If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy the magic of churros and waffles in a single dreamy bite, these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles are your breakfast wish come true! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated with sweet-spiced cinnamon sugar, they’re everything comfort food should be—fun, irresistible, and ready in just 20 minutes.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Familiar Flavors, Playful Twist: Enjoy the warm, nostalgic taste of churros in a cozy waffle form—no need for deep frying!
- Quick and Easy: With a short ingredient list and just 20 minutes from start to finish, these waffles are totally doable on busy mornings or spontaneous brunches.
- Kid and Crowd Approved: The cinnamon sugar coating makes these an instant hit with both little ones and grownup foodies.
- Customizable: Top with fruit, whipped cream, or keep it classic—they’re just as delicious however you dress them up.
Ingredients & Substitutions
These Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles keep it beautifully simple but every ingredient counts! Each one helps build that iconic, crave-able blend of crispy, chewy, and sweet, with plenty of room to play with toppings or swap in pantry staples.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, giving waffles the right chew–if you need a gluten-free option, use a one-for-one GF blend.
- Unsalted Butter: Brings rich flavor and golden color; swap in vegan butter if you need a dairy-free twist.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and helps that signature churro sugar coating stick (granulated works best, but coconut sugar is tasty too).
- Salt: Just a touch to balance flavors and keep the sweetness from overwhelming.
- Water: Hydrates the dough—simple tap or filtered water will do just fine.
- Cinnamon: The star of the coating! Ground cinnamon delivers that unmistakable churro aroma and taste.
- Strawberries (optional): Fresh strawberries add a juicy pop of color and a tart contrast that wakes up every bite.
- Heavy Cream (sweetened, whipped cream, optional): Pile on the clouds—fresh whipped cream lends cool, creamy luxury.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles
Step 1: Warm the Wet Ingredients
Start by setting your waffle iron to preheat. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add water, sugar, salt, and butter. Gently warm the mixture, stirring once or twice, just long enough for the butter to melt and the sugar to dissolve—you don’t want the water boiling here; just a faint steam will do.
Step 2: Incorporate the Flour
Take the saucepan off the heat and add all the flour at once. Quickly whisk to combine and prevent lumps, then swap to a spatula and fold until a smooth dough forms. This step gives the waffles their classic churro-like chew!
Step 3: Cook the Dough
Return the pan to medium heat and cook the dough, stirring, for about 2 minutes. The dough should look shiny and leave the thinnest film on the sides of the pan—this extra cooking step adds that essential hint of structure.
Step 4: Shape and Portion
Remove the dough from the pan and divide it into two equal portions (covering one to prevent drying out). If your waffle iron is on the smaller side, halve the portion again to fit. This helps each mini ball of dough spread and get crispy edges.
Step 5: Waffle Time!
Give your waffle iron a quick spray with nonstick oil. Place two portions of dough onto the hot iron, close the lid, and cook for about 5–6 minutes. Peek after 4 minutes so you don’t miss that golden-brown magic; you want crispness, not char!
Step 6: Cinnamon Sugar Coating
Transfer the hot waffles straight from the iron to a plate of cinnamon and sugar. Flip and sprinkle until each nook is thoroughly coated—this is the *fun* step that transforms your waffles into churros!
Step 7: Time to Serve
Repeat with remaining dough, then serve your Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles hot from the iron with strawberries and fluffy whipped cream if you’re feeling extra. Each bite is a celebration of warm, sweet, cinnamon-kissed joy!
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles
Garnishes
Go classic with a gentle snowfall of extra cinnamon-sugar, or pile on slices of fresh strawberries and a heaping cloud of sweetened whipped cream—the contrast of cool cream and warm, sugary waffle is pure breakfast bliss.
Side Dishes
Pair your churro waffles with savory bacon or crisp breakfast sausage for a hearty brunch. A frosty glass of milk, hot coffee, or even a Mexican hot chocolate makes each bite even more special.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles into sticks for a playful, dunkable snack, or serve them stacked and skewered with fruit for a crowd-friendly brunch platter. You can even drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt for a dessert-worthy finish that’ll wow guests every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles, let them cool completely before tucking them into an airtight container. They’ll stay delicious at room temperature for a day, or in the fridge for up to 3 days—just wait to add any fresh fruit or cream until serving.
Freezing
These waffles actually freeze beautifully! Arrange cooled, uncoated waffles in a single layer on a tray, freeze until solid, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Coat with cinnamon sugar after reheating so the coating stays crisp, not soggy.
Reheating
To revive leftover or frozen waffles, pop them back into the waffle iron for a couple of minutes, or use a toaster oven at 350°F until hot and crisp. Don’t forget to toss with another dusting of cinnamon sugar for that just-made magic!
FAQs
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Can I use this recipe in a mini waffle maker?
Absolutely! Just divide the dough into smaller portions to fit your mini waffle maker. You may need to reduce the cook time, so keep an eye on them after 3 minutes and remove once golden and crisp.
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Can I make Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles dairy-free?
Yes—you can easily swap the butter for a plant-based alternative, and skip the whipped cream or use coconut cream for garnish. The waffles will still be fluffy and delicious!
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How do I keep the cinnamon sugar coating from falling off?
The secret is to coat the waffles as soon as they come out of the waffle iron while they’re still piping hot. The warmth helps the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully to every nook and cranny.
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What’s the best way to serve these for a brunch party?
Make a batch of Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles just before guests arrive and set up a toppings bar with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and maybe a warm chocolate or caramel sauce. They hold their crispness for a good while and are sure to be the star of any brunch table!
Final Thoughts
Give your mornings or special occasions a sprinkle of celebration by trying these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles! Whether it’s a lazy weekend or a cheerful brunch with friends, this recipe is pure joy in every bite—warm, comforting, and playful. I hope you love them as much as I do!
PrintCinnamon Sugar Churro Waffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Delicious churro-inspired waffles with a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with sweet toppings. Perfect for a special breakfast treat!
Ingredients
Churro Dough for Waffles
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Water
Toppings (optional)
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Water
- Strawberries
- Heavy Cream (sweetened, whipped cream)
- Cinnamon-Sugar – 1.5 tbsp Cinnamon, 4 tbsp Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Waffle Iron: Set the waffle iron to preheat. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter, and heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
- Mix Dough: Remove from heat and add all-purpose flour, stirring until combined.
- Cook Dough: Return pan to heat and cook dough until shiny and smooth.
- Divide Dough: Divide dough into portions.
- Cook Waffles: Spray waffle iron, place dough, and cook until golden.
- Coat Waffles: Coat hot waffles in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve: Serve with strawberries and whipped cream.
Notes
- Do not boil the water when melting butter and dissolving sugar.
- If your waffle iron can make multiple waffles, use all the dough at once.
- Be careful not to burn the waffles while cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 waffle
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg