If there’s one way to level up your day, it’s by biting into a warm, sugar-crusted Churro Donut filled with dreamy Chocolate SunButter. This recipe brings the festive joy of classic churros into a tender, baked donut form—no deep-frying required! With cinnamon swirling through both the batter and topping, these mini donuts are pure magic in each bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Deep Frying Needed: All the churro satisfaction, baked right in your oven—no oily mess, no fuss!
- Dreamy Chocolate SunButter Filling: That surprise gooey center takes these Churro Donuts to the next WOW factor.
- Quick & Easy Batter: A handful of pantry staples and just a few minutes gets donut magic into your kitchen.
- Delicious for All: Easily made gluten free or dairy free so everyone can enjoy a bite (or three)!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a simple lineup of everyday ingredients to make these Churro Donuts extraordinary. Each one has a job—whether it’s making the crumb tender, infusing signature warmth, or helping those golden sugar crystals cling lovingly to the surface!
- Eggs: The foundation for structure and moisture that gives the donuts their signature soft interior.
- Sugar: Essential for sweetness and those golden, caramelized edges in both the batter and the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Coconut Oil: Melted for a hint of richness, but feel free to swap in any oil or melted butter for your favorite flavor.
- Milk: Keeps the batter light—dairy-free options like almond or oat milk work beautifully.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds that irresistible bakery aroma and flavor.
- Flour: All-purpose creates the classic crumb, but gluten-free 1:1 flour makes these treats accessible to everyone.
- Cinnamon: The superstar spice for both the batter and the coating—aromatic, cozy, and nostalgic.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: This dynamic leavening combo keeps your donuts fluffy and light.
- Sea Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and brings all the flavors to life.
- Chocolate SunButter: For that creamy, nutty, chocolatey filling—the surprise inside every donut.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Churro Donuts is how easily you can make them your own. A few small swaps let you tailor them for allergies or switch up the flavors for the season, so don’t hesitate to take them in new directions!
- Gluten-Free Churro Donuts: Use gluten-free 1:1 flour and add a splash of apple cider vinegar to ensure they rise perfectly with zero compromise on texture.
- Spice It Up: Add a dash of nutmeg or a pinch of cardamom to the batter for a subtle twist that makes every bite even more aromatic.
- Classic Nutella or Jam Filling: Swap out the Chocolate SunButter for your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread or a fruity jam for a different kind of surprise center.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use non-dairy milk, like oat or almond, and coconut oil for donuts everyone can dig into, no matter their dairy needs.
How to Make Churro Donuts
Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients
Start by whisking together your eggs, sugar, melted coconut oil (or your substitute), milk, and a good splash of vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined for the softest, fluffiest base—no need for fancy equipment, a simple bowl and whisk will do!
Step 2: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt right in. Gently fold everything together until the batter is smooth and there are no streaks of flour left—don’t overmix, as this keeps your Churro Donuts from becoming dense.
Step 3: Fill the Muffin Pan & Bake
Generously grease your mini muffin pan (for easy release later!), then spoon or pipe the batter into each cavity so they’re about two-thirds full. Pop the pan into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden and springy to the touch.
Step 4: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While your donut holes are still warm (but cool enough to touch), roll them in a shallow dish of cinnamon and sugar. Work in batches so the coating sticks beautifully—if the donuts cool too much, you can brush them with melted butter before rolling for that classic churro crunch.
Step 5: Fill with Chocolate SunButter
Wait until your Churro Donuts have cooled completely, then use a straw to gently poke a hole in each. Fill a piping bag with that lovely Chocolate SunButter, pipe into the center of each donut, and watch them puff up slightly with every delicious squeeze!
Pro Tips for Making Churro Donuts
- Warm Donut, Maximum Stick: Coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar as soon as you can comfortably touch them—warmth is what helps the sugary crust cling perfectly.
- Don’t Overfill the Pan: Filling each muffin cup just two-thirds full lets the donuts rise into perfect, bite-sized rounds (no messy overflow!).
