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    Home » Dessert » Bread » Elephant Ears Recipe

    Elephant Ears Recipe

    Published: Jul 10, 2020 · Modified: Apr 12, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    Deep fried, crispy Elephant Ears topped with cinnamon sugar give you a taste of the fair at home and the no yeast fry bread recipe is super easy to make.

    top view of elephant ear fry bread with cinnamon sugar

    Let the kids get involved by allowing them to shape the dough into elephant ears and giving them a choice to toppings to add after the dough is fried!

    elephant ears with cinnamon sugar on top

    What are elephant ears?

    Elephant ears are crispy circles of fried dough, also known as fry bread, coated with cinnamon and sugar. They are sold with this name in America at fairs, carnivals, food trucks, and theme parks. The uneven wrinkled somewhat round shape of the piece of fried dough is reminiscent of an elephant’s ear.

    These are known as buñuelos or fried dough fritters in many areas of the world including Spain, Latin America, Israel, Asia, and Africa. Some countries make them into donuts that are balls or twists, others use the dough to make flat circles, and some use a rosette similar to the rosetbakkelser from Norway. Another interesting thing is that they are sweet in some parts of the world and savory in others!

    How To Make Elephant Ears

    dough ingredients in a glass bowl

    Put the self-rising flour, warm milk, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl and stir until combined. Use hands to gently knead the dough until all of the ingredients form a ball. If your dough is too dry, add a tiny bit of milk at a time. If your dough is too wet, add a tiny bit of self-rising flour at a time.

    Is there a recipe for self-rising flour?

    For one cup of self-rising flour, whisk together one cup of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

    If you want to try making fry bread with yeast, check out my recipes for Indian Tacos and Deep Fried Pizza. The fry bread used in those two recipes calls for yeast and results in an airy flat bread.

    dough resting in glass bowl

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.

    fry bread dough divided into eight segments

    Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead a few times. Then, cut the dough into 8 pieces.

    flattened round of dough

    Flatten each piece into a thin circle. You can use your hands, your fingertips, a rolling pin, or a combination of all three.

    deep frying elephant ear in cast iron skillet

    Put about a 1/2 inch of oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pot that is wide enough to fit your circles of dough. Use a thermometer and heat the oil to 365ËšF.

    Use tongs to carefully add dough rounds (1 or 2 depending on the size of your pan) to the hot oil. Fry the elephant ears for about a minute on each side until golden brown. Always monitor the temperature of the oil and stay close by the skillet.

    stack of elephant ears fry bread

    Drain on a paper towel lined plate.

    Can elephant ears be made ahead of time?

    For best results, deep fried elephant ears are best enjoyed while they are still fresh and crispy. But sometimes it is more convenient to make things ahead of time!

    To reheat elephant ears, place them in the oven at 350Ëš for 10 minutes. Try wrapping each one in foil to keep them from drying out.

    You could also try using a toaster oven, an air fryer, or even the microwave in a pinch.

    sprinkling cinnamon sugar on elephant ears

    Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while warm. You can find my cinnamon sugar recipe here.

    What toppings go on deep fried elephant ears?

    The classic topping for deep fried elephant ears is cinnamon sugar but there are many other options as well. Since the elephant ear is sweetened fry bread, you can add any sweet toppings. Here are a few to try:

    • powdered sugar
    • frosting
    • caramel syrup
    • chocolate sauce
    • strawberry sauce
    deep fried elephant ear on a white plate

    Want more fair food? Try these deep fried recipes next:

    This deep Fried Pickles recipe is a fun way to eat fair food at home! Serve the crispy fried pickles on a stick as an appetizer with dipping sauce.

    Make this easy Funnel Cake Recipe and surprise your family with fair food at home! Just add your favorite toppings to these sweet, crispy funnel cakes.

    This Corn Fritter recipe makes tender little fried balls of dough with bits of sweet corn inside. Serve them warm with maple syrup and honey drizzled on top.

