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    Fried Dough Made In 15 Minutes | Tastes Just Like The One From The Fair

    by Brendan Cunningham 76 Comments

    Jump to 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!

    Three whole pieces and part of a piece of dough and a piece of parchment paper in a bowl. There is a small sifter filled with powdered sugar between two pieces of fried dough.

    THE BEST FRIED DOUGH

    Fried dough, Chinese donut, or elephant ears food - 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. 

    Sprinkled 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 8 pieces. 

    And as I mentioned earlier, this recipe is super easy to make, and is totally home-baker tested! It's one of our most popular desserts on the blog, along with these air fryer fried Oreos.

    Oh, and if you want to make another classic fried dessert that's like this recipe, you have to try this funnel cake made with pancake batter or this homemade funnel cake recipe next!

    Table of Contents
    • THE BEST FRIED DOUGH
      • FRIED DOUGH INGREDIENTS
      • HOW TO MAKE FRIED DOUGH 
        • STEP 1: MAKING THE DOUGH 
        • STEP 2: FRYING YOUR DOUGH
      • ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS
        • CAN I STORE THIS FRIED DOUGH?
        • DO I HAVE TO FRY THE DOUGH?
        • CAN I MAKE VEGAN FRIED DOUGH?
        • WHAT ELSE CAN I PUT ON THIS FRIED DOUGH?
    •  WRAPPING IT ALL UP
    Two pieces of fried dough on top of each other with a broken piece of fried dough next to it all on a gray plate. Behind it is a plate with a piece parchment paper with part of a piece of fried dough and a small sifter.

    FRIED DOUGH INGREDIENTS

    So, surprisingly, fried dough only requires a few ingredients to make. 

    And they are the most common baking ingredients there are, so I'm almost positive you'll have everything on hand. 

    Here is what you'll need:

    • 1 ¾ cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tbsp sugar
    • 2 tbsp melted butter
    • ⅔ cup milk
    • Powdered sugar for sprinkling
    • Oil for frying

    I love the ingredients this recipe uses - it makes it so convenient to whip up this delightful dessert at the drop of a dime. 

    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. And you can use many of these same ingredients to make these incredibly thick and fluffy churro pancakes.

    Now, if you're looking for a sugar-free, low carb spin on fried dough, check out this keto funnel cake recipe. It is pretty close in taste but has under 1 NET CARB!

    A large bowl of flour, a medium bowl of milk, a small bowl of baking powder, a small bowl of sugar, a small bowl of melted butter, and a small bowl of salt all on a wooden cutting board.

    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. 

    A large white bowl of flour and baking powder with a whisk in it. There's a small bowl of melted butter and a medium sized bowl of milk behind it. Everything is on a wooden cutting board.

    Then add in your milk and melted butter and give everything a good mix with a fork.

    A large white mixing bowl with wet and dry ingredients for fried dough. The empty bowls from the ingredients are behind it and everything is on a wooden cutting board.

    After the ingredients start to combine, 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. 

    A large white bowl filled with mixed fried dough ingredients. The empty bowls that have the ingredients in it or around it and everything is on a wooden cutting board.

    STEP 2: FRYING YOUR 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. 

    A wooden cutting board with two flat pieces of doll on it and a circle of six triangular balls of dough.

    Next, heat about 1 inch of 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 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, then flip it over and cook for 1 minute on the other side. 

    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 8 pieces are fried and coated in powdered sugar, dig in and enjoy! 

    Four pieces of fried dough powdered sugar on them on a piece of parchment paper. A small sifter is at the left side of the parchment paper between two pieces of fried dough.

    ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS

    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 it will stay good at room temperature for up to 2 days. Then to crisp it back up, you can put it in the oven at 350°F (170°C) for a few minutes until warm. 

    Two pieces of fried dough overlapping one another with a broken in half piece of fried dough at the front of them. All of the fried dough is on a gray plate.

    DO I HAVE TO FRY THE DOUGH?

    For the best results and experience, I definitely suggest frying your dough as instructed above. But if you don't want to fry it, you can also try making your fried dough in the air fryer.

    First, spray your air fryer basket with baking spray and preheat to 350°F (180°C). Then place as many pieces of dough in that fit, so they are lying flat - again, you'll have to cook in batches and do not want to overcrowd. Cook for about 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until crispy. 

    Two pieces of fried dough on top of one another with a broken piece of fried dough all on a gray plate. Behind the plate is another plate with a piece of white parchment paper on it with one piece of fried dough and a small sifter on top.

     

    CAN I MAKE VEGAN FRIED DOUGH?

    Of course! Turning this recipe vegan is super easy - all you have to do is substitute butter for vegan butter and use plant-based milk! 

    WHAT ELSE CAN I PUT ON THIS FRIED DOUGH?

    For a classic fried dough, you'll want to top it off with 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!

    A piece of parchment paper with four pieces of dough on it. There's a glass jar behind them filled with powdered sugar with a sifter at the top of it. There is one piece of fried though on a paper towel next to the glass of powdered sugar.

