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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Easy Funnel Cake Bites Recipe With Pancake Mix

    Easy Funnel Cake Bites Recipe With Pancake Mix

    Published: Mar 11, 2021 · Modified: Sep 4, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

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    stack of plates with funnel cake bites on them, and a larger plate with more bites.

    Make an easy funnel cake bites recipe with pancake mix! You don't have to wait to go to the fair to enjoy this indulgent treat. It is such a simple recipe! In just a few minutes you can be covered in powdered sugar, enjoying these light and crispy bites!

    Two funnel cake bites on a stack of plates, with 1 cut open. A large plate of funnel cake bites in the background.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Funnel Cake Batter
    • Portioning Into the Oil
    • Frying Tips
    • Final Steps
    • How to Make a Full-Sized Funnel Cake
    • Other Fried Recipes You May Enjoy
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Posts on this site may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure documents for more information.

    When I was a kid, the one reason that I wanted to go to the Texas State Fair every year was so that I could get a funnel cake! I loved to break away pieces of the crispy treat, and getting powdered sugar everywhere just added to the fun!

    Now I can give my kids those same memories, without even taking a trip to the fair! Their eyes light up when I tell them I am making funnel cake bites!

    It is so easy! This is something that you can do too, even if you don't have a lot of experience with frying.

    Ingredients

    While I prefer to make my pancakes from scratch, I want things to be easy when making funnel cake bites, so I use buttermilk pancake mix.

    There are a couple of different types of pancake mix on the market. Some require the addition of milk, oil, and eggs. You don't have to get the brand I use, but you do want to select one that only requires the mix and water.

    In addition to some water, this recipe uses vanilla extract and a little extra sugar, to get the classic funnel cake flavor that you remember.

    Make sure you have some powdered sugar ready to top the bites! I think that's the best part!

    Ingredients for funnel cake bites: pancake mix, water, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar

    How to Make Funnel Cake Batter

    Making the batter takes no time at all! Just mix in the sugar with the pancake mix, then stir in the water and vanilla extract.

    The batter will be a little bit thicker than your normal pancake batter.

    Mixing batter for funnel cakes.

    Portioning Into the Oil

    It is important that your oil is at the right temperature in order to cook your bites all of the way through. It should be at 375°F and you will want to use a candy/frying thermometer to monitor the temperature.

    Scoop one tablespoon of batter at a time, and gently drop it into the oil. I use a #50 stainless scoop, but you could also use two regular tablespoons. One to scoop the batter and the other to scrape the batter off into the oil.

    Drop the batter from just a couple of inches from the oil surface so that you don't get a big oil splash.

    Scooping the batter into oil.

    Frying Tips

    I use a 10-inch diameter stockpan and cook 7-8 bites at a time. The amount you are able to cook will depend on the diameter of your pan.

    You want to leave enough space so that they do not stick together.

    Take a look at the color in this photo. After about a minute of cooking, flip one of your bites and check out the color. If it is golden brown then the other side is ready to cook

    It's okay to flip it back over to continue cooking, if it is not yet ready.

    Funnel cake bites frying in oil.

    Final Steps

    Once they are golden brown on all sides, scoop out the bites and let them cool for a minute on a paper towel-lined plate.

    Every time we fry something my husband tells me how glad he is that we got these stainless skimmers. They make removing the food so easy!

    If you put powdered sugar on these right away then the sugar will melt into the bites. Wait about one minute after you remove them from the oil, then add the sugar.

    These are best served warm, so as soon as they are cool enough to handle go right ahead and enjoy them!

    Cooked bites in a stainless slotted scoop, ready to cool on paper towel.

    How to Make a Full-Sized Funnel Cake

    This recipe also works for making a regular funnel cake!

    Just prepare as directed, then use a mixing bowl or cup with a spout (or a funnel) and swirl about ¼ cup of batter into the oil.

    Cook for 1-2 minute on each side.

    Other Fried Recipes You May Enjoy

    • Beignets with Pecan Praline Sauce Recipe
    • 2 pieces of fried chicken
      Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
    • 3 paczki donuts, 1 with strawberry filling, 1 with cream, and 1 with dulce de leche.
      Paczki Donut Recipe
    • finger steaks recipe
      Idaho Finger Steaks Recipe

    Or if you are looking for easy recipes that do not require frying, try these tasty treats!

    • Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats
    • S'mores Rice Krispie Treats
    • Brown Butter Toffeedoodle Cookies
    • Gooey Butter Cake

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can the batter be made ahead?

    It can! The batter can be made up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use.

    Can you make these in the air fryer?

    Because the batter is thin it would turn into a mess in the air fryer. These need to be cooked in oil.

    Can they be reheated?

    I have tried reheating these funnel cake bites in both the oven as well as the air fryer, and both were fantastic! Heat them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with a little extra powdered sugar before serving.

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    3 funnel cake bites on a stack of 3 plates, with 1 bite cut in half and opened.

    Easy Funnel Cake Bites Recipe With Pancake Mix

    Recipe by: Erin
    Funnel cakes might just be the best part of going to the fair, and now you can enjoy them in your own home! This recipe is easy because it uses a pancake mix. So in just a couple of minutes, you can have your fun little bites frying away!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 2 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 173 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups buttermilk pancake mix (The kind that is "just add water)
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • ¾ cups water
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 cups oil (for frying)
    • confectioners' sugar for topping
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large stock pan or Dutch oven, heat oil to 375F degrees.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and pancake mix, then add the water and vanilla. Whisk until there is no visible dry mix.
    • Working in batches so that the bites are not crowded, carefully drop the batter into the heated oil, one tablespoon at a time.
    • Fry until the bottom is golden brown, about 1 minute, and then flip each bite over and fry an additional minute, or until golden.
    • Use a metal strainer to remove the bites to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool for 1 minute, then sift powdered sugar over the top.
    • Cook remaining batter. Serve while warm.

    Notes

    The nutritional value of fried foods on the site is based on an estimation of 10% oil absorption. Actual oil absorption will vary depending on temperature, time, and oil type
     
     
    Yield: About 24 Bites

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share a photo of your creation with your friends!Mention @stateofdinner or tag #stateofdinner!

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Elena

      February 21, 2023 at 12:15 pm

      Can you use 2%milk not water?

      Reply
      • Erin

        February 22, 2023 at 11:15 am

        I've not tested it with 2% milk but it should work fine.

        Reply
    2. Patti

      March 09, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      I’ve made these a few times now and have started adding finely chopped apple for more of an apple fritter taste. I’ve also drizzled them with caramel and a tiny dusting of sea salt. They are perfect to experiment with!

      Reply
      • Erin

        March 10, 2022 at 3:02 pm

        What a fabulous idea! I will certainly have to try that as it sounds delicious!

        Reply
    3. Christine

      February 18, 2022 at 11:58 am

      How would you use an air fryer for this recipe for a healthy option? I purchased one recently and I am experimenting with different snacks etc for my grandkids.

      Reply
      • Erin

        February 21, 2022 at 10:44 am

        Hi Christine! I love my air fryer and hope you love yours too! I have not experimented with making funnel cake bites in the air fryer. It is a runny batter so you would need to have something to pour it into, like a mini muffin pan or egg bite pan. If I ever test them out I will update the post with time and temp instructions for an air fryer.

        Reply
    4. Neena Maiya

      August 21, 2021 at 2:51 am

      Hi Erin, this sweet seems very much like that from India...we call it mittai in Guyana. And funnel cake seems like the one we call jelabi (like the sweet in the Australian film, Lion).

      Reply
      • Erin

        August 24, 2021 at 3:20 pm

        That is so interesting! I love hearing about food from various cultures. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    5. John C. Crawford

      June 11, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      Hi,
      Thanks for writing this in-depth review.
      In fact, I found the information I was looking for in your article. It’s really helpful.
      I have benefited from reading your article.
      Thank you very much.

      Reply
      • Erin

        June 14, 2021 at 10:44 am

        I am so glad that you found this post helpful, John!

        Reply
    6. Lindsey

      March 11, 2021 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      These taste just like the fair! I love that they are little bites that can be easily eaten. It's easier this way then serving multiple people. I am excited that the batter can be stored in the refrigerator so that I can enjoy the leftovers tomorrow!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Erin: Wife, mom, lover of great food, and former food safety administrator. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

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