Fluffy French Crullers Recipe

Heavenly French Crullers Recipe: Airy Pastry Magic at Home

Crisp and golden pastries beckon with their delicate french crullers waiting to steal the spotlight in your kitchen.

These airy rings of pure delight dance between light and decadent with remarkable grace.

Choux pastry creates a magical canvas for sweet and delicate textures that melt on your tongue.

Each crullers carries a whisper of elegance from classic French baking traditions.

The delicate piping technique requires patience but rewards you with stunning results.

A perfect glaze transforms these delicate pastries into irresistible treats that sparkle with sweet potential.

Prepare to experience a dessert that elevates your baking skills and delights every hungry soul.

Keeping French Crullers Fresh And Sweet

  • Chilling Strategy: Place crullers in an airtight container to maintain their delicate texture and prevent moisture absorption. Keep them separated with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
  • Refrigeration Wisdom: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, understanding that the crisp exterior might soften slightly but the flavor remains delightful.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap individual crullers in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. They'll stay fresh for 2-4 weeks, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their original crispy texture and revive the delicate pastry's warmth.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 190 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients List For French Crullers

For Liquid Base:
  • Water: Provides moisture and helps dissolve other ingredients smoothly.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a silky texture for the dough.
  • Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps with golden browning.
  • Salt: Balances flavors and elevates the overall taste profile.
For Dough Foundation:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the core structure of the cruller, giving it a light and airy texture.
For Finishing Touches:
  • Eggs: Bind the dough, provide richness, and contribute to the crullers' signature golden color.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic warmth to the pastry.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet coating that melts on the tongue.
  • Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep-frying, ensuring crisp and even golden-brown exteriors.

Tools You’ll Need For French Crullers

  • Saucepan: Essential for heating water, butter, sugar, and salt to create the base for the dough.
  • Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients and forming the dough into a smooth ball.
  • Mixing Bowl: Useful for combining and preparing ingredients.
  • Whisk: Helpful for beating eggs and incorporating them into the dough.
  • Piping Bag: Crucial for shaping the delicate cruller rings with precision.
  • Star Tip: Needed to create the traditional ridged exterior of the crullers.
  • Deep Fryer or Large Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Necessary for frying the crullers to golden perfection.
  • Candy Thermometer: Ensures the oil reaches the right temperature for crispy, not greasy, crullers.
  • Slotted Spoon or Spider Skimmer: Great for safely removing crullers from hot oil.
  • Wire Rack: Allows excess oil to drain and keeps crullers crisp while cooling.

How To Make French Crullers Easily

  • Fire Up the Flavor Base

Grab your saucepan and dance some water, butter, sugar, and salt together over gentle heat until everything starts bubbling and mingling.

  • Create the Magic Dough Ball

Thunderbolt in all the flour at once, stirring like a culinary superhero until the mixture transforms into a smooth, uniform dough that pulls away from the pan’s edges with attitude.

  • Chill and Prepare

Step back and let your dough cool down for a quick 5-minute breather, giving it time to settle and develop its delicious personality.

  • Whip Up the Egg Mixture

Crack those eggs into the dough one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until you’ve got a glossy, smooth batter that looks ready to become something spectacular.

  • Pipe and Shape

Transfer your dreamy dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip, then carefully pipe elegant rings onto parchment-lined baking sheets, creating those classic cruller curves.

  • Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully lower your delicate rings into hot oil, turning them gently until they achieve a stunning golden-brown color that whispers “I’m delicious!”

  • Glaze and Garnish

Once cooled, dip your crullers in a silky glaze that adds that final touch of sweet magic, transforming them from great to absolutely irresistible.

Helpful Tips For French Crullers

  • Texture Perfection: Whisk the dough energetically to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency that guarantees a light and airy cruller.
  • Piping Pro Tip: Use a star-tipped pastry bag for classic ridged crullers, creating beautiful, intricate surface patterns that enhance both visual appeal and crispy edges.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional wheat flour with a gluten-free blend to make these crullers accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining similar texture and taste.
  • Flavor Boost: Experiment with vanilla extract, orange zest, or lavender in the dough to add subtle, sophisticated dimensions to the classic French cruller recipe.
  • Storage Savvy: Keep crullers fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze unglazed crullers for quick future enjoyment.

Serving French Crullers Like A Pro

  • Glazed Elegance: Drizzle a classic vanilla or honey glaze over the golden crullers for a sweet, shiny finish that enhances their delicate texture.
  • Breakfast Companion: Pair these light, airy pastries with a steaming cup of French roast coffee or a creamy cappuccino for a delightful morning treat.
  • Festive Plating: Arrange crullers on a decorative platter with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar to create an impressive dessert presentation that wows guests.
  • Textural Contrast: Serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the crullers' crisp exterior and soft interior.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Fluffy French Crullers Recipe

Fluffy French Crullers Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delicate french crullers showcase the art of choux pastry with light, airy rings glazed in sweet richness. Pastry chefs and home bakers can master this elegant French classic with simple techniques and quality ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup water
  • 6 tbsps (90 mL) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsps granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder (optional, for extra puff)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsps (3045 mL) milk (adjust for consistency)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Melting Foundation: Combine water, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan, gently heating until the mixture reaches a rolling simmer, ensuring perfect ingredient integration.
  2. Dough Transformation: Add flour to the bubbling liquid, vigorously stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a unified, smooth dough that cleanly pulls away from the pan’s sides.
  3. Cooling Preparation: Transfer the hot dough to a mixing bowl, allowing it to rest and cool for a brief period to prevent egg scrambling during subsequent mixing.
  4. Egg Incorporation: Gradually blend eggs into the dough, beating thoroughly after each addition until achieving a silky, glossy consistency ideal for piping.
  5. Shaping and Prepping: Fill a piping bag with the choux pastry, using a star-shaped nozzle to create elegant circular shapes on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  6. Frying Setup: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for perfect cruller development.
  7. Frying Process: Carefully lower the dough rings into hot oil, allowing them to float and transform into golden, crisp crullers, flipping once to ensure even browning.
  8. Finishing Touches: Drain fried crullers on a wire rack, then prepare a smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until achieving a glossy, pourable consistency.
  9. Serving Presentation: Drizzle the glaze over warm crullers, allowing it to set briefly before serving these light, airy French pastries with their signature crisp exterior and tender interior.

Notes

  • Maintain Precise Temperature: Keep oil consistently at 375°F using a reliable kitchen thermometer to ensure perfectly golden, crisp crullers without burning or undercooking.
  • Handle Dough Carefully: Work with choux pastry while still warm to achieve the ideal piping consistency, preventing potential lumps or uneven texture during preparation.
  • Control Moisture Levels: Allow dough to cool slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, glossy pastry that pipes beautifully.
  • Glaze with Finesse: Apply glaze when crullers are warm but not hot, allowing it to set smoothly and create a delicate, appetizing finish without becoming runny.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star