Over the last year, I’ve been experimenting more and more with gluten-free or dairy-free recipes. Today’s recipe is both gluten-free and dairy-free!
There’s something so comforting about a warm, freshly made churro, crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and coated in that irresistible cinnamon sugar. If you’re living gluten-free or dairy-free, you might think this classic treat is off the table, but the good news is, it’s not! These gluten-free, dairy-free churros bring all the joy of the original, without compromising on taste or texture.
Whether you’re making a fun family dessert, celebrating a special occasion, or just craving something sweet, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love These Churros
Traditional churros are typically made with simple ingredients, but they often rely on butter and standard flour. This version swaps in allergy-friendly alternatives while still delivering that signature churro experience. The outside fries up beautifully golden and crisp, while the inside stays soft and slightly chewy, just like it should be.
Even better, these churros are made with pantry staples you likely already have on hand. No complicated substitutions or hard-to-find ingredients here!
The Secret to Perfect Texture
Getting the right texture in gluten-free baking can sometimes feel tricky, but churros are actually one of the easiest treats to adapt. Because the dough is cooked before frying, it naturally develops structure without needing gluten.
Using a good gluten-free flour blend helps create a smooth, pipeable dough. Pair that with the richness of dairy-free milk or coconut milk, and you’ll get a dough that fries up perfectly every time.
One key tip: don’t skip letting the dough cool slightly before piping. This helps it firm up just enough to hold its shape while still being easy to work with.
Frying Tips for Golden, Crispy Churros
Frying might sound intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. The key is maintaining the right oil temperature—around 350°F is ideal. If the oil is too hot, the outside will cook too quickly while the inside stays underdone. Too cool, and the churros can become greasy.
Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature. As the churros cook, you’ll see them turn that beautiful golden brown color—this is when you know they’re ready to come out.
Once fried, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate and quickly roll them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. This step gives them that classic churro finish we all love.
The Perfect Dairy-Free Chocolate Dip
What’s a churro without a rich chocolate dipping sauce? A simple dairy-free chocolate sauce made with coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate brings everything together. It’s smooth, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent.
If you’re not a fan of coconut flavor, don’t worry—it’s very subtle and mostly just adds richness. You can also experiment with other dairy-free milks depending on your preference.
For a fun twist, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or even a tiny bit of chili powder to the chocolate sauce for a hint of warmth.
Making This Recipe Your Own
One of the best things about churros is how customizable they are. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can easily switch things up:
- Roll them in pumpkin spice sugar during the fall
- Drizzle with dairy-free caramel instead of chocolate
- Pipe them into bite-sized pieces for churro “poppers” (perfect for kids!)
These little variations can make the recipe feel brand new every time you make it.
A Treat Everyone Can Enjoy
If you have family members with food sensitivities—or you’re simply trying to be mindful of what you eat—having a go-to dessert like this is such a blessing. These gluten-free, dairy-free churros are a reminder that you don’t have to miss out on fun, delicious treats.
They’re perfect for sharing, whether it’s a weekend family night, a holiday gathering, or even a simple afternoon treat with your kids. There’s just something special about making homemade churros together and enjoying them fresh.
Tips for the best gluten-free and dairy-free churros
✔ Pipe the dough while still warm (GF dough thickens fast).
✔ Maintain 350–360°F oil so they don’t absorb oil.
✔ Use the 200°F oven drying trick for 10 minutes if you need them to stay crisp longer.
The Best Gluten Free and Dairy Free Churros
Crispy gluten-free, dairy-free churros made with simple ingredients. Perfect with rich dairy-free chocolate dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Churros
2 cups water
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp Country Crock plant butter (unsalted)
¼ tsp salt
1 cup King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 large egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
Vegetable oil for frying
Cinnamon Sugar
½ cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
Chocolate Dipping Sauce
½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
⅓ cup full-fat coconut milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
Churro Dough
In a saucepan combine 1 cup of water, DF butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Add the cornstarch and stir until mostly dissolved.
Add the gluten-free flour and stir vigorously (note it will be lumpy).
Add in the remaining cup of water and mash with a potato masher to get out the lumps.
Add egg and continue to stir vigorously on medium heat until a thick dough forms and pulls away from the pan.
Let dough cool 5 minutes.
Add in dough to a piping bag with pastry star tip.
Pipe onto parchment paper and place in freezer, approximately 30 minutes.
Heat 2–3 inches of oil to 350°F.
Fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Place churros on a wire rack (not paper towels).
Toss warm churros in cinnamon sugar.
Serve immediately and dip in chocolate sauce.
Cinnamon Sugar
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
Chocolate Sauce
Heat the coconut milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering.
Remove from heat and add chocolate chips.
Let sit 1–2 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
Stir in vanilla and salt.
Serve warm!
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Roshel Madden
Wife, mom, and the baker behind Merry Madden, sharing decorated sugar cookies, royal icing tips and cozy family bakes.
