Funnel Cake Recipe (2024)

You are here: Home / Seasonal / Summer Recipes / Funnel Cake Recipe

By Sam 115 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.

Jump to RecipeJump to VideoPrint Recipe

Bring the taste of the carnival into your own kitchen with my Funnel Cake recipe. My easy recipe can be made in just 15 minutes on the stove–no funnel or deep fryer required! Recipe includes a how-to video!

Funnel Cake Recipe (1)

Carnival-Worthy Funnel Cakes

If your annual summer checklist includes grabbing a funnel cake and some caramel popcorn from your local carnival or beachside snack shack, you’ll definitely want to save this recipe! While I’m not suggesting you skip your annual tradition, I am suggesting that perhaps you could enjoy this treat more than once a year. From the comfort of your own kitchen. In your pajamas. Okay, the last part isn’t necessary, but let’s be real, funnel cakes are essentially breakfast food…right (if fried donut holes count, these certainly do)?!

Despite the frying step, it’s actually very easy to make funnel cakes. If you’re not familiar with frying, I do suggest you watch the video included below for some helpful tips. But really though, this recipe is great for beginners, and it comes together so quickly too!

Why you’ll love my recipe:

  • Tastes just like the funnel cake you get at the carnival (if not better!).
  • Incredibly simple; you only need a handful of pantry staples.
  • So fast! It takes just minutes from start to finish.
  • NO funnel required–I’m sharing my favorite, funnel-free method!

What You Need

Funnel Cake Recipe (2)

Funnel cake batter is similar to a pancake batter; in fact this recipe is a variation of my buttermilk pancakes. You’ll need a few ingredients, including:

  • Flour. Regular, all-purpose flour works. Do NOT use self-rising flour.
  • Milk. Pretty much any kind will work, but my preference is whole milk. You may need more milk than I call for to get your batter to the right consistency, I’ve never needed more than 1 cup but enough people have mentioned that they’ve needed to add more in their own kitchen that I like to mention that it’s OK to add more liquid if needed!
  • Vanilla extract. This is optional, but it will make your funnel cakes taste sweeter and richer.
  • Powdered sugar. For sprinkling on top. The more the merrier!

SAM’S TIP: Powdered sugar is a popular topping, but so it cinnamon sugar! To make some, simply combine 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon and ½ cup granulated sugar and sprinkle/dust over your warm funnel cake.

Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!

How to Make Funnel Cake

Funnel Cake Recipe (3)
  1. Whisk the dry ingredients until combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients, then gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the batter is smooth and no large lumps remain.
  3. Heat 2-3″ of oil over medium-low until it reaches the proper temperature, then slowly drizzle a thin stream of batter in a zig-zag pattern into the hot oil.
  4. Fry on each side until golden brown, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
  5. Dust your funnel cake with powdered sugar and enjoy!

SAM’S TIP: It’s very important that you pour a thin stream while constantly moving; otherwise, you could end up with big clumps of batter that are golden brown on the outsideand raw in the center.

Funnel Cake Recipe (4)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make funnel cakes without a funnel?

It’s easy! Simply portion some of the batter into a measuring cup and pour it in a thin stream in a circular/criss-cross/zig-zag into the hot oil. This method is the easiest to clean up and has the smallest chance of spills–I love it!

If you are having trouble getting a thin stream, you can also pour your batter into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (½″ diameter). Plug the tip with your finger, portion the batter, and then pipe it into the oil.

What oil is best for funnel cake?

I recommend using a neutral oil for in my funnel cake recipe. Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil all work great for this recipe and are my frying oils of choice for frying everything from apple fritters to fried pickles.

Can you refrigerate funnel cake batter?

Yes! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

Funnel Cake Recipe (5)

I hope this recipe inspires some sweet, summertime memories for you ❤

Enjoy!

Let’s bake together!I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe andvideobelow! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me onInstagram, and you can also find me onYouTubeandFacebook

Funnel Cake Recipe (6)

Funnel Cake Recipe

Bring the taste of the carnival into your own kitchen with myfunnel cakerecipe. My easy recipe can be made in just 15 minutes on the stove–no funnel or deep fryer required!

