Funnel Cake, Air-Fried: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Air fryer funnel cakes are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, which is typically served at carnivals and fairs. This cooking method allows you to enjoy a sweet, crunchy, and delicious pastry without the need for a pot of oil, resulting in a lighter treat. Preparing this recipe is easy and only requires a few basic ingredients and an air fryer. The process involves mixing the batter, preparing the air fryer tray, shaping the funnel cakes, and finally, air-frying them to golden perfection.

Air fryer funnel cake recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup flour
• Baking powder
• Cinnamon
• Yogurt
• Vanilla
• Whole milk or milk substitute
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Cooking spray
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh fruit (optional)

Method

• Prepare the air fryer tray: Line the basket of your air fryer with a liner or parchment paper. You can use a hole punch to make holes in the parchment paper if you don't have a liner. Spray the tray liberally with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Make the batter: In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, yogurt, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until foamy and pale yellow. Then, whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until you have a uniform batter. If the batter is too thin, add more flour. The batter should be thicker than pancake batter and able to hold its shape when piped.
• Pipe the batter: Pour the batter into a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off. Pipe the batter onto the liner in 12 (1-inch) rounds or any shape you like. You can pipe about 12 small cakes or make them larger if you prefer.
• Cook the funnel cakes: Spray the tops of the funnel cakes with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F-400°F and cook the cakes for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
• Serve: Dust the funnel cakes with powdered sugar before serving. You can also top them with fresh fruit, marshmallow fluff, Nutella, or strawberry sauce. The funnel cake bites are best served warm and can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days.

Tips

• This recipe creates a thicker batter than traditional recipes to hold up in the air fryer basket.
• You can pump up the protein by adding chopped peanuts, almonds, or walnuts.
• If you are on a weight loss plan, this recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fried funnel cakes, with no oil added.

Air fryer tray preparation

Air fryer funnel cakes are a healthier alternative to the classic deep-fried version. With a few simple steps, you can prepare your air fryer tray and get cooking!

First, line the basket of your air fryer with a suitable liner. If your air fryer didn't come with liners, you can use parchment paper. Simply take a piece of parchment paper and hole-punch it to fit your air fryer. This step is crucial, as it will prevent your funnel cakes from sticking to the tray and creating a mess.

Once you've prepared your liner, give it a generous spray with cooking spray. This will further ensure that your funnel cakes don't stick and will help create a crispy exterior.

If you're using a recipe that requires you to pipe the batter directly onto the liner, do so now. Pipe your batter into the desired shape, whether it's swirls, the traditional funnel cake shape, or bite-sized pieces.

Finally, before placing the tray in the air fryer, make sure that the parchment paper isn't too close to the heating element. Refer to the manufacturer's safety instructions for your specific air fryer model to ensure safe usage.

With your air fryer tray prepared, you're now ready to cook your funnel cakes!

Ingredients and mixing

Funnel cakes are a type of fried dough, similar to doughnuts, fritters, and elephant ears. They are a summer staple at fairs and carnivals, but you can make a healthier version at home using an air fryer.

To make funnel cake in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Sugar
• Salt
• Milk
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Greek yogurt

Some recipes also call for cinnamon, which can be added to taste.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg, and vanilla extract. You can also add yogurt to this mixture.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking continuously until you have a smooth, thick batter. The batter should be thicker than pancake batter and should be able to hold its shape when piped. If the batter is too thin or runny, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

Once your batter is ready, pour it into a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off. You can also use a squeeze bottle if you have one.

Now you are ready to pipe your batter into the air fryer!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer funnel cakes can vary depending on the recipe and the desired size of the cakes. Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 370°F or 375°F for 5 minutes before spreading the batter onto the tray and setting the cooking time for 3 minutes. The cakes should be flipped halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Other recipes recommend cooking the funnel cakes for 8-10 minutes at 370°F or 400°F until they are golden brown, risen, and crisp. The cakes are typically piped into small rounds or swirls before being cooked, and they may need to be cooked in batches depending on the size of the air fryer.

It is important to note that all air fryers cook differently, so it is essential to refer to the manufacturer's safety instructions and guidelines for your specific air fryer model. Additionally, when using parchment paper, ensure that it does not touch or come close to the heating element to avoid any safety hazards.

Leftover funnel cakes can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 400°F to regain their crispy texture.

Storage and reheating

Funnel cakes are best served fresh, but you can store them for later if needed. If you have leftover funnel cakes, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four to five days. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Let the cakes cool to room temperature, wrap them in plastic, and then place them in the freezer.

When you're ready to enjoy your funnel cakes again, you can reheat them in several ways. The best method is to use an air fryer, which will help you achieve the ideal balance of crispiness and softness. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) or 375°F and place the funnel cakes inside, making sure they're in a single layer and not overcrowding the fryer basket. Reheat for two to three minutes, or one to two minutes at 375°F, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning.

You can also reheat funnel cakes in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F or 400°F and place the funnel cakes on a wire rack or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Reheat for about three to five minutes, or 10 minutes at 400°F, keeping an eye on them to prevent over-browning. The toaster oven is another option, which is faster and great for reheating fried foods. Set it to 350°F and place the funnel cakes on the toaster oven's baking tray. Reheat for about three minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.

If you're short on time, you can use the microwave, but this can make the funnel cakes soggy. Place the funnel cake on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 10 seconds, then check if it's warm. If not, heat in additional 10-second bursts until it's warm, not hot. You can also use a stovetop to reheat funnel cakes, which will help achieve the desirable crispness. Warm a skillet or pan over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Place the funnel cake in the pan and heat for one to two minutes on each side, adjusting the heat as needed.

Frequently asked questions