Funnel Cake Fries
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Funnel Cake Fries are delicious snacks that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This state fair-inspired funnel cake recipe is easy to make in 20 minutes. Perfect for a party served with your favorite dipping sauces!
Funnel cake fries are an addictive snack that’s so much fun to share. They’re golden on the outside with a light and airy texture that’s totally irresistible. The best part? You can make these funnel cake sticks using pantry ingredients.
What is Funnel Cake?
Funnel cake got its name when European settlers brought the technique of pouring cake batter into hot oil through a funnel into hot oil. The batter would form a squiggly, pancake-like dessert that would be topped with powdered sugar, fruits and whipped cream.
Nowadays squeeze bottles have replaced funnels, and baking powder has replaced yeast, but the concept is still the same. Funnel cake is making a big comeback at Disneyland and Checkers, although Burger King Funnel Cake Fries are the sizzle!
How to Make Funnel Cake Fries
Here’s how to make funnel cake batter from scratch:
- Dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt
- Wet ingredients: eggs, milk, vanilla extract
- Oil for frying: vegetable oil, canola oil, sunflower oil all work well
- Dipping sauces (optional): caramel sauce or marshmallow fluff
You make the batter by combining the wet and dry ingredients, just like pancake batter. Use a squeeze bottle or clean ketchup bottle to dispense the batter. Follow these steps to make funnel fries:
You’ll need a deep fryer or medium saucepan plus a mesh strainer to lift out the funnel cakes.
Traditionally, funnel cake fries are served in a basket lined with a checkered napkin. It’s also fun to put out caramel sauce or marshmallow fluff as funnel cake toppings or dipping sauces.
Watch Recipe Video
This tutorial shows you how to make them from scratch:
How to make funnel cake with pancake mix?
While you can sometimes find funnel cake mix in stores, pancake mix is a close approximation. Just follow the package instructions and whisk away any lumps that could clog up your funnel! The texture should resemble that of a runny cake batter.
More DIY carnival treats:
Funnel Cake Fries
Ingredients
Funnel Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
Frying and Serving
- 3 cups vegetable oil, or canola oil
- powdered sugar, optional
- caramel sauce, optional
- marshmallow fluff, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla together until frothy.
- Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and blend until smooth, ensuring no lumps.
- Add oil to a medium saucepan or deep fryer and heat to 350°F (177°C). Set aside a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towel.
- Add batter to squeeze bottle or medium funnel.
- Pipe the batter into hot oil 5-7 straight lines at a time. Fry 30-60 seconds or until golden brown.
- Using a mesh strainer or slotted spoon, carefully remove fries to the prepared rack or plate.
- Dust with optional powdered sugar and serve with optional dipping sauce.
Notes
- Funnel cake fries are best served fresh. However, you can make them several hours ahead of time and reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 5 minutes.
Please read our nutrition disclaimer.
Editor Note: Originally published on August 13, 2016 and last updated June 27, 2019
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Can you make the batter ahead of time (Like a couple of hours) and keep in the fridge until after dinner? Love funnel cakes! I made a chocolate ganache and a caramel sauce and am going to do a “funnel cake bar” – add your own toppings or dips. Yum!
Hi Marlene, Thanks for your comment! I don’t recommend letting the batter sit because the fries will be less fluffy. Bit of a tradeoff there.
Are you supposed to use 1/2 cup or 3/4 cups of milk for the funnel cake?
Hi Destiny, Thanks for your comment. We updated the recipe to be 3/4 cup after people felt the batter was too thick with 1/2 cup. Enjoy!
This is by far the BEST funnel cake recipe I have ever tried! I think a slight typo though on the milk. But I just added a little water to thin it out a tiny bit by eyeing it. (Not more than 1/2 cup tops!) made a maple syrup dip with it and it was perfect! Light fluffy yet cooked on inside without burning the outside. This is my go to for funnel cake!!
Hi Julia, Thanks so much for your feedback and so glad it turned out well! Will check the milk, although it can vary sometimes with flour used. 🙂
Can you provide the caramel sauce recipe used for dipping the funnel fries?
Thanks!!!
Hi Marie, Great question! An easy recipe is 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cream and 4 tbsp butter. Whisk in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes until thickening slightly. Enjoy 🙂
How do you ensure the funnel fries are light and fluffy?
Hi Marie, Thanks for asking – they usually turn out fluffy as long as the oil is the correct temperature. Hope that helps 🙂
Funnel cake fries approx. How many per serving. Thank you
Hi Sandi, Thanks for asking, it’s about 3-5 depending on how big they are 🙂
I used the 1/2 cup milk and it was way too thick. It’s 1 cup.
Thanks for the feedback Melissa.
Yummy
Thanks 🙂
I want try the blooming onion you got on your site.
Great here’s the recipe: https://tipbuzz.com/blooming-onion/