These gorgeous vegan heart-shaped churros are sure to melt hearts! Perfect for Valentine’s Day or whenever you want a special treat. Recipe in collaboration with Thermapen.
Churros are such an amazing treat, especially when served still warm, covering your fingers with cinnamon sugar. I am fairly addicted to them and have tested so many versions recently.
Ordinarily churros batter is made with butter and eggs, but I was determined to create vegan churros. My first effort was too thick to pipe and sadly ended up in the bin.
I needed something to replace the eggs and bring the batter to the right consistency. Enter aquafaba, a.k.a chickpea brine. That stuff is really magical, able to create meringue, macarons and the fluffiest chocolate mousse. Here I have used it in place of the eggs and it worked an absolute treat.
I must admit I am a bit scared of piping the churros batter directly into the hot oil, so I prefer to pipe it on greased baking paper first. This way you can control the size and shape of your churros. The paper is then cut to contain individual churros and it simply peels off when the churros are lowered into the oil.
The only real trick to successful churros is keeping the oil temperature consistent. If it is too low the churros won’t crisp up and will be doughy. If it is too hot, the churros will colour very quickly but remain pretty raw inside.
Whenever I make churros, or fry anything, I rely on my Thermapen to check the temperature reaches 190°C (374°F), and then to make sure it remains within 180-190°C (350-374°C). You will need to keep an eye on it and adjust the heat so that stays consistent.
Once the oil reaches the optimum temperature the frying time is only 6 minutes per churro (depending on size). Toss your heart-shaped churros in cinnamon sugar and serve with coffee or hot chocolate.
Heart-shaped vegan churros
Ingredients
For the churros
- 250 ml | 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 30 ml | 1/8 cup vegetable oil
- 130 g | 1 cup plain all purpose flour, sifted
- 120 ml | 1/2 cup aquafaba
- 2.3 lt | 2 quarts sunflower oil
Cinnamon sugar
- 200 g | 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the water, sugar, salt, vanilla and oil in a large casserole or pot.
- Stir to combine and bring to the boil.
- Add the flour all at once and vigorously stir to combine.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the batter forms a ball.
- Transfer the batter to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low speed to release some steam.
- Gradually add the aquafaba, continuing to mix on low speed, until the dough is shiny and smooth.
- Fit a large piping bag with a star tip. Spray a large piece of greaseproof paper with cake release (or cooking spray).
- Transfer the batter to the piping bag and pipe 4 large hearts. Cut the paper so that each heart sits on a paper square.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon together on a plate.
- Put the oil into a large pot and heat until it reaches 190°C (374°F) on your Thermapen.
- Once the oil reaches the right temperature, carefully lower one heart on its paper into the hot oil using tongs. The paper will peel off - discard it.
- Cook for 3 minutes per side, keeping an eye on the oil with the Thermapen. Drain on kitchen paper. Repeat with the other churros.
- Toss the churros in the cinnamon sugar once they have cooled down slightly.
- Serve immediately with coffee or hot chocolate.
Video
Notes
Liana Suarez says
Can you use any oil or does it have to be sunflower?
Lucy Parissi says
Any flavourless oil that is suitable for frying 😘
Kara says
Hello. They look perfect! I have a question: if 1/2 cup = 120 ml of aquafaba, then 1/4 cup of oil should be 60 ml and not 30 ml? I’m a bit confused..
Lucy Parissi says
You are totally right it should be 1/4 =30ml
Nellie Tracy says
These are perfect! They are darling plus I LOVE churros! I will absolutely be making these next week!
Jennifer says
I love these!! What a fun and pretty Valentine’s treat!!
Abeer Rizvi says
These are just sooooo pretty!!!!
Diana says
These are just beautiful! Love that they use aquafaba.
Anna says
I have been drooling all over as soon as I saw them on your IG stories! Who doesn’t love churros?!? I love to dip them in some melted chocolate too, oh yum yum yum! Will try this soon!
Lucy Parissi says
I hope you do try them Anna – I need some recipe testers! I made them three times over three days just to make sure the recipe works well. Also made a chocolate version which I must blog on another post because YUM!