Churro Popcorn
This churro popcorn is the easiest way to turn a bowl of plain popcorn into a sweet, cinnamon-sugar snack. Popcorn gets tossed in a warm cinnamon butter mixture before being coated with a generous layer of powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
It's buttery, crunchy, sweet, and has all the cozy cinnamon flavor you love in a churro—without having to make the actual churros. Love fall snacks? Also try my cinnamon sugar tortilla chips recipe.
This is such a fun snack to make when you're craving something sweet, and it comes together in just a few minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
I recently tried making a batch of brown sugar candied walnuts and orange candied almonds and they were such a hit as a nice snack, and that's actually what inspired me to try another easy fall snack.
Quick Look: Churro Popcorn
- 🔪 Prep time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 1 minute
- 🍿 Servings: 4
- 🍿 Main ingredients: Popcorn, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and powdered sugar
- 🍿 Cooking method: Make churro coating → heat cinnamon butter mixture → pour over popcorn → toss → add churro coating → toss again
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
- 🍿 Best served: Freshly made as a sweet snack or dessert- like condensed milk truffles.
Jump to recipe
Why This Recipe
- It transforms ready-made popcorn into a fun churro-inspired snack with very little effort.
- The powdered sugar and cinnamon coating gives it that classic churro-like finish- no fancy ingredients needed- just some pantry staples.
- It's quick enough to make whenever a sweet snack craving hits- like my no-bake carrot cake bites.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ready-made popcorn: The base of the recipe and an easy shortcut that means you don't need to pop your own popcorn.
- Sugar: I used a mix of granulated sugar, powdered sugar and light brown sugar to add sweetness and bring that deep, caramel-like flavor. You can also use homemade date sugar if you want to.
- Butter + salt: Creates a rich, buttery coating and helps the brown sugar and cinnamon cling to the popcorn. Use flaky sea salt to balance out the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: Gives the popcorn its signature churro flavor.
Check recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Use freshly popped popcorn instead of ready-made popcorn if you prefer to make your own.
- Use dark brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor in the cinnamon butter.
- Add a little extra cinnamon to the coating if you want a stronger cinnamon flavor. You can also add a pinch of Air Fryer ginger powder or nutmeg powder if you want to add some more warmth to the popcorn.
- For extra crunch, toss in some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts.
- Add a drizzle of melted chocolate after coating the popcorn for a chocolate-churro variation. I like to do this on my almond Florentines too.
How to Make Churro Popcorn
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
Step 2: Mix well and set aside.
Step 3: Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and salt to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until melted.
Step 4: Add the ready-made popcorn to the bowl with the warm cinnamon butter mixture. Toss everything together.
Step 5: Sprinkle the churro coating over the popcorn and gently fold or toss again until the powdered sugar mixture is distributed throughout the popcorn.
Shahida's Tips & Tricks
- Use a large bowl so you have plenty of room to toss the popcorn without making a mess- I realized this when I made my Tajin popcorn.
- Sift the powdered sugar before mixing the churro coating so you don't end up with large lumps throughout the popcorn.
- Make sure the cinnamon butter mixture is hot and bubbling before adding it to the popcorn. This helps the brown sugar and butter combine properly.
- Toss the popcorn thoroughly after adding the cinnamon butter so you get some of the buttery coating on as much of the popcorn as possible.
- Add the powdered sugar coating while the popcorn is still warm so it has a chance to cling to the buttery coating.
How to Serve Churro Popcorn
This churro popcorn is best served immediately as a sweet snack. Put it into individual bowls for movie night, serve it as a fun after-school treat, or add it to a dessert table along with gluten free gingersnap cookies and cranberry goat cheese truffles for parties and gatherings.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Yes, you can use ready-made microwave popcorn, but choose a plain or lightly salted variety so the butter and churro coating remain the main flavors.
This popcorn is best served immediately. The coating can lose some of its fresh texture if the popcorn sits for too long.
If you have leftovers, allow the popcorn to cool completely and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best texture, enjoy it as soon as possible.
More Holiday Snacks
If you tried this churro popcorn or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Churro Popcorn
Ingredients
Popcorn
- 4 cups ready-made popcorn
- ¼ cup butter chopped into chunks
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Churro Coating
- ¼ cup powdered sugar sifted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Add the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, butter, and salt to a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, or until the sugar mixture is hot and bubbling.
- Add the popcorn to the bowl with the cinnamon butter mixture and toss until most of the popcorn is coated.
- Add the churro coating and gently fold or toss again until the coating is evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use plain or lightly salted ready-made popcorn for the best flavor.
- Sift the powdered sugar before making the churro coating to prevent lumps.
- Make sure the cinnamon butter mixture is hot and bubbling before adding it to the popcorn.
- Toss the popcorn thoroughly after adding both coatings for more even coverage.
- This popcorn is best served immediately for the freshest texture.
