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    Funnel Cake With Pancake Mix

    by Brendan Cunningham 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    If you've been looking for the best way to make funnel cake with pancake mix, this is it. This recipe puts the "fun" in funnel cake, and it tastes just like the one you would get at the county fair. It's deliciously crispy on the outside, yet light and fluffy inside, and it has a powdered sugar topping that just melts in your mouth.

    A funnel cake with pancake mix that is on a white plate on a white counter.
     

    Table of Contents

    • The Best Funnel Cake With Pancake Mix
      • INGREDIENTS
      • HOW TO MAKE FUNNEL CAKE WITH PANCAKE MIX
        • STEP 1: MAKING THE BATTER
        • STEP 2: FRYING THE FUNNEL CAKES
      • HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER FUNNEL CAKE
      • FAQ ABOUT THIS FUNNEL CAKE RECIPE
        • IS PANCAKE MIX AND FUNNEL CAKE MIX THE SAME?
        • Can you use pancake mix instead of cake mix?
        • Why is my funnel cake separating?
      • WRAPPING IT ALL UP
    • Easy Funnel Cake Recipe Made With Pancake Mix
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    The Best Funnel Cake With Pancake Mix

    Fair-style funnel cakes always bring back happy memories for me.

    Biting into a warm and fluffy freshly fried funnel cakes topped with powdered sugar never fails to put me in a good mood!

    That being said, making homemade funnel cakes can sometimes be a little intimidating because you typically need a lot of ingredients. 

    But that’s not the case when you make a funnel cake with pancake mix. And even better yet is the fact that it takes just 5 minutes to make 'em when you use the premade mix! So you can easily make this kettle corn to go with it for the ultimate fair food spread.

    Plus, since this funnel cake is made with buttermilk pancake mix it already has most of what you need to get the same taste and texture as the ones at the carnival or fair.

    Seriously, how awesome is that?

    By the way, if you love funnel cakes - or fair food in general - give our fried dough recipe a shot next!

    Part of a funnel cake on a white plate.

    INGREDIENTS

    So, all you need to pull off this addictive funnel cakes recipe is buttermilk pancake mix and just a few other pantry staples.  

    Anyway, here’s a look at everything you’ll need:

    • 1 cup buttermilk pancake mix
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • About ½ cup water 
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Powdered sugar
    • Vegetable oil, for frying
    • Strawberries to serve

    For the buttermilk pancake mix, you’ll want to look for one that only needs water. Some mixes call for an egg or even melted butter or oil, so if that’s the kind you have be sure to add those in before you continue with the rest of the recipe.

    Oh, and you might want to pick up an extra box or two of pancake mix at the store. You can use it along with most of the other ingredients to make our air fryer oreos next!

    A bowl of pancake mix, a bowl water, a bowl of salt, and a bowl of vanilla extract all on a white counter.

    HOW TO MAKE FUNNEL CAKE WITH PANCAKE MIX

    As you already know, this funnel cake recipe is ready in 5, 10 minutes tops.

    It’s basically just making the batter, frying it, then add toppings. So these are basically the easiest pancake mix funnel cakes that you can make.

    Now, let’s make the best funnel cake recipe ever.

    A hand holding a fork mixing funnel cake made with pancake mix in a bowl.

    STEP 1: MAKING THE BATTER

    First things first, grab a skillet and fill it halfway with oil. And an 8-inch skillet is ideal, but you can also use a 10-inch one if that’s what you have.

    Then, put the skillet on the stovetop and turn it up to medium heat.

    Now, while that’s warming up, whisk the pancake mix in a bowl with the water, sugar, and vanilla extract.

    And don't be afraid to add the water in increments to make sure you get the perfect consistency.

    The batter should be as thick as cake batter and shouldn’t be too runny or gooey. A good way to tell if it’s ready is if the batter falls from the whisk like ribbons.

    Now, when your funnel cake batter is ready, put the mixture into a piping bag, and get ready to fry it.

    A fried funnel cake in a a pan that is filled with oil.

    STEP 2: FRYING THE FUNNEL CAKES

    Ok, let’s make some funnel cakes!

    First, add enough oil to the heated skillet to cover the funnel cake completely, and let it  reach 375°F.

    Then, when that's warmed up, grab a piping bag - or a ziplock bag with the corner cut - and squeeze the batter into the hot frying oil in a circular motion. Start from the center and work your way out until you’ve got a 5-inch disk.

    Let it cook for about 1 minute or until the bottom is golden brown.

    Then, flip it over, and cook the other side for around 30 seconds to 1 minute - or until the underside is golden brown too.

    Now once the funnel cake is finished on both sides, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil.

    Finally, sprinkle it with powdered sugar and serve warm with a side of fresh strawberries or your choice of fruit, and enjoy!

    A hand holding a plate on a white counter that has a circular funnel cake on it. Surrounding the plate is a bowl of powdered sugar, a bowl of strawberries, and a bowl of syrup.

    HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER FUNNEL CAKE

    Ok, so this recipe makes 2 servings of funnel cake.

    And, honestly, these go pretty fast so you’ll definitely want to double or triple the recipe if you have any hope of storing extras for later.

