Easy Funnel Cake Recipe Made In Just 10 Minutes

This easy funnel cake recipe is going to blow your mind. Just a few simple ingredients combine to make golden brown homemade funnel cakes that will leave your friends and family in awe. Plus, 10 minutes is all it takes to make this nostalgic fair treat. Honestly, as far as quick and easy dessert recipes go, this has got to be one of the easiest.

The Best Funnel Cake Recipe

Funnel cakes are one of those sweet treats you don't even think about until it's time for the local fair.

But, now with this recipe, you don't have to wait for the fair to eat some delicious funnel cakes! This recipe will give you everything you love about this iconic fried food without having to leave your home. I know, it seems impossible for that to be true, but it isn't.

This funnel cake recipe literally makes perfect funnel cakes every, single, time! And all you need is about 5 minutes to prepare the funnel cakes and about 5 minutes to cook 'em!

Pretty ridiculous, right?! So you can make this kettle corn, too, for the ultimate fair food spread!

Ingredients

If you think about it, funnel cakes are basically just deep-fried cakes. Seriously though. Nearly all of the same ingredients are required to make these warm, fried golden brown rings of perfection.

Now, there is one secret ingredient that really makes these funnel cakes stand out from the rest thought - see if you can guess which one it is.

Here's everything you'll need to make these funnel cakes:

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp sparkling water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar for topping
• Oil for frying

Did you guess which ingredient it is? Well, it's the sparkling water, of course!

I know it sounds strange, but the sparkling water is what gives each funnel cake such a light and fluffy texture. So don't leave it out of the recipe!

Now, I love topping my funnel cakes with powdered sugar for a classic experience. But you can also top them off with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce! Honestly, you really can't go wrong with any of those options.

By the way, I use almost every single one of these ingredients to make my super popular fried dough recipe and this elephant ears food. And I actually use a lot of the same ones to make these fried Oreos too. So you'll definitely want to check those out next if you end up with some extra stuff!

How To Make Funnel Cakes

As I alluded to earlier, this recipe for funnel cakes is actually quite simple. In fact, just 5 simple steps are all you'll have to follow to make 'em. And, again, just 5 minutes of prep work and 5 minutes of cook time is all you're really in for to fry each funnel cake up.

Now without further ado, let's dive into how to make a funnel cake!

Step 1: Heat The Oil

Begin by heating about 1-inch of oil in a deep pan or skillet.

Then, let the oil heat up to 375°F while you prepare the batter. And you can check the oil by using a candy thermometer. With that said, if you don't have one, stick the end of a wooden spoon in the oil, and when bubbles form around it and start to float, the oil is hot enough.

Step 2: Mix The Batter

While the oil is heating, grab a large bowl and add the eggs, milk, vanilla, sparkling water, and sugar to it. Then, give these ingredients a whisk just until they combine.

Next, add the baking powder and flour to the bowl and whisk them together with the wet ingredients until smooth and no lumps remain.

Step 3: Fill A Piping Bag

Now it's time to grab a piping bag with a narrow nozzle and add the cake batter to it.

Alternatively - if you don't have a piping bag - you can add the batter to a funnel, a squeeze bottle, or a plastic bag with a small hole cut in one of the corners.

Step 4: Fry The Funnel Cakes

Now, once the oil is hot enough, you can pour the batter into it, and shape it like a nest. And don't be afraid if it doesn't look perfect, that's half the fun!

Also, just so you know, each funnel cake should be around 5 inches in diameter.

Now, cook one funnel cake at a time, for about 2 minutes on each side. Then, when it's time to flip it, carefully flip the cake with a large spatula, so you don't splash any of the oil. 

And, of course, you'll want to continue this process until you've used all of the batter - about 6 funnel cakes.

Step 5: Finish Up

Now, after you fry each funnel cake to golden brown perfection, you'll want to transfer them to a wire rack - or plate lined with paper towels - to drain the excess oil.

Then, to finish them off, sprinkle each funnel cake with a generous amount of powdered sugar, serve warm and enjoy!

How To Store & Reheat Funnel Cakes

As I mentioned, this recipe for funnel cakes will make about six. And, believe it or not, you can store and reheat the funnel cake while still maintaining its texture.

To do so, store the leftover cakes in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze your funnel cake in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

To reheat, the air fryer or oven is your best bet. If using the oven, reheat the funnel cake at 350° F for about 8-10 minutes or until thoroughly warm. If using an air fryer, reheat at 440°F for about 3-4 minutes.

FAQs about this funnel cake recipe

Is funnel cake made from pancake batter?

Yes, you can make a funnel cake with pancake batter. I actually have a delicious funnel cake recipe with pancake mix. So, if you want to give it a try, you have to check out that recipe!

What is funnel cake batter made of?

A funnel cake batter is traditionally made with flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. This recipe uses sparkling water to enhance the light and fluffy texture.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make funnel cake that tastes like it's from the fair!

Seriously, this homemade funnel cake couldn't be closer to the "real deal". It's crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, and it just melts in your mouth.

As always, if you give this recipe a try, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know how it went!

More Dessert Recipes

Looking for more easy sweet treats?

Well, if you are, you're in the right place because we have a ton of delicious dessert recipes on the blog.

Check one of these out next:

• Fried ice cream
• Caramel cake
• Oreo balls
• Fried cheesecake
• Strawberry crunch cake
• Mini no bake cheesecake bites
• Peach cobbler pound cake

Oh, and for more tasty tastiness, check out our YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok pages. We post new recipes on them every day. 

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