     WRAPPING IT ALL UP

    And that is how you make a homemade fried dough that tastes like it's from the fair! 

    This fried dough recipe is sure to become a family favorite - I know it has in my household. And honestly, I love making it since it's so simple, and I always have the ingredients on hand. 

    Anyways, 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!

    And if you want some more delicious recipes that everyone will love, try making one of these next:

    • 3 Ingredient M&M Sugar Cookies
    • Nutella Mug Cake 
    • 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
    • 2 Ingredient Reese's Fudge
    • S'mores dip
    Print

    Fried Dough | The Best Homemade Fried Dough Recipe

    Four pieces of fried dough powdered sugar on them on a piece of parchment paper. A small sifter is at the left side of the parchment paper between two pieces of fried dough.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 66 reviews

    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!

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 12 minutes
    • Cook Time: 3 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Fried dough

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 ¾ cups flour

    1 teaspoon baking powder

    ½ teaspoon salt

    1 tbsp sugar

    2 tbsp melted butter

    ⅔ cup milk

    Powdered sugar for sprinkling

    Oil for frying

    Instructions

    1. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
    2. Add milk and melted butter. Mix with a fork, then transfer to a board and knead with hands for 2 minutes.
    3. Form a ball and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
    4. Divide into 8 pieces and roll to ⅜” thick.
    5. Heat 1 inch of oil in a deep pan to 375°F (180°C) over medium heat.
    6. Carefully lower the rolled dough into the pan - fry the dough in batches, do not overcrowd the pan.
    7. Let it cook for 1 minute, then flip over and cook 1 more minute on the other side.
    8. Top with powdered sugar and enjoy!

    Notes

    The scale up function does not change the gram measurements.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 138.6
    • Fat: 3.7
    • Carbohydrates: 21.8
    • Fiber: 0.8
    • Protein: 3.4

    Keywords: fried dough, fried dough recipe, how to make fried dough, chinese donut, elephant ears food, fried dough recipe easy, fried dough recipe italian, fried dough recipe air fryer, homemade fried dough, homemade fried dough recipe, homemade fried bread dough, how do you make fried dough from scratch, how do you make homemade fried dough, easy homemade fried dough recipe, how to make homemade fried dough, easy fried dough recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tom

      August 02, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      Worked perfectly!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Fred

      August 03, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      This fried dough recipe was legit.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • minx

        March 19, 2022 at 6:10 pm

        mmm tasty

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Marleana

          August 26, 2022 at 3:18 pm

          Can I use wheat flower instead? Also, half and half cream, instead of milk?

          Reply
          • Richard

            October 19, 2022 at 10:36 am

            I want to try this but it doesn’t say if I should use salted butter or unsalted butter. So which one is best?

            Reply
            • Brendan Cunningham

              October 19, 2022 at 12:43 pm

              Either works great but I use unsalted butter!

    3. Nika

      August 04, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      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 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kayla

        July 10, 2022 at 10:28 pm

        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!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    4. Martha

      August 04, 2021 at 7:10 pm

      These totally hit the spot.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Mina

      August 06, 2021 at 1:36 pm

      I fried them in avocado oil and they turned out just perfect!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Edith

      August 08, 2021 at 9:30 am

      This fried dough was outstanding! My grandkids really loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Rae

      August 18, 2021 at 9:17 am

      I cannot believe how good this fried dough was! It come out just as I was hoping!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Katie

      August 19, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      This was the best fried dough that I have ever made at home!! Usually it doesn't turn out but this came out perfect!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Jessica

      August 21, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Really enjoyed how quick this was to make and the result was phenomenal!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Regina

      August 22, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      It really was fair quality!! I went to our county fair and got fried dough and this was pretty close to it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Marie

      August 25, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Insanely good fried dough! I have tried a bunch of recipes in the past and nothing has been as good as this one!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Linda

      August 27, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      This was a blast to make with my kids!! We loved eating it even more.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Alyssa

      August 29, 2021 at 9:49 am

      This fried dough is incredible! It is my fams new favorite dessert and we can't stop making it!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Olivia P

      September 02, 2021 at 5:22 pm

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Francis

      September 06, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Kids loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Coraline

      September 06, 2021 at 4:46 pm

      It has become my familys favorite dessert! We've made this three times in the past week!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Betty

      September 09, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      Turned out great, thanks.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    18. Juliana

      September 10, 2021 at 7:50 pm

      This recipe is so legit, spot on fried dough texture!! We will be making it again this weekend!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    19. Jake

      September 11, 2021 at 8:17 pm

      Best recipe for FD we’ve tried.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    20. Amy

      September 12, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      This was by far the best fried dough that I have ever made!!! (I've tried a ton of different recipes)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. Kathy

      September 14, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      We have made this fried dough a bunch since finding the recipe and it tastes better every time! Fav dessert right now.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    22. Joyce

