Churros Locos are a delicious twist on the traditional churros, taking the classic fried dough dessert and combining it with a variety of bold, fun toppings that make them a perfect snack or dessert for any occasion. This Mexican street food is easy to make and can be customized to suit any taste preference. Whether you want to stick with the basics or go all out with the toppings, Churros Locos will be a hit.

In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make both the churros and how to dress them up “loco” style. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

For the Churros:

1 cup of water
2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the Toppings (Churros Locos Style):

Sweetened condensed milk
Chocolate sauce or Nutella
Caramel sauce (dulce de leche)
Whipped cream
Fruit toppings (sliced strawberries, bananas, or mango)
Candy toppings (gummy bears, sprinkles, or M&Ms)
Crushed cookies (Oreos or graham crackers)
Cinnamon sugar (classic churro topping)
Chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Churros Dough

Prepare the dough: In a medium saucepan, bring water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil to a boil.

Once the mixture starts boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in the flour until the mixture forms a smooth ball of dough. Add vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Pipe the churros: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle. You can make traditional long churros or smaller bite-sized churros, depending on your preference.

Step 2: Fry the Churros

Heat the oil: In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small piece of dough into the oil – it should sizzle and turn golden within a minute.

Fry until golden: Pipe strips of churro dough directly into the hot oil, cutting them with scissors for even lengths. Fry the churros for about 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure they are golden brown and crisp on all sides.

Drain and coat: Once fried, remove the churros and drain them on paper towels. Roll the warm churros in cinnamon sugar to coat them evenly.

Step 3: Go Loco with Toppings!

Now comes the fun part – turning these classic churros into “Churros Locos” by adding various crazy toppings! You can set up a “Churros Loco bar” where everyone adds their own favorites, or you can layer the churros with multiple toppings yourself. Here are some ideas:

Drizzle with sauces: Pour over your favorite sauces like sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, Nutella, or caramel.

Add whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream makes the churros extra indulgent.

Fruit toppings: Add fresh fruits like sliced strawberries, bananas, or diced mango for a refreshing twist.

Candy fun: Top with gummy bears, sprinkles, or crushed M&Ms to add color and crunch.

Crushed cookies: Crumble some Oreos or graham crackers over the churros for added texture.

Chopped nuts: Finish with chopped nuts if you like a bit of crunch with every bite.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy

Once your Churros Locos are topped to your liking, serve them immediately! The contrast between the crispy churros and the sweet, gooey toppings makes for a mouthwatering treat.

Tips for the Best Churros Locos:

Eat them fresh: Churros are best enjoyed right after frying. They tend to lose their crispiness if they sit too long.

Get creative with toppings: There’s no limit to what you can add to your Churros Locos. Feel free to experiment with different toppings, such as peanut butter drizzle or crumbled candy bars.

Fry in small batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure your churros fry evenly and get that perfect golden crust.

Churros Locos are the perfect dessert for a party or even just a fun night in. They’re easy to make and can be customized to fit your taste buds. From chocolate drizzles to fruity toppings, these churros are an irresistible combination of sweet and crunchy. So, gather your ingredients, get creative with the toppings, and enjoy this delightful Mexican street food at home!

Variations to Try:

If you want to take your Churros Locos to the next level, here are some exciting variations that you can try:

Churro Sundae: Take the indulgence up a notch by creating a churro sundae. Top your churros with scoops of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, drizzle with caramel or chocolate syrup, and add a sprinkle of crushed nuts or cookie crumbles. The combination of warm churros and cold ice cream is heavenly!

Savory Churros Locos: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try making savory churros. Skip the sugar and cinnamon coating and sprinkle them with grated cheese, spices, and herbs like paprika, garlic powder, and parsley. Serve with a side of spicy cheese dip or guacamole for a savory snack twist.

Churros Locos with Cajeta: Cajeta, a caramel sauce made from goat’s milk, is a traditional Mexican topping that adds a rich, creamy flavor to the churros. Drizzle cajeta over your churros for an authentic touch, or mix it with chocolate for a unique flavor fusion.

Churro Ice Cream Sandwich: Use churros to create an ice cream sandwich! Take two churros and sandwich your favorite flavor of ice cream between them. Roll the edges in sprinkles, crushed nuts, or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor. This dessert is perfect for hot summer days.

Chocolate-Stuffed Churros: For a truly decadent version, try filling your churros with chocolate or Nutella. You can pipe the chocolate into the churros before frying them or cut a small slit in the fried churros and pipe in the filling after. The gooey chocolate inside pairs perfectly with the crunchy exterior.

Churros Locos Nachos: If you’re hosting a party or gathering, serve your Churros Locos in a nacho-style platter. Layer churros on a tray, drizzle with sauces (chocolate, caramel, sweetened condensed milk), and sprinkle various toppings like crushed cookies, sprinkles, and fresh fruits. It’s a fun and interactive dessert that guests can enjoy.

Storing and Reheating Churros:

While churros are best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers if necessary. Here’s how:

Storing: Place any leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigerating them, as this can make them soggy.

Reheating: To regain some of that crispy texture, reheat churros in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are warmed through and slightly crispy. Avoid microwaving them, as it will make them soft and chewy instead of crunchy.

Fun Facts About Churros:

Origins: Although churros are often associated with Spanish and Latin American cultures, their origin is debated. Some believe churros were brought to Europe by Portuguese sailors from China, while others say Spanish shepherds created them as an easy snack to cook over an open fire.

Churros Around the World: Churros have spread globally, and different countries have their own versions. In Spain, they are traditionally served with thick hot chocolate, while in the Philippines, they are enjoyed with a sweet caramel dip.

Churro Festivals: In some parts of Mexico and Spain, churros are celebrated with entire festivals dedicated to the beloved dessert. These events feature churros in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, from classic to churro sandwiches.

Churros Locos are a fantastic way to take an already delicious treat and make it even more exciting. With the variety of toppings and styles you can create, they’re a perfect dessert for any occasion, from casual family dinners to festive parties. Whether you enjoy them with just a drizzle of chocolate or go all out with crazy toppings, these crispy, sugary delights are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

So, next time you’re craving something sweet, why not try your hand at making Churros Locos? With their crunchy exterior, soft interior, and endless topping possibilities, they’re sure to become one of your go-to indulgent desserts!