Quick and easy – No yeast, no long prep time, and ready in under 30 minutes Recipe
Funnel Cake Donuts are bite-sized, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside treats inspired by classic carnival funnel cakes. This easy and quick recipe uses simple pantry staples and can be fried or air-fried to golden perfection. Perfect for parties, brunch, or a nostalgic sweet snack, these donuts are customizable with variations like blueberry or cinnamon sugar coatings and served with delicious dipping sauces.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12-15 mini donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 and Topping
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar coating, optional)
Optional Variations and Dips
- Chocolate sauce or fruit preserves for dipping
- Fresh blueberries or mashed banana (for variations)
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C) to ensure the donuts cook quickly and evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet into Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir lightly until just combined; be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fry Donuts: Using a spoon or small scoop, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and puffed up.
- Drain Donuts: Remove the cooked donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Add Toppings: While still warm, dust the donuts with powdered sugar or roll them in cinnamon sugar for extra flavor. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
- Air Fryer Option: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto parchment rounds or silicone molds inside the air fryer.
- Air Fry Cooking: Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time until donuts are golden and cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove donuts from the air fryer and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm with chocolate sauce, fruit preserves, or your preferred dipping sauces.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for frying to ensure a crispy crust without absorbing excess oil.
- Use whole milk for best flavor and texture, but you can substitute with 2% milk if necessary.
- For variations, fold fresh blueberries or mashed banana gently into the batter before frying.
- Air fryer donuts may be less crispy than deep-fried but are a healthier alternative.
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mini donuts (approx. 60g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: funnel cake donuts, funnel cake bites, carnival dessert, mini donuts, easy dessert, fried donuts, air fryer donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts