjoy them. This Disney Churro Recipe brings that familiar theme park treat into your own kitchen using simple ingredients like flour, butter, eggs, cinnamon, and sugar.
I like making these a little shorter than the long churros you get at the parks. They’re easier to fry in a regular saucepan, and you get more of those lovely crispy ends. Serve them while they’re still warm, preferably with chocolate dipping sauce.
This homemade version is inspired by Disney’s popular churro bites rather than being an exact replica of every churro sold throughout the parks.
What Makes Disney Churros Different?
Disney churros are famous for their golden, crunchy exterior and generous cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re one of the most recognisable snacks at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Disney has also shared a homemade churro bites recipe, which uses a cooked dough similar to French choux pastry. The dough is piped into hot oil, fried until golden, and tossed in cinnamon sugar.
Unlike some simpler churro recipes, this version includes eggs, helping create a slightly lighter, tender centre.
Ingredients for Disney Churro Recipe
For the churro dough
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
For the cinnamon sugar coating
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional chocolate dipping sauce
- ½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
How to Make Disney Churros at Home
1. Prepare the cinnamon sugar
Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set it aside so it’s ready when the churros come out of the oil.
2. Make the dough base
Add the water, butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon to a medium saucepan.
Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture reaches a gentle boil.
3. Add the flour
Reduce the heat to low and add all the flour at once.
Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth dough that pulls away from the sides of the saucepan.
Continue stirring for another minute to cook out some of the moisture.
4. Cool and add the eggs
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the dough to cool for approximately 5–7 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. The dough may look separated initially, but it will become smooth again.
The finished dough should be thick, glossy, and soft enough to pipe while still holding its shape.
5. Heat the frying oil
Pour approximately 2 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), checking with a cooking thermometer.
Transfer the dough into a strong piping bag fitted with a large open-star nozzle.
6. Pipe and fry the churros
Carefully pipe 3–4 inch lengths of dough into the hot oil, cutting each piece with clean kitchen scissors.
Fry in small batches for approximately 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly golden brown.
Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this lowers the oil temperature.
7. Coat with cinnamon sugar
Remove the churros using a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towels.
While they’re still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar until generously coated.
8. Prepare the chocolate sauce
Heat the heavy cream until steaming but not boiling.
Pour over the chocolate chips and leave for 1 minute before stirring until smooth.
Serve the warm churros with the chocolate dipping sauce.
Tips for Crispy Homemade Disney Churros
- Use a thermometer. Keeping the oil close to 350°F helps the churros cook evenly without becoming greasy.
- Choose a large star-shaped nozzle. The ridges create more surface area for that delicious crispy coating.
- Don’t make the churros too thick. Oversized churros can brown outside before the middle is cooked.
- Coat them while warm. Cinnamon sugar sticks much better to freshly fried churros.
- Serve immediately. Churros taste best within minutes of frying.
- Use a sturdy piping bag. The dough is thicker than cake frosting and can split a thin disposable bag.
What to Serve With Disney Churros
The classic cinnamon-sugar coating is delicious on its own, but adding a dipping sauce makes these homemade churros feel even more like a special dessert.
Try serving them with warm chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, or a little dulce de leche.
If you enjoy recreating famous restaurant and theme park treats at home, you might also like our Costco Churros Copycat Recipe, another cinnamon-sugar favourite.
For something different, try our Costco Lemon Cream Croissant, a bakery-style treat with a creamy citrus filling.
Can You Make Disney Churros Ahead of Time?
Churros are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the dough a little ahead of time.
Keep the prepared dough in a covered piping bag in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Allow it to soften slightly before piping.
For leftovers, refrigerate cooked churros in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 3–4 minutes until hot and crisp. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as they tend to become soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Disney churros made with eggs?
The homemade churro bites recipe Disney has shared uses eggs in the dough. They help create a tender, slightly airy centre beneath the crispy exterior.
Why are my churros soggy?
The oil may be too cool, or too many churros may have been fried at once. Maintain the oil temperature near 350°F and fry in small batches.
Can I make Disney churros without a piping bag?
You can use a strong food-safe bag fitted with a suitable star nozzle, but a proper piping bag is safer and easier to control. Avoid piping from a bag that might split.
Can I bake these churros instead?
You can experiment with baking the piped dough, but the texture will be closer to baked choux pastry than traditional fried Disney-style churros.
What is the best oil for frying churros?
Vegetable oil, canola oil, or another neutral-flavoured oil with a suitable frying temperature works well.
Final Thoughts
This Disney Churro Recipe is a fun way to bring a little theme park magic into your kitchen. The ingredients are inexpensive, the dough comes together in one saucepan, and the finished churros are deliciously crispy with plenty of cinnamon sugar.
For the best experience, make a fresh batch, prepare some chocolate dipping sauce, and enjoy them while they’re still warm.
Disney Churro Recipe
Homemade Disney-Style Cinnamon Sugar Churros.
Ingredients
For the churro dough
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
For the cinnamon sugar coating
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional chocolate dipping sauce
- ½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl and set aside.
- Bring water, butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon to a gentle boil in a saucepan.
- Reduce heat to low, add flour, and stir until a smooth dough forms. Cook for another minute.
- Remove from heat and cool for 5–7 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth and glossy.
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Transfer dough to a piping bag with a large star nozzle.
- Pipe 3–4 inch pieces into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 3–5 minutes, turning until golden and cooked through.
- Drain churros briefly on paper towels, then roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.
- Pour hot cream over chocolate chips, rest for 1 minute, and stir until smooth. - Serve with warm churros.
Notes
Use a large open-star piping tip to create the classic ridged churro shape.
Keep the oil at 350°F (175°C) for crispy churros that cook evenly without absorbing too much oil.
Let the dough cool slightly before adding the eggs to prevent them from scrambling.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly until the dough is smooth and glossy.
Fry in small batches to maintain a consistent oil temperature.
Roll churros in cinnamon sugar while still warm so the coating sticks.
Serve immediately for the best crispy exterior and soft centre.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 3 churrosAmount Per Serving: Calories: 290