Recipe includes a how-to video!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 5 funnel cakes

Calories: 410kcal

Author: Sam Merritt

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk¹ (236ml) (or more, if needed, see note 1)
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Powdered sugar for dusting funnel cakes

Recommended Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed pot

  • Measuring cup with spout

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well-combined.

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract (if using) until well-combined.

  • While whisking, gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until mixture is smooth and combined. Set aside.

  • Fill a medium-sized saucepan 2-3” deep with vegetable oil. Set on stovetop over medium-low heat and place a candy thermometer in the oil (make sure the tip of the thermometer is in the middle of the oil and not touching the bottom or it will read hotter than the actual temperature of the oil). Heat oil to 370-375F (187-190C).

  • Once oil is heated, portion about ⅓ – ½ cup of batter into a liquid measuring cup². Slowly drizzle batter into oil in a thin stream, swirling and criss-crossing the batter over itself. Fry on each side until golden brown (about 90 seconds per side) then remove to a paper-towel lined plate.

  • Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

  • Repeat with remaining batter but make sure that oil returns to temperature in between batches.

Notes

¹Milk

If your batter is too thick, add additional milk as needed until your batter reaches a pour-able consistency. Some people have needed to add as much as ½-3/4 cup milk.

²Funnel

If you have a funnel, you can of course use that instead! You’ll need a clean funnel with a ½″ opening. Use your finger to plug the bottom of the funnel and then portion ⅓-1/2 cup of batter into the funnel. Hold funnel over oil, remove your finger, and then move the funnel in a circular/criss-cross pattern until all of the batter has been drizzled into the oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1funnel cake — nutrition information is calculated assuming 1 Tbsp of oil per funnel cake from deep frying and 1 Tbsp of powdered sugar on top | Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 2700IU | Calcium: 700mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

Related Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ryker

    Funnel Cake Recipe (11)
    I love this recipe so much, Ive made it probably 10 time and not one has turned out bad. Thanks for the recipe!!!

    Reply

    • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

      We appreciate this sweet review, Ryker! Thanks for trusting our recipe ❤️

      Reply

  2. Betty

    What brand of oil do you recommend? Any time I have tried to fry dough it just doesn’t taste like my grandmother’s from MANY years ago. My mother said she always used lard. I know lard today is not what lard was years ago.

    Reply

    • Sam

      Hi Betty! I often use generic oil here. 🙂

      Reply

  3. Kris Marie

    Funnel Cake Recipe (12)
    Hi Sam, we just made these scrumptious funnel cakes! Oh my they were pure heaven on a hot Summer night! No fair required lol ! Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Sam

      I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Kris! 🙂

      Reply

    • Joanna

      Funnel Cake Recipe (13)
      My family decended upon the kitchen & was raiding the entire time!!!

      Reply

  4. Ise

    Funnel Cake Recipe (14)
    My search for The Perfect Funnel Cake has officially come to an end tonight! Thank you this was outstanding, albeit a lil too thick to funnel out so I had to thin it out before frying. I was in a big hurry to get to the devouring part of the recipe and just stirred in a lil water. I didn’t even finish reading the recipe tips (til right now) that suggested using milk to thin it out! Nonetheless, my funnel cakes were absolutely delicious and I will definitely be making more and highly recommend this recipe!!!

    Reply

    • Mary

      Can I use olive oil? It is healthier if you have high cholesterol.

      Reply

      • Sam

        Olive oil unfortunately isn’t good for high heat so I don’t recommend it here. 🙁

  5. Sjp

    Funnel Cake Recipe (15)
    Perfect receipe 👌👍

    Reply

    • Nicky

      Fantastic recipe. Will make over and over again. Thank-u Sam. Totally carnival and absolutely delicious. Great recipe.

      Reply

    • Nicky

      Funnel Cake Recipe (16)
      20 stars. Just saying.

      Reply

  6. Stina

    Funnel Cake Recipe (17)
    Simple and very easy to make. I do wish it was slightly sweeter, but other than that I’ll make it again for sure!!

    Reply

    • Susan Sims

      Funnel Cake Recipe (18)
      I made these tonight. I added more sugar until batter was sweet to taste. Also added cinnamon. Had to thin out batter until pourable. They fried perfectly and were delicious.

