Banana Churros with Dulce de Leche: A Delicious Twist on a Spanish Classic

Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine the crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated goodness of traditional churros with sweet, ripe bananas? The result is nothing short of magical – a dessert that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will leave your taste buds dancing.

This banana churros recipe brings together the beloved Spanish street food with tropical banana flavor, creating a unique dessert that’s both familiar and excitingly different. Topped with rich dulce de leche, these churros offer the perfect balance of crispy exterior and soft, banana-infused interior.

Ingredients List

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed (choose bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness)
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free flour blend if needed)
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• Vegetable oil for frying (about 2-3 cups)
• ½ cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for coating
• 1 cup dulce de leche banana sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract for enhanced flavor

For a lighter version, you can bake these churros instead of frying, though the texture will be slightly different. The mashed bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, making these churros uniquely tender compared to traditional versions.

Timing

Preparation time: 25 minutes (including dough resting time)

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes – which is about 30% faster than traditional churros that often require longer resting periods.

This recipe yields approximately 20-24 banana churros, depending on the size you prefer. The active cooking time is relatively short, making this an excellent option for impromptu dessert cravings or weekend family treats.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Banana Churro Dough

In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour all at once, mixing vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Step 2: Cool and Add Eggs

Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. The dough should be smooth and have a glossy appearance. Fold in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3: Prepare for Frying

Transfer the banana churros recipe dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (a 1M or 2D tip works well). Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Line a plate with paper towels for draining the fried churros.

Step 4: Pipe and Fry the Churros

Carefully pipe 4-5 inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting the end with scissors. Fry in small batches (3-4 churros at a time) for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pot, as this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy churros.

Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Remove the fried churros with a slotted spoon and place on the paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. While still hot, roll each churro in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated. The heat helps the sugar mixture adhere better to the churros.

Step 6: Prepare the Dulce de Leche Dipping Sauce

If your dulce de leche is too thick, warm it slightly in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of cream to achieve the perfect dipping consistency. For an extra banana flavor boost, stir in 2 tablespoons of mashed banana into the warmed dulce de leche.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange the banana churros on a serving plate with a bowl of dulce de leche for dipping. These are best enjoyed warm, when the contrast between the crispy exterior and soft, banana-infused interior is most pronounced.

Nutritional Information

Each serving (2 churros with 1 tablespoon dulce de leche) contains approximately:

Calories: 285 kcal

Total Fat: 14g (Saturated Fat: 6g)

Cholesterol: 65mg

Sodium: 120mg

Total Carbohydrates: 35g (Dietary Fiber: 1.5g, Sugars: 18g)

Protein: 4g

Potassium: 185mg

The addition of bananas provides approximately 15% of your daily vitamin B6 requirements and 8% of your daily potassium needs per serving, making these churros slightly more nutritious than traditional versions that lack fruit.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

For a lighter version of this banana churros recipe, consider these modifications:

Bake instead of fry: Pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden. Brush with a small amount of melted butter before rolling in cinnamon sugar.

Reduce sugar: The natural sweetness of ripe bananas allows you to cut the sugar in the dough by half without sacrificing flavor. You can also use a monk fruit or stevia blend for the coating.

Whole grain option: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients. The banana flavor helps mask any potential “wheaty” taste.

Yogurt dip alternative: Instead of dulce de leche, serve with Greek yogurt sweetened with a small amount of honey and cinnamon for a protein-rich, lower-calorie dipping option.

Serving Suggestions

Create a churro dessert board by arranging the banana churros alongside fresh banana slices, strawberries, and multiple dipping options like dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, and vanilla bean custard.

For an elegant dessert presentation, stack 3-4 churros in a criss-cross pattern, dust with powdered sugar, and drizzle with warm dulce de leche. Add a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side.

Turn these into a decadent breakfast by serving alongside a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The combination of cinnamon and banana pairs wonderfully with coffee’s rich notes.

For a fun party option, create a churro bar with different toppings like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and various dipping sauces. Let guests customize their own banana churro creations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using underripe bananas: Green or barely yellow bananas lack the necessary sweetness and won’t properly integrate into the dough. Always use spotty, fragrant bananas for the best flavor.
• Oil temperature issues: If the oil is too cool (below 340°F), the churros will absorb excess oil and become soggy. Too hot (above 360°F), and they’ll brown too quickly without cooking through. Use a thermometer for accuracy.
• Overcrowding the frying pan: Adding too many churros at once drops the oil temperature dramatically. Fry in small batches for consistently crispy results.
• Not drying properly: Skipping the paper towel draining step can leave churros greasy. Allow 30-60 seconds of draining before coating with cinnamon sugar.
• Piping dough too thick: Churros that are too thick won’t cook through properly. Aim for a diameter of about 3/4 inch for the perfect balance of crispy exterior and cooked interior.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Freshly made banana churros are best enjoyed immediately, as they begin to lose their crispness after about 2 hours. If you must store them, place completely cooled churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.

To reheat leftover churros, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-6 minutes. This will help restore some of the original crispness. Avoid microwaving, as this will make them soggy.

The churro dough can be made up to 2 hours ahead and kept in the piping bag at room temperature. If you need to prepare further in advance, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours, but bring it to room temperature before piping and frying.

Store any leftover dulce de leche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm slightly before serving with freshly made or reheated churros.

Conclusion

These banana churros with dulce de leche represent the perfect fusion of traditional Spanish technique with tropical flavors. The addition of banana to the classic churro dough creates a uniquely tender interior while maintaining that signature crispy exterior we all love.

Have you tried this banana churros recipe yet? We’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Share your experience in the comments below, or tag us in your creations on social media. And if you’re looking for more creative ways to use ripe bananas, be sure to check out our collection of banana-based desserts that transform this humble fruit into extraordinary treats!