This fried dough tastes like it's from the country fair but comes together in the comfort of your own home. It is light, crispy, and airy, and every bite melts in your mouth. Plus, this fried dough recipe is incredibly easy to make and only takes about 15 minutes to whip up!
Table of Contents
MY TAKE ON FRIED DOUGH
Fried dough, Chinese donut, or elephant ears - you can call these little disks of deliciousness whatever you want.
Now, I don't know about you, but my favorite thing to do at the fair is get fried dough. I mean, did you even go to the fair if you didn't get some fried dough?
There truly isn't anything like it...until now.
This fried dough recipe brings the fair right into your kitchen. The dough gets super crunchy and crispy outside, with the iconic lightness and airiness on the inside.
Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top, and you've got yourself a treat that the entire family will love!
Fair warning - it is crazy addictive - and there is a very small chance everyone doesn't polish off all eight pieces. I know whenever I make it, all of the fried dough pieces are gone in a flash! My 2 year old especially can't get enough of 'em when I make it.
And as I mentioned earlier, this recipe is super easy to make and is totally home-baker tested. I literally haven't had anyone who's tried this recipe tell me it didn't turn out perfect.
It's seriously foolproof!
That's why it's one of our most popular desserts on the blog, along with these air fryer fried Oreos.
FRIED DOUGH INGREDIENTS
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it only requires a few ingredients to make.
Here's what you'll need to make it:
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- ⅔ cup milk
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
- Oil for frying (like vegetable oil)
Simple stuff, right?!
I mean, almost all of us have this lineup of ingredients at home at any given time, so shopping is hardly ever necessary to make this homemade fried dough recipe.
Also, just so you know, you can use many of these same ingredients to make these incredibly thick and fluffy churro pancakes.
HOW TO MAKE FRIED DOUGH
Making this recipe is a fun activity to do with the whole family!
So if you have kids, have them help you make and roll the dough - it will make eating it together that much better.
Now, let's fry up some dough!
STEP 1: MAKING THE DOUGH
First, add all of your dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar - to a large mixing bowl.
Then add in your milk and melted butter and give everything a good mix with a fork.
STEP 2: KNEADING THE DOUGH
After the ingredients start to combine in the large mixing bowl, transfer your dough to a board or flat surface and knead it with your hands for about 2 minutes.
Once kneaded, form a dough ball and let it rest for 10 minutes.
STEP 3: FRYING THE DOUGH
Ok, so once 10 minutes is up, divide your dough ball into 8 pieces and roll each piece until it is about ⅜" inches thick.
Next, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C). And using a deep pan will be best to keep the hot oil from splattering while frying.
After your oil is heated, carefully lower your rolled dough into the pan. And you will have to cook it in batches - you do not want to overcrowd the pan.
Then let your dough cook for 1 minute, flip it over, and cook for 1 minute on the other side. And then you can cook the remaining fried doughs.
STEP 4: SERVING THE FRIED DOUGH
Once cooked, transfer your fried dough to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack and cover it with as much powdered sugar as you want!
When all of the dough fries nicely, coat 'em in powdered sugar, dig in, and enjoy this hot fried dough!
FAQS About This Fried Dough Recipe
CAN I STORE THIS FRIED DOUGH?
Although it is best to eat right after frying, you can store your leftover fried dough. Just put your leftovers in an airtight container, and they will stay good at room temperature for up to 2 days. With that said, it's never as crispy as the day you make it, so to crisp the fried dough back up, I like to put it in the oven at 350°F (170°C) for a few minutes until warm.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRY BREAD AND FRIED DOUGH?
There actually are really no differences between fry bread and fried dough. They are both flat dough mixtures that are typically fried in oil until crispy.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR FRIED DOUGH?
Fried dough is made with classic baking ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, milk, and salt. Of course, it has powdered sugar on top for that melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
DO I HAVE TO FRY THE DOUGH?
Yes, to make fried dough you have to fry the dough. Cooking the dough any other way - such as baking or air frying - will yield flaccid rubbery dough.
WHAT ELSE CAN I PUT ON THIS FRIED DOUGH?
For a classic fried dough, you'll want to top it off with some butter and powdered sugar right after it's fried. But you can also put a mix of cinnamon sugar on top to make cinnamon sugar fried dough, and it will be delicious!
