Costco Churros: What Happened, Price, Calories & Copycat Recipe

  Wondering what happened to Costco churros? Get current menu updates, price, calories, fan debate details, and a quick copycat recipe. Hone...

 

Wondering what happened to Costco churros? Get current menu updates, price, calories, fan debate details, and a quick copycat recipe.

Honestly, nothing hits quite like finishing a $300 grocery run, navigating past the bulk paper towels, and rewarding yourself with a warm food court treat. For decades, that reward was a massive, hot cinnamon-sugar churro.

Then came the menu changes, the price tweaks, and the sudden swaps that left shoppers completely confused. If you've been standing in line at the food court wondering where the churros went, whether they're ever coming back, or how to make them at home, here is the complete story.

What Happened to Costco Churros? (Menu History & Current Status)

 If you feel like the Costco churro has gone through a massive identity crisis over the last few years, you're definitely not imagining things. The legendary food court treat has been swapped, redesigned, removed, and brought back as a limited-time offering.

  

Era 1	Era 2	Era 3	Era 4
Classic Straight Churro ($1.00)	Twisted Churro ($1.49)	Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($2.49)	Limited Return ($1.49)
(1990s – 2020)	(2021 – 2024)	(2024 – 2026)	(Late 2026)

The Twisted Churro Redesign & Price Increase

When food courts reopened after COVID-19 shutdowns in 2021, the classic straight churro was gone. Costco replaced it with a thicker, braided "Twisted Churro" and bumped the price to $1.49. While it looked larger, fan reactions were mixed right out of the gate. Many shoppers complained that the new dough was tougher, drier, and cooled off way too fast compared to the original.

The 2024 Swap: Enter the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie

In early 2024, Costco officially pulled the Twisted Churro from menu boards across the country. In its place, they launched the warm, gooey Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie for $2.49. Packing over 700 calories, the cookie became an instant viral sensation, though churro purists were devastated to lose their favorite cinnamon treat.  

Understanding the nutrition facts on Costco churros depends entirely on which version you were eating. The shift from the straight design to the twisted braided version added significant weight and calories.

Costco Churro Price, Nutrition, and Calories

Metric	Classic Straight Churro (Pre-2020)	Twisted Churro (2021–2026)
Price	$1.00	$1.49
Calories	~420–480 kcal	~570 kcal
Total Fat	12g	23g
Carbohydrates	52g	81g
Sugars	15g	32g

 Why the Calories Changed Over Time

The braided "twisted" design used more dough density per inch than the old straight churros. Because the dough had more surface area and deep ridges from the braiding, it absorbed more oil during deep-frying and held a significantly heavier layer of cinnamon sugar. That extra dough pushed the calorie count from under 500 up to nearly 570 kcal.

Why Did Costco Get Rid of the Churro?

The decision to phase out the churro came down to operational efficiency, product consistency, and member feedback.

According to discussions across Reddit's r/Costco community, food court workers frequently pointed out that the 2021 twisted churros were difficult to keep fresh. Unlike hot dogs or pizza held under heat lamps, churros degrade quickly once they cool down—becoming tough and chewy rather than light and crispy.

Additionally, introducing the $2.49 Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie gave Costco a higher-margin dessert item that held up better in food court warmers and appealed broadly to shoppers looking for an indulgent sweet fix. 

Easy Copycat Costco Churro Recipe (Make Them at Home)

If your local warehouse doesn't have churros in stock—or if you miss the lighter, crispy pre- 2020 style—you can easily make them from scratch in about 20 minutes. According to traditional culinary guidelines documented on platforms like HubSpot and food blogs, choux-style pastry dough gives fried desserts their signature airy interior.

Ingredients You Will Need

• Water: 1 cup
• Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons
• Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons (for dough) + 1/2 cup (for coating)
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup
• Ground Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon
• Vegetable or Canola Oil: For frying (about 2–3 cups)

 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1.Prepare the Sugar Coating: In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.

2.Make the Dough: In a saucepan, bring the water, butter, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and salt to a rolling boil over medium heat. Remove from heat, dump in the flour all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough ball forms.
3.Pipe the Churros: Transfer the warm dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open-star tip (like an Ateco #844 or Wilton 1M).
4.Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or pot to 375°F (190°C). Pipe 6-to-8-inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, using kitchen shears to snip the ends. Fry 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until deep golden brown.
5.Coat and Serve: Remove churros with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels for 10 seconds, and immediately roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while hot.

 Air Fryer Method (For a Lighter Crunch)

For a less messy version with less oil, you can use an air fryer:

1. Pipe 5-inch strips of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
3. Place frozen churro strips in a single layer (don't crowd them) and spray the tops with a light coat of oil.
4. Air fry for 10–12 minutes until crispy and golden.
5. Brush lightly with melted butter immediately out of the basket, then roll generously in cinnamon sugar.

Costco Churro vs. Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie: Which Is Better?

When Costco replaced the $1.49 churro with the $2.49 Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie, it sparked a debate across social media.

• The Cookie Advantage: Served warm, packed with melted chocolate chunks, and consistently soft. It offers a rich dessert experience that rarely suffers from being dried out.
• The Churro Advantage: Offers that distinct cinnamon-sugar crunch and light pastry texture. At $1.49, it remains a budget-friendly option.

f you prefer warm, gooey chocolate, the cookie wins every time. But if you're craving nostalgic bakery spice, a fresh copycat churro right out of the fryer is hard to beat.

 Conclusion

The Costco churro remains one of the most talked-about treats in modern food court history. While menu rotations and recipe tweaks have changed how we get our cinnamon fix, the combination of crispy fried dough and warm sugar will always be a fan favorite. Whether you catch them during a limited return at your local warehouse or whip up a fresh batch at home, you don't have to miss out on that classic food court taste.

H2: Frequently Asked Questions

Are Costco churros officially coming back in 2026?

Yes! Costco announced a limited-time return of the $1.49 Twisted Churro to U.S. food courts. Rollout timing varies by store, so check your local warehouse menu board.

Can you buy frozen Costco churros in bulk?

While Costco food courts make their churros on-site, you can often find frozen box alternatives like Tio Pepe's churros in warehouse freezer aisles or through wholesale distributors.

 Why were Costco churros so cheap?

Like the famous $1.50 hot dog combo, Costco uses food court items as "loss leaders." Low prices build member loyalty and keep shoppers happy at the end of their shopping trips.

 Are Costco churros vegan or vegetarian?

Costco churros are vegetarian-friendly. However, traditional food court churro recipes and frozen commercial dough bases often contain dairy or egg derivatives, so they are not certified vegan.