This easy, Homemade Funnel Cake tastes just like the classic amusement park favorite. Light, crispy and sweet, funnel cakes are a quintessential Summer treat that you can make right in your own kitchen! If you love these, you will love these twists with my Red Velvet Funnel Cakes, Strawberry Funnel Cakes and Swirled Funnel Cakes!
What inspired these homemade funnel cakes you ask? I am afraid of roller coasters. I never ride them and probably never will.
It all began years ago, when my mom recounted a terrifying tale of a roller coaster experience she and my father had had. She recalled racing through the air, soaring almost, until she began to come out of the seat! My dad held her down so she wouldn’t fly away! As I gripped my seat listening to her story, she laughed and clapped a hand to her thigh. Can you believe she thought it was funny? No way Jose!
Since then, I’ve spent countless trips to county fairs and Six Flags sitting on a bench, holding purses and cell phones. Occasionally, I’d wander around in search of less risky activities like eating. Soft serve cones, hot dogs and slushies became my saving grace. And at the end of it all, I always treated myself to a crispy, sugary, oily to the touch, funnel cake.
To be honest, waiting around amusement parks isn’t my idea of a good time anymore. So, this year I’m bringing the park to my own home! These Homemade Funnel Cakes are the perfect way to celebrate Summer.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FUNNEL CAKES
I adore homemade funnel cakes. It’s probably because they are fried in hot oil and smothered in powdered sugar (don’t judge me). They are squiggly dough pieces of perfection that make me feel young again whenever I have one. I’ve been wanting to develop a recipe for quite some time and finally one morning, I just decided to throw one together. Let’s just say I have an excuse to skip the next Six Flags trip and stay at home!
Most likely, you’ve got everything you need right at home! But, let’s double check together anyway, shall we?
- Flour – Sift the flour for a lighter, airer batter.
- Sugar – it may seem like a small amount of sugar but keep into account that you’ll be topping it with more sugar! Granulated, cane or coconut sugar will all work beautifully!
- Baking Powder
- Salt – If possible, use kosher salt.
- Milk – Dairy intolerant? Use your favorite alternative milk! I find that cashew or oat milk work best.
- Eggs – No eggs? No problem. Use your preferred egg replacement. I like ground flaxseed, applesauce, mashed bananas or even yogurt.
- Vanilla – Out of vanilla? Replace with a good quality maple syrup.
Don’t forget the oil (vegetable or canola) for frying and powdered sugar for serving!
DO I NEED A FUNNEL TO MAKE FUNNEL CAKE?
Nope! If you happen to own a funnel, you’re welcome to use it! But, I find that they’re hard to use and even harder to clean. There are 3 other easy ways you can successfully (and neatly) transfer batter into the oil.
Piping Bag
A cake decorating bag is super simple to use. Carefully spoon the batter into the bag, cut a whole at the tip and squeeze the batter directly into the oil.
Squeeze Bottle
A pancake or condiment squeeze bottle is also a great option! Follow the same directions above (piping bag).
Measuring Cup
Using a spouted measuring cup is probably the most convenient method. Portion some batter into the cup, tip it over slowly and pour a thin stream into the oil while constantly moving.
TIP: If using a piping bag, squeeze bottle or funnel, be sure the opening is at least ½ an inch round. This will make for the perfect thickness and even cooking.
CAN YOU REFRIGERATE FUNNEL CAKE BATTER?
Yes! If you’d like to make the batter ahead of time or store leftovers, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. The batter will last for 2 days.
TOPPING OPTIONS
I appreciate the simplicity of a funnel cake: fried dough and powdered sugar. With two simple, yummy components, you’ve got a sinfully good treat that can’t be resisted. Every now and then, I love to layer on a few toppings to my treat, just to jazz it up.
If you’re feeling a bit fancy, try out a few of the topping ideas below. Or, get creative and try out a topping of your own choice! I’d love to hear what you chose in the comments.
- Hot Fudge
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Fresh Fruit (Strawberries, Blueberries, Bananas etc.)
- Salted Caramel or Butterscotch
- Whipped Cream
- Peanut Butter or Marshmallow Fluff (maybe both?)
- Cinnamon Apple Chunks
MORE GRANDBABY CAKES FUNNEL CAKE FUN
Wanna get in on some more funnel cake action this Summer? Turn your home into an amusement park by whipping up a classic town fair treat!
Try out one of Grandbaby Cakes’ deliciously fun funnel cake recipes:
Homemade Funnel Cakes
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable or canola oil for frying
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Confectioner's sugar for serving or other toppings
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pot to about 375 degrees.
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium sized bowl until combined.
- Next whisk in wet ingredients: milk, eggs and vanilla extract until the batter is nice and smooth.
- Add batter to a funnel, squeeze bottle or even a cake decorating piping bag with a round tip.
- Once oil is nice and hot, swirl batter in a spirally shape (have fun with this part) into the oil and fry. Turn over once the first side is nice and golden brown.
- Once both sides are golden brown, remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain. These babies fry fast!
- Immediately cover with confectioner's sugar or other toppings and serve while hot. If you are frying a lot, feel free to keep these warm in the oven until you are ready to serve.
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Yes!I’m using this matter for dipping frozen Twinkies to fry,and whatever else sounds yummy!Thanks!!
Wow! Let me know how that turns out!
I worked in a snow cone stand for two summers. There we made funnel cakes and for myself, I would dip Oreos in the batter and fry them. 🙂
Since we used a funnel and the cooker was a HUGE deep grease pit, she duct taped a funnel to a yard stick. That way, it helped us from getting popped by the grease while making the squiggly formation.
I actually just heard about fried oreos for the first time Kimmy. They sound fascinating!!
This looks absolutely delicious!! I just gained 20 pounds without even trying the recipe!
Yep indeed! I gain weight every single time I see these photos!
That looks incredible! I despise roller coasters!
Same here! And thank you so much for despising them with me!
I’m 36 years and I’m sure I will never ride roller coasters! I hate them! What happened to your mom was terrible! In Italy we have a similar recipe “chiacchiere” or “frappe” we eat them for carnival and I love them!
Yep I am with you Fragolina! I don’t think roller coasters will ever be for me!
Um, who could judge you for loving funnel cakes? I’m pretty sure all of the most delicious foods are fried in hot oil and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Oh, and drizzled with chocolate. But two out of three aren’t bad!
I love that you made your own funnel cakes. I was thinking of doing a weekly or bi-weekly fried food day on my blog this summer, just for fun (and calories). I mean, we have to celebrate all that fair food, right? Let me know if you’d ever want to join me and we could do some fun cross-promotion or something! elizabeth (at) sugarhero.com.
Jacelyn ive always wanted to cook with you but I think im to young
Im 12
Honey you are definitely not too young! I started cooking in the kitchen around 10.
OMG, my favorite fair treat! I never knew these were so easy to make. Time to indulge for the first time in 4,279 years! These look so delicious and your photos are great, Jocelyn!
Absolutely, you must indulge!!! And thank you so much Georgia!
I have heard of and seen Funnel cakes at the carnival but I have never tried it! One of my very close friends is CRAZY about it. I need to send this link to her. Maybe we will make it together! 🙂
That sounds awesome Nami! They are super fun to make too!