      Reply

      • Sam

        Hi Susan! I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Funnel Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Funnel Cake Recipe? ›

Funnel cake mix is basically the same as pancake mix. So, yes — you can absolutely make funnel cakes using pancake mix. To make funnel cake batter, it's as simple as mixing milk, egg, vanilla extract, plain flour, sugar and baking powder (and some cinnamon if you fancy), and pouring it through a funnel into hot oil.

Is funnel cake mix the same as pancake mix? ›

Funnel cake mix is basically the same as pancake mix. So, yes — you can absolutely make funnel cakes using pancake mix. To make funnel cake batter, it's as simple as mixing milk, egg, vanilla extract, plain flour, sugar and baking powder (and some cinnamon if you fancy), and pouring it through a funnel into hot oil.

What is funnel cake batter made of? ›

Traditional recipes call for a fairly standard batter: flour, eggs, sugar, milk, baking soda or baking powder, but I discovered that you can make awesome funnel cakes with "complete" buttermilk pancake mix (look for brands that only require the addition of water).

Why is my funnel cake soft? ›

A lower temp wouldn't get the cooking going fast enough, and slower cooking would also result in a soggy, oil-logged funnel cake. Of course, getting that temperature right is not merely a question of guessing, or flicking a few drops of water into a hot oil pan.

How much does it cost to make 1 funnel cake? ›

A funnel cake can sell on average from $3.00 – $5.00. Yet, it costs less than $1.00 to make, so you will yield as much as $4.00 profit on each cake.

What kind of oil do you use for funnel cakes? ›

What oil is best for funnel cake? I recommend using a neutral oil for in my funnel cake recipe. Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil all work great for this recipe and are my frying oils of choice for frying everything from apple fritters to fried pickles.

Is fried dough and funnel cake the same thing? ›

Fried dough is made with a bread dough that uses yeast for leavening. Funnel cake has a more pancake-like batter, which is much thinner than bread dough, and it uses baking powder as leavening rather than yeast.

Why is my funnel cake not crispy? ›

It's important to keep to a frying temperature of around 375 degrees. Any higher than that, and your funnel cakes will brown before cooking through. At too low a temperature, the batter will absorb excess oil, resulting in a greasy, limp funnel cake.

How do you know when to flip a funnel cake? ›

Allow the funnel cake to cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute and a half until it gets lightly golden brown on the first side. Use tongs and grab the funnel cake and gently flip it over to the other side and allow that side to cook, again until nice and golden brown.

Do you put a funnel cake in the fridge or leave it out? ›

Just let your cakes come in room temperature after cooking, wrap them up in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Although nothing compares to freshly cooked funnel cakes, you can add a little bit of crisp and warmness into it by reheating them in the microwave or oven.

How many funnel cakes does a 5 lb bag make? ›

Each five pound bag (using an 8" funnel cake ring) will make approximately 25 funnel cakes.

What is Disney funnel cake? ›

Yeah, we were a little intrigued by the name too! This funnel cake is being served as part of Celebrate Herstory, Disney's celebration of Women's History Month. This classic funnel cake is topped with chocolate-dipped vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate chips and can be purchased for $9.50.

What temp is best for funnel cakes? ›

Keeping the oil temperature steady at 375° is important if you want your funnel cakes golden and crunchy.

Why are my funnel cakes so greasy? ›

It's important that the oil is at the correct temperature. If the oil isn't hot enough, the funnel cakes will absorb too much oil before they cook, and the funnel cakes will be heavy and greasy. If the oil is too hot, the outside will get overcooked before the inside cooks through.

Is oil or shortening better for cakes? ›

Though it is important to note that because shortening is a solid fat, using shortening instead of oil can change the texture of baked goods. Shortening can add more air to the batter when beaten, giving the end product more of a cake-like structure compared to the more dense structure oil gives.

Can funnel cakes be made ahead of time? ›

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.

What can I use if I don't have a funnel for funnel cake? ›

If you don't have a funnel, use either a plastic squeeze bottle, a piping bag or carefully pour the batter into the oil with a liquid measuring cup. You can also cut the corner of a ziplock bag and use that as well.

What state is known for funnel cake? ›

Pennsylvania

What is a carnival funnel cake? ›

A funnel cake is a popular dessert made by frying batter. Commonly served at carnivals and amusem*nt parks, funnel cakes (as we know them today) originated in Pennsylvania in the late 1800s. The fried dessert is liberally sprinkled with powdered sugar before serving.

