By Wendy Stoltz and Gusti Ayu Wahyuni Mertawati / Last Modified On February 19, 2023

Light and crispy, these gluten-free churros are so good and will bring back memories from your summer carnivals and fairs. They're so easy to make and crispy on the outside with a soft, tender, and chewy center. The ridges are filled with cinnamon sugar and completed with a generous dip of chocolate. 

They're perfect for a Cinco de Mayo party, a birthday party, and a great dessert for taco Tuesday. 

Don't forget to try these irresistible gluten-free cinnamon sugar donuts or these scrumptious pumpkin-flavored gluten-free pumpkin donuts recipes. If you're planning a trip and love all things sweet this is our guide to eating gluten-free at Disneyland!

GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS RECIPE

A lot of people are under the impression that gluten-free churros are hard to make. They're actually so easy to make at home when you're craving a visit to Disneyland or your local county fair. 

I love the smells in my kitchen when making these. Just remember to get the oil temperature correct, as this is the key to the perfect crispy outer ridges and soft, chewy center.

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THESE GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS

Easy to make - They really are not tricky to make at all. You'll wonder why you never tried them before.

Taste of Disneyland or your local fair - Everyone loves the tastes and smells from Disneyland or your local fair food.

Simple ingredients - No fancy ingredients are required. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS

FOR CHURROS:

Water - Bind the dough together.

Butter - Use unsalted butter, diced into small cubes. Butter helps with the texture and crispiness.

Sugar and Cinnamon - I used white sugar and cinnamon.

Salt- Regular table salt works to enhance the flavors.

Flour - Use gluten-free baking flour. I've used Bobs Red Mill, 1 To 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour

Cornstarch - 3 tbsp cornstarch.

Egg - 1 large egg, room temperature, is used to make the dough rise, and it holds the batter together nicely.

Vanilla extract - Use decent quality vanilla extract.

Oil - Use an oil that has a high smoke point. Vegetable, corn, and peanut oil are all fine choices. This is for frying gluten-free churros in.

FOR COATING:

Choco Coating
Milk - I used whole milk

Butter - Unsalted butter softened

Chocolate - 1⁄2 cup bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Sugar Cinnamon Coating

Sugar - granulated sugar was used. 

Cinnamon - Ground cinnamon works for this.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THESE GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS

Piping bag - You can use a re-usable piping bag or disposable piping bags. 

Star tip - The size you use for your star tip is a personal decision, some prefer them thinner, while others prefer them a bit thicker. A ¼" star is usually included in a pastry set; this will make churros about ¾" in diameter. If you're looking for thicker, 1" churros, use a wider star tip.

Scissors - I like scissors that are sharp and dishwasher-safe. 

If you have any questions about making gluten-free churros, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS

1. Add gluten-free baking flour and cornstarch into a mixing bowl and mix well until incorporated.
2. In a saucepan, heat the water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat until boiling. TIP: Don't skip this step, it removes any extra moisture.
3. Soon after the mixture’s boiling, turn the heat lower. Add the flour mixture into the saucepan and mix fast until it's smooth and doesn't stick to the walls of the pan. Turn off the heat and pour the dough into a large mixing bowl.
4. Using a low-speed electric mixer or wooden spatula, release the hot steam in the dough.
5. After the dough has cooled down, add a large egg, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix well until incorporated and smooth.
6. Transfer the dough into a piping bag with a star tip.
7. In a large heavy bottom pan or deep fryer, heat the oil (around 2 inches from the bottom of the pan) over medium heat. Pipe 3-4 inches of the dough into the pan and cut off from the star tip by using a scissor or very sharp knife. Fry in batches, just 3 or 4 churros in a batch.
8. Allow the gluten-free churros to dry for about 1 minute. While the churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon/sugar mixture, then dip into the chocolate coating about ⅓ of the length.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions in gluten-free churros, please see the complete recipe below.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS

Mix the batter properly - Make sure to use an electric hand mixer or wooden spatula and make sure the dough is mixed properly to combine the ingredients.

Piping bag and star tip - A piping bag, star tip, and sharp scissors help you to make this recipe with ease.

Oil is the correct temperature - Make sure the oil is 375°F/190°C.

Add enough toppings - The cinnamon sugar mixture must be used generously. Make sure to fill the ridges.  

ARE DISNEY CHURROS GLUTEN-FREE?

Yes, you must look around a bit, but last time they were available at Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom.

