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Funnel Cake Donut Recipe

Funnel Cake Donut Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 9 reviews

This Funnel Cake Donut Recipe is a fun and easy carnival-style dessert that brings golden, crispy, fluffy bites of sweetness straight to your kitchen. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, milk, egg, and sugar, these donuts are deep-fried or air-fried to perfection and dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon for a perfect finish. Perfect for a quick treat or a festive snack, these funnel cake donuts capture the nostalgic flavors of a carnival favorite at home.

Ingredients

Scale

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 & Finishing

  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Optional Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Use a cooking thermometer for accurate temperature if available.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk these together until evenly mixed.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 large egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
  4. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light and tender.
  5. Fry the Donuts: Once the oil reaches 350°F, use a small ice cream scoop or spoon to carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
  6. Cook Until Golden: Fry each batch for 2–3 minutes per side, turning once with a slotted spoon, until the donuts are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
  7. Drain and Cool: Remove the donuts from the oil with a slotted spoon or spider strainer, and place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
  8. Add Finishing Touches: While still warm, dust the donuts generously with powdered sugar or roll them in cinnamon sugar if desired. Serve warm.
  9. Optional Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with oil. Scoop batter onto parchment rounds or silicone molds and air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay to keep the donuts tender.
  • You can customize the donuts by adding cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce, or fruit preserves for dipping.
  • If using an air fryer, the texture will be slightly less crispy but healthier.
  • Use a cooking thermometer to maintain the correct frying temperature for best results.
  • Frying in small batches prevents the oil temperature from dropping too much, ensuring crisp donuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: funnel cake donut, carnival dessert, deep-fried donuts, air fryer donuts, powdered sugar donuts, easy dessert recipe

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