Is a beignet a funnel cake? ›

Unlike beignets, the funnel cake starts with a batter of eggs, milk, flour, brown sugar, vanilla and baking powder. No beignets are not like funnel cakes.

What nationality is funnel cake? ›

Despite debate on the true origin of funnel cakes, it is popularly believed that these crispy-fried confections were created by the Pennsylvania Dutch, a group of German immigrants who landed in Pennsylvania before the 19th century.

What is turtle funnel cake? ›

$9.99. Delicious funnel cake with pecan pieces, brownies, caramel syrup, and whipped cream topping.

Is funnel cake fried after being battered? ›

Once the batter has been dropped into the hot oil, funnel cakes should be fried for about 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up to triple their original size.

What makes a cake crispy on the outside? ›

From my own personal experience hard crust can be caused by over greasing and flouring cake pans, too much sugar in recipe, and over baking.. When a pan is over greased the crust can literally fry and if flour is used it can burn, forming a dark hard crust on a finished cake.

What makes a cake crunchy on top? ›

The secret is to brush on a paste of sugar, water, salt and vanilla during the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking. As the cake finishes baking, the paste forms a delicate, sugary crust over the top that adds flavor and textural contrast.

What else can I use instead of a funnel? ›

Need a Funnel? They're Everywhere
  • Plastic Cup. Find a plastic cup, cut a slit down one side and then cut off the bottom. Roll it into a funnel shape and tape it up. ...
  • Milk Carton/Plastic Bottle. Take a milk carton or plastic bottle, then cut the bottom off. ...
  • Mustard Bottle.
Jul 6, 2016

Can you fry funnel cakes in olive oil? ›

Any type of oil that can be heated to a high temperature can be used for frying funnel cakes. Vegetable oil, peanut oil, and canola oil are all good options. Avoid using olive oil, as it has a lower smoke point and can make the cakes taste bitter.

Why is my funnel cake batter thick? ›

If you add too much flour, it will cause the batter to be too thick to pour through a funnel. If you don't have a funnel, you can use a measuring cup or a squeeze bottle to pour your batter into the oil. Placing the freshly fried cakes on a paper towel before serving can help absorb extra oil.

Do you flip cake when hot or cold? ›

Cool Before Flipping

When you remove your cake from the oven, don't flip it out of the pan right away! Instead, let the cake cool for ten minutes in the pan. Then, placing the wire rack over the base of the cake, invert the pan. Peek under the wire rack and see if the cake has dropped out.

Should you flip cake out of pan hot or cold? ›

In general, you should wait until the cake is fully cooked and cooled before trying to remove it from its pan.

Can you leave funnel cake out all night? ›

Storage Instructions: Funnel cakes will keep for 2 days at room temperature. They are best heated for serving. Use the oven or air fryer for just a few minutes. You may freeze them for up to 3 months.

Can you eat a funnel cake the next day? ›

Though funnel cakes are best served fresh and warm, you can store them in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or a large ziptop bag for up to 3 days or at room temperature (in an air-tight container or bag) for 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer so they aren't soggy.

Can you eat a day old funnel cake? ›

Storing Leftovers

Like most fried foods, funnel cakes are best eaten fresh! They will store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. The taste will change once they cool off, but they are still super yummy. I would recommend storing them without any toppings to keep them as fresh as possible.

How long can you keep funnel cake batter? ›

Like most fried foods, they don't last long. Having said that, the batter can be made in advance and can last in the fridge (if stored properly) for up to 4-5 days. Reheat. If you happen to find that you have left over funnel cakes you can store them in an airtight container the fridge for later.

How thick should funnel cake batter be? ›

Now, while that's warming up, whisk the pancake mix in a bowl with the water, sugar, and vanilla extract. And don't be afraid to add the water in increments to make sure you get the perfect consistency. The batter should be as thick as cake batter and shouldn't be too runny or gooey.

How much does 1 pound cake feed? ›

Pound Cake – Full Size (Serves 20 -24)

How healthy is funnel cake? ›

Funnel cakes are generally not considered healthy due to their high fat, sugar, and calorie content. The dough is usually made of white flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and oil. It is also deep-fried, which adds even more saturated fat. The added toppings can also add a significant amount of sugar.

