Easy Funnel Cakes | What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine

If you have ever gone to a fun festival, there are sure to be funnel cakes frying somewhere to buy on the premises.

The smell of freshly fried dough drifting through the air brings that comforting feeling with a fun atmosphere.

Funnel cakes are a popular Southern fair treat made by pouring a simple batter through a funnel (or squeeze bottle) into hot oil, creating a lacy, crispy web of golden goodness.

Once fried to perfection, they’re dusted generously with powdered sugar and then can be topped with any favorites, from fresh fruits to drizzles of honey.

But here’s the best part: you don’t have to wait for the fair to enjoy them.

Making funnel cakes at home is surprisingly easy and incredibly fun. Watching the batter swirl into those signature shapes feels a little like edible art, and the results are always deliciously rewarding.

Here in the Southern part of America, these are popular at feasts, outdoor farmer’s markets, and other social concert events.

Why You Will Love Funnel Cakes

• Quick and simple to find at the local supermarket, ingredients
• You won’t need any special equipment (a funnel or squeeze bottle works or a ziplock bag snipped on one end!); however, you can buy a funnel maker kit
• Crispy on the outside, super crunchy, sweet, and fluffy inside
• Perfect for family fun projects, making at a picnic with a gas grill, camping trip, or weekend treats
• Easily customizable with your favorite toppings, fresh fruits, chocolate chips, and syrups
• That feeling in your kitchen brings that carnival nostalgic fair experience right to you

Serving Suggestion Toppings for Funnel Cakes

1. Classic powdered sugar (a must!)
2. Fresh strawberries and whipped cream
3. Chocolate syrup or Nutella drizzle
4. Caramel sauce and chopped nuts
5. Ice cream is an indulgent dessert
6. Cinnamon sugar for a churro-style twist with a cinnamon and sugar mixture
7. Warmed caramel to dip them in 
8. Hot fudge to dip them in
9. Add colorful sprinkles to the batter.
10. Dip them in a powdered sugar and water glaze
11. Add mini chocolate chips to the batter.
12. Add raisins to the batter
13. Add chopped cherries to the batter
14. Add grated orange zest or lemon zest to the batter
15. Try adding an extract you like to the batter, around 1 teaspoon for a different flavor every time you make them
16. Lemon curd and berries for a bright, tangy version

Tips For Creating Funnel Cakes

• Get the oil temperature right: Should be 375 degrees. Too cool, and they’ll be greasy; too hot, and they’ll burn quickly.
• Use a steady pour: Move your hand in circular and crisscross motions to create that classic lacy pattern.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry one at a time for best results and even cooking.
• Drain well: Place on paper towels right after frying to remove excess oil.
• Serve immediately: Funnel cakes are best enjoyed fresh and warm.

Pin for later

fried cakes, fried donuts, fairs, feast foods, festival fried cakes, fried cakes, funnel cakes, summer foods,

donuts, hot cakes, fried cakes, fun foods

American

Yield: 12

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Funnel Cake Recipe

This is a fun fried cake you find many in the Southern States at fairs, festivals, concerts, and much more. They’re a little cake, fried battered served hot with powdered sugar.

Prep time: 8 MinCook time: 4 MinTotal time: 12 Min

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for garnishing
• Tools: Funnel, zip lock bag or use a cookie press to make the funnel cakes

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs.
2. Add milk, water, and vanilla until well blended.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; beat into egg mixture until smooth.
4. Heat oil to medium-high heat.
5. In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet
6. Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with your finger and spoon or ladle 1/2 cup batter into the funnel.
7. Note: if you don’t have a funnel use a zip lock bag, fill it and cut a small slit on an end for squeezing out the batter. You can also use a cookie press.
8. Holding the funnel several inches above the oil, release your finger and move the funnel in a circular motion until all the batter is released into the hot oil.
9. Fry until golden brown, 2 minutes on each side.
10. Drain on paper towels.
11. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Notes

Serving Suggestion Toppings for Funnel Cakes

1. Classic powdered sugar (a must!)
2. Fresh strawberries and whipped cream
3. Chocolate syrup or Nutella drizzle
4. Caramel sauce and chopped nuts
5. Ice cream is an indulgent dessert
6. Cinnamon sugar for a churro-style twist with a cinnamon and sugar mixture
7. Warmed caramel to dip them in 
8. Hot fudge to dip them in
9. Add colorful sprinkles to the batter.
10. Dip them in a powdered sugar and water glaze
11. Add mini chocolate chips to the batter.
12. Add raisins to the batter
13. Add chopped cherries to the batter
14. Add grated orange zest or lemon zest to the batter
15. Try adding an extract you like to the batter, around 1 teaspoon for a different flavor every time you make them
16. Lemon curd and berries for a bright, tangy version

Tips For Creating Funnel Cakes

• Get the oil temperature right: Should be 375 degrees. Too cool, and they’ll be greasy; too hot, and they’ll burn quickly.
• Use a steady pour: Move your hand in circular and crisscross motions to create that classic lacy pattern.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry one at a time for best results and even cooking.
• Drain well: Place on paper towels right after frying to remove excess oil.
• Serve immediately: Funnel cakes are best enjoyed fresh and warm.

Nutrition Facts

Sodium (milligrams)

176 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

33 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

https://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2016/07/funnel-cake-recipe.html

These are all copyright-protected images and content. Do not reprint/reuse this recipe or its images without my written permission.

Pin for later

Disclosure: This recipe was posted in 2016, edited and re-published in 2026.