The Tip To Make Sure Churros Cook All The Way Through

The churro is one of the best desserts out there — crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and perfectly coated in cinnamon and sugar. If you've tried to make them at home, you know the process isn't as complicated as it may seem: You make the dough, use a piping bag to shape it, fry the dough in a pot of oil, then sprinkle the sweet coating on top. However, just because the process seems simple doesn't mean that you won't run into problems. One of the most common issues with homemade churros is having trouble getting the insides to cook all the way through.

Luckily, there's an easy fix. It all comes down to the temperature of the oil, which should be somewhere between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure the correct heat, you can use a candy thermometer to check the exact temperature. It's important to not go over or under this temperature range to avoid the exterior of the churro crisping up before the interior has had time to cook through or the entire thing falling apart.

This narrow temperature range is so important that you'll need to check it using the thermometer between each batch, rather than just at the beginning. Otherwise, the temperature may fluctuate, leading the churro to cook improperly.

Alongside temperature control, there are other things you can do during the churro-making process to ensure you achieve the best end result possible. For example, you don't want to place too many churros in your pot simultaneously; it's best to stick to frying four or five at a time, depending on size.

The size of the churros is completely up to you. One of the best facets of a churro is how customizable it is. You can even make mini churros if you want. In our simple churro recipe, we recommend a length of about eight inches, which will take about 6 to 8 minutes to cook. Of course, you'll need to keep time in mind if you decide to make mini churros — the smaller they are, the less time they'll need in the oil.

Along with keeping an eye on the time, it's also important to pay close attention to the churros while they're frying. The color of the churros will clue you in on when they're ready to go. Once you see that golden-brown color, the churros should be done (assuming you've adhered to the temperature regulations).

Once you've mastered these tips, cooking churros will basically become second nature, so you can make and eat delicious churros as often as you'd like.