How much is Starbucks funnel cake? ›

What's in the Starbucks Strawberry Funnel Cake Frappuccino? This sweet drink, which costs $6, is made with funnel cake-flavored syrup blended with coffee, milk, and ice, with strawberry puree, whipped cream, and powdered sugar funnel cake pieces layered throughout.

What does Starbucks funnel cake taste like? ›

Like all Frappucinnos these strawberry blended drinks are on the sweet side. The funnel cake syrup is vanilla-y and super sweet. These blended drinks are definitely considered a dessert and less a coffee beverage.

Are churros and funnel cake the same? ›

Difference Between Churros And Funnel Cake

They are both made by deep frying a dough in hot oil and then coating it with a sugar or cinnamon sugar. The main difference between churros and funnel cake is the shape. Churros are long and thin, while funnel cake is flat and round.

Is pancake batter the same as funnel cake batter? ›

Funnel cake mix is basically the same as pancake mix. So, yes — you can absolutely make funnel cakes using pancake mix. To make funnel cake batter, it's as simple as mixing milk, egg, vanilla extract, plain flour, sugar and baking powder (and some cinnamon if you fancy), and pouring it through a funnel into hot oil.

Why does my funnel cake taste sour? ›

Natural yeast and bacteria from the air lands in the cake batter and starts to ferment. This leads to the production of acids like lactic acid and I believe acetic acid. Our tastebuds have evolved to taste acid as sour think citrus fruit, vinegar etc.

How do you keep funnel cakes crispy? ›

To keep your cakes from drying out, use aluminum foil to cover the tray. Bake the funnel cakes for 10 minutes. Remove the foil after 8 minutes. Remove them from the oven and top with cinnamon sugar or confectioner's sugar as desired.

What is the difference between cake mix and pancake mix? ›

Pancake and cake mixes are vastly different. Pancake mix is generally less sweet in comparison to a cake mix. Moreover, pancake mix doesn't typically contain any flavoring, unlike cake mix. For both pancake and cake mixes, you might need eggs, water, or milk, to make them into a batter.

What is similar to funnel cake? ›

Jalebi, a popular dessert in India and Pakistan, looks similar to funnel cakes, which are popular in the US. The fried dough is soaked in saffron syrup to make the inside moist and the outside crunchy. It's chewy and sweet, but the flavors and techniques vary depending on where it's made.

What can I substitute for pancake mix? ›

For the DIY Pancake Mix bag:
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour.
  • 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder.
  • 1 tablespoon sugar.
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon salt depending on preference.
Jan 1, 2018

Is Bisquick pancake mix the same as baking mix? ›

The original Bisquick is a pre-made baking mix, typically used for lots of things including pancakes, waffles, biscuits, and muffins. It's a quick way to whip together a great breakfast without much effort.

Is pancake batter the same as Bisquick? ›

While pancake mix and Bisquick share many ingredients, the two are not the same. The main difference is that the pancake mix is sweeter. Most pancake mixes can be used in place of Bisquick and vice versa in sweet recipes. Compare your pancake mix with Bisquick's ingredient list before swapping.

Is it cheaper to buy pancake mix or make your own? ›

It's easy to find boxed pancake mix on sale for just a few dollars. So, if you use organic flour and organic sugar, your homemade pancake mix will cost you more. However, if you buy flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder in bulk, the cost per pancake is cheaper than a boxed mix.

What is an American funnel cake? ›

These American funfair favourites are a cross between a doughnut and churros - fill a funnel or piping bag with batter and drizzle into hot oil to make squiggly round cakes. Nutrition: per serving.

What happens if you replace water with milk in pancake mix? ›

1. Use Milk/ Alternative Milk Instead Of Water. Even though the mix may call for water, you can easily substitute that for an alternative milk (I like oat milk). You may have to add a dash more due to the difference in consistency, but it'll taste so much better!

What happens if I use milk instead of water in pancake mix? ›

Milk adds richness and flavor to the batter, resulting in fluffy and moist pancakes. In addition, milk helps to leaven the pancakes, resulting in a lighter texture. So, while water is essential for making pancakes, milk is also a key ingredient.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5898

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.