ARE CHURROS GLUTEN-FREE?

No, not traditionally. But this recipe is made with gluten-free ingredients. 

WHY ARE MY CHURROS DOUGHY?

They're doughy as the oil was not at the correct temperature. The oil's temperature should be 375°F/190°C. Try using a thermometer to get the oil to the correct temperature. Also, remember to do them in batches, overcrowding a pan can lower the oil's temperature.

Another cause could be that you've made them too thick.

CAN I MAKE THESE GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS IN ADVANCE?

You can then store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I however prefer to prepare the dough ahead of time and then fry it on the day required.

CAN I FREEZE GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS?

I would imagine you can, but I have never tried it. I prefer to make the dough ahead of time and then use it on the day required.

HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP GLUTEN-FREE CHURRO DOUGH?

It stores well in the refrigerator for 3 days. Remember to bring it back to room temperature before using it. A quick test to see if it is ready is to place it in the piping bag and if it doesn't break it is ready to use.

CAN I MAKE THESE GF CHURROS IN THE OVEN?

You can, but the bottoms tend to go flat and lose their shape. I much prefer frying them. 

WHAT DO CHURROS TASTE LIKE?

They taste a lot like a donut. Some even liken it to a cross between a cream puff and a donut. They're so good!

WHY ARE MY GF CHURROS GREASY?

Your oil may not have been hot enough. Resulting in the oil not sealing the edges and the oil absorbing into the churros.

WHY ARE MY GF CHURROS NOT CRISPY?

You may not have cooked them for long enough. 

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THESE GF CHURROS

Dairy-free - I have not tried these with an egg replacer and vegan butter. Comment if you do. 

WHAT’S THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR FOR THIS CHURRO RECIPE?

I've used Bobs Red Mill, 1 To 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour as it works well for the texture.

Continue to Content

Yield: 6 servings

Gluten-Free Churros

Print

Light and crispy, these gluten-free churros are so easy to make and crispy on the outside with a soft, tender, and chewy center. The ridges are filled with cinnamon sugar and completed with a generous dip of chocolate. 

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the gluten-free churro batter

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup Gluten Free Baking Flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the coating

• Choco Coating - ¼ cup milk - 1 tsp butter, soften - ½ cup bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• Sugar Cinnamon Coating - ½ cup sugar - ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE CHURROS DOUGH

1. Add gluten-free baking flour and cornstarch into a mixing bowl and mix well until incorporated.
2. In a saucepan, heat the water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat until boiling.
3. Soon after the mixture’s boiling, turn the heat lower. Add the flour mixture into the saucepan and mix fast until it's smooth and doesn't stick to the walls of the pan.
4. Turn off the heat and pour the dough into a large mixing bowl.
5. Using a low-speed electric mixer or wooden spatula, release the hot steam in the dough.
6. After the dough is cooling down, add a large egg, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mix well until incorporated and smooth.
7. Transfer the dough into a piping bag with a star tip.

FOR MAKING THE COATING

1. Sugar Cinnamon Coating: On a shallow plate, mix sugar and ground cinnamon. Set it aside.
2. Choco Coating: In a small saucepan, heat milk just until little bubbling. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Mix well until the chocolate is fully melted. Add the butter and mix until incorporated. Pour into a slim high glass.

FRYING AND ASSEMBLING THE CHURROS

1. In a large heavy bottom pan or deep fryer, heat the oil (around 2 inches from the bottom of the pan) over medium heat.
2. Pipe 3-4 inches of the dough into the pan and cut off from the star tip by using a scissor or very sharp knife. Fry in batches, just 3 or 4 churros in a batch.
3. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Allow the churros to dry for about 1 minute. While the churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon/sugar mixture then dip into the chocolate coating about 1⁄3 of the length.
5. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Bobs Red Mill, 1 To 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour, 44 Ounce
• 
  Kitchen Shears, iBayam Kitchen Scissors Heavy Duty Meat Scissors Poultry Shears, Dishwasher Safe Food Cooking Scissors All Purpose Stainless Steel Utility Scissors, 2-Pack, Black, Aqua Sky
• 
  New Star Foodservice 37777 Commercial Grade Plastic Coated Canvas Pastry Bag, 30-Inch
• 
  Large Closed Star Piping Tip C10,Cake Decorating Tip for Churros,Meringue,Shells,Stars,Rosettes,Flower,3 Pcs

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 347Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 125mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 3gSugar: 24gProtein: 5g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.