There’s something incredibly comforting about the scent of cinnamon sugar wafting through your kitchen. It instantly brings back memories of street fairs, cozy mornings at the bakery, and sweet bites shared with friends. The Churro Cruffin captures all of that nostalgic magic — a flaky, buttery cruffin rolled in cinnamon sugar, inspired by the beloved churro but with the elegant twist of laminated pastry.

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Cruffins are a delightful mashup of croissants and muffins, with a crisp, golden exterior and tender, airy layers on the inside. When you pair that texture with the signature crunch and warmth of cinnamon sugar, it’s pure heaven. These churro cruffins are perfect for brunch spreads, special mornings, or anytime you need a little treat that feels just a bit fancy without too much fuss.

This recipe is also a lifesaver when you’re short on time but still want something show-stopping. Using store-bought puff pastry makes these cruffins wonderfully easy to pull together, while still giving you that bakery-style wow factor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Incredibly easy: Thanks to store-bought puff pastry, you can whip these up without needing to master croissant dough.
Perfectly sweet & crunchy: That classic churro coating gives every bite a sugary, cinnamon-kissed crunch.
Elegant but unfussy: They look like something from a high-end patisserie, but they’re super simple to make.
Versatile: Great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack with your afternoon coffee or tea.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

HOW TO MAKE CHURRO CRUFFINS:

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Prep your puff pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners if you prefer easy cleanup. Take your thawed puff pastry sheet and lay it out on a lightly floured surface. Give it a gentle roll with your rolling pin, just enough to even out any creases and slightly elongate the dough.

Step 2: Butter it up
Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with the melted butter. Don’t skip those edges — the butter is what helps the cinnamon sugar stick and adds richness as it bakes.

Step 3: Cinnamon sugar sprinkle
In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together until evenly combined. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the buttered pastry, making sure it’s well coated.

Step 4: Roll and slice
Starting from the long edge, roll the pastry into a tight log — just like you would with cinnamon rolls. Once rolled, slice the log lengthwise down the center so you expose all those lovely inner layers. Then, roll each strip into a spiral, cinnamon layers facing out, and place them cut-side-up into the prepared muffin tin.

Step 5: Bake until golden perfection
Bake your cruffins in the preheated oven for about 25–30 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and golden brown. The sugar will caramelize slightly on the edges, adding a beautiful golden crunch.

Step 6: The churro finish
Once they’re baked, let them cool for a few minutes in the pan (they’ll be piping hot), then carefully remove them and roll the tops in a bit more cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm — that’s the churro magic right there!

HELPFUL TIPS:

Work with cold puff pastry: Keep your puff pastry chilled until you’re ready to roll. Warm dough is harder to handle and won’t puff as nicely.
Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on them after 20 minutes — they should be golden, not too dark.
Add fillings (optional): For a twist, you could spread a little dulce de leche or chocolate hazelnut spread on the dough before rolling it up.
No muffin tin? You can bake these on a parchment-lined baking sheet, though they may spread out more.

DETAILS:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 cruffins
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Fusion
Diet: Vegetarian

NOTES:

You can double the recipe easily if you’re making them for a crowd — just use an extra puff pastry sheet. These cruffins are best eaten the same day, while the outside is still crunchy, but they can be stored and warmed up if needed.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: (Per cruffin — approximate)

Calories: 210
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 1g

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely! If you’re up for it, homemade puff pastry would make these even more indulgent. Just make sure to keep it chilled and work quickly.

How long do they stay fresh?
They’re best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or low-temp oven to crisp them up.

Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble the cruffins and refrigerate them (covered) for a few hours before baking. Perfect for prepping the night before a brunch!

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Store cooled cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them individually wrapped and reheat in a 325°F oven for 10–12 minutes to restore crispiness.

Related Recipes

If you liked this recipe, you’ll definitely enjoy these other sweet and flaky treats:

Nutella Bombs
Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs

CONCLUSION

These Churro Cruffins are the kind of treat that feels both familiar and wonderfully new. They bring together the best of two worlds — the comforting sweetness of a classic churro and the delicate layers of puff pastry — all in one warm, golden swirl. Whether you’re making them for a cozy weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch table, or just to treat yourself on a Tuesday, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles (and probably a request for seconds).