In This Post on How to Make Funnel Cakes:
- Get my Easy Peasy funnel cake recipe
- Watch a video showing how a funnel cake is made!
- Print out the recipe at the bottom!
There are so many dishes that we forget can be made at home. Some people just don’t realize it, because they’ve never heard or seen it done, and others get so accustomed to purchasing certain things that it never dawns on them that they can make it at home. There is nothing wrong with either of these, of course, but it does make it fun to surprise your family with a dish they had no idea could come from their own kitchens.
When we first got married, my husband didn’t know that chicken and dumplings or even fudge could be made at home! My family has always had big Southern spreads so his introduction to our family held quite a few firsts for him.
Today I’m going to show you what may or may not be a first for you – how easy it is to make funnel cakes at home. And by “easy” I mean ingredients that you have on hand, a few minutes of cooking time, and you’re done! And just to take the guess work out of it and show you exactly what to do, I’ve even made a little video of actually making and frying the funnel cake. See? It’s like I’ve shown up at your door and made myself at home in your kitchen – only better because you didn’t have to clean anything or change out of your pajama pants :). For the record, I have no problem with a messy house or pajama pants!
Ready? Let’s dive in!
You’ll need: Eggs, Milk, Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, a wee but of sugar (2 tablespoons), and confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling over them.
You’re also going to need some oil to fry them in, a funnel, and a sifter of some sort to sprinkle confectioner’s sugar over them. My personal preference on oil for frying these is vegetable or corn. Peanut oil would also work really well but I don’t use it often due to a few of my daughter’s friends having allergies.
To begin with, place all funnel cake ingredients in a medium to large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well blended, this will just take a minute or two. Now you have your batter. See how easy that was? You’ll want to use this batter soon because if you don’t, it will thicken and be hard to come out of the funnel. If that happens, just add 1/4 cup milk and whisk it in by hand.
You can watch me make the funnel cakes in the video below. I’ve also included written instructions as well, though. But this is just one of those things that you kinda need to see it the first time.
Written Instructions (As demonstrated in the video above)
- In a medium to large heavy bottom skillet, pour oil to a depth of 1 to 1.5 inches. Place this over medium to medium high heat to let heat up.
- Check to see if oil is ready by sprinkling a pinch of flour over it. The flour should immediately sizzle. If it doesn’t, let oil continue heating for another minute or two and then try again.
- Once oil is ready, cover the opening in a funnel with your finer and scoop 1/2 cup of batter into funnel. Hold this over the hot oil and remove your finger, moving your hand over the oil in a zig zag or swirling pattern but making sure to criss cross over the batter multiple times in order to have cake connect. Continue until funnel is empty and then allow cake to cook until lightly browned on the bottom. Note: as I am creating the funnel cake in the oil, I like to keep the overall diameter of the funnel cake about the size of a plate to make serving easier.
- Use tongs to careful flip cake over and cook on the other side as well.
Once done, remove to paper towel lined plate and sprinkle top with confectioner’s sugar. Repeat process until all funnel cakes are fried, placing each finished cake onto it’s own paper towel lined plate. Sit back and enjoy your family and friends thinking you’re awesome (because you are!).
This recipe will make about 4 – 5 funnel cakes.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling on top
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large, thick bottomed skillet, pour oil to a depth of about inch. Place over medium high heat to preheat while you make the batter.
- Place eggs, sugar, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended and smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
- Test your oil by dropping a tiny sprinkling of flour into it. if the flour sizzles, the oil is hot enough. Once it tests hot enough, turn the temperature down to medium.
- Using a funnel, hold your finger over the opening and add 1/2 cup of batter. Hold this over the hot oil and remove your finger, moving your hand over the oil in a zig zag or swirling pattern but making sure to criss cross over the batter multiple times in order to have cake connect. Continue until funnel is empty and then allow cake to cook until lightly browned on the bottom. Use tongs to careful flip cake over and cook on the other side as well.
- Once done, remove to paper towel lined plate and sprinkle top with confectioner’s sugar. Repeat process until all funnel cakes are fried, placing each finished cake onto it’s own paper towel lined plate.
You might also enjoy this recipe! Cream Cheese Divinity
Yum 
I have never tasted a funnel cake…I am 72 yrs. old so I plan to try your recipe soon. They look so yummy!