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Well, that's how to make homemade fried dough that tastes like it's from the fair!
This county fair fried dough is sure to become a family favorite. I know it is in my household.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this fried dough recipe as much as I do.
If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
MORE DESSERT RECIPES
If you want some more delicious recipes that everyone will love, try making one of these next:
- 3 Ingredient M&M Sugar Cookies
- Fried apple pies
- Nutella Mug Cake
- 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
- 2 Ingredient Reese's Fudge
- S'mores dip
Fried Dough | The Best Homemade Fried Dough Recipe
This fried dough tastes like it's from the country fair but comes together in the comfort of your own home. It is light, crispy, airy, and every bite melts in your mouth. Plus, this fried dough recipe is incredibly easy to make and only takes about 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- ⅔ cup milk
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add milk and melted butter. Mix with a fork, then transfer to a board and knead with hands for 2 minutes.
- Form a ball and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide into 8 pieces and roll to ⅜” thick.
- Heat 1 inch of oil in a deep pan to 375°F (180°C) over medium heat.
- Carefully lower the rolled dough into the pan - fry the dough in batches, do not overcrowd the pan.
- Let it cook for 1 minute, then flip over and cook 1 more minute on the other side.
- Top with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Notes
STORING AND REHEATING THIS FRIED DOUGH
To store your leftovers just them in an airtight container and they will stay good at room temperature for up to 2 days.
With that said, it's never as crispy as the day you make it. So, to crisp the fried dough back up, I like to put it in the oven at 350°F (170°C) for a few minutes until warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 fried doughAmount Per Serving: Calories: 51Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 165mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
Tom
Worked perfectly!!
Fred
This fried dough recipe was legit.
minx
mmm tasty
Marleana
Can I use wheat flower instead? Also, half and half cream, instead of milk?
Richard
I want to try this but it doesn’t say if I should use salted butter or unsalted butter. So which one is best?
Brendan Cunningham
Either works great but I use unsalted butter!
Nika
I loved how easy this was to make! I did make it with my kids and they loved it!! Fried dough is one of our favorite things to get Disney and this reminded us of it 🙂
Kayla
I sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar before the powdered sugar, but next time I will brush it with melted butter first. This was the first time I’ve made fried dough but it was amazing!
Martha
These totally hit the spot.
Mina
I fried them in avocado oil and they turned out just perfect!!!
Edith
This fried dough was outstanding! My grandkids really loved it!
Donna Pritchard
Can I fill this dough with berries and pinch close.
Brendan Cunningham
I think that should work!
Rae
I cannot believe how good this fried dough was! It come out just as I was hoping!!
Katie
This was the best fried dough that I have ever made at home!! Usually it doesn't turn out but this came out perfect!!
Jessica
Really enjoyed how quick this was to make and the result was phenomenal!
Regina
It really was fair quality!! I went to our county fair and got fried dough and this was pretty close to it!
Marie
Insanely good fried dough! I have tried a bunch of recipes in the past and nothing has been as good as this one!
Linda
This was a blast to make with my kids!! We loved eating it even more.
Alyssa
This fried dough is incredible! It is my fams new favorite dessert and we can't stop making it!!
Olivia P
One of my fav desserts that I have made from scratch! Put cinnamon-sugar on a few of them and powdered sugar on the others. Delicious!
Francis
Kids loved it!
Coraline
It has become my familys favorite dessert! We've made this three times in the past week!!
Betty
Turned out great, thanks.
Juliana
This recipe is so legit, spot on fried dough texture!! We will be making it again this weekend!!
Jake
Best recipe for FD we’ve tried.
Amy
This was by far the best fried dough that I have ever made!!! (I've tried a ton of different recipes)
Kathy
We have made this fried dough a bunch since finding the recipe and it tastes better every time! Fav dessert right now.
Joyce
Nothing beats this fried dough recipe! Easy, comes out perfect every time, and the fam all loves it!
Madrea
It came out crispy yet still doughy and was delicioso with powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar on top.
Anne
It was easy to make and we all loved it.
Alicia K
Families new favorite dessert!! We love this it is perfect fried dough!
Amanda L
This recipe is super legit fried dough!!
Jess
Probably my favorite dessert that I've made at home!!
Elaina
My kids always want to order fried dough from a pizza place by us and this tastes just like it! We've been making this instead, delicious!