    They’re just that good!

    You can keep leftover funnel cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

    Also, you’ll want to place a sheet of parchment paper - or paper towel - between the pieces to soak up any excess oil and keep them from getting soggy.

    You can reheat the funnel cakes in an air fryer or oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Tap off any powdered sugar (to prevent it from burning) and cook the funnel cakes for 1-2 minutes on each side for the air fryer or 3-4 minutes for the oven.

    A funnel cake made with pancake mix that is on a white plate on a white counter.

    FAQ ABOUT THIS FUNNEL CAKE RECIPE

    IS PANCAKE MIX AND FUNNEL CAKE MIX THE SAME?

    Almost. Both are made of flour, leavening agents, sugar, and powdered egg and milk. The main difference is that funnel cake mix typically has more sugar and rarely uses buttermilk powder.

    Can you use pancake mix instead of cake mix?

    Absolutely! Pancake mix actually works better than cake mix to make funnel cakes. It gives the funnel cake the classic texture that it would have if you got it at the fair or carnival. Honestly, I think pancake mix funnel cakes are the best ones you can make.

    Why is my funnel cake separating?

    Typically the funnel cake will separate if the frying oil is too hot. You'll want the oil to be around 375°F and the best way to test it is with a candy thermometer.

    Powdered sugar on top of a circular funnel cake on a white plate on a white counter.

    WRAPPING IT ALL UP

    And that’s how to make funnel cake with pancake mix!

    Let me tell you, this pancake mix funnel cakes hack has become an absolute gamechanger in our home.

    We can now have freshly fried funnel cakes practically anytime, anywhere, and with hardly any effort at all.

    And both kids and adults go crazy over them so everyone’s happy with this easy funnel cake recipe!

    Anyway, I hope you love this funnel cake recipe with pancake mix as much as I/we do. Don’t forget to leave a comment below if you make it and let me know what you think!

    Also, be sure to check out our Youtube channel for more quick, easy, and delicious recipe hacks like this one. 

    Oh, and if you want to make funnel cakes from scratch, check out this homemade funnel cake recipe.

    Print

    Easy Funnel Cake Recipe Made With Pancake Mix

    A fried funnel cake with powdered sugar on top on a white plate on a white counter.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 17 reviews

    This funnel cake recipe with pancake mix tastes just like the one you would get at the country fair. It's deliciously crispy on the outside yet light and fluffy inside with a powdered sugar topping for that melt in your mouth finish.

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 2 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 cup buttermilk pancake mix

    1 tablespoon sugar

    About ½ cup water 

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Powdered sugar

    Vegetable oil, for frying

    Strawberries to serve

    Instructions

    1. Fill an 8-inch skillet halfway with oil, then turn it to medium heat.
    2. Add pancake mix to a bowl and whisk in the water, sugar, and vanilla.
    3. Batter should be the thickness of cake batter, not too runny and not too gooey. It should fall from the whisk like ribbons.
    4. Put the mixture in a piping bag.
    5. Quickly squeeze the batter in a circular motion into the frying pan, forming a 5-inch disk. Cook about a minute until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook on the other side for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until golden brown.
    6. Remove from the oil and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
    7. Sprinkle it with powdered sugar and serve warm with strawberries.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 324.5
    • Fat: 4
    • Carbohydrates: 66.5
    • Protein: 7.5

    Keywords: Funnel cake with pancake mix, How to make funnel cake with pancake mix, Funnel cake, Funnel cake recipe, Funnel cake recipe with pancake mix, Easy funnel cake recipe, funnel cake recipe using pancake mix, funnel cake recipe easy, funnel cake recipe bisquick, funnel cake recipe no milk.,

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      March 31, 2022 at 8:41 pm

      Turned out incredible.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Abby

      April 01, 2022 at 12:55 pm

      My family loved this!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Karen

      April 03, 2022 at 9:32 am

      I couldn't make it in to a perfect circle but it doesn't matter because it was delicious!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Kim

      April 03, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Marcus

      April 05, 2022 at 10:54 am

      🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Jeane

      April 05, 2022 at 1:22 pm

      One of the most incredible funnel cakes that I have ever had.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Jamie

      April 08, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      The best funnel cake that I have ever had hands down. Just delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Gina

      April 10, 2022 at 8:26 pm

      Sooooooo good + easy.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Jack

      June 14, 2022 at 9:09 am

      I am a funnel cake and fried dough snob and I loved this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Pat

      June 14, 2022 at 9:43 am

      Yummo 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Andie

      June 14, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      Truly phenomenal.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Wendy

      June 15, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      It was great! I will make it another time.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Rob

      June 15, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      Looooove❤️❤️❤️

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Joel

      June 18, 2022 at 11:07 pm

      Iconic

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Janie

      June 20, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      We topped it off with cinnamon and sugar and it was delicious!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Rebecca

      June 22, 2022 at 8:19 am

      This recipe is a good one. Easy to do.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Paula M.

      July 07, 2022 at 5:05 pm

      Super good funnel cake and I would make this one again. I recommend giving it a shot.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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