Funnel Cake Donut Recipe – A Fun & Easy Carnival-Style Dessert Recipe

Introduction

Funnel Cake Donuts bring the joy of carnival treats straight to your home kitchen. These crispy, golden bites are easy to make and perfect for dipping in chocolate sauce or enjoying with a dusting of powdered sugar.

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Step 4: Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Step 5: Using a spoon or small scoop, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
6. Step 6: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
7. Step 7: While warm, dust with powdered sugar or roll in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately.
8. Step 8: (Air fryer option) Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
9. Step 9: Spray the basket lightly with oil.
10. Step 10: Drop batter by spoonfuls onto parchment rounds or silicone molds.
11. Step 11: Air fry 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
12. Step 12: Dust with powdered sugar after cooking.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try mixing fresh blueberries or mashed banana into the batter before frying or air frying.
• Use cinnamon sugar for a warm, spiced twist instead of just powdered sugar.
• Ensure oil temperature stays consistent for crisp, golden donuts without excess oil absorption.
• Air frying is a great lower-oil alternative but produces a slightly different texture.

Storage

Store leftover funnel cake donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for a few minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these funnel cake donuts gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suited for baking, but results may vary slightly in texture.

What’s the best way to keep the donuts crispy after cooking?

Drain them well on paper towels immediately after frying and serve while warm. If storing, reheat in an oven or air fryer to help maintain crispiness.

Funnel Cake Donut Recipe – A Fun & Easy Carnival-Style Dessert Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 70 reviews

This Funnel Cake Donut recipe offers a fun and easy carnival-style dessert that can be fried or air-fried to golden perfection. Featuring a simple batter flavored with vanilla and dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, these donuts are crispy on the outside and tender inside. They can be served with chocolate sauce, fruit preserves, or fresh fruit for delightful variations.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (includes frying or air frying time)
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: About 12 small donuts 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Frying and Toppings

• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• 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: Preheat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for frying the donuts.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the whole milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
4. Combine batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the batter light.
5. Fry the donuts: Using a spoon or small scoop, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry the donuts in batches for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
6. Drain excess oil: Remove the fried donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
7. Finish with toppings: While the donuts are still warm, dust them with powdered sugar or roll them in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately with optional chocolate sauce, fruit preserves, or fresh fruit variations.
8. Air fryer alternative – Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F to prepare for the air-fried version of the donuts.
9. Prepare air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
10. Place batter in molds: Drop spoonfuls of batter onto parchment rounds or silicone molds placed inside the air fryer basket.
11. Air fry the donuts: Cook the donuts in the air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
12. Dust and serve: After cooking, dust the donuts with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Notes

• Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough donuts; stir until just combined.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350°F when frying to ensure crispy, properly cooked donuts.
• Use silicone molds or parchment rounds in the air fryer to prevent batter from sticking and to keep the donut shape.
• Experiment with toppings such as cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce, fruit preserves, or fresh fruit like blueberries or mashed banana for variety.
• Serve donuts immediately after cooking for the best texture and flavor.
• The recipe offers two cooking methods: traditional deep frying and air frying for a lighter alternative.

Keywords: funnel cake donuts, carnival dessert, fried donuts, air fryer donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, easy donut recipe, carnival style dessert