Gluten & Dairy-Free Churros and Cinnamon Snacks

I remember summers at Navy Pier where I would always get a churro. They were warm, soft, and always had just the right amount of cinnamon without being overwhelming. The flavors were plain, chocolate, and my favorite, Bavarian cream. I don’t have to tell you that when you’re gluten and dairy-free, there are many comfort foods you have to give up. And while not the same as handmade churros, some of the foods I review are good as cinnamon-flavored snacks.   

Gluten and Dairy-Free Churros

The Daily Crave Beyond Churros, Salted Caramel

The baked churros look like mini churros with a chocolate filling. They contain a gluten-free blend of sorghum, corn and brown rice.

There are 3 cons to this churro. First, I did not taste the salted caramel; however, the non-dairy chocolate filling has a good milk chocolate taste. Second, they are sprinkled with sea salt instead of the traditional cinnamon. Finally, while they are crunchy, they have a dry texture.

Chuys Churros

Chuys and The Daily Crave Beyond Churros are similar products. Both are baked and mini-sized. And they also contain rice and corn. In contrast, Chuys Churros are a little more authentic because they’re sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, like traditional churros.

While both are tasty, they resemble dry cereal and probably would have been better in a bowl with alternative milk.

Gluten and Dairy-Free Cinnamon Chips

Siete Grain Free Cinnamon Churro Strips

The chips contain cassava flour, avocado oil, coconut sugar, agave syrup, pumpkin powder, and cinnamon. In addition to being gluten and dairy-free, they’re also grain-free and soy-free.

I found the churro strips too thin and dry to enjoy. The cinnamon flavor is mild and has a slightly bitter aftertaste. I do not recommend them.

From the Ground Up Cinnamon Butternut Squash Stalks

My favorite snack is the most “un-churro” of them all, stalks made of butternut squash. The ingredients are cassava, butternut squash, rice flour, sorghum, cane sugar, brown sugar, vegetables, and cinnamon. The cinnamon is just enough without being overwhelming. I love that besides squash they also contain various vegetables: spinach, broccoli, carrot, tomato, beets, and mushrooms. The best part is that they have an airy texture and light crunch. And unlike the reviewed churros and chips, they are not dry, but literally melt in your mouth. This is my pick for the best cinnamon-flavored crunchy snack. Be careful though, it will be hard to resist eating the whole bag.

From the Ground Up also makes tasty butternut squash crackers with vegan Parmesan (https://liveglutenanddairyfree.com/cauliflower-the-it-food/).

Not Reviewed

PopCorners Popped-Corn, Cinnamon Crunch

Gluten-free but contains milk ingredients.

Stacy’s Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips

Dairy-free but contains wheat ingredients.

Conclusion

Dry churros, chips, and stalks cannot replace the soft, warm, and crispy churros you might find at a carnival. However, I recommend From the Ground Up Cinnamon Butternut Squash Stalks as a snack with a great cinnamon flavor that melts in your mouth.

Fun Food Fact

The churro shape closely resembles the horns of the churra sheep, which it’s named after.

Did You Know?

Cinnamon may help type 2 diabetics and prediabetics (https://backtonaturediabetic.com/cinnamon-may-help-type-ii-diabetics-and-prediabetics/)

Quote

The secret of food lies in memory – of thinking and then knowing what the taste of cinnamon or steak is. –Jerry Saltz