    This Fried Cheese Curds recipe was so easy to make. These deep fried white cheddar cheese curds are the BEST appetizer and the perfect comfort food!

    elephant ears with cinnamon sugar on top

    Elephant Ears Recipe

    Deep fried, crispy Elephant Ears topped with cinnamon sugar give you a taste of the fair at home and the no yeast fry bread recipe is super easy to make.
    4.35 from 81 votes
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    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 elephant ears
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    Self Rising Flour,
    Kitchen Tongs
    Pure Vegetable Oil
    Calphalon Cast Iron Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups self rising flour
    • 2/3 cup warm milk
    • 2 tablespoon butter melted
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • Vegetable oil for frying
    • 2 tablespoon cinnamon sugar

    Instructions

    • Mix together the self-rising flour, warm milk, melted butter, and granulated sugar until a ball forms. If your dough is too dry, add a tiny bit of additional milk at a time. If your dough is too wet, add a tiny bit of self-rising flour at a time. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
    • Turn onto a floured surface and knead several times. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a thin circle.
    • Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pot to 365ËšF (use a thermometer and maintain an even temperature).
    • Use tongs to carefully add dough rounds (1 or 2 depending on the size of your pan) to the hot oil. Fry for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown.
    • Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while warm.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage

    • Wrap cooked elephant ears loosely in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 1-2 days.
    • Or store in an airtight freezer storage bag for 3-4 months.
    • Reheat in the oven at 350ËšF for 10 minutes.
    Nutrition facts were calculated using three tablespoons of oil since most of it wasn’t absorbed. Your results may vary depending on your oil temperature, length of cooking time, and the method of frying.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1elephant ear | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

    « Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
    Corn Dogs Recipe »

    Comments

    1. Alfa says

      February 26, 2023 at 9:53 pm

      Do not mean to be rude, but your recipe is not elephant ears.This is a Bunuelo that hispanics make on New Year Eve. Elephant ears is another recipe.

      Reply
    2. Doreen says

      December 14, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      Hi what other oil can I use I ran out of vegetable oil
      Please help I’m making these beautiful elephant ears

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        December 14, 2022 at 8:22 pm

        Hi Doreen,
        You can use canola oil or peanut oil.
        Good luck!
        -Tonia

        Reply
    3. Jamie Jarvis says

      June 23, 2022 at 12:17 am

      I personally prefer an electric frying pan to a pan on the stove. It adjusts your heat automatically. If your oil is not hot enough, your Elephant Ear will be greasy. If your oil is too hot, they can burn and possibly not be done in the middle.
      I actually prefer yeast bread dough. My grandmother, born around 1900 called them scones. Now when I say scone, people thing baking powder biscuits. Elephant Ear seems to be the name used at Fairs.

      Reply
    4. Sam says

      May 15, 2022 at 11:12 pm

      Rather than frying them in oil, what would you recommend for air fryer instead?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        May 16, 2022 at 10:19 am

        I would try spraying them with oil and baking them at 380ËšF for 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

        Reply
    5. Lalicich Laurie says

      April 28, 2022 at 11:40 am

      Can I freeze the dough and if so for how long .thanks laurie

      Reply
    6. Mary Vasquez says

      March 7, 2022 at 8:25 am

      Sweetheart,
      Those are Buñuelos. Mexicans have been making these for centuries. They are not called “Elephant Ears”.
      You can also use a store bought flour tortilla to make these. My ancestors have been making these for centuries. Please do not rename.

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        March 7, 2022 at 8:51 am

        Thank you for sharing this history with us. We used the name in our fair foods post since that is what they are called at our local fair. Store-bought flour tortillas would be a great alternative!

        Reply
      • Katt J says

        September 6, 2022 at 2:04 pm

        Sorry bro. Every culture has their version of Elephant Ears, fry cakes, griddle cakes, fry bread, etc. No one culture “owns” it.
        Make it, eat it and enjoy it. But don’t be a Culture Cop. Its not tasty. Elephant Ears are, though.
        😉 Peace

        Reply
    7. Tina R. says

      November 6, 2021 at 8:25 am

      To use regular flour instead of self rising, what do I add in the line of baking soda/ baking powder to make it equivalent to self rising?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        November 6, 2021 at 10:02 am

        For one cup of self-rising flour, whisk together one cup of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

        Reply
    8. Gina says

      August 16, 2020 at 1:55 pm

      I have to try and make these gluten free. I would love them but gluten makes me really sick. I have Celiac Disease. 3

      Reply
    9. Mary M. says

      August 16, 2020 at 11:40 am

      They are delicious. These are called buñuelos. My family and I make them during the holidays. They are a sweet and crunchy dish that has been around for a long time. It comes from Spain. L It is kind of hard to say buñuelos, for people who don’t speak Spanish. I understand why an easier name had to be thought of. It is a cute and fun name .

      Reply
    10. Sherrell says

      August 13, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      FYI, my husband used to be a bakery manager at a large grocery store in the south-they made all the elephant ear dough and had it delivered to the local county fair. It was the Italian bread dough recipe.

      Reply
    11. Lucy B says

      July 12, 2020 at 10:34 am

      Yum. Elephant ears are my husbands favorite fair food.

      Reply

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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