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    Home » Dessert » Cake » Funnel Cake Recipe

    Funnel Cake Recipe

    Published: Jul 2, 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

    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.

    deep fried funnel cakes in a stack

    Funnel cakes are a staple that can be found at every county fair, festival, and carnival as well as food trucks and theme parks. But now you don’t even have to visit one of those places because you can make your own funnel cakes at home!

    Deep Frying Food

    Before we get to the recipe, I want to talk a little about deep frying food. There are a couple of options when it comes to deep frying food at home. You can use a deep fryer or use a large heavy bottomed pot on the stovetop with a thermometer.

    hamilton beach deep fryer photo collage

    We decided to purchase a deep fryer to use when deep frying food. The one we picked can hold 8 cups of food and up to 12 cups of oil. You can find our exact deep fryer here. Here are some of the reasons we chose to use a deep fryer:

    • Temperature: The deep fryer heats the oil and maintains the temperature. You choose the temperature you would like the oil to be and a green light comes on when it is ready.
    • Thermometer: The thermometer is built into the deep fryer. There is no need for an external one unless you want to double check the temperature.
    • Wire Basket: There is a wire frying basket for lowering and raising food in the fryer.
    • Cover: There is a vented, removable cover with a view window.

    Our deep fryer did limit the size of our funnel cakes to about 4 1/2 – 5 inches across. It also has a max temperature of 375Ëš and we had to purchase it rather than use what we already had on hand.

    Always keep in mind that you need to be cautious when frying food. Keep the oil at a steady temperature and always stay close by.

    dry ingredients in glass batter bowl

    Now let’s get started with the funnel cake recipe! First, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

    beat batter with whisk

    Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until the mixture is smooth.

    swirled batter frying

    Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 365ËšF. Carefully drizzle the batter in a swirling circular motion into the hot oil.

    Why is it called funnel cake?

    It is called funnel cake because the batter is poured into the hot oil from a funnel. But that isn’t the only way to do it. There are several methods you can use when making this funnel cake recipe.

    • Funnel: Measure 1/4-1/2 cup of batter (depending on the size of your fryer) into a funnel while holding your finger over the hole in the funnel. Position the funnel over the hot oil, remove your finger and the funnel cake batter will flow out.
    • Batter Dispenser: Put the funnel cake batter into the dispenser, squeeze the handle and the batter will flow out of the bottom into the hot oil.
    • Squeeze Bottle: Cut off some of the tip of the squeeze bottle to make a larger hole. Fill the bottle with batter, add the lid and squeeze it into the hot oil. This ended up being our favorite method.
    • Pastry Bag: Transfer the batter into a pastry bag (or use a separate bag for each funnel cake). Cut the tip of the pastry bag and squeeze the batter into the hot oil.
    draining in wire basket

    Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and cooked though. Flip the funnel cake halfway through.

    funnel cake draining on paper towels

    Drain on a paper towel lined plate.

    funnel cake with powdered sugar on a white plate

    Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

    What toppings go on a funnel cake?

    Ohhh the toppings!!! There are so many delicious options! If it is sweet, it can go on a funnel cake! Here are a few to try:

    • Plain: powdered sugar
    • Strawberries and Cream: powdered sugar, strawberries, whipped cream
    • Cookies and Cream: powdered sugar, crushed oreos, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce
    • Caramel Apple: powdered sugar, caramel, apple pie filling, and whipped cream
    • Churro: cinnamon sugar, caramel syrup, and whipped cream
    stack of funnel cakes

    Can you make this funnel cake recipe ahead of time?

    Yes, there are a couple of ways you can make this funnel cake recipe ahead of time.

    • Refrigerate the Batter: Like most deep fried foods, funnel cakes are best right after they are fried. You can prepare the batter and store in in the refrigerator overnight.
    • Reheat the Funnel Cakes: If you need to reheat your funnel cake, you can do so in an oven at 350Ëš for 10 minutes. You could also try using a toaster oven, an air fryer or even the microwave.
    close up funnel cake with powdered sugar

    Want to make more fair food? Try this next:

    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.

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

    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.

    funnel cake with powdered sugar on a white plate

    Funnel Cake Recipe

    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.
    4.67 from 3 votes
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 funnel cakes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    Condiment Bottles
    Pure Vegetable Oil
    Deep Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups flour
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 3 eggs
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 Quart of vegetable oil for frying
    • ½ cup powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    • Add milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
    • Heat oil in a deep fryer (or heavy pot) to 365ËšF.
    • Carefully drizzle ½ cup of batter (for each funnel cake) into the hot oil in a swirling, circular motion. Fry 2-3 minutes, until golden brown, flipping halfway through. (We were able to fit two funnel cakes at once in our fryer.)
    • Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
    • Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    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 fryer you use.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1funnel cake | Calories: 666kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 34g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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      Strawberry Shortcake
    • delicious Christmas cake with Christmas colors inside
      Christmas Cake

    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.

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    Comments

    1. Janet M Krug says

      October 2, 2022 at 7:18 pm

      I make these just using Krusteaz pancake mix. Give it a try. I can make just one for myself without over doing it.

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        October 2, 2022 at 8:20 pm

        Love it! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    2. Janice Whitlock says

      August 6, 2022 at 2:09 pm

      Hi, tried this recipe in a deep fryer. But the batter sunk to the bottom of the fryer basket and stuck to the basket. What am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        August 8, 2022 at 10:11 am

        What a bummer! The batter needs to be the right consistency: not too thick (too heavy and it will sink more) and not too thin (it won’t stick together). Don’t add too much batter (our funnel cakes were on the smaller size) and you want to drizzle it in slowly close to the hot oil (we wear silicone oven mitts for added protection). Plus, be sure that there is enough oil and it is important to maintain the right temperature (if it isn’t hot enough it will sink and not cook quickly).

        Our funnel cakes did sink right down to the basket when first poured in (as most deep-fried things do) but quickly released (within 4-6 seconds) on their own. You can use tongs to gently release them from the basket shortly after pouring the batter in. If one does end up sticking, remove the basket after it is done cooking and flip it over onto paper towels and use metal tongs to bang on the bottom to try to release it.

        Reply
      • Marsha says

        January 9, 2023 at 11:48 pm

        Oil not hot enough.

        Reply
    3. Elle says

      March 28, 2021 at 10:15 am

      Hi Tonia! This recipe looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it! I have a question tho; can I use a skillet pan instead of a heavy pot or deep fryer? Thanks for the recipe! 🙂

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        March 29, 2021 at 10:30 am

        I would not suggest doing it in a skillet pan since the sides aren’t tall enough.

        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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