Homemade Funnel Cake Recipe

Turn your Instant Pot or Skillet into a carnival of flavors with this easy Funnel Cake Recipe! Crispy, golden, and downright irresistible, these funnel cakes bring the joy of the fair right to your kitchen. Picture the delight on faces as they bite into the sweet, powdered sugar goodness. Fast, fun, and oh-so-delicious – get ready to savor the nostalgia of carnival treats with these Homemade Funnel Cakes.

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Making Funnel Cakes at Home

It doesn't have to cost a ton of money or require a trip to the local carnival. Instead, you can whip up this delicious dough treat at home. Not sure if it's worth the time?

Here's why you'll love this easy skillet or Instant Pot funnel cake recipe.

• Homemade: Make this delicious fair food without having to leave the home.
• Simple ingredients. This recipe is made with simple ingredients you probably already have.
• So delicious. These funnel cakes are just as good if not better than your traditional funnel cake that you buy at the fair. Topped with powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate syrup, you'll love not paying extra for the toppings.

What Goes Into Funnel Cake Batter?

Here are the funnel cake ingredients you will need:

• Milk: Provides the liquid component that creates the batter's consistency and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Eggs: Add moisture and act as a binder, ensuring the funnel cakes hold their shape during cooking.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a delightful sweetness and aroma to the funnel cakes, enhancing their overall flavor profile.
• Sugar: Sweetens the batter, while powdered sugar is sprinkled on top of the cooked funnel cake for a delicious finishing touch.
• Baking ingredients (Flour and Baking Powder): To make the dough for your funnel cake, you will need flour and baking powder (not soda).

How to Make a Funnel Cake

You won't even have to use your pressure cook buttons for this recipe. Just get out that Instant Pot and set it to saute mode. If you don't have an Instant Pot, use a skillet.

1. Step 1: First, fill your Inner Pot with 2 inches of vegetable or cooking oil. Then, turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Heat the oil until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Step 2: Next, start making your funnel cake batter. Whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Add your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Then, slowly mix in the flour until a batter forms.

3. Step 3: Then, place your batter into a piping bag, or put it in a gallon-size zip lock bag and cut the corner off.

4. Step 4: Squeeze batter into the oil piping in random directions and layer over itself. Leave room for the batter to expand.

5. Step 5: Cook the funnel cake batter for 5 minutes on one side, and then flip and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.

6. Step 6: Remove your funnel cake from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.

7. Step 7: Dust the golden brown funnel cake with powdered sugar. Optional: drizzle with favor sauce. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips for Carnival Style Treats

• Consistent Batter Thickness: Maintain a consistent batter thickness when pouring it into the hot oil. Too thick can result in undercooked centers, while too thin may lead to overly crispy edges.
• Piping Bag: You can use a piping bag, ziplock bag or squeeze bottle to make the fried dough.

What to Do with Leftovers

Funnel cakes are best enjoyed fresh and hot, but if you happen to have leftovers or need to store them for a short period, here's how you can do it:

• Room Temperature (Short-Term): If you plan to consume the funnel cakes within a few hours, you can store them at room temperature. Place them on a plate or in a container with a loose-fitting lid to prevent them from becoming overly soft. Keep them away from direct sunlight and any moisture.
• Refrigeration (Short-Term): If you need to store funnel cakes for a day or two, you can refrigerate them. Allow them to cool completely and then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Before serving, you can briefly reheat them in the oven to restore some of their crispiness.
• Freezing (Longer-Term): For longer storage, freeze the funnel cakes. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or wrap them individually with plastic wrap. To reheat, bake in the oven from frozen until warmed through.

How Should I Top My Homemade Funnel Cake?

Here are some of the best toppings for funnel cakes:

• Whipped Cream Delight: Dollop fluffy clouds of homemade whipped cream, dusted with powdered sugar, for a sweet and airy companion to your Instant Pot Funnel Cakes.
• Berry Bliss: Serve the funnel cakes with a medley of fresh berries - strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries - for a burst of fruity goodness.
• Caramel Drizzle Elegance: Add a generous drizzle of warm caramel sauce, adding a rich and indulgent touch to your Instant Pot Funnel Cakes.
• Nutty Crunch Sensation: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or pecans over the funnel cakes for a delightful crunch that complements the soft, sweet texture.
• Chocolate Lover's Paradise: Pair the funnel cakes with a side of chocolate ganache or hot fudge sauce for a decadent treat.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Extravaganza: Top your funnel cakes with a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream, creating a warm-meets-cold contrast that's simply irresistible.
• Powdered Sugar Snowfall: Shower the funnel cakes with a generous snowfall of powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, creating a classic and simple yet satisfying accompaniment.
• Citrus Zest Refresh: Add a refreshing twist by serving the funnel cakes with a sprinkle of citrus zest, like orange or lemon, for a burst of tangy flavor.

FAQ'S

Instant Pot Funnel Cakes

Angela Milnes

These delicious Instant Pot Funnel Cakes are simple to make and taste amazing.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 497 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup Milk
• ▢ 4 Eggs
• ▢ 4 tablespoon Water
• ▢ 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 4 tablespoon Sugar
• ▢ 3 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Salt
• ▢ 2 cups All Purpose Flour Plain Flour in UK
• ▢ 1 cup Powder Sugar

Instructions

 

• Fill instant pot with oil until 2 inches deep. Set to sauté and using a candy thermometer, bring the temperature to 350. May take 20-30 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and water.
• Whisk in sugar, salt, and baking powder 
• Mix in flour until batter forms
• Once oil comes to temperature, pour batter into a gallon size zip lock bag and cut a small corner off. A piping bag can be used. 
• Squeeze batter into the oil piping in random directions and layered over itself. Leave room for the batter to expand. Cook for 5 minutes on one side, flip and cook for another 5 minutes 
• Remove and place on paper towel to cool and dry. 
• Dust with powdered sugar. Optional drizzle with favor sauce.

Notes

Consistent Batter Thickness: Maintain a consistent batter thickness when pouring it into the hot oil. Too thick can result in undercooked centers, while too thin may lead to overly crispy edges.

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 14gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 171mgSodium: 988mgPotassium: 224mgFiber: 2gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 336IUCalcium: 287mgIron: 4mg

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