Oh Miss Patsy, I sure do wish I could make one for you right now! You won’t regret it. Please let me know what you think!
Oh Patsy that’s just sad! You must try them they are so good the more powdered sugar the better he he
Sometimes I like to make a ring out of a sheet of tin foil folded a few times. This helps keep it round and easy for serving like you mentioned. Thanks for all your recipes Christy!
Great idea Bridget!!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Ohhh sounds so good. Can’t wait to try this out. My granddaughter loves the funnel cakes from Rally’s (Checker’s) so I’m sure she’ll love these and it won’t cost me $1.49 apeice.
I hope she loves these just as much!!!
Since you mentioned your husband in this email I want to tell you that I saw on your instagram a picture of him holding a sick dog and another picture of him with a black dog. Any man that will hold and hug a dog like he was in these pictures is a real keeper! He and the rest of your family obviously love your puppies & those babies are so lucky to have you. All of our pets for many years have come from shelters – they do speak to your heart don’t they? By the way, my husband is a retired veterinarian & he’s a keeper too!
Thank you Rita, I do believe he is a keeper!!
I love funel cakes have made them before but from a mix so I can’t wait to try these. Christy this has nothing to do with your recipe but you are always so inspiring to us that when I saw this I literally cried and thought to myself how many times I had complained about things that now when I look back were minor things. This man is simply heartwarming, amazing and definitely not a quitter. I hope you watch this.
http://no-way.dailymegabyte.com/i-was-blown-image-really-was/
I hope you love these Marsha!!! I will try to get around to watching this afternoon, thank you so much for sharing!!
I love funnel cakes! I always get one at our local amusement park in the summer, but now I don’t have to wait till then. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I hope you like them Beverly!!!
Christy I’ve always wondered how they made the batter all stringy like that… and now I know! LOL Thanks, I’ll make some this summer when the little ones come to visit. They’ll love it for sure.
I just know y’all are going to have so much fun making these and the memories to go with them!!!
Funnel cake is always a treat we get at the 4th of July Festival in South Port, NC. I never thought about making it at home. Powdered sugar is wonderful, but you should try drizzling chocolate over the top! Of course I’m sure you know that chocolate makes anything better!
Oh my goodness Gloria, I am going to have to try that soon!! Great idea!
Ah, Funnel cake…the stuff wonderful memories and dreams are made of! I first had funnel cake as a kid, while on a day trip out to Lancaster PA, and area fondly known around these parts as “Amish Country”. It’s also a big seller here in New Jersey in the shore towns, along the boardwalk, and of course at carnivals. Christy, if you have never tried funnel cake with ice cream, or, even better, funnel cake with ice cream and strawberries, you gotta make yourself some, girl! It really is easy to make and such a treat anytime of year.
I am going to have to try that SOON Sharon, thank you for letting me know!!
I’ve never had a funnel cake before, either….in fact, wasn’t entirely sure what they were. This looks like something it would be fun to try. I have to say that when I watched the video and heard your voice, I was reminded of meeting you in Fayetteville and that you are just one of my favorite people! I love your Facebook posts and frequent enjoinders that remind us to count our blessings and cultivate a positive attitude!! Thank you for all you do! (and I’m not sure but what cooking might be the least of it)
You are too sweet Susan, and have just made my day!! I was so glad to get to meet you and I appreciate all of your kind words!! I hope that you get the chance to make a funnel cake soon, you are going to love it!!!
failed to clarify the above….meeting you in person showed that you’re every bit as cute and personable and sweet and altogether delightful as you are in print and pictures!
I loved the video that went with this. I always get them at our state fair every fall . I always thought that there was something difficult and mysterious about making them. This looks so easy. Even my culinary challenged self is going to try them.
Does any body know how deep the pan was?
That is just a regular skillet. I poured one inch of oil in there like I said in the recipe. You don’t need anything special at all, not even a deep pan. You’ll do great!
Do you have recipes that I can purée, as I can swallow but am unable to chew.
There are probably more than I can think of Peggy. Of course I have never tried it but I am sure there are a number of recipes that would work for that.
Wow, I haven’t made these in decades. One of things I used to do with this recipe would be to add thinly sliced apples that had been dusted with cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar to the batter. Then using a small serving spoon that has holes in it, place small amounts into the oil and fry. Hmm maybe with my next free weekend.
