In a medium saucepan, combine the water and unsalted butter. Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring the butter melts completely.
Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until a cohesive dough forms.
Allow the dough to cool for about 2-3 minutes, then add the large egg. Mix vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
In a deep pan, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for frying. Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to check the temperature for accuracy.
While the oil heats up, set a plate lined with paper towels to drain the fried churro poppers, and in a separate bowl, combine the 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the coating.
Once the oil is hot, transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Carefully pipe small lengths of dough (approximately 2 inches long) into the hot oil. Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring an even crisp.
Once cooked to perfection, use a slotted spoon to remove the churro poppers from the oil and place them on the paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
While the churro poppers are still warm, roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well-coated, ensuring they have a delightful sweet finish.
Serve the churro poppers warm alongside a generous portion of chocolate sauce for dipping, enhancing the indulgence.
Notes
Arrange the churro poppers on a stylish platter. For an elegant touch, drizzle some extra chocolate sauce over the top or lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.