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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fried dough
Ingredients
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
- 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
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
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Worked perfectly!!
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This fried dough recipe was legit.
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mmm tasty
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Can I use wheat flower instead? Also, half and half cream, instead of milk?
I want to try this but it doesn’t say if I should use salted butter or unsalted butter. So which one is best?
Either works great but I use unsalted butter!
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 🙂
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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!
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These totally hit the spot.
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I fried them in avocado oil and they turned out just perfect!!!
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This fried dough was outstanding! My grandkids really loved it!
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I cannot believe how good this fried dough was! It come out just as I was hoping!!
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This was the best fried dough that I have ever made at home!! Usually it doesn't turn out but this came out perfect!!
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Really enjoyed how quick this was to make and the result was phenomenal!
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It really was fair quality!! I went to our county fair and got fried dough and this was pretty close to it!
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Insanely good fried dough! I have tried a bunch of recipes in the past and nothing has been as good as this one!
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This was a blast to make with my kids!! We loved eating it even more.
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This fried dough is incredible! It is my fams new favorite dessert and we can't stop making it!!
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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!
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Kids loved it!
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It has become my familys favorite dessert! We've made this three times in the past week!!
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Turned out great, thanks.
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This recipe is so legit, spot on fried dough texture!! We will be making it again this weekend!!
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Best recipe for FD we’ve tried.
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This was by far the best fried dough that I have ever made!!! (I've tried a ton of different recipes)
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We have made this fried dough a bunch since finding the recipe and it tastes better every time! Fav dessert right now.
★★★★★
Nothing beats this fried dough recipe! Easy, comes out perfect every time, and the fam all loves it!
★★★★★
It came out crispy yet still doughy and was delicioso with powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar on top.
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It was easy to make and we all loved it.
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Families new favorite dessert!! We love this it is perfect fried dough!
★★★★★
This recipe is super legit fried dough!!
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Probably my favorite dessert that I've made at home!!
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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!
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Made this fried dough every night for the past week. The kids can’t get enough of it.
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Made this every weekend for the past month🔥
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DELISH!!!!!
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So crispy and airy with the perfect doughiness. Highly recommend making this!!
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Hubby loved this recipe.
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So delicious every time!! My family just loves this nostalgic recipe.
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Yaaassss this fried dough is the sh**!!!
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Found this recipe on Google. And all the reviews are right! It’s a great fried dough recipe.
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It turned out good in the air fryer, I will try it fried next time too. Excited to make it again.
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Loved this fried dough. Thanks!
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This fried dough was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
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The texture was magnificent!! Very much enjoyed this.
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Spot on just like the fair!
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Loved these elephant ears.
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Perfectly chewy and delicious!
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My kids went crazy over this!! We'll make it again soon.
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Favourite dessert recipe I've made in a long time!
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Brought me back to when I was a child <3
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I am amazed by how perfect this comes out each and every time! Consistently delicious.
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It turns out exactly how I'd expect fried dough to be. Excellent recipe!!
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Good and fast.
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💯💯💯
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My family went crazy over this!
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Holy moly this was awesome!
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Amazing
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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!
★★★★★
Thanks Katie!! So happy you like the fried dough 🙂
would they hold up well with a glaze drizzled on them?
Yes that should work great and sounds delicious!!
😋
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So good! Lovely taste and texture.
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The fam loved this.
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My family makes this about once a month and it is to die for!!
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Damn this fried dough was good..
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So quick, easy, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
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Of course! So glad you liked it!!
My family's favorite dessert ever!!!!
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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.
★★★★★
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?
Hi Richard, you will roll out the dough before putting it into the pan to cook.
So good! I added cinnamon on top of mine. It gave me a nice elephant ear (fair food) feel!
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Great idea! So glad you liked the fried dough!
Just tried for the first time… what a hit! My daughter says it tastes just like Disneys!
Thank you for sharing!!!
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