You know what? There are some dishes that seem less like recipes and more like little moments of pure joy, and these mini baked churro donuts are definitely one of them. If you love churros, trust me, you are going to be completely obsessed with these little gems.
I still remember the first time I made these. I was craving something sweet and comforting after a long week, but I didn't want to deal with deep frying or spend hours on some elaborate dessert. My kiddo had been asking for churros ever since we'd had them at the local Mexican restaurant, and I thought, why not try making them at home? But instead of the traditional fried version, I decided to go the baked route.
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And you know what? These turned out even better than I expected. They have that classic cinnamon sugar flavor we all crave, with a soft cake like center that's absolutely irresistible. The best part? They're baked, not fried, which means no messy oil splatters in my kitchen. This is one of those recipes I make when I want something sweet and comforting, but don't want to deal with deep frying or a long dessert process.
Let me tell you, they come together so fast, and honestly... they disappear even faster. Perfect for weekend treats, kids' snacks, parties, or anytime a cinnamon craving hits. My family is completely converted into mini churro donut lovers now, and I challenge you there isn't an easier sweet treat than this.
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INGREDIENTS
See recipe card for quantities.
- All-purpose flour - forms the base structure of these donuts and gives them that tender, cake like texture we're after.
- Sugar - sweetens the batter and helps create a soft crumb. Don't reduce this as it affects the texture.
- Baking powder - the secret to light, fluffy donuts. This makes them rise properly in the oven.
- Milk - adds moisture and helps bind everything together. Room temperature works best.
- Melted butter - creates richness and that tender bite. Make sure it's cooled slightly so it doesn't scramble anything.
- Cinnamon - the star flavor that makes these taste like churros. I use it both in the batter and the coating.
- For the coating - melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick, and extra cinnamon sugar gives that classic churro finish we all crave.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. This is important because we want that even heat right from the start. While it's heating up, generously grease your mini donut pan with cooking spray or butter. Trust me on this - don't skip the greasing or you'll have donuts stuck in the pan, and nobody wants that drama.
- Make the Sweet Batter In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Mix these together well until everything is nicely combined. The mixture will smell amazing already. Now add the milk and flour, stirring just until you see it coming together. Here's the thing - we want to be gentle here.
- Add the Magic Finally, add the baking powder and stir gently until the batter is smooth. But here's my trick - don't overmix this. Once you don't see any more flour streaks, stop stirring. Overmixing will give you tough donuts, and we want these to be tender and soft.
- Fill Those Cavities Now comes the fun part. Spoon or pipe the batter into the mini donut cavities, filling each one about halfway. I learned this the hard way - if you fill them too much, they'll overflow and lose their cute donut shape. A piping bag or even a ziplock bag with the corner cut off makes this so much easier.
- Bake to Golden Perfection Pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes. You'll know they're done when the tops look set and just lightly golden. The kitchen will smell incredible at this point. Don't overbake these - they go from perfect to dry pretty quickly.
- The Best Part - Coating Remove the donuts from the pan while they're still warm. Here's where the magic happens. Brush each donut with melted butter, then immediately roll them in that cinnamon sugar mixture until they're completely coated. The warmth helps everything stick perfectly.
- Serve and Enjoy These taste absolutely best when they're fresh and warm. The outside is sweet and cinnamon sugary, while the inside stays soft and tender. Savor the aroma and enjoy!
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | What Happens | How I Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Overfilling donut cavities | Mushroom shaped donuts instead of rings | Fill only halfway, they'll rise to perfect size |
| Not greasing pan enough | Donuts stick and break when removing | Use generous cooking spray or butter |
| Overbaking | Dry, tough donuts | Check at 10 minutes, remove when just set |
| Coating when cool | Cinnamon sugar won't stick | Brush with butter and coat while still warm |
Best Tips
- Grease the pan generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking
- Use a piping bag or ziplock bag with corner cut off for neat filling
- Don't overbake as they dry out quickly once past the 10 minute mark
- Coat them while warm so the cinnamon sugar sticks perfectly
- Make the coating mixture before the donuts come out for quick assembly
Soniya's Top Tip
Fill the donut cavities only halfway as this will prevent overflow and keep those perfect donut rings intact.
