Copycat Disney Churro Bites Recipe

Bring the taste of Disney right into your kitchen with this tasty Disney Churro Bites recipe. A recipe, might I add, shared directly from Disney. 

Apart from the rides, mascots, and overall vibe, Disney Parks’ food offerings are just as magical. Case in point: their churros!

This signature snack is so heavenly that I sometimes dream about going to Disneyland just to have a bite.

If you can’t wait to taste the iconic Disney churro bites, good news! The happiest place on earth just did us a solid and shared the secret recipe.

Thanks, Disney!

What are Churros?

Churros are deep-fried pastry dough logs rolled in cinnamon sugar. They’re much like donuts in consistency and flavor but not as cakey. 

Most churros are made from Choux pastry, which contains a ton of eggs and butter. That’s why they’re less cakey than donuts.

You can eat them as they are or dip them in a sweet sauce. (Think melted chocolate or dulce de leche.) 

These tasty bites of perfection originated in Spain and Portugal. Now, though, they’re also famous in other parts of the world. 

You’ll usually find them at carnivals, fairs, and theme parks.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make authentic Disney churro bites:

• Sugar. For added sweetness in the cinnamon-sugar coating. Plain, granulated sugar is fine. 

• Cinnamon. You’ll add cinnamon to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for the coating. You’ll also add it to the churro batter itself. It ensures each bite has a maximum amount of sweet spice. 

• Water. For boiling.

• Butter. Either unsalted or salted butter is fine. If you use salted butter, eliminate the extra salt in the recipe. 

• Salt. A flavor enhancer. 

• Flour. The base of the batter that holds everything together and provides structure. All-purpose is fine. 

• Eggs. They add moisture and act as a binding agent.

• Oil. For frying.

How to Make Disneyland Churros

Churros aren’t nearly as difficult to make as most people think. Follow these simple steps: 

1. Make the cinnamon-sugar coating. Stir together the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, then set aside. 

2. Make the batter. Combine the water, butter, salt, and remaining cinnamon in a skillet. Heat over medium until the water reaches a rolling boil. 

Then, reduce the heat to low and stir in the flour. Mix vigorously until the batter makes a ball. 

Finally, remove the skillet from the stove eye. Let the batter cool for 5 to 7 minutes before adding the eggs one at a time. Mix well and set aside. 

3. Make the churros. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a clean skillet. Once the oil is hot, use a piping bag to add the churro batter. 

Fry the bites until they become crispy and golden brown. 

4. Drain and coat the churros. Remove cooked churros from the pan using a slotted spoon. (It will help the grease drain faster.)

Place them on paper towel-lined plates to drain further. Finally, coat them generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Enjoy! 

Tips & Tricks

Churros aren’t as difficult as most people think. Here are some tips to make the process even smoother:

• Make the cinnamon-sugar mixture first. That way, you can coat the churros right after cooking. The hotter the churros, the better the mixture sticks to them.

• No piping bag? No problem! Use a Ziploc bag instead. Just cut a small hole at one of the corners and you’re all set.

• Ensure your oil is the right temperature. If it’s too hot, your churros will turn black in an instant. Adjust the heat settings as needed to keep the temperature consistent. Use a cooking thermometer to be sure.

• No cooking thermometer? Check the temperature by putting a small chunk of batter into the oil. If it sizzles the moment it touches the oil, you’re ready. But, if it smokes right away, the oil is way too hot.

• Don’t save them for tomorrow! You should eat churros the same day they’re cooked. Otherwise, they’ll lose their crispiness.

How to Store

I’ll tell you how to store leftover churro bites in just one sec. But first, did you know these are excellent make ahead churros? They are!

Simply whip up the dough using the instructions in the recipe card. Then, refrigerate it and fry these delectable Disney churro bites later!

• To store. Store leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep for about 2 days but may lose some of their crispness.

• To freeze. Flash freeze cooled churros by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Pop that sheet in the freezer for about an hour. Then, transfer the churros to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 1 month.

• To reheat. Allow frozen churros to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, bake them in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You may want to re-roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, as well.