- Spoon, Pipe, or Pour: Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped for the neatest (and quickest) batter transfer into the muffin pan.
- Smooth SunButter Filling: Stir your Chocolate SunButter well before piping so the texture is creamy and easy to squeeze into the donuts.
How to Serve Churro Donuts
Garnishes
A final tumble in cinnamon sugar is a must, but for an extra flourish, try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a quick drizzle of melted chocolate over your Churro Donuts. Even a scattering of finely chopped nuts or edible gold stars can make them party-perfect.
Side Dishes
These Churro Donuts shine alongside a steaming mug of Mexican hot chocolate, rich coffee, or chai latte. If you’re feeling extra, serve with bowls of fresh berries, a little whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for brunch or dessert bliss.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your Churro Donuts high on a vintage cake stand for brunch, thread them onto wooden skewers for a playful fairground vibe, or stack in paper cones for a grab-and-go party treat. They’re fantastic as edible gifts—just box them up, tie with a ribbon, and watch faces light up!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have Churro Donuts left over, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They’ll stay soft with just the right amount of chew—perfect for a sweet snack on the go.
Freezing
These donuts freeze surprisingly well! Skip the sugar coating until after thawing for best texture—freeze the donut holes plain, then thaw, warm gently, and roll in fresh cinnamon sugar before filling with Chocolate SunButter.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your Churro Donuts in the microwave for just 10–15 seconds, or in a low oven for 5 minutes—just enough to bring back the softness and revive that comforting fresh-from-the-oven aroma.
FAQs
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Can I make Churro Donuts without a mini muffin pan?
Absolutely! You can use a standard donut pan (just adjust the baking time up by a couple of minutes) or shape the batter into small mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet for rustic donut “bites.”
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What if my donuts cool before I coat them in sugar?
If your Churro Donuts have cooled, simply brush them with a little melted butter or oil, then roll in cinnamon sugar. The coating will stick perfectly and bring back their signature churro crunch!
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Can I use a different filling instead of Chocolate SunButter?
Definitely! Feel free to use Nutella, peanut butter, cookie butter, or even a thick fruit jam. You can also leave them unfilled for a classic churro donut experience.
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Are these Churro Donuts good for making ahead for parties?
Yes! You can bake and coat the donut holes the day ahead, then fill with Chocolate SunButter just before serving for maximum freshness and that delightful creamy center.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a little edible joy, these Churro Donuts are truly irresistible—warm, cinnamon-scented, and lusciously filled for that perfect bite every time. You’ll love just how easy they are, and you might even make new friends the moment you serve them. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they earn a spot in your regular baking rotation!
PrintChurro Donut Holes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Churro Donuts are a delightful twist on classic churros, with a fluffy donut texture, a sweet cinnamon sugar coating, and a luscious Chocolate SunButter filling. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients
For the donuts
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted, substitute with any oil or melted butter if needed)
- 1/3 cup milk (use dairy-free milk if needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup flour (see notes for how to make gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
For coating
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
To fill
- 1/2 cup Chocolate SunButter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, melted coconut oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Fold in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt until no flour clumps remain.
- Grease a mini muffin pan well with oil. Fill each muffin cavity about ⅔ of the way full with the donut batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 – 12 minutes until they’re golden brown on top.
- While the donuts are baking, mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow pan or bowl. Coat the donuts right after they come out of the oven.
- Let the donuts cool until you’re comfortable touching them with your fingers. Coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Use a straw to poke a hole into the center of each donut hole. Fill a piping bag with Chocolate SunButter, squeeze gently into the holes, and enjoy!
Notes
- If you let the donuts cool too much before coating, you can brush each one with melted butter or oil and toss in the cinnamon sugar coating. They will need to set for at least 15 minutes before adding the filling.
- To make these donut holes gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with equal parts gluten-free 1:1 flour and add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with the wet ingredients (you won’t taste it!).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut hole
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg