Baked Vegan Churros (treat day)
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
Crispy baked vegan churros dusted with cinnamon sugar for a special weekend treat day breakfast for kids aged 4-8.
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Treat day just got its signature moment. These baked churros skip the deep fryer entirely — crisp outside, soft inside, dusted with cinnamon sugar — so the celebration comes without the oil bath and the guilt.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1 cup (240ml) water
- 🫗 2 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil
- 🫗 1 tbsp maple syrup or organic sugar
- 🫗 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 🫗 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 🫗 1/4 tsp salt
- 🫗 2 tbsp organic sugar (for dusting)
- 🫗 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for dusting)
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
**Preheat oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
**Heat liquids:** In a small saucepan, bring water, vegan butter, maple syrup, and salt to a gentle boil over medium heat.
**Mix dough:** Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the flour and vanilla extract until a smooth dough ball forms.
**Pipe churros:** Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 3-inch strips onto the prepared baking sheet.
**Bake & dust:** Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Mix cinnamon and sugar together, then toss warm churros gently in the mix.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Overcooking in the oven: Over-baking can make the churros dry instead of soft inside. Keep an eye on them after 12 minutes.
- ✕
Dusting cold churros: Dust with cinnamon sugar while churros are still warm so the coating adheres properly.
🔄 Variations
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Nut-Free Guarantee: This recipe is completely nut-free and safe for allergy-conscious homes.
Dipping Sauce: Serve with a small side of warm melted dark chocolate or warm fruit puree.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Refrigerator: Best consumed fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated in a toaster oven.
- 📦
Freezer: Freeze unbaked piped dough strips on a tray, then bake directly from frozen adding 2 minutes to baking time.
💡 Chef Tips
Use a star piping tip: The ridges created by a star tip help the churros bake evenly and catch the cinnamon sugar.
Serve warm: Baked churros are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven once cooled slightly for little mouths.
❓ FAQ
Are these suitable for an everyday school morning? These are best saved for treat days or weekend breakfasts due to the dusting of sugar.
Can kids help make these? Yes! Kids love helping toss the warm churros in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →