Churro Toffee Bugles makes sweet, crunchy, cinnamon-sugar snacks—perfect for parties, edible gifts, or a quick no-bake dessert fix.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about this Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe is just how simple the ingredient list is. Each element is there for a reason, bringing that magical blend of crunch, sweetness, and spice that makes this treat unforgettable.
- Original Bugles: These crunchy corn snacks are the secret base, delivering that iconic shape and saltiness to balance all the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter is the luscious foundation of the toffee coating, giving it rich, crave-worthy flavor.
- Packed Brown Sugar: This brings deep caramel notes and that signature toffee stickiness.
- Salt: Salt is tiny but mighty here, heightening all the flavors and keeping the sweetness from overwhelming.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the toffee with warm, comforting notes.
- Granulated Sugar: This gives the final churro-like crunch and sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is non-negotiable for those classic churro vibes—fragrant, warm, and just a little spicy.
- White Chocolate Chips (optional): A swirl of white chocolate is pure magic for an extra layer of sweetness and a fancy finish.
How to Make Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step keeps everything nonstick and means less cleanup later. As the oven warms, you can work on the toffee Bugles and cinnamon sugar mix, so nothing slows you down.
Step 2: Prepare the Bugles
Pour your entire bag of Bugles into a large mixing bowl. These will be the star of your Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe, and having them ready in a roomy bowl makes tossing and even coating much easier down the line.
Step 3: Make the Toffee Coating
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it’s liquid gold, stir in the brown sugar and salt. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, and keep stirring for a solid 2 minutes. You want that classic toffee smell and look! Take the pan off the heat, stir in your vanilla extract (inhaling that lovely aroma), and get ready to move quickly—the sauce needs to stay pourable!
Step 4: Coat the Bugles
Immediately pour your molten toffee mixture over the Bugles. Grab a spatula or large spoon and gently toss until every nook and cranny of those Bugles is slicked with glossy toffee. Try to be gentle here—the unique Bugles shape is part of the fun, so keep them as whole as possible.
Step 5: Bake for Crunch
Spread your coated Bugles on the prepared baking sheet in a single, even layer. They’ll need just 10 minutes in the oven to set the toffee and get nice and crunchy. Give them space—crowding leads to stickiness!
Step 6: Cinnamon Sugar Shower
While the Bugles bake, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. When the Bugles come out of the oven, sprinkle this mixture generously over them while they’re still warm. The residual heat helps the cinnamon sugar adhere perfectly, capturing that “just fried” churro essence.
Step 7: Cool and Optional Drizzle
Let the Bugles cool completely—the toffee will crisp up and the sugar will set. If you want a little extra flair, microwave your white chocolate chips in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over the Bugles for a sweet finish, and let everything set before diving in.
How to Serve Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe
Garnishes
For a fun and festive presentation, give your Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe a final light dusting of cinnamon sugar or a sprinkle of edible glitter. A swoosh of white chocolate drizzle always brings the wow factor, making them look almost too pretty to eat!
Side Dishes
These Bugles love to share the spotlight at parties. Pair them with a big bowl of fresh fruit, hot cocoa, or simple vanilla ice cream. The salty-sweet combo is also fantastic alongside savory nibbles like cheese boards or popcorn mixes for an irresistible snack spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling the Bugles into pretty cellophane bags tied with ribbon for party favors, or set them out in mini bowls lined with parchment for movie night. For a spectacular dessert board, surround them with strawberries, chocolate squares, and cozy marshmallows.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe keeps its crunch best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week, making them a great make-ahead treat for parties or gifting.
Freezing
Although Bugles have a delicate crunch, these treats can be frozen! Layer them in an airtight container with parchment between layers to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to a month—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
If your Bugles lose a bit of their snap (or if you love a warm treat), spread them on a baking sheet and pop them into a 250°F oven for 5 minutes. Let them cool and they’ll regain much of their crisp magic.
FAQs
Can I use flavored Bugles for this recipe?
For best results, stick to the original flavor, as the toffee and cinnamon-sugar bring plenty of sweetness and character. Flavored Bugles may clash or overpower the churro vibe.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten free?
Check the Bugles packaging carefully—original Bugles contain wheat, but if you find a suitable gluten free corn snack substitute, the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free. Just keep in mind the texture might vary.
Can I skip the white chocolate drizzle?
Absolutely! The Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe is delicious with or without it. The drizzle just adds an extra hint of sweetness and a festive look, so it’s all up to personal preference.
How can I make a larger batch?
Doubling this recipe is easy. You’ll want to use two baking sheets or bake in batches to ensure the Bugles cook evenly and stay crispy instead of clumping together.
Is there a substitute for brown sugar?
If you’re out of brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar plus a teaspoon of molasses or maple syrup, though the flavor may be slightly different. Brown sugar gives the signature toffee depth, so use it if you can!
Final Thoughts
This Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe is all about instant joy in a bowl—chewy toffee, warm cinnamon, and playful crunch in every bite. Whether you’re making it for a movie night, holiday party, or just to treat your family midweek, it’s destined to be a new tradition. Don’t be surprised if people start asking for the recipe after their very first taste!
More Sweet & Snackable Favorites to Try Next
Loved the sweet-and-salty crunch of our Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe? Keep the snack magic going with other crowd-favorite treats from our kitchen. Try our Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups for a quick and cozy breakfast-turned-snack option. For even more churro-inspired goodness, don’t miss the Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies — chewy, sweet, and perfect for gifting. Need a no-bake delight for parties? The Maple Pecan Cheesecake Delight brings creamy richness with a nutty twist. Looking to balance the sweetness? Our Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups are a savory hit for snack boards. And for a lighter indulgence, the silky Vanilla Panna Cotta Recipe offers an elegant, make-ahead dessert option.
Print
Churro Toffee Bugles Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Churro Toffee Bugles are an irresistible sweet-and-salty snack inspired by churros and toffee. Crunchy Bugles are coated in buttery brown sugar toffee, baked until golden, tossed with cinnamon sugar, and optionally finished with a white chocolate drizzle—perfect for parties, gifting, or snacking anytime you crave a deliciously playful treat.
Ingredients
Bugles Base
- 1 (7.5 oz) bag original Bugles
Toffee Coating
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Optional Drizzle
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional, for drizzle)
Instructions
- Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Prepare Bugles: Pour the Bugles into a large mixing bowl and set them aside, ready to be coated with the toffee mixture.
- Make Toffee Coating: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the brown sugar and salt, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the toffee with flavor.
- Coat the Bugles: Immediately pour the hot toffee mixture over the Bugles in the mixing bowl. Gently toss with a spatula or spoon to make sure each Bugle is evenly coated.
- Bake: Spread the coated Bugles in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, which helps set the toffee and adds crunch.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar: While the Bugles are baking, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Remove the Bugles from the oven and, while they are still warm, generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over them. Toss or stir gently to coat evenly. Allow the Bugles to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Optional White Chocolate Drizzle: If using, melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled Bugles, then let the chocolate set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Store cooled Bugles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- You can double the cinnamon sugar mixture if you prefer a thicker coating.
- Microwave the white chocolate at low power to avoid scorching.
- Great for parties, holiday gifts, or game day snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe (about 3/4 cup)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 22mg