Citrus-Spiced Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden fried churros infused with orange zest and dusted with cinnamon sugar for a festive Cinco de Mayo dessert. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 30 minutes pairs water, unsalted butter, granulated sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until butter melts.
  2. Step 2: Remove saucepan from heat and immediately stir in 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tbsp orange zest vigorously until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from sides.
  3. Step 3: Let dough cool for 5 minutes. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each until smooth and shiny.
  4. Step 4: Heat about 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot to 375°F. Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  5. Step 5: Pipe 4-inch strips of dough into hot oil, cutting with scissors. Fry churros in batches for 2-3 minutes each side until golden and crisp.
  6. Step 6: Remove churros with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Toss warm churros in a mixture of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Spiced Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Citrus-Spiced Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep water from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Spiced Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Citrus-Spiced Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Citrus-Spiced Churros with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting?

Mexican cinco de mayo like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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