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Funnel Cake Donut Recipe

Funnel Cake Donut Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 25 reviews

Bring the fair to your kitchen with this easy Funnel Cake Donut Recipe! These bite-sized carnival-style treats are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with powdered sugar for a classic finish. Perfect for parties, brunches, or fun weekend snacks, they’re made with simple pantry ingredients and come together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Optional Add-ins & Toppings

  • Ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar coating)
  • Chocolate sauce or fruit preserves for dipping
  • Fresh blueberries or mashed banana (for variations)

Instructions

  1. Heat the Oil: Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C) to achieve the perfect frying temperature for crispy, golden donut bites.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavorings.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep donuts tender.
  5. Fry the Donuts: Using a spoon or small scoop, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches for about 2–3 minutes per side until the donuts are golden brown and cooked through.
  6. Drain: Remove the cooked donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
  7. Dust and Serve: While still warm, dust the donuts with powdered sugar or roll them in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
  8. Air Fryer Alternative: Preheat air fryer to 375°F, lightly spray the basket with oil, drop spoonfuls of batter onto parchment rounds or silicone molds, air fry for 6–8 minutes flipping halfway, then dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

  • For blueberry funnel cake bites, fold in 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter before frying.
  • For chocolate flavor, add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the batter and consider topping with a chocolate drizzle.
  • Serve with a variety of dipping sauces such as chocolate, caramel, or berry compote for extra indulgence.
  • Best served warm and fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or in the air fryer for 1 minute.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the donuts soggy.
  • You can prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.
  • To keep fried donuts crispy while frying multiple batches, keep the cooked donuts warm on a wire rack in the oven at 200°F.

Nutrition

Keywords: funnel cake donuts, funnel cake bites, fried dough recipe, carnival desserts, air fryer donuts, easy dessert recipes, party snacks, funnel cake variations, cinnamon sugar donuts

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/funnel-cake-donut-recipe/