That sounds wonderful MaryAnn!!!! Thanks for sharing!!
I think it’s wonderful, I tratere to do and I like her very practical recipes and I also like their family junction is wonderful, thank you very much
Thank you Andres!!!
Funnel cakes are just the best thing about going to a fair or amusement park! I love to make them at home but haven’t in a long while. Your post is making me think I need to do it again soon. With strawberry sauce on top!
I agree, you need to make them soon!!! I think the strawberry sauce on top sounds wonderful!!
How fun! We don’t have to wait for the State Fair for funnel cakes?!? The grand kids will be sooooo excited! Thank you so much Christy – you’re a peach. 🙂
They are so much fun to make Peg!! I hope you enjoy making them and memories with your grand kids!!
Was reading your Analoyce Buttermilk Congealed Salad. Read every word of your tangent! It took me back to my grandparents living on a farm and what a great time my sister and I had playing there. Thanks for everything, especially all the great recipes.
Thank you for reading it all Karen!!!
Wow! Funnel Cakes and The State Fair, how sweet it is! Go Christy Go!
🙂
Thanks Christy I love funnel cakes. I will make some tonight for A after dinner snack.God bless.
I hope y’all enjoy them Liz!!! May God bless you as well!!
I have never had a funnel cake, I have heard of it, seen it. I watched the video, that is so cool, I will be trying soon. Thanks, Shelia
Oh my goodness, you have got to try one Shelia!! I can’t wait to hear what you think!!
I live in Wales, UK & have never heard of this before, but believe me I WILL be making these!
Thank you Christy xx
Oh my goodness Gill, you are going to be amazed!!! I can’t wait to hear how you like them!!
WELL! I made them, I ate 3, one with Icing sugar, one with Strawberry sauce & one with Fudge sauce & it has to be said I now need to go on a diet lol. I made some more when Alice, my daughter came to visit & she loved them too, shame really as I didn’t get my fair share of them that day 😉
LOL, I just love you!!! I am so glad you liked them!!
OH. MY. WORD. This could be dangerous! Knowing how to make these at home??? My family will love me, my jeans will not! 🙂
🙂 I hope everyone enjoys them!!!
Thank You for this!! My youngest son Loves funnel cakes. We will have so much fun making these
together.
Having fun and making memories, no better way to spend part of a day!!! I hope you both enjoy the funnel cakes Melissa!!!
Isn’t the Internet wonderful I live in Australia and never heard of Funnel Cakes but when my four grandsons come round I’ll certainly try the them. Last week it was green scrambled eggs (their invention) so these should be good.
Love your recipes keep it up.
Linda
How fun!!! I hope you and the boys all enjoy a funnel cake, have a few bites for me!!!
This was absolutely wonderful!! I haven’t had a funnel cake in years so my husband made us a few and we ate them like children! So great! Thanks, Christy for the recipe.
I am so glad you enjoyed them Yecedrah!!!
Does anyone know what appended to the forum Front Porch? I remember when it started but wondered when it stopped. Just got back into SP recently so was surprised to see it gone.
Hi Shannon! Welcome back!! The forum kept causing issues with the main site so I had to take it down several years ago.
I’m a bit late to this party (I like to take my time and enjoy your emails because they are so much fun & informative) but I absolutely cannot wait to make these! Funnel cakes are the first thing I run to when I go to a festival or fair and the idea that I can make them at home has me just about giddy! My daughter will be home this weekend for Mother’s Day and I know she will be more than willing to make these with me. What a fun recipe!
I hope you and your daughter had fun making these Susan, and you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!!
Love your Blog, So informative! I really enjoy your friendly, casual approach to blogging. I feel as though we are just having a nice visit every time I watch. 🙂 I’m going to try the funnel cake recipe. (I haven’t made them in years!) I thought I’d mention something you might want to experiment with–hubby & I went to a festival in Natchez, MIss., last year, and saw a new twist on funnel cakes. They were made with Red Velvet Cake batter, then, just before serving, they squirted a thin cream-cheese icing over it. Oh.My. Goodness. Best funnel cake I’ve ever eaten anywhere. Who knew?!?!
Thanks again for all your hard work. Deb
Oh my word Deb, that sounds so good!!! I am going to have to try that soon, thank you so much for sharing!!!