This easy, homemade funnel cakes recipe brings that State Fair food you love home to your own kitchen. Light, crispy, and delicately sweet, funnel cakes make a great base for everything from fruit to ice cream.
We love funnel cakes around here. Whether we're at Six Flags or the State Fair it's pretty much a given that at least one funnel cake will be consumed. At least one.
There are all kinds of ways to make them -- I've seen recipes with pancake mix, cake mix, and from scratch. I really like my recipe because it comes out crispy and light every single time I make it. There's nothing worse than a grease-laden, chewy funnel cake!
I'll be honest with you. It takes awhile to get the hang of creating the perfectly shaped homemade funnel cake. The batter has to be the exact consistency and you have to move the funnel over the oil in an even motion. You are probably not going to get it on your first few tries, and I have been making them for years and still have problems at times. Here's the deal, so listen closely...
It's OK. They are still delicious if they are not perfect or if they look more like light colored Cheetos.
You want the oil to be hot enough that the batter fries quickly without soaking up oil. The funnel should be light and crispy. The batter also has to be thick enough to hold together but not so thick that it fries up heavy. Like I said, it takes awhile to get the hang of it and even then there will be times when they aren't perfect.
We were at the State Fair of Texas yesterday and filled up on our yearly quota of fair food. We tried the fried alligator, the chicken fried lobster, deep fried Reeses, deep fried Oreos... I'm not sure what all we chowed down on. The past couple of years they've had red velvet funnel cakes, too. I don't really care for them because I think they are kind of tasteless but whatever.
One of the fun things about funnel cakes is that they are HUGE. Don't make them skimpy! I honestly like them best with just a dusting of powdered sugar but the kids like them with whipped cream and sprinkles. Other ways to top a funnel cake are:
- Strawberries and ice cream
- Ice cream and hot fudge ( I like this peanut butter ice cream on top)
- Caramel sauce
- Syrup
There's no right way to do it. Think of them as a weirdly shaped waffle.
One caution... Homemade funnel cakes, like the ones that you get at the fair, are meant to be eaten immediately. They are no good once they cool down. Make only as much as you'll eat. The batter will stay good in the refrigerator for about a week if you put it in a Mason jar with a tight fitting lid.
📖 Recipe
Easy Homemade Funnel Cakes Recipe
Print Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- Oil , to fill your deep fryer
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour, may need up to ½ cup more
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- Confectioner's sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oil in the fryer up to 375F.
- Beat the eggs and egg white until frothy.
- Add the vanilla and milk and blend well.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and quickly blend. Don't over beat.
- If you have time let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight.
- Put the mixture in a funnel or a squeeze bottle cut to have an opening about the size of a pencil.
- Hold your finger over the opening and bring as close as possible to the surface of the hot oil.
- Remove your finger and move the funnel in a smooth circular motion over the top of the oil.
- Fry until golden on one side.
- Flip and fry until golden on the other side.
- Remove from the oil to an absorbent paper towel.
- Sprinkle with Confectioner's sugar or sugar and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Millican Pecan says
This is so dangerous! We love funnel cakes, and to make our own is a dream come true! My husband will be happy I found this recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Marye says
Glad you like it!
Heather Kinnaird says
you really cannot beat fair food, and the fair wouldn't be the same without a funnel cake!! these look perfect
Marye Audet says
Thankyou!!
Catherine says
Dear Marye, these funnel cakes look fantastic. What fun treat! xo, Catherine
Marye Audet says
Thanks Catherine!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Love this! So fun to make at home, and how cute is your little model?
Marye Audet says
She's pretty adorable!
allie says
Love funnel these cakes Marye!!! So delicious, I can't pass them up at at the Deerfield State Fair!
Marye Audet says
🙂 Me either, Allie. They're my downfall.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
This totally brings back carnivals to me!! And now I am thinking about how expensive those were for no reason, I have to make it at home! Yum! Thanks!
Healing Tomato says
I would stuff myself with funnel cake whenever I went to Cedar pointe in OH. They know how to make funnel cakes there. Now, I will try your recipe at home and remember the good times. 🙂
Julie says
I didn't know that homemade funnel cakes were even a thing. This is dangerous information for me to have!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Marye, these look wonderful! I've always enjoyed funnel cakes, never actually made them. Great fry tips! (My children will thank you!)
The-FoodTrotter says
Such a lovely recipe 🙂
GiGi Eats says
GIVE ME! Holy moly! The last time I had funnel cake - man, like 15 years ago!