This fried dough tastes like it's from the country fair but comes together in the comfort of your own home. It is light, crispy, and airy, and every bite melts in your mouth. Plus, this fried dough recipe is incredibly easy to make and only takes about 15 minutes to whip up!
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MY TAKE ON FRIED DOUGH
Fried dough, Chinese donut, or elephant ears - you can call these little disks of deliciousness whatever you want.
Now, I don't know about you, but my favorite thing to do at the fair is get fried dough. I mean,did you even go to the fair if you didn't get some fried dough?
There truly isn't anything like it...until now.
This fried dough recipebrings the fair right into your kitchen.The dough gets supercrunchyandcrispyoutside, with the iconiclightnessandairinesson the inside.
Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top, and you've got yourself a treat that the entire family will love!
Fair warning - it is crazy addictive - and there is a very small chance everyone doesn't polish off all eight pieces. I know whenever I make it, all of the fried dough pieces are gone in a flash! My 2 year old especially can't get enough of 'em when I make it.
And as I mentioned earlier, this recipe issuper easy to make and is totally home-baker tested. I literally haven't had anyone who's tried this recipe tell me it didn't turn out perfect.
It's seriously foolproof!
That's why it's one of our most popular desserts on the blog, along with these air fryer fried Oreos.
FRIED DOUGH INGREDIENTS
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it only requires a few ingredients to make.
Here's what you'll need to make it:
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- ⅔ cup milk
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
- Oil for frying (like vegetable oil)
Simple stuff, right?!
I mean, almost all of us have this lineup of ingredients at home at any given time, so shopping is hardly ever necessary to make this homemade fried dough recipe.
Also, just so you know, you can use many of these same ingredients to make these incredibly thick and fluffy churro pancakes.
HOW TO MAKE FRIED DOUGH
Making this recipe is a fun activity to do with the whole family!
So if you have kids, have them help you make and roll the dough - it will make eating it together that much better.
Now, let's fry up some dough!
STEP 1: MAKING THE DOUGH
First,addall of your dry ingredients -flour,baking powder,salt, andsugar - to a large mixing bowl.
Thenaddin yourmilkandmelted butterand give everything a goodmix with a fork.
STEP 2: KNEADING THE DOUGH
After the ingredients start to combine in the large mixing bowl, transfer your dough to a board or flat surface and knead it with your handsfor about2minutes.
Once kneaded, form a dough ball and let it rest for10minutes.
STEP 3: FRYING THE DOUGH
Ok, so once 10 minutes is up, divide your dough ball into8pieces and roll each piece until it is about⅜"inches thick.
Next, heat about1inch of vegetable oil in a pan overmedium heatuntil it reaches375°F (190°C). And using a deep pan will be best to keep the hot oil from splattering while frying.
After your oil is heated,carefullylower your rolled dough into the pan. And you will have tocook it in batches- you do not want to overcrowd the pan.
Then let your dough cook for1 minute, flip it over, and cook for1minute on the other side. And then you can cook the remaining fried doughs.
STEP 4: SERVING THE FRIED DOUGH
Once cooked, transfer your fried dough to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack and cover it with as muchpowdered sugaras you want!
When all of the dough fries nicely, coat 'em in powdered sugar, dig in, and enjoy this hot fried dough!
FAQS About This Fried Dough Recipe
CAN I STORE THIS FRIED DOUGH?
Although it is best to eat right after frying, you can store your leftover fried dough. Just put your leftovers in an airtight container, and they will stay good at room temperature for up to 2 days. With that said, it's never as crispy as the day you make it, so to crisp the fried dough back up, I like to put it in the oven at 350°F (170°C) for a few minutes until warm.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRY BREAD AND FRIED DOUGH?
There actually are really no differences between fry bread and fried dough. They are both flat dough mixtures that are typically fried in oil until crispy.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR FRIED DOUGH?
Fried dough is made with classic baking ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, milk, and salt. Of course, it has powdered sugar on top for that melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
DO I HAVE TO FRY THE DOUGH?
Yes, to make fried dough you have to fry the dough. Cooking the dough any other way - such as baking or air frying - will yield flaccid rubbery dough.
WHAT ELSE CAN I PUT ON THIS FRIED DOUGH?
For a classic fried dough, you'll want to top it off with some butter and powdered sugar right after it's fried.But you can alsoput a mix of cinnamon sugar on topto make cinnamon sugar fried dough, and it will be delicious!
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Well, that's how to make homemade fried dough that tastes like it's from the fair!
This county fair fried dough is sure to become a family favorite. I know it is in my household.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this fried dough recipe as much as I do.
If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
MORE DESSERT RECIPES
If you want some more delicious recipes that everyone will love, try making one of these next:
- Fried apple pies
- Nutella Mug Cake
- 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
- 2 Ingredient Reese's Fudge
- S'mores dip
Yield: 4 servings
Fried Dough | The Best Homemade Fried Dough Recipe
This fried dough tastes like it's from the country fair but comes together in the comfort of your own home. It is light, crispy, airy, and every bite melts in your mouth. Plus, this fried dough recipe is incredibly easy to make and only takes about 15 minutes!
Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time3 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- ⅔ cup milk
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add milk and melted butter. Mix with a fork, then transfer to a board and knead with hands for 2 minutes.
- Form a ball and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide into 8 pieces and roll to ⅜” thick.
- Heat 1 inch of oil in a deep pan to 375°F (180°C) over medium heat.
- Carefully lower the rolled dough into the pan - fry the dough in batches, do not overcrowd the pan.
- Let it cook for 1 minute, then flip over and cook 1 more minute on the other side.
- Top with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Notes
STORING AND REHEATING THIS FRIED DOUGH
To store your leftovers just them in an airtight container and they will stay good at room temperature for up to 2 days.
With that said, it's never as crispy as the day you make it. So, to crisp the fried dough back up, I like to put it in the oven at 350°F (170°C) for a few minutes until warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 fried dough
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 51Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 165mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g