These Pumpkin Churros Recipe are the perfect fall treat, combining the warmth of pumpkin spice with the crispy goodness of churros. Ideal for gatherings or cozy nights in, these churros stand out for their unique flavor and delightful cream cheese dip. Enjoy them fresh and warm for a sweet indulgence that captures the essence of autumn.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make – With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have these delicious churros ready in no time.
- Unique Flavor – The addition of pumpkin puree and spices makes these churros distinctively tasty, perfect for pumpkin lovers.
- Versatile Serving Options – Enjoy them with a cream cheese dip, or pair with salted caramel sauce for an extra treat.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Whether it’s a family gathering, Halloween party, or just a sweet craving, these churros fit right in.
- Fun Activity – Making churros can be a fun cooking project to do with friends or family.
Tools and Preparation
Before you start making your delicious pumpkin churros, gather your tools. Having everything prepared ensures a smooth cooking experience.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Large bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Piping bag with star tip
- Deep-fryer or deep skillet
- Candy thermometer
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand mixer – Makes it easy to achieve a smooth cream cheese dip without much effort.
- Candy thermometer – Ensures your oil is at the perfect temperature for frying, resulting in perfectly crispy churros.
- Piping bag with star tip – Allows you to pipe the dough in the classic churro shape, enhancing both presentation and texture.
Ingredients
To create your delightful pumpkin churros, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Churros:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 quart oil for frying (peanut, canola, vegetable)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Dip:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin purée (to taste)
How to Make Pumpkin Churros Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Dip
In a stand mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and pumpkin puree until smooth. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
Step 2: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Churro Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together water, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Gradually add flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to fold until well combined. Transfer this dough into a piping bag fitted with a closed star tip.
Step 4: Heat Oil for Frying
Heat oil in either a deep-fryer or deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Use a candy thermometer to ensure accurate temperature control.
Step 5: Fry the Churros
Pipe 4-inch strips of dough into the hot oil. Fry in batches of three or four strips at a time. Turn them once while frying until they are golden brown—about 2 minutes per side.
Step 6: Toss in Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
Once cooked, transfer churros onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil for about one minute. Quickly toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture while still warm.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your warm pumpkin churros alongside the cream cheese dip or drizzled with salted caramel sauce for an irresistible treat!
How to Serve Pumpkin Churros Recipe
Serving pumpkin churros is all about enhancing their delightful flavor and texture. These warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated treats can be paired with various dips and accompaniments for a truly indulgent experience.
With Cream Cheese Dip
- A rich and creamy dip made from softened cream cheese, sugar, and a hint of pumpkin puree that complements the spices in the churros.
With Salted Caramel Sauce
- Drizzling or dipping churros in salted caramel adds a sweet and salty contrast that enhances the overall flavor.
With Hot Chocolate
- A cup of warm hot chocolate makes for a comforting beverage pairing that perfectly balances the sweet churros.
With Fresh Whipped Cream
- Light and airy whipped cream provides a delightful contrast to the crispy churros, making each bite even more enjoyable.
With Vanilla Ice Cream
- The cold creaminess of vanilla ice cream creates a delicious temperature contrast when served alongside warm churros.
How to Perfect Pumpkin Churros Recipe
Achieving the perfect pumpkin churros requires attention to detail. Here are some essential tips to ensure your churros turn out amazing every time.
Consistent Dough Texture: Make sure your dough is smooth and well-combined before piping. This will help create uniform shapes that fry evenly.
Proper Oil Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to keep oil at 375°F. This ensures that the churros cook through without becoming greasy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry only 3 or 4 churros at a time. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature, resulting in soggy churros.
Quickly Toss in Sugar: After frying, toss the churros in cinnamon sugar while they’re still hot for better adherence and flavor penetration.
Best Side Dishes for Pumpkin Churros Recipe
Pairing side dishes with pumpkin churros can elevate your dessert experience. Here are some excellent options that complement their flavors beautifully.
- Spiced Apple Slices – Warm slices of apples sautéed in cinnamon and sugar offer a fruity contrast to the sweet churros.
- Chai Latte – A spiced chai latte brings warmth and aromatic flavors that pair well with pumpkin desserts.
- Pumpkin Soup – A small bowl of creamy pumpkin soup can serve as a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of churros.
- Chocolate Fondue – Melted chocolate provides an indulgent dip option that pairs beautifully with crispy churros.
- Fresh Fruit Salad – A light fruit salad adds freshness and balances out the richness of the churros.
- Ginger Snap Cookies – These spicy cookies echo the flavors of fall, creating a thematic dessert platter when served together.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To create the perfect pumpkin churros, it’s essential to be aware of common pitfalls that can impact your results.
- Bold measurement errors: Always measure your ingredients accurately. Too much flour can lead to dense churros, while too little may make them fall apart.
- Bold overmixing the dough: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough churros instead of light and airy ones.
- Bold incorrect oil temperature: Ensure your oil is at 375°F before frying. If it’s too cool, the churros will absorb too much oil; if it’s too hot, they will burn quickly.
- Bold not draining properly: After frying, let the churros rest on paper towels. This step removes excess oil and prevents sogginess.
- Bold skipping the cinnamon sugar: Tossing churros in cinnamon sugar right after frying enhances flavor and texture. Don’t forget this final touch for delicious results!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store churros in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing Pumpkin Churros Recipe
- Freeze churros in a single layer on a baking sheet for about 1 hour.
- Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating Pumpkin Churros Recipe
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat on high for about 15-20 seconds per churro but be careful not to make them chewy.
- Stovetop: Place in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, flipping occasionally until warmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making pumpkin churros.
How do I ensure my Pumpkin Churros Recipe turns out crispy?
Ensure that the oil is hot enough before adding the dough. Frying at the correct temperature keeps them crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside.
Can I use a different type of squash in my Pumpkin Churros Recipe?
Yes! You can substitute pumpkin with butternut squash or sweet potato puree for a unique flavor twist.
What can I serve with my Pumpkin Churros Recipe?
These churros are delicious with cream cheese dip or salted caramel sauce. You can also enjoy them with chocolate sauce for extra indulgence!
How long does it take to make Pumpkin Churros Recipe?
The total time from start to finish is approximately 30 minutes, including both preparation and cooking.
Final Thoughts
These pumpkin churros are a delightful treat that captures the essence of fall. With their warm spices and sweet cinnamon sugar, they’re perfect for any occasion. Feel free to customize your dipping sauces or add extra spices to suit your taste!
Pumpkin Churros Recipe
Indulge in the cozy flavors of autumn with this delightful Pumpkin Churros Recipe! These warm, crispy churros are infused with the rich taste of pumpkin and aromatic spices, making them a perfect treat for fall festivities or a sweet evening at home. Tossed in a cinnamon sugar coating and served with a creamy cream cheese dip, these churros offer a delightful crunch followed by a soft, flavorful center. Ideal for gatherings or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this easy-to-follow recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 churros (serves about 6) 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying (peanut, canola, or vegetable)
- For the cream cheese dip: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin puree (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese dip by mixing softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and cinnamon until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine water, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until combined.
- Heat oil to 375°F for frying.
- Pipe dough into hot oil in strips; fry until golden brown on both sides (about 2 minutes each).
- Toss cooked churros in cinnamon sugar while warm.
- Serve warm with the creamy dip or your favorite sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 churros (70g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg