After perfecting traditional churros (check out my classic recipe here!), I couldn’t resist experimenting with fall flavors. My love for apple pie and churros collided one autumn afternoon, leading to countless kitchen experiments combining these beloved treats. This spiced apple churros recipe wasn’t born overnight – it took weeks of testing to capture that perfect balance of fresh apple flavor and classic churro crunch.
The journey started with a simple question: how do you infuse real apple flavor into churro dough without compromising that signature texture? Through many test batches (and some memorable failures), I discovered that reducing fresh apple juice into a concentrated infusion was the key. Each attempt taught me something new about the interaction between fruit and dough, leading to this recipe that captures the essence of fall in every bite.
When crisp autumn air starts rolling in, these spiced apple churros bring warmth and comfort to any gathering. They combine everything we love about traditional churros with the nostalgic flavors of apple pie spices. The result? A treat that’s both familiar and exciting, perfect for everything from fall festivals to cozy weekend baking sessions.
Time and Servings
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 24 churros
Equipment Needed
- Large heavy-bottomed pot
- Candy thermometer
- Pastry bag
- Large star tip (1/2 inch)
- Medium saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Food processor
- Wooden spoon
- Wire whisk
- Paper towels
- Tongs
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl for coating
Ingredients
For the Apple Infusion:
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 star anise (optional)
For the Churro Dough:
- 1 cup apple infusion (strained)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Spiced Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of ground cloves
For the Caramel Apple Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup apple infusion reduction
- Pinch of sea salt
Creating the Apple Infusion Base
The secret to these spiced apple churros starts with a concentrated apple infusion. I discovered this technique after several attempts at incorporating apple flavor:
- Prepare the infusion:
- Combine diced apples, water, and spices in saucepan
- Bring to gentle simmer over medium heat
- Reduce heat to low, cover partially
- Simmer 20 minutes until apples are very soft
- Strain mixture, reserving liquid
- Return liquid to pan, reduce to 1 cup
- Let cool to room temperature
Making Spiced Apple Churro Dough
Now comes the crucial part – incorporating our apple infusion into perfect churro dough:
- Prepare the base:
- Heat apple infusion, butter, brown sugar, and salt
- Bring to rolling boil
- Reduce heat to low
- Add flour all at once
- Stir vigorously until dough forms ball
- Cook 2-3 minutes more, stirring constantly
- Look for slight film on pan bottom
- Adding eggs:
- Transfer dough to mixing bowl
- Let cool 5 minutes
- Beat in eggs one at a time
- Mix until smooth and glossy
- Add vanilla extract
- Transfer to piping bag with star tip
Frying Your Spiced Apple Churros
The key to perfect spiced apple churros lies in maintaining proper oil temperature. After numerous batches, I’ve found this method works best:
- Heat oil to 375°F:
- Use heavy-bottomed pot
- Fill 2-3 inches deep
- Clip candy thermometer to side
- Monitor temperature constantly
- Pipe and fry:
- Pipe 4-inch lengths, cutting with scissors
- Lower carefully into oil (3-4 churros at a time)
- Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side
- Watch for deep honey color
- Remove with tongs to paper towels
The Perfect Spiced Coating
While your churros are still hot:
- Mix sugar with spices until well combined
- Roll each warm churro in mixture
- Press gently to ensure coating sticks
- Place on wire rack
Creating Caramel Apple Sauce
This sauce brings everything together, combining traditional caramel with our concentrated apple flavor:
- Warm caramel sauce gently
- Stir in reduced apple infusion
- Add pinch of salt
- Keep warm for dipping
Serving Your Spiced Apple Churros
These churros shine brightest when served fresh and warm. The aroma of apples and warm spices creates an irresistible fall treat that’s perfect for autumn gatherings. I love watching people’s faces light up when they first bite into these – the contrast between crispy exterior and tender center, combined with that unmistakable apple pie flavor, creates pure magic.
Arrange your churros on a serving platter with the warm caramel apple sauce in a bowl alongside. For special occasions, I create a churro board with multiple dipping options:
- Our signature caramel apple sauce
- Vanilla bean cream
- Spiced maple syrup
- Dark chocolate sauce
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
While spiced apple churros are best fresh from the fryer, I understand sometimes you need to work ahead. Here’s what I’ve learned works best:
The apple infusion can be made up to three days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. This actually intensifies the flavor, making your churros even more apple-forward.
For the churros themselves, you have several options:
- Keep warm in 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes
- Store cooled churros at room temperature for 4-6 hours
- Reheat briefly in 350°F oven to restore crispiness
The spiced sugar mixture can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container. In fact, I often make extra to keep on hand for other fall baking projects.
Perfect Occasions
These spiced apple churros make a stunning addition to:
- Fall festivals and fairs
- Halloween parties
- Thanksgiving dessert tables
- Apple picking celebrations
- Autumn brunches
Remember, the key to perfect spiced apple churros lies in timing and temperature. Don’t rush the process – let the apple infusion develop its flavor, maintain proper oil temperature, and serve them while they’re still warm for the best experience.
Want more churro variations? Check out our complete collection of churro recipes, from classic to creative!