Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros
Crispy Outside, Chewy Inside – Just Like Traditional Churros
These vegan heart-shaped churros are everything you want in a classic churro: golden and crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and rich with buttery flavor.
The secret? More vegan butter and oil than most recipes call for—and yes, that’s intentional.
If you’ve ever made churros that felt dry, bready, or stiff, this is the fix. Traditional churros rely on fat for structure, flavor, and texture, and vegan churros are no different. This dough is rich, pipeable, and fries up beautifully every time.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, or anytime you want a bakery-style vegan dessert at home.
If you love fun, homemade treats like these heart shaped churros, you’ll definitely want to try a few more of my favorite sweet recipes.
My vegan heart shaped pop tarts, vegan red velvet chocolate chunk cookies, and strawberry glazed donuts are all perfect for special occasions or when you’re craving something sweet.
Why Extra Butter & Oil Matter (Don’t Skip This)
Most churro recipes play it safe with fat—but churros aren’t supposed to be light.
They’re supposed to be luxurious.
The added vegan butter gives:
- That classic churro flavor
- A tender, chewy interior
The added oil helps:
- Create a crisp, crackly exterior
- Prevent dry or stiff dough
If your churros have ever been dry, the dough didn’t have enough fat. This recipe fixes that.
Ingredients
For the Churro Dough
- 1 cup water
- 4 tbsp vegan butter (use a good-quality stick butter)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, vegetable, or canola)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For Frying
- Neutral oil of choice (avocado, vegetable, or canola)
Cinnamon Sugar
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup sugar
How to Make Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros
1. Make the Dough Base
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine:
- Water
- Vegan butter
- Oil
- Sugar
- Salt
Heat until the butter is fully melted and the mixture just begins to simmer.
2. Add the Flour
Reduce heat to low. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon.
The dough should:
- Pull away from the sides of the pan
- Form a smooth, glossy ball
- Feel soft and rich—not dry
If the dough looks stiff or crumbly, add 1–2 teaspoons more oil. This dough should be supple.
3. Rest & Prep
Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 5–10 minutes.
Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
4. Shape the Hearts
Pipe heart shapes onto parchment paper. Don’t worry about perfection—rustic is part of the charm.
5. Fry
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place churros into the hot oil.
Fry 2–3 minutes per side until:
- Deep golden brown
- Crisp on the outside
Remove and drain briefly on paper towels.
6. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While still warm, roll churros in cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
Tips for Perfect Vegan Churros
- Do not reduce the butter or oil — this is what creates the chewy interior
- Dough should be soft and pipeable, not stiff
- Fry in small batches to keep oil temperature steady
- Best enjoyed fresh, warm, and crispy
Oil Choices (Use What You Love)
You can use:
- Avocado oil (neutral, high heat)
- Vegetable oil
- Canola oil
All work beautifully—choose what fits your kitchen.
Serving Ideas
Dip in vegan chocolate sauce
Serve with dairy-free dulce de leche
Dust with powdered sugar for extra drama
Storage Notes
Churros are best eaten the same day, but leftovers can be reheated in an air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to re-crisp.
Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros
Ingredients
Churro Dough
- 1 cup water
- 4 tbsp vegan butter stick-style recommended
- 2 tbsp neutral oil avocado, vegetable, or canola
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For Frying
- Neutral oil of choice avocado, vegetable, or canola
Cinnamon Sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Heat the base
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, vegan butter, oil, sugar, and salt. Heat until the butter is fully melted and the mixture just begins to simmer.
Add the flour
- Reduce heat to low. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a smooth, glossy ball.
Check dough texture (important!)
- The dough should be soft, rich, and pipeable—not dry. If it feels stiff, stir in 1–2 teaspoons additional oil.
Cool and pipe
- Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 5–10 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe heart shapes onto parchment paper.
Fry
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry churros in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and crisp.
Coat
- Remove churros and drain briefly on paper towels. While warm, roll in cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
Notes
Notes
- Do not reduce the butter or oil—this is essential for chewy, authentic churros
- Dough should be glossy and soft, not crumbly
- Best enjoyed fresh and warm
- Reheat leftovers in an air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes
More Recipes To Try:
If you loved these heart shaped churros, here are a few more fun and easy treats to try next:
- Vegan Heart Shaped Pop Tarts – flaky, fruity, and perfect for special occasions
- Vegan Red Velvet Chocolate Chunk Cookies – soft, rich, and bakery-style
- Strawberry Glazed Donuts – light, fluffy, and sweet
- Homemade Vegan Sweet Potato Pie – a cozy dessert favorite
Looking for even more sweet ideas? Browse my Valentine’s Day Treats, Fall Baking Recipe Ideas, and Sweet Summer Dessert Ideas for inspiration all year long.
