Churro Waffles – Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Treat Ready in 30 Minutes

Churro Waffles bring all the magic of that iconic cinnamon-sugar street treat right to your breakfast table, no deep fryer needed. Golden, crispy waffles come hot off the iron, get brushed with melted butter, and then rolled generously in cinnamon sugar until every single crevice is coated.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the churro flavor without the deep frying — your waffle iron does the heavy lifting
• Ready in 30 minutes — start to finish, including the cinnamon sugar coating
• Crispy, golden edges that are absolutely irresistible straight off the iron
• Simple pantry ingredients — flour, eggs, milk, butter, and cinnamon sugar
• Weekend breakfast showstopper — impressive enough to feel special, easy enough for any morning

Equipment Needed

• Waffle iron
• 2 large mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Ladle or 1/2 cup measuring cup for pouring batter
• Pastry brush (for buttering waffles)
• Shallow plate or dish (for cinnamon sugar coating)
• Nonstick cooking spray

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Waffle Batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp granulated white sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 shakes of ground cinnamon (about 1/4 tsp)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Churro Coating:

• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup ground cinnamon (to your taste!)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Ingredient Notes

Warm Milk: Using milk that’s slightly warm (not hot — just room temperature or a little above) helps the butter mix in smoothly without solidifying. It also makes the batter slightly lighter and fluffier when it hits the hot iron.

Cinnamon in the Batter: Adding cinnamon directly to the waffle batter infuses warmth into every bite, not just the coating. It’s a small step that makes a noticeably big difference in the final flavor.

The Coating Butter: You need a fresh half cup of melted butter specifically for brushing the finished waffles — this is separate from the butter in the batter. It’s what makes the cinnamon sugar stick in all those beautiful waffle grooves. Don’t skip it!

Cinnamon Ratio: The original recipe goes heavy on cinnamon in the coating and it’s fantastic that way. Start with 1/4 cup and taste your coating — add more until it’s just right for your family.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Cinnamon Sugar and Preheat

Stir together the 1 cup of sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish or plate wide enough to dip a waffle into. Set it aside next to your waffle iron. Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer instructions and spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray. Melt your coating butter and set it nearby too

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined. Making sure the baking powder is well distributed now means even rise and fluffy texture in every waffle. Set the dry bowl aside.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs well, then stir in the warm milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined — a few small lumps are totally fine! Overmixing develops gluten and makes the waffles tough instead of fluffy, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour streaks.

Step 4: Cook the Waffles

Ladle about 1/2 cup of batter onto the center of the preheated, sprayed waffle iron. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are deep golden and crispy — usually 4–5 minutes depending on your iron. Resist the urge to peek too early! Opening the iron before the waffle is ready can cause it to tear in half.

Step 5: Coat with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

As soon as each waffle comes off the iron, immediately brush both sides generously with the melted coating butter using a pastry brush. Then press the buttered waffle into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating both sides completely. The heat from the fresh waffle helps the coating stick into every nook and cranny. Repeat with remaining batter.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Churro waffles are best the moment they come off the iron — warm, crispy, and fragrant with cinnamon. Stack them up, dust with a little extra cinnamon sugar, and serve with your favorite toppings. These don’t wait well, so gather everyone around before you start cooking!

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

• Coat waffles immediately — the butter only sticks well while the waffle is piping hot. Don’t let them cool first.
• Keep cooked waffles warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack while you finish the batch — this keeps them crispy (not soggy) on a baking sheet.
• Don’t lift the waffle iron lid too early — if it resists when you try to open it, it’s not done yet.
• Go heavy on the cinnamon sugar coating — more is absolutely more here.

Tips & Variations

Serve with Chocolate Dipping Sauce: Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with 2 tbsp of heavy cream for the easiest churro-style dipping sauce. Or serve with Nutella straight from the jar — no judgment here.

Dulce de Leche Drizzle: Warm a few spoonfuls of dulce de leche until pourable and drizzle generously over the finished waffles. It takes the whole dish somewhere truly magical.

Make Smaller “Churro Waffle Sticks”: Use a mini waffle maker to create bite-sized waffle sticks, perfect for dipping and serving at brunch parties or as a fun kids’ breakfast treat.

Serving Suggestions

Serve a tall stack with warm chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping alongside fresh strawberries and whipped cream. It’s a breakfast that doubles as dessert and nobody will complain. [Internal link: Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce]

For a weekend brunch spread, pair with fresh fruit salad, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon for a sweet-savory balance that covers all the bases.

Set up a “churro waffle bar” with toppings like dulce de leche, Nutella, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and fresh berries — it’s a guaranteed hit for kids and adults alike. [Internal link: Easy Weekend Brunch Ideas]

Common Mistakes

• Overmixing the batter — it makes waffles dense and chewy instead of fluffy. Stir just until the flour disappears.
• Not preheating the waffle iron fully — a properly hot iron creates that crispy exterior. Give it a full 5 minutes to preheat.
• Waiting to coat the waffles — the cinnamon sugar won’t stick to a cool waffle. Coat immediately while hot.
• Skipping the nonstick spray — even nonstick irons benefit from a little spray for clean, tear-free waffles.

What to Serve With Churro Waffles

Mexican hot chocolate is the absolute dream pairing — thick, warm, and fragrant with cinnamon, it mirrors all the flavors in the waffles beautifully. A classic latte or cappuccino works wonderfully too.

Fresh mango slices or a tropical fruit salad cut through the richness of the buttery cinnamon coating with a bright, refreshing contrast. [Internal link: Easy Tropical Fruit Salad]

If you’re serving these for a crowd, pair with a big pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice and a platter of assorted fresh berries. Simple, colorful, and completely crowd-pleasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the batter the night before?

You can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately the night before and refrigerate them. Combine them right before cooking — the baking powder activates when wet, so you want to cook the batter shortly after mixing.

Can I make these without a waffle iron?

The waffle iron is key to getting those crispy grooves that hold the cinnamon sugar coating. You could use the batter to make regular pancakes, but they won’t have that signature churro crust.

How do I keep churro waffles crispy if I’m making a big batch?

Place cooked, coated waffles in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 200°F oven. This keeps them warm and crispy without steaming them soft on a plate.

Can I freeze churro waffles?

Freeze the plain waffles (before coating) in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-lock bag. Toast from frozen in the toaster or oven, then coat with butter and cinnamon sugar fresh before serving.

What dipping sauces work with churro waffles?

Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, dulce de leche, Nutella, or even sweetened condensed milk all make incredible dipping options. Go with whatever sounds best to your crew!

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