Churro

Churros are a beloved fried-dough pastry that originated in Spain and Portugal. Made primarily from choux pastry, these delectable treats have gained global popularity, especially in regions with Spanish and Portuguese heritage, such as the Philippines and many parts of Latin America. In Spain, it is customary to enjoy churros for breakfast, often dipped in hot chocolate or café con leche.

The exact origins of churros remain somewhat ambiguous. Some theories suggest that Portuguese sailors brought the concept back from China, while others posit that Spanish shepherds created them as a convenient snack. The name "churro" is believed to mimic the sound of frying dough in Spanish. Churros acquire their distinctive ridged shape by being extruded through a star-shaped nozzle before frying.

To make churros, you fry the dough until it is crispy, then sprinkle it with sugar. You can find churros being sold by street vendors and in cafés at nearly any time of day. There are also numerous variations: in places like Cuba, Brazil, and Argentina, churros might be filled with sweet fillings. In the Philippines, churros are particularly popular during the Christmas season, often accompanied by tsokolate drinks.

Churros come in many forms around the world. For instance, in Uruguay, you might find savory-filled churros, while in Mexico, they are often filled with dulce de leche. In the United States, churros are a hit at theme parks and fairs, typically rolled in cinnamon sugar or other flavored sugars. The basic churro dough generally consists of flour, water, and salt, though some recipes incorporate potato dough.

Specialized churro shops, known as churrerías, pop up in various countries, especially during holiday seasons or at carnivals and fairs.