Bring the taste of the carnival into your own kitchen with my Funnel Cake recipe. My easy recipe can be made in just 15 minutes on the stove–no funnel or deep fryer required! Recipe includes a how-to video!
Carnival-Worthy Funnel Cakes
If your annual summer checklist includes grabbing a funnel cake and some caramel popcorn from your local carnival or beachside snack shack, you’ll definitely want to save this recipe! While I’m not suggesting you skip your annual tradition, I am suggesting that perhaps you could enjoy this treat more than once a year. From the comfort of your own kitchen. In your pajamas. Okay, the last part isn’t necessary, but let’s be real, funnel cakes are essentially breakfast food…right (if fried donut holes count, these certainly do)?!
Despite the frying step, it’s actually very easy to make funnel cakes. If you’re not familiar with frying, I do suggest you watch the video included below for some helpful tips. But really though, this recipe is great for beginners, and it comes together so quickly too!
Why you’ll love my recipe:
- Tastes just like the funnel cake you get at the carnival (if not better!).
- Incredibly simple; you only need a handful of pantry staples.
- So fast! It takes just minutes from start to finish.
- NO funnel required–I’m sharing my favorite, funnel-free method!
What You Need
Funnel cake batter is similar to a pancake batter; in fact this recipe is a variation of my buttermilk pancakes. You’ll need a few ingredients, including:
- Flour. Regular, all-purpose flour works. Do NOT use self-rising flour.
- Milk. Pretty much any kind will work, but my preference is whole milk. You may need more milk than I call for to get your batter to the right consistency, I’ve never needed more than 1 cup but enough people have mentioned that they’ve needed to add more in their own kitchen that I like to mention that it’s OK to add more liquid if needed!
- Vanilla extract. This is optional, but it will make your funnel cakes taste sweeter and richer.
- Powdered sugar. For sprinkling on top. The more the merrier!
SAM’S TIP: Powdered sugar is a popular topping, but so it cinnamon sugar! To make some, simply combine 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon and ½ cup granulated sugar and sprinkle/dust over your warm funnel cake.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Funnel Cake
- Whisk the dry ingredients until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients, then gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the batter is smooth and no large lumps remain.
- Heat 2-3″ of oil over medium-low until it reaches the proper temperature, then slowly drizzle a thin stream of batter in a zig-zag pattern into the hot oil.
- Fry on each side until golden brown, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Dust your funnel cake with powdered sugar and enjoy!
SAM’S TIP: It’s very important that you pour a thin stream while constantly moving; otherwise, you could end up with big clumps of batter that are golden brown on the outside and raw in the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s easy! Simply portion some of the batter into a measuring cup and pour it in a thin stream in a circular/criss-cross/zig-zag into the hot oil. This method is the easiest to clean up and has the smallest chance of spills–I love it!
If you are having trouble getting a thin stream, you can also pour your batter into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (½″ diameter). Plug the tip with your finger, portion the batter, and then pipe it into the oil.
I recommend using a neutral oil for in my funnel cake recipe. Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil all work great for this recipe and are my frying oils of choice for frying everything from apple fritters to fried pickles.
Yes! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
I hope this recipe inspires some sweet, summertime memories for you ❤
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Funnel Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (236 ml) whole milk¹ (or more, if needed, see note 1)
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting funnel cakes
Recommended Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed pot
- Measuring cup with spout
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well-combined.2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract (if using) until well-combined.1 cup (236 ml) whole milk¹, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- While whisking, gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until mixture is smooth and combined. Set aside.
- Fill a medium-sized saucepan 2-3” deep with vegetable oil. Set on stovetop over medium-low heat and place a candy thermometer in the oil (make sure the tip of the thermometer is in the middle of the oil and not touching the bottom or it will read hotter than the actual temperature of the oil). Heat oil to 370-375F (187-190C).Vegetable oil
- Once oil is heated, portion about ⅓ – ½ cup of batter into a liquid measuring cup². Slowly drizzle batter into oil in a thin stream, swirling and criss-crossing the batter over itself. Fry on each side until golden brown (about 90 seconds per side) then remove to a paper-towel lined plate.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.Powdered sugar
- Repeat with remaining batter but make sure that oil returns to temperature in between batches.
