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How to Make a Homemade Funnel Cake (in the Instant Pot!)

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Have you ever had a craving for a funnel cake but didn’t have a carnival nearby? I’m here to help you learn how to make a homemade funnel cake in the Instant Pot.

This fried wonder is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. So fire up the Instant Pot and get ready to impress your guests with this delicious treat!

Homemade Funnel Cake on a white plate dusted with powder sugar and drizzled with chocolate with an instant pot and more funnel cakes on a white cake stand in the background
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Carnival Funnel Cake Recipe

Funnel Cakes are a popular dessert all across the world. This dish varies in name from country to country, but the dessert remains the same; a funnel cake deep fried pastry that is made from pouring batter into hot oil.

I don’t know about you but every time my family visits a carnival or a fair we have to get a delicious funnel cake to split. This powdered sugar topped confection is an American classic and I’m excited to show you how to make one in the Instant Pot!

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Why I Love This Recipe

This scrumptious treat is perfect for any party or get-together. And the best part is, you can make it right at home with just a few simple ingredients.

  • Easy to make
  • Fun to make
  • Always a hit at parties

If you love Instant Pot dessert recipes give this Instant Pot Angel Food Cake recipe a try.

Homemade Funnel Cake on a white plate dusted with powder sugar and drizzled with chocolate with an instant pot and more funnel cakes on a white cake stand in the background

Ingredients

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious funnel cake. All of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store. So gather up what you need and let’s get started!

  • milk
  • eggs
  • water
  • vanilla extract
  • sugar
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • flour
  • powdered sugar
Homemade Funnel Cake ingredients

Substitutions

Nut Milk – Instead of cow’s milk you can use almond milk, soy milk or even coconut milk.

Extract – Are you out of vanilla extract? You can use almond extract instead.

Oil: You can use peanut oil for this recipe, or any substitute for peanut oil will work great also.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this delicious dessert recipe. 

How to Make a Homemade Funnel Cake (in the Instant Pot!)

This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. And the best part is, you can make it right at home in a short amount of time.

Step 1: Fill the Instant Pot with oil

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.

Step 2: Mix together the wet ingredients

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and water.

Step 3: Add in dry ingredients to the batter

Whisk in sugar, salt and baking powder.

baking powder added into the mixture of wet ingredients

Step 4: Slowly stir in flour

Mix in flour until batter forms.

Step 5: Add the batter to a piping bag

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.

Add the batter into zip lock

Step 6: Fry the funnel cakes

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.

a hand squeezing the batter from a ziplock bag into the oil in the instant pot

Step 7: Drain the funnel cake

Remove and place on a paper towel to cool and dry.

 Funnel Cake on a paper towel on a wooden board

Step 8: Top the funnel cake

Dust with powdered sugar. Optional, drizzle with flavored sauce.

homemade funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Want to make a funnel cake with a twist? Try one of these variations!

Chocolate Funnel Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the batter.

Strawberry Funnel Cake: Add 1/2 cup chopped strawberries to the batter.

Caramel Funnel Cake: Add 1/4 cup caramel sauce when you are mixing the wet ingredients to the batter.

Toppings

Are you wondering what you can use on top of your funnel cakes? Here is a list of my favorite toppings for this carnival staple.

  • Powdered sugar
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Strawberry syrup
  • Caramel sauce
  • Whipped cream
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Chocolate chips
  • Jams
  • Jellies
  • Nutella
  • Peanut butter
overhead view of Homemade Funnel Cake on a white plate dusted with powder sugar and drizzled with chocolate with an instant pot and more funnel cakes on a white cake stand in the background

Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the perfect funnel cake.

  • Do not overmix the batter. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
  • If the batter is too thick, add more milk. If it is too thin, add more flour.
  • The oil should be at 350 degrees Fahrenheit before frying the funnel cakes.
  • Do not overcrowd the pot or your funnel cakes will not cook evenly.
  • Let the funnel cakes cool before dusting with powdered sugar. Otherwise, the sugar will melt.
  • If you are using a zip lock bag to pipe the batter, cut off a small corner for better control.

FAQs

Do you have questions about how to make a homemade funnel cake? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

How to store

Leftover funnel cakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

How to reheat

Place funnel cake on a paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Can I freeze?

This recipe does not freeze well. The texture of the cake will be altered when thawed.

What can I use instead of an Instant Pot?

If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can fry the funnel cakes in a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove over medium heat.

overhead view of Homemade Funnel Cake on a white plate dusted with powder sugar and drizzled with chocolate with an instant pot and more funnel cakes on a white cake stand in the background

More Dessert Recipes

If you like dessert recipes, give these recipes a try:

Ready to get cooking? Print off the recipe card below or toggle on Cook Mode to keep your screen from going dark while you follow along on your phone or tablet.

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📋 Recipe

Homemade Funnel Cakes in the Instant Pot

Corinne Schmitt
Fire up the Instant Pot and get ready to impress your guests with this delicious treat!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Funnel Cakes
Calories 499 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Candy thermometer
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Piping bag or large storage bag

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 tbsps water
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 4 tbsps sugar
  • 3 tsps baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Fill instant pot with oil until 2 inches deep. Set to sauté and using a candy thermometer, bring 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 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 flavored sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Funnel CakesCalories: 499kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 14gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 171mgSodium: 673mgPotassium: 526mgFiber: 2gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 336IUCalcium: 240mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!

a collage of Homemade Funnel Cake on a white plate dusted with powder sugar and drizzled with chocolate with an instant pot and more funnel cakes on a white cake stand in the background and a closeup of the funnel cake with title text reading How to Make a Homemade Funnel Cake (in the instant pot)

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