Churro Cruffins

There’s just something magical about a recipe that brings together the best of two beloved pastries—croissants and muffins—then gives them a churro twist. And let me tell you, Churro Cruffins are that kind of magic. Think flaky layers of buttery pastry, swirled with warm cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and rolled in even more sweet goodness while still warm. They’re crispy on the edges, soft and tender in the center, and bursting with that irresistible churro flavor in every bite.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “That sounds like something you’d get at a fancy bakery.” But here’s the best part—it’s surprisingly simple to make at home, especially since we’re taking a delicious shortcut by using store-bought puff pastry. Whether you’re making them for a weekend brunch, an after-school snack, or a sweet dessert with coffee, these cruffins are bound to impress.

I first made these on a cozy Sunday morning when I wanted something a little special but didn’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. One batch in, and I was hooked. They were warm, sweet, flaky, and honestly—dangerously easy to eat more than one. If you’re someone who can never walk past a churro stand without giving in, this recipe is absolutely for you.

So, let’s dive in and get started making these sweet little spirals of joy!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• Extra melted butter for brushing

• Extra cinnamon sugar for coating

STEP 1: PREHEAT AND PREP

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Go ahead and grease a standard muffin tin so your cruffins don’t stick. You can use a little melted butter or non-stick spray—whatever you have on hand.

This is a great time to also mix together your cinnamon and sugar. In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. This mix is going to give your cruffins that classic churro flavor we all know and love.

STEP 2: ROLL OUT THE PUFF PASTRY

Lightly flour your countertop or work surface. Then, place your thawed sheet of puff pastry down and roll it out just a little bit to even out the thickness. You don’t need to go crazy here—just a gentle roll to smooth things out.

Now comes the fun part: brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with the melted butter. Don’t be shy—this is what helps the cinnamon sugar stick and gives the pastry that rich, buttery flavor as it bakes.

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the buttered pastry. You want a nice, even layer from edge to edge. Trust me, more is more here.

STEP 3: ROLL AND SLICE

Starting from one long side of the pastry, roll it up tightly into a log—just like you would if you were making cinnamon rolls. Once it’s all rolled up, use a sharp knife to slice the log lengthwise down the center, exposing all those gorgeous layers.

Now you should have two long strips of pastry, each with layers showing. With the cut sides facing outward, twist each strip gently (this helps create the cruffin’s signature shape and flaky layers). Then, roll each twisted strip into a spiral, kind of like a cinnamon bun.

Place each rolled spiral into a muffin cup, cut side up. This helps them rise beautifully and get those crisp edges during baking.

Alright, now that your muffin tin is filled with those beautifully twisted pastry spirals, it’s time to bake them into golden, buttery cruffin perfection. If you’ve never made anything like this before, don’t stress—it’s a lot easier than it looks, and the results are 100% worth it.

This next part of the recipe is where all that sweet magic happens in the oven, and the smell alone is enough to bring everyone into the kitchen asking, “What’s that?!”

Let’s keep going and get these churro cruffins ready for their final cinnamon-sugar bath.

STEP 4: BAKE UNTIL GOLDEN AND PUFFY

Once your oven is preheated to 375°F, place the muffin tin on the center rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the cruffins to puff up beautifully, turn a rich golden brown, and develop those slightly crisp, flaky edges that make them so satisfying to bite into.

If your oven tends to run hot, check them at the 20-minute mark. You want them fully baked through, with a deep golden hue, but not overly browned.

When they’re done, let them cool slightly in the pan—about 5 to 10 minutes. They’ll be easier to remove this way, and you won’t burn your fingers trying to get them out too quickly (speaking from experience here).

STEP 5: COAT WITH MELTED BUTTER AND CINNAMON SUGAR

Now comes the final step—and honestly, it might be my favorite. While the cruffins are still warm, brush each one generously with extra melted butter. Then, roll them in a fresh batch of cinnamon sugar until they’re fully coated. You want that sweet crunch on every surface.

You can make another quick mix of sugar and cinnamon (about ¼ cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon works well), or use what’s left from earlier if it’s still fresh.

The warmth of the cruffins helps the sugar stick, and the extra butter adds that perfect bakery-style finish. They’ll glisten slightly and smell absolutely amazing.

Tips for Perfect Churro Cruffins Every Time

Now that you’ve mastered the basic method, here are a few quick tips to make your churro cruffins even better:

• Use cold puff pastry for easier rolling. Thawed puff pastry is ideal, but it should still be slightly chilled—not too soft. If it gets too warm while you’re working, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before slicing.

• Don’t overfill your muffin tin. As these bake, they rise and puff quite a bit. Leave a little room at the top of each muffin cup so the cruffins don’t spill over.

• Add a surprise filling. Want to kick it up a notch? Spread a thin layer of dulce de leche, chocolate spread, or pastry cream over the puff pastry before rolling it up. It adds a rich, gooey center that’s absolutely irresistible.

• Try mini cruffins! Cut the puff pastry in half and use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized versions. Great for brunch spreads or parties.

• Reheat like a pro. These are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, reheat them in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to bring back the crisp edges and warm center. Microwaving can make them soggy, so the oven is your friend here.

Serving Ideas and Sweet Pairings

These churro cruffins are incredibly versatile. Serve them as a sweet breakfast pastry with coffee or tea, add them to your brunch table alongside eggs and fruit, or enjoy them as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could even drizzle them with a little caramel sauce or warm chocolate ganache for an extra decadent treat.

Honestly, once you make them, you’ll start dreaming up all kinds of ways to enjoy them.