Maurice
Made this fried dough every night for the past week. The kids can’t get enough of it.
Tia
Made this every weekend for the past month🔥
Audrey
DELISH!!!!!
Lizzie
So crispy and airy with the perfect doughiness. Highly recommend making this!!
Darcy
Hubby loved this recipe.
Hali
So delicious every time!! My family just loves this nostalgic recipe.
Marimar
Yaaassss this fried dough is the sh**!!!
Vicky
Found this recipe on Google. And all the reviews are right! It’s a great fried dough recipe.
Calia
It turned out good in the air fryer, I will try it fried next time too. Excited to make it again.
Meg
Loved this fried dough. Thanks!
Lisa
This fried dough was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Carla
The texture was magnificent!! Very much enjoyed this.
Dave
Spot on just like the fair!
Frank
Loved these elephant ears.
Sam
Perfectly chewy and delicious!
Andrea
My kids went crazy over this!! We'll make it again soon.
Martha
Favourite dessert recipe I've made in a long time!
Terry
Brought me back to when I was a child <3
Kathy B.
I am amazed by how perfect this comes out each and every time! Consistently delicious.
Laura
It turns out exactly how I'd expect fried dough to be. Excellent recipe!!
PJ
Good and fast.
Henry
💯💯💯
Gia
My family went crazy over this!
Em
Holy moly this was awesome!
Tonia
Amazing
Katie
I never leave reviews but this recipe calls for it! Wow! Talk about fresh, easy, delicious fried dough! This recipe is a keeper! Absolutely amazing!
Brendan Cunningham
Thanks Katie!! So happy you like the fried dough 🙂
wendy
would they hold up well with a glaze drizzled on them?
Brendan Cunningham
Yes that should work great and sounds delicious!!
Halima
I have used granulated sugar, honey, dilute lemon marmalade, and icing sugar. They all turned out perfectly tasty.
Brendan Cunningham
Awesome! So we're glad you like the fried dough
Jill
😋
Nancy
So good! Lovely taste and texture.
Halima
Since I learned how to make this snack, it's become a constant not just in my home but with my extended family (I prepared a whole bunch and took it to my M-I-Ls when we all helped her move house).
Kiki
The fam loved this.
Milli
My family makes this about once a month and it is to die for!!
Doug
Damn this fried dough was good..
Julie
So quick, easy, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Brendan Cunningham
Of course! So glad you liked it!!
Alexa
My family's favorite dessert ever!!!!
Cynthia
The dough is very easy to work with. Because there’s no eggs nor yeast in it, it’s easier to clean up after & have kids handle. I made it as instructed once & it was very good, but the next time we liked it better by adding some cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough even though we sprinkled in cinnamon & sugar, and we rolled it thinner. For the quality of results it comes together incredibly quickly and easily.
Richard
If these are made into balls before putting in frying pan these look flattened a bit does that happen while cooking? Or do I squish them a bit in the pan?
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Richard, you will roll out the dough before putting it into the pan to cook.
Key
So good! I added cinnamon on top of mine. It gave me a nice elephant ear (fair food) feel!
Brendan Cunningham
Great idea! So glad you liked the fried dough!
Jason
Just tried for the first time… what a hit! My daughter says it tastes just like Disneys!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Leah
This was excellent!!
Janie
My whole family went crazy for it!!
Nichole
I added a teaspoon of yeast to my flour mixture and warmed milk with butter to Luke warm and followed instructions the same and omg was fricken fabulous! My new acquired recipe that I will use from now on! Amazing. Thank you so much.
Brendan Cunningham
We're so happy you like the recipe!!
kz
Can I substitute with Almond flour?
Brendan Cunningham
I would suggest making our keto funnel cake recipe on the blog instead!
Chi
Can you substitute milk with almond or oatmilk. Or can you use 1% milk for this recipe?
Brendan Cunningham
Yes any milk will work great!!
tim
good
Jen
Can you use heavy cream instead of milk and would it be an equal swap
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Jen! Yes heavy cream should work, I would use half water and half heavy cream to dilute it a little
June M Yann
We lived with my Grandma and it was a tradition to make similar fried bread but only at Easter time. I have always loved them. She had a Swiss name for them but I can't come close with the spelling. Thank you for sharing !!!