Description
Churros Poppers are bite-sized, crispy fried dough balls coated in cinnamon sugar, served warm with a rich and smooth chocolate dipping sauce. This delightful treat combines the classic flavors of churros with the convenience of poppers, making it perfect for sharing or serving at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (for frying, about 2-3 inches deep)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Chocolate Dipping Sauce (optional)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until the dough comes together and becomes smooth.
- Add the egg: Allow the dough to cool for a few minutes so it does not cook the egg. Then add the egg and stir vigorously until fully incorporated. The dough should be thick, pliable, and slightly sticky, perfect for frying.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or frying pan to a depth of about 2-3 inches and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Test the temperature by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil; it should sizzle and float to the surface promptly.
- Shape the poppers: Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, carefully drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes until the poppers turn golden brown and become crispy on the outside.
- Drain and coat: Remove the fried churros poppers using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. While still warm, roll each popper in the cinnamon sugar mixture until thoroughly coated.
- Prepare the dipping sauce (optional): In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until warm but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips and vanilla extract until the chocolate melts completely and the sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Serve: Serve the churros poppers warm alongside the chocolate dipping sauce. Enjoy the crispy, cinnamon-sugared poppers dipped in luscious chocolate for a perfect treat.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature stays consistent at 350°F for even frying and crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan during frying to prevent the poppers from clumping and to maintain oil temperature.
- The dipping sauce can be prepared ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use a flax egg.
- These poppers are best served fresh while crispy but can be reheated briefly to regain crunch.