Storage
| Can It Be Saved? | How Long? | How to Store |
|---|---|---|
| Yes, but best fresh | 1-2 days room temperature | Airtight container, may lose crispness |
| Can freeze | Up to 1 month | Freeze without coating, coat after thawing |
How to Serve
These mini baked churro donuts are perfect on their own. But they're absolutely incredible with a cup of hot coffee or cold milk for dipping. Serve them warm for the best experience, when that cinnamon sugar coating is at its most irresistible.
Treat yourself to this buttery, and cinnamony goodness with these mouth-watering Mini churros Donuts. Do try to make churros using this churros recipe and let us know how you liked it.
You can bake them in mini muffin/Donut trays or even make them in the electric donut balls maker or Aebelskiver pan/Appe pan!
Ingredients
For the mini donuts:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the cinnamon sugar coating:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 2 -3 tablespoon melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease mini donut pan well.
- Make batter: Combine sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon in bowl, then add milk and flour.
- Add leavening: Stir in baking powder gently until smooth, don't overmix.
- Fill pan: Spoon batter into donut cavities, filling halfway.
- Bake: Bake 10 minutes until tops are set and lightly golden.
- Coat: Remove while warm, brush with melted butter, roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately while warm.
Diane says
I cannot wait to make some of these - YUM!!!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
These look so delicious! I want to have a dozen now!
Natalie says
These churros look so delicious! I love that it's gluten free - it's a great idea for a Passover dessert. Will definitely be trying this recipe soon!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I love that you made these healthier. I am sure your boys love them!
Madeline says
these are too cute! love that they are mini and churro inspired!!
lilflowermama says
I love churros and so do my kids! I am so impressed with vegan food too. I want to reach threw my screen and eat one!
maryhitchcock says
Going to the store now to buy a donut mold.
Jennifer Penas says
Churros & Donuts? Mixed together? Oh that would make my family EXTREMELY happy!! Nice!
Jerneja says
I love churros so much!! I have a donut machine that I very rarely use, but I will have to try these out.
MK says
Using a big cinnamon stick to display the donuts is such an awesome idea. I'm going to steal that! I can envision dipping the cinnamon in coffee while snacking on these delicious looking mini churros.
Whitney says
churro donuts!? Yes please!! These look delicious!
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Whitney!
Annie says
I love churros this is straight up my alley! I'm afraid of their mini size tho because it means I'll eat like 20 in one sitting haha! 😉
xoxo
Annie
Evi Aki says
Oh my goodness these look so good! I want to try them!
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Evi,They are super quick to.make and you might find all the ingredients in your pantry!give it a shoy.. you will love it!
Toni says
Yum! My girls want to make donuts this weekend. We are going to make these!
Soniya Saluja says
I am so excited to hear your feedback ?
Amanda says
These look so good! You have me wanting some right now!
Madhu says
This looks soo yumm... I have a question, what flour can I use?
Thanks
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Madhu, you can use gluten free all purpose almond blend flour.. you can usewhile wheat flour, cake flour or AFP.
Jennifer Maune (@jennifer_maune) says
These look so delicious - and definitely a lot easier than I expected! I will definitely have to make these!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
emilybeeson says
I LOVE that these are vegan. Emily xx younggoldteeth.com
Deepa says
When you say Almond Blend flour, is this just almond flour or blended with another gluten free flour? I am not sure where I can get almond blended flour in India? Thanks.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Deepa, I use this brand which I get here in US. Yes you can use almond flour! If you are in doubt about it...you can always make it with whole wheat flour!
Hope this helps!
NicoleShillings says
Oh wow! Gluten free churros - I can't believe it and they looks sooooo delicious. I can remember getting fresh churros while in Mexico, mmm!
chatwaeya says
what would be the cook time if I used reg size donut pan that holds 6 donuts?
Soniya Saluja says
Chatwaeya is it mini donut?? If yes then the time will decrease (minus2-4) but if the size is big like a regular donut it remains the same(might even need 2 mins more).you need you keep an eye in it.