Notes
¹Milk
If your batter is too thick, add additional milk as needed until your batter reaches a pour-able consistency. Some people have needed to add as much as ½-3/4 cup milk.²Funnel
If you have a funnel, you can of course use that instead! You’ll need a clean funnel with a ½″ opening. Use your finger to plug the bottom of the funnel and then portion ⅓-1/2 cup of batter into the funnel. Hold funnel over oil, remove your finger, and then move the funnel in a circular/criss-cross pattern until all of the batter has been drizzled into the oil.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Cat
Can you use almond milk if you’re dairy free?
Sam
Hi Cat! Unfortunately I have never tried it so I can’t say for sure how it would go. 🙁
Christina Acosta
So good and super easy!
Diane
I had no idea funnel cakes could be so easy and inexpensive yo make. Thanks
Steph D.
BEST FUNNEL CAKE RECIPE EVER!!!
owen.c
love this cake its even better then the ones at the carnival
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you liked it, Owen! Thanks for giving it a try ❤️
logan
Can you make the batter ahead?
Sam
Hi Logan! That should work just fine. 🙂
Olga richardson
This recipe is the BEST! I love your foods that you make, and you are very cautious not to get burnt in that recipe, you are the best and will be in my heart for the rest of my life!
Sam
Thank you so much, Olga! 🙂
Thea
All I have is self-rising flour. Why can I not use it in this recipe?
Sam
You can use it if you adjust the leaveners added. 🙂
Yoann
Hello,
I tried your recipe but my cakes look flat 🙁 nothing rose up. Please help!!!
I follow all your steps.
Thank you!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Yoann! Is your baking powder fresh? That could be the issue 🙁
TA
My first one came out flat because the heat wasn’t high enough. Turned it up a notch and made a huge difference.
Amy
Needed a night snack for the kids and I. Made this funnel cake along side a recipe for homeade carmel sauce. Kids enjoyed and will definitely make again. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes that you have that I’ve never been steered wrong on.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yum, that sounds divine Amy! Enjoy ❤️
Dawny
What can be used to replace the baking powder? I’m ready to try this with the kids
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Dawny! We recommend using baking powder if possible. If not, you could try one of the substitutes listed in our baking powder vs. baking soda post 😊
Ryker
I love this recipe so much, Ive made it probably 10 time and not one has turned out bad. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We appreciate this sweet review, Ryker! Thanks for trusting our recipe ❤️
Betty
What brand of oil do you recommend? Any time I have tried to fry dough it just doesn’t taste like my grandmother’s from MANY years ago. My mother said she always used lard. I know lard today is not what lard was years ago.
Sam
Hi Betty! I often use generic oil here. 🙂
Teresa
I order leaf lard on Etsy. The lard in the stores is refined, that’s why it’s not at all like the olden days. Any unrefined lard will be fine but the leaf lard doesn’t have the porky flavor. 🙂
Kris Marie
Hi Sam, we just made these scrumptious funnel cakes! Oh my they were pure heaven on a hot Summer night! No fair required lol ! Thank you so much!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Kris! 🙂
Joanna
My family decended upon the kitchen & was raiding the entire time!!!
Ise
My search for The Perfect Funnel Cake has officially come to an end tonight! Thank you this was outstanding, albeit a lil too thick to funnel out so I had to thin it out before frying. I was in a big hurry to get to the devouring part of the recipe and just stirred in a lil water. I didn’t even finish reading the recipe tips (til right now) that suggested using milk to thin it out! Nonetheless, my funnel cakes were absolutely delicious and I will definitely be making more and highly recommend this recipe!!!
Mary
Can I use olive oil? It is healthier if you have high cholesterol.
Sam
Olive oil unfortunately isn’t good for high heat so I don’t recommend it here. 🙁
Jody
Try avocado or grapeseed oil for frying.
Sjp
Perfect receipe 👌👍
Nicky
Fantastic recipe. Will make over and over again. Thank-u Sam. Totally carnival and absolutely delicious. Great recipe.
Nicky
20 stars. Just saying.
Stina
Simple and very easy to make. I do wish it was slightly sweeter, but other than that I’ll make it again for sure!!
Susan Sims
I made these tonight. I added more sugar until batter was sweet to taste. Also added cinnamon. Had to thin out batter until pourable. They fried perfectly and were delicious.
Sam
Hi Susan! I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! 🙂