Funnel cake fries are a sweet and delightful twist on classic funnel cake, offering a fun and interactive way to enjoy this popular fairground treat. Simple to make and perfect for sharing, this dessert is sure to be a hit with all age groups. This article will guide you through the process of making these delicious treats in your own kitchen.
To create funnel cake fries, all you need are a few basic ingredients and some simple kitchen equipment. The batter is made from flour, sugar, milk, eggs, and a hint of vanilla extract, then deep-fried to golden perfection. The result is an irresistible, crunchy, and fluffy snack that’s perfect for dipping into your favorite sweet sauce or powdered sugar.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of making funnel cake fries, feel free to get creative with your flavors and toppings. Add a touch of cinnamon to the batter or drizzle your finished fries with chocolate sauce, caramel, or fruit puree. By following the steps in this article, you’ll learn how to easily prepare this tasty dessert that brings the charm of the fairgrounds to your home.
Ingredients
Funnel Cake Fries Batter
To create tasty and crispy funnel cake fries, gather the following ingredients:
The batter preparation is simple. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing until a smooth batter forms.
While mixing the ingredients, preheat the vegetable or canola oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep fryer or large saucepan due to their high smoke point. To check if your oil has reached the desired temperature for frying, use a kitchen thermometer.
Dipping Sauces
Adding dipping sauces to your funnel cake fries increases the flavor options for this delicious dessert. Here are a few dipping sauce ideas:
To prepare a simple chocolate sauce, melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth and delicious.
For a homemade caramel dip, heat 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until sugar dissolves and turns into a golden-brown caramel, then add 1/4 cup of heavy cream and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool before serving.
To create a strawberry sauce, puree 1 cup of fresh strawberries with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and a splash of lemon juice using a blender or food processor.
Feel free to mix and match these dipping sauces to offer a variety of delicious funnel cake fries experiences.
Preparing the Batter
Mixing Dry Ingredients
Start by gathering the necessary dry ingredients for funnel cake fries: all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon (optional). Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl to make the batter smooth and lump-free. Add the baking powder, sugar, and salt – and cinnamon if desired – to the sifted flour. Whisk the mixture together until all the dry ingredients are evenly combined.
Adding Wet Ingredients
Once the dry ingredients have been mixed, it’s time to add the wet ingredients: egg, milk, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, beat the egg lightly. Then pour in the milk and add a splash of vanilla extract. Stir these wet ingredients together.
Now comes the crucial part of combining the wet and dry ingredients. Gradually pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients while constantly whisking. Make sure the batter is well combined, smooth, and free of lumps. It should have a slightly thick consistency and ensure that it will coat the funnel cake fries evenly when frying.
Remember to avoid overmixing the batter; doing so could result in tougher funnel cake fries. Once the batter is well combined and a smooth, lump-free consistency is achieved, it’s ready to be transformed into delicious funnel cake fries.
Frying Funnel Cake Fries
Choosing the Right Oil
When frying funnel cake fries, it’s important to pick an appropriate oil. The recommended oils for frying include:
Canola
Peanut
Vegetable
These oils are ideal as they have high smoke points, ensuring that your fries will not be burnt.
Heating the Oil
To heat the oil, use a deep fryer or heavy-duty pot, and fill it with approximately 2 to 3 inches of your chosen oil. Heat the oil to 350°F (180°C) using a thermometer to ensure accurate temperature readings. Monitoring the temperature is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown color and crispy texture.
Making the Fries
Now that the oil is heated, it’s time to make the funnel cake fries. Prepare the batter by combining the following ingredients in a large bowl:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Add 1 1/2 cups of milk and 2 large eggs to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth.
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or squeeze bottle, and carefully squeeze the batter into the hot oil, forming approximately 3-inch long strips.
Fry each batch of fries for about 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until they reach a golden-brown color.
Draining Fries
After frying, use a slotted spoon to remove the funnel cake fries from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. This will absorb any excess oil. Allow the fries to cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Serving and Storing
Serving Suggestions
Funnel cake fries are best enjoyed fresh and warm. Here are a few serving suggestions to make them even more irresistible:
Dust with powdered sugar for a classic touch.
Drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel for a sweet twist.
Serve alongside a side of whipped cream or ice cream for dipping.
Add fresh fruit for a burst of color and flavor.
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover funnel cake fries, here’s how to store them for maximum freshness:
Allow the fries to cool completely at room temperature.
Place the fries in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper.
Store the container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
To reheat leftovers, place the funnel cake fries on a baking sheet and warm them up in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until crispy. Enjoy!
Alternative Methods
Air Fryer
If you don’t want to deep-fry your funnel cake fries, you can use an air fryer for a healthier alternative. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), and grease the air fryer basket with a little oil. Prepare your funnel cake batter according to your favorite recipe.
Instead of pouring the batter into hot oil, pipe it into 4-5 inch long strips directly into the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip the strips and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the fries and let them cool slightly on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar as desired.
Using Pancake Mix
For a quicker and easier method of making funnel cake fries, you can use store-bought pancake mix. To do this, simply follow the package instructions for making pancake batter but reduce the amount of liquid by half. The batter should be a bit thicker than regular pancake batter.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan or saucepan to 350°F (180°C). Use a funnel or piping bag to pipe 4-5 inch long strips of batter directly into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown, then turn and cook the other side for another 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider, and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Once slightly cooled, dust with powdered sugar as desired.
Popular Dipping Sauces
Funnel cake fries can be enjoyed with a variety of dipping sauces, each adding a unique and delicious twist to the treat. In this section, we’ll explore some of the most popular dipping sauces:
Strawberry Sauce
Strawberry sauce is a popular choice and can be easily made at home. Simply combine fresh strawberries, sugar, and a little bit of water in a saucepan and simmer until the berries are soft and the sauce has thickened. Alternatively, a store-bought strawberry sauce or even a high-quality strawberry jam can be used for convenience.
Chocolate Sauce
Chocolate sauce pairs well with the sweetness of funnel cake fries. To make a simple chocolate sauce at home:
Heat a small saucepan over low heat
Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of chocolate chips
Stir until the chocolate is melted and combined with the cream
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving
Alternatively, a store-bought chocolate sauce can be used.
Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce adds a rich, buttery flavor to funnel cake fries. To make caramel sauce at home:
In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar melts and turns golden brown
Carefully add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, stirring until combined
Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream, stirring continuously until a smooth caramel forms
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving
Caramel sauce can also be found pre-made in stores for convenience.
Marshmallow Fluff Dip
Marshmallow fluff dip is a sweeter, creamier alternative to traditional dipping sauces. To make marshmallow fluff dip:
In a bowl, combine 1 cup of marshmallow fluff and 4 ounces of softened cream cheese
Mix until smooth and well combined
Optionally, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor
This dip can be served chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