Siri says
What do you mean by gluten free flour (almond blend)?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Siri , I used this flour to make it https://www.brenmarco.com/product/gluten-free-mamas-flour-almond-blend-64-oz/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpIjZBRBsEiwA0TN1ryDZ1_5gXCddgc-0dQnZOtnpGAaKpQl3TF5-vZlXkdP4khJCLzy8whoCQ_YQAvD_BwE
you can use any gluten-free flour ( baking mix ) to make them.
molly says
Just made them today! not many things are good with vegan butter, but these were absolutely delicious!
Soniya Saluja says
Hey Molly ,so glad to hear that ❤️ 🙂 do try the pumpkin bread from our blog..you will love it? xoxo
Pratima. says
made these in appe pan, tastes delicious.
Jessica Weot says
Uhm wow, just wow! Made these tonight for cinco de mayo and I had to force myself to stop eating them, the batch ending up making 24 and no joke I could have eaten them all in one sitting. Definitely a recipe to keep for future use again and again!!!
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Jessica, we are so glad to hear that ❤️ hope you try other Recipes from our blog? xoxo
Rhonda Brooks says
Don't have a mini pan can we do reg size ..
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Rhonda, if you use a regular size muffin pan and bake bigger muffins the bake time would increase. Bake for 18 mins. Keep a eye on them them.
Maria Alvarez says
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing recipe with us! Just made these and turned out perfect!
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Maria, we are do glad to hear that ❤️
Kristin Lohin says
I don’t have a mini donut pan, just one with 6 regular-sized donuts. Any idea how I could adjust the baking temp/time to bake them this way?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi kristen, if you are using regular size donut pan the temperature remains the same but bake it for 15-18 mins. Keep an eye on then after 15 minutes. Poke a toothpick and check if done.E joy this delicious recipe.
Fiorela says
Do you think I could make these as doughnut holes instead?
Blog Chá de Maracujá says
Can I scoop dough into a piping bag or there's no way and I should use the donut pan?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi, you can bake them in a small muffin pan too.
Radha says
Can we use flour Like King Arthur all purpose flour mix that has xanthum Gum in it and also Can we freeze these donuts?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Radha, yes you can use king Arthur flour. We have not tried freezing them. But yes you can without the cinnamon sugar and butter coating. Hope this helps. Do share your feedback with us after you make it.
Mayen says
I use a gluten free mix that doesn’t have xantham gum because I am allergic. Will it still work for this recipe or do I need to put something in place of it, like a flax egg? Please advise as i would love to try this recipe. Thank you!!
Mayen says
Also- it says vegan butter and also what appears to be regular butter. Can I use all vegan butter for this recipe? Thanks!
Pooja says
Did you cook stove top in appe pan? Or you have one that can go in the oven?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Pooja, they are baked, but you can make them in electric cake pop or donut maker or even in appe pan
Raana says
Hi
If i have ain flour and self raising flour, ehich one do i use?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Raana, use all purpose flour
Jeni says
For butter, you can replace all with vegan version. Without xanuth gum you can try the flax egg, if you can have guar gum that would also work. The goal is to put a protein binder in.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Jenna, yes you can use flax egg. We have made this with a store bought gd flour mix so can recommend making it any other way.
Chhaya says
Hello Jeni
Thank you for the feedback. So if I’m baking with normal AP flor I need to add xanthum gum or flax egg. If so please advise the quantity.
Thank you so much??
Josie says
Quick question. Can you make the batter the day before and put it in the fridge to make the next day?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Jose, yes you can just skip the baking agent and add it when you are ready to bake them. Hope this helps!
Kim says
Hi are these good the next day or the next 2 days? Can they be frozen?
Thanks!
Soniya Saluja says
Yes! They stay good for 2 /3 days in the refrigerator. Just warm them in the microwave fur 1 min and enjoy. We would not suggest freezing it.
Lisa says
Hi, I want to try this for for someone who is dairy and gluten free.
if I use a donut maker how long would they take to cook?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi lisa ,The donut maker is automatic so I think it should be done when it indicates . I have made them in my waffle maker and they turned out good .Hope this helps!
Churro Rush says
Hi, wonderful recipe! Do you think we could keep them in the freezer?
Tami says
May I use regular flour and regular butter not vegan or gluten-free
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Tami, yes you can use regular flour and butter.
Alexis says
The recipe appears to be broken. The instructions aren't loading I have checked the website on multiple devices. Would you be able to fix the issue?
Chére says
No