Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Carnival nostalgia at home: These funnel cake fries capture the sweet, fried goodness of the carnival treat, but with a fun, fry-shaped twist.
- Crispy and light: The fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just like a perfectly fried funnel cake.
- Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and a short frying time, you can recreate the classic carnival treat right in your own kitchen.
- Customizable: Top with powdered sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream, or your favorite dipping sauces for a personalized dessert experience.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Funnel Cake Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil for frying
For Serving:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Optional Dipping Sauces:
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Strawberry sauce
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh berries
- Chocolate shavings
- Whipped cream
Directions
1. Prepare the funnel cake batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Whisk together until well mixed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients: milk, egg, and vanilla extract, until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir carefully to create a smooth batter, ensuring there are no lumps. The consistency should resemble a thick pancake batter.
2. Heat the oil:
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C). Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the oil reaches the correct temperature for frying.
3. Pipe the batter into the oil:
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a small or medium star tip to create the signature funnel cake ridges.
- Carefully pipe the batter directly into the hot oil, creating long, thin strips. Use scissors or a knife to cut the batter into fry-like shapes about 4-5 inches long.
4. Fry the funnel cake fries:
- Fry the batter strips for 2-3 minutes, turning once to ensure even golden-brown coloration. The fries should be crispy and light, with a beautiful golden color.
- Remove the funnel cake fries from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider, and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
5. Serve and garnish:
- Once the fries are drained, place them on a serving plate.
- Sprinkle the funnel cake fries generously with powdered sugar.
- Optionally, garnish with fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or drizzle with your favorite dipping sauces.
6. Enjoy:
- Serve the funnel cake fries warm, and enjoy the sweet, crispy, and delicious treat!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6 servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Flavored sugar: For extra flavor, try sprinkling the fries with cinnamon sugar instead of just powdered sugar.
- Fried fruit: Add some sliced bananas or strawberries to the batter before frying for a fruity twist.
- Toppings: Serve with various toppings like chocolate syrup, whipped cream, or caramel sauce for a decadent dessert experience.
Storage
- Storage: Funnel cake fries are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat in a warm oven for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
FAQs
Can I make funnel cake fries ahead of time?
These fries are best enjoyed immediately after frying to keep their crispiness. However, you can prepare the batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 1 day before frying.
What can I dip funnel cake fries in?
Funnel cake fries are delicious when dipped in chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or strawberry sauce. You can also try whipped cream or even ice cream for a more indulgent treat.
Can I make funnel cake fries without a piping bag?
Yes, if you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with a corner cut off, or simply drizzle the batter into the oil in a more freeform shape.
How do I make the fries crispier?
Make sure the oil is hot enough (375°F or 190°C) before adding the batter. If the oil is too cool, the fries may absorb more oil and become soggy instead of crispy.
Conclusion
Funnel Cake Fries are a fun and delicious twist on the classic carnival treat. Crispy, sweet, and with endless possibilities for toppings and dips, this recipe brings the joy of funnel cake into a handheld, fry-shaped treat. Perfect for summer nights, parties, or whenever you want to indulge in a sweet, nostalgic treat, these funnel cake fries will satisfy your cravings and impress your guests!
Funnel Cake Fries
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Funnel Cake Fries combine the crispy, sweet goodness of funnel cake with a fun fry-shaped twist, making them perfect for any occasion. Topped with powdered sugar and served with your favorite dipping sauces, they are a nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 ¼ cups milk
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil for frying
½ cup powdered sugar
Optional Dipping Sauces: Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce
Optional Garnishes: Fresh berries, chocolate shavings, whipped cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients: milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Combine the wet and dry ingredients to form a smooth batter resembling thick pancake batter.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C), using a thermometer to check the temperature.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the batter into the hot oil in long strips, cutting the batter into fry-like shapes with scissors or a knife.
- Fry the batter for 2-3 minutes, turning once for even browning. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Once drained, sprinkle the fries with powdered sugar and garnish with optional toppings like fresh berries, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, use cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar.
To make these even more indulgent, serve with whipped cream, caramel, or chocolate sauce for dipping.
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner cut off.
These are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