      September 18, 2021 at 4:13 pm

      Nothing beats this fried dough recipe! Easy, comes out perfect every time, and the fam all loves it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    23. Madrea

      September 20, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      It came out crispy yet still doughy and was delicioso with powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar on top.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    24. Anne

      September 22, 2021 at 11:22 am

      It was easy to make and we all loved it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    25. Alicia K

      September 23, 2021 at 12:50 pm

      Families new favorite dessert!! We love this it is perfect fried dough!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    26. Amanda L

      September 24, 2021 at 5:26 pm

      This recipe is super legit fried dough!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    27. Jess

      September 27, 2021 at 6:30 pm

      Probably my favorite dessert that I've made at home!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    28. Elaina

      September 29, 2021 at 2:03 pm

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    29. Maurice

      September 30, 2021 at 4:45 pm

      Made this fried dough every night for the past week. The kids can’t get enough of it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    30. Tia

      October 03, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      Made this every weekend for the past month🔥

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    31. Audrey

      October 04, 2021 at 4:10 pm

      DELISH!!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    32. Lizzie

      October 07, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      So crispy and airy with the perfect doughiness. Highly recommend making this!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    33. Darcy

      October 09, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      Hubby loved this recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    34. Hali

      October 11, 2021 at 8:58 pm

      So delicious every time!! My family just loves this nostalgic recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    35. Marimar

      October 14, 2021 at 6:43 pm

      Yaaassss this fried dough is the sh**!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    36. Vicky

      October 16, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      Found this recipe on Google. And all the reviews are right! It’s a great fried dough recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    37. Calia

      October 22, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      It turned out good in the air fryer, I will try it fried next time too. Excited to make it again.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    38. Meg

      October 26, 2021 at 11:43 pm

      Loved this fried dough. Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    39. Lisa

      October 28, 2021 at 8:40 pm

      This fried dough was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    40. Carla

      October 30, 2021 at 5:56 pm

      The texture was magnificent!! Very much enjoyed this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    41. Dave

      October 30, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      Spot on just like the fair!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    42. Frank

      November 01, 2021 at 8:39 pm

      Loved these elephant ears.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    43. Sam

      November 03, 2021 at 6:52 pm

      Perfectly chewy and delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    44. Andrea

      November 05, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      My kids went crazy over this!! We'll make it again soon.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    45. Martha

      November 09, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      Favourite dessert recipe I've made in a long time!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    46. Terry

      November 18, 2021 at 9:00 am

      Brought me back to when I was a child <3

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    47. Kathy B.

      November 20, 2021 at 2:50 pm

      I am amazed by how perfect this comes out each and every time! Consistently delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    48. Laura

      November 21, 2021 at 9:43 am

      It turns out exactly how I'd expect fried dough to be. Excellent recipe!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    49. PJ

      November 22, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      Good and fast.

      ★★★★

      Reply
    50. Henry

      November 23, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      💯💯💯

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    51. Gia

      November 27, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      My family went crazy over this!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    52. Em

      December 10, 2021 at 11:14 am

      Holy moly this was awesome!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    53. Tonia

      December 17, 2021 at 8:40 am

      Amazing

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    54. Katie

      December 31, 2021 at 9:11 pm

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        January 01, 2022 at 4:08 pm

        Thanks Katie!! So happy you like the fried dough 🙂

        Reply
        • wendy

          January 25, 2022 at 5:46 am

          would they hold up well with a glaze drizzled on them?

          Reply
          • Brendan Cunningham

            January 25, 2022 at 10:34 am

            Yes that should work great and sounds delicious!!

            Reply
    55. Jill

      January 03, 2022 at 11:59 pm

      😋

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    56. Nancy

      January 16, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      So good! Lovely taste and texture.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    57. Kiki

      March 08, 2022 at 8:41 pm

      The fam loved this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    58. Milli

      March 11, 2022 at 10:46 am

      My family makes this about once a month and it is to die for!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    59. Doug

      April 03, 2022 at 3:21 pm

      Damn this fried dough was good..

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    60. Julie

      June 11, 2022 at 5:39 pm

      So quick, easy, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        June 11, 2022 at 8:33 pm

        Of course! So glad you liked it!!

        Reply
    61. Alexa

      June 14, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      My family's favorite dessert ever!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    62. Cynthia

      October 09, 2022 at 11:05 am

      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.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    63. Richard

      October 26, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        October 26, 2022 at 2:59 pm

        Hi Richard, you will roll out the dough before putting it into the pan to cook.

        Reply
    64. Key

      December 04, 2022 at 9:37 pm

      So good! I added cinnamon on top of mine. It gave me a nice elephant ear (fair food) feel!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        December 05, 2022 at 8:52 am

        Great idea! So glad you liked the fried dough!

        Reply
    65. Jason

      February 28, 2023 at 8:10 pm

      Just tried for the first time… what a hit! My daughter says it tastes just like Disneys!

      Thank you for sharing!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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