Homemade Mini Churros

¡Viva la fiesta! Cinco de Mayo is a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture, and what better way to join in the festivities than by drooling over - I mean making some delicious homemade churros?

These golden, crispy fried dough sticks are a beloved treat in Mexico and are enjoyed all around the world - like Disneyland and Costco (the extend of my world travels). Making churros at home can be a fun and rewarding culinary adventure, and here's why they are perfect for Cinco de Mayo!

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Enter your history lesson (this is the kind of history lesson I am here for - the kind that ends in tasty food). Churros are a classic Mexican dessert that originated in Spain and were brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers. They have since become a staple at Mexican celebrations, including Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire in the Battle of Puebla. Making churros at home can be a fantastic way to pay homage to Mexican culture and enjoy a tasty treat with family and friends - but listen - these can also cause major arguments between boys who feel as though they didn't get their fair share - just keeping it real here.

Making churros at home gives you control over the ingredients, allowing you to use high-quality, fresh ingredients and adjust the recipe to suit your taste preferences. You can also make them as large or as small as you like - we made mini ones because they are so pop-able and fun and much easier to control with the frying process. Plus, the aroma of freshly fried churros wafting through your kitchen is simply irresistible!

If you're new to making churros at home, fear not! While the process may seem intimidating at first, it's actually quite straightforward. The basic dough consists of just a few simple ingredients, such as flour, water, salt, and oil/butter and the churros are typically fried until crispy and golden. There are plenty of step-by-step recipes and video tutorials available online that can guide you through the process, making it an enjoyable and educational experience. You can find my favorite recipe HERE.

Tips for making homemade churros:

1. Use a piping bag

2. Use a towel or hot pad when piping

3. Pipe all churro dough onto parchment while your oil heats up

4. Use a thermometer to test the oil temperature (this is important!)

1. Using a piping bag. Churro dough is extremely thick and slightly sticky therefore it can be difficult to pipe. It's important to use a high quality piping bag and large sized attachments for ease of flow like THIS star tip and THIS coupler.

2. Using a towel or hot pad for piping. When piping your churros, the dough is HOT. Be sure to protect your hands and use a towel or hot pad while piping.

3. Pipe onto parchment. Prepping all your dough while your oil heats up is a creates a quick and easy frying process. You don't want to get distracted piping more dough for your next batch while simultaneously watching them fry.

4. Using an oil thermometer like THIS one. This step is important and often ignored when frying. Using an oil thermometer when frying churros (or any other deep-fried food) is crucial for ensuring that the churros come out perfectly crispy and cooked to perfection. Frying oil that is too hot or too cold can affect the texture and taste of the churros, and can even pose safety risks.

1. Consistent results: Churros require a specific temperature range for frying to achieve the perfect crispy exterior and a soft, doughy interior. Using an oil thermometer allows you to monitor and maintain the oil temperature throughout the frying process. This helps ensure that the churros cook evenly and consistently, resulting in a batch of delicious churros with the desired texture and flavor.

2. Safety: Frying oil can become dangerously hot, and without an oil thermometer, it's difficult to know the exact temperature of the oil. Using an oil thermometer helps you avoid overheating the oil, which can lead to smoke, splattering, and even a fire hazard. It also helps you prevent under-heating the oil, which can result in greasy and soggy churros. By maintaining the correct oil temperature, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable cooking experience.

3. Recipe accuracy: Many churro recipes specify a specific oil temperature for frying. Using an oil thermometer allows you to follow the recipe instructions precisely, ensuring that you achieve the desired results. Different recipes may have different temperature requirements, so using a thermometer helps you adapt to the specific recipe you're using, whether it's a traditional churro recipe or a unique variation.

Alrighty friends! With all this knowledge it's time to FRY! Once your churros are ready, you'll be so excited from all the anticipation you'll be ready to sink your teeth into your sugary, crispy treats and truly enjoy the fruits of your labor. Whether you're serving them as a dessert at your Cinco de Mayo fiesta, as a sweet treat for your family, or just as a special indulgence for yourself, homemade churros are sure to impress. Crispy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside, and bursting with flavor, they are a true delight for the senses.

XOXO!

Kimberly Marie