We’re here to show you how to make a funnel cake at home with buttermilk and maple flavor just as you remember it tasting at a carnival. Homemade batter and Bisquick Funnel Cake options are fun for dessert. Need a recipe without eggs? We have the answer to that too!
Ever had a funnel cake in Disneyland and just about died because it was just SO good??!! Now you can make them from scratch pan fried whenever you want for a lot cheaper. Top with maple and bacon like this, with pie filling or just powdered sugar for a sweet treat.
Funnel Cake without Eggs
Now this does use egg whites but not the yolks. There are other substitutions you can make for this, one being Bob’s Red Mill has a powder you mix with water that is egg-free. You can also use 1/2 tsp of aquafaba + 4 tbsp water to replace the 2 eggs needed here. This is a plant based egg alternative so it would be a great vegan alternative if need be or if there is an allergy in your house.
As far as the difficulty, I don’t do hard to make dishes here. Just mix the dry ingredients, incorporate the wet and the batter is made. Then it comes to the shape you are familiar seeing. If you’re like me you don’t have a pastry bag on hand but a pint size freezer bag will do, OR use a pitcher for juice to pour into a swirl!
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How to Make Funnel Cake Batter
- All purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder
- Salt
- This is a great way of how to cook egg whites in a sweet way
- Buttermilk
- 1/2 c maple syrup
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for top
How to Make a Funnel Cake with Cake Mix
1 box angel food cake mix + flour + water + vanilla + powdered sugar. Mix dry ingredients and then incorporate water and vanilla until blended. Do not over-mix. It is easiest to make the swirl if you pour the batter you made into pitcher and pour about 1/2 cup in a circular swirl into your deep fryer once it reaches 375 degrees F.
Fry for 2 minutes or per side or until golden brown it says online with this recipe here. It makes a lot though with a full box of mix that serves 28 so I wouldn’t go this route if you just want a few though I imagine you could cut it in half if need be.
Carnival Funnel Cake Recipe
Some call these elephant ears but those are another sugar topped goodness, flatter but yes just as delicious. As far as the flavors go you could tweak this one with some almond extract if you wanted, coconut might be a fun twist too in the batter. The added flavors though come in when they are done and the toppings arrive.
How to Make Funnel cake in an Air Fryer
Ok so this is possible. If you do not have a pan or any oil it is a healthy way to “bake” it with very hot air instead. You will remove the inner basket with the holes and set that aside. Make the batter as directed below. Keep it a bit thicker so it keeps shape. Preheat machine to 370F. Open basket, spray drawer with oil, pipe in your swirl of batter, close for 3 minutes. Open and flip for another 3 min. on the other side!
Keep in mind that the texture will be more like an air fryer pancake, a bit softer and yes it will get crisp but not quite the same as frying it.
Can you make funnel cake in waffle maker?
You could! You would get the same flavors but once again the texture is just different. A fun out of the box way of thinking though and a weekend fave. my teens will make themselves. Make sure to spray the grates well before pouring in about 1/3-1/2 of a cup until golden.
Funnel Cake Toppings
- The most traditional topping, giving the funnel cake a sweet and delicate finish.
- A mix of cinnamon and sugar sprinkled over the funnel cake for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of your favorite berries.
- Warm fruit compote such as homemade pressure cooker apple pie filling, cherry, or mixed berries.
- or use canned pie fillings
- Sliced bananas for a fresh, creamy addition.
Looking for a way to make your next party super fun??!! This is one o four Easy Brunch Menu Ideas on a Budget you can create a whole buffet with. Have Cool Whip, fruits, chocolate chips and fillings available for everyone to make it just like they want. 😉
Traditionally, the batter for funnel cake is poured through a funnel into hot oil, creating the that pretty lacy, web-like look to it. Originally German settlers brought the concept to America, where it became a popular treat at fairs and carnivals.
I would say it’s flavor is like a crispy Belgium waffle I guess. Crispier around the outside of the swirl than the middle each one will be slightly sweet but with a subtle flavor like a pancake. The toppings are what brings the real sweetness into the mix.
I mean everything in moderation y’all. I wouldn’t recommend eating them every day but a treat once a week or month is fun. It is healthier “fried” in an air fryer than submerged into oil so change it up. You could use almond flour or incorporate some protein powder too for a low carb version.
How to Make a Funnel Cake
Equipment
- 1 pan deep to hold 2" oil or Dutch Oven
- 2 bowls
- 1 freezer bag or pitcher
Ingredients
- 1 c all purpose flour
- 1/2 c cornstarch
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 egg whites, no egg option use: 3 tsp Bob's Red Mill egg replacer + 4 tbsp water. 1/2 tsp of aquafaba + 4 tbsp water to replace 2 eggs
- 1.5 c buttermilk
- 1/2 c maple syrup
- oil, vegetable for frying
- powdered sugar, for top
Instructions
- Homemade Funnel Cake Batter – In a bowl whisk together the dry ingredients of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl whip the egg whites and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. To the bowl of dry ingredients add the buttermilk and maple syrup. Whisk together until smooth. Then fold in the whipped egg white mixture into the maple funnel cake batter.
- Start heating up the vegetable oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Transfer the maple bacon batter into a piping bag, freezer bag, pitcher or squeeze bottle.
- Once the oil has heated up to 360-375 degrees F, cut the tip of the bag or take the top off the squeeze bottle and create zig-zag-or swirl like patterns in the oil in the shape of a circle. Cook on one side until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then flip and cook for another two minutes until done.
- You want the funnel cake to be crispy, not soggy. Remove from the oil and place on a few paper towels to absorb oil on outside before a plate. Sift on lots of powdered sugar and/or pie filling on top.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We are putting on a little party for the kiddos in our neighborhood this Summer, and these will be perfect!
I had no idea it was so easy to make funnel cakes at home!! This recipe turned out so well – crispy, sweet and delicious – tasted just like my favorite carnival’s funnel cake!
so glad