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Crispy, cinnamon-sugar Elephant Ears Recipe makes a great treat to enjoy at home. Quick to make, 5-minute fry time, endless topping ideas.
Skip the state fairs and carnival as we are going to show you how to make elephant ears at home! Don’t let the idea of making these fried pastries intimidate you.
It is very simple and we give you step by step instructions. The results are the best elephant ears. Each bite is soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The topping takes it to the next level for a delicious treat or Snacks. If you love this bread, then you will love Indian Fry Bread Recipe.
What's in this post: Elephant Ears Recipe
What are Elephant Ears?
This popular fair food is plate-sized fry bread that are flattened, then the dough is fried then puffs, crisp and get showered in cinnamon sugar while still hot.
They’re easier than funnel cakes because no piping is required and you can whip them up with pantry staples in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- Flour – We use all purpose flour.
- Salt – Use sea salt or kosher salt
- Baking Powder – Needed to provide lift and fluffy texture
- Oil – Peanut, vegetable or canola oil work best for frying.
- Optional Topping – Sugar and Cinnamon
Scroll to the Recipe Card for the full recipe.
How to Make Elephant Ears
Step 1 – Add the flour, salt and baking powder. Stir in the warm water until a dough forms. Then let the dough sit for 5 minutes.
Step 2 – Roll the dough out slightly into thin sheets and cut it into 6 pieces. Next, take each of those pieces and roll into balls of dough.
Step 3 – Then flatten into ½ inch thick circles.
Step 4 – Place the dough circles in the hot oil over medium heat and fry until the puff pastry is golden brown. Remove from heat and place on a plate with paper towels.
Step 5 – Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
Step 6 – Sprinkle the elephant ears with cinnamon and sugar mixture while warm.
Elephant Ears Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Flour
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Baking Powder
- 1 cup warm water
- Oil for Frying
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Slowly stir in the warm water until a dough forms. Gradually add in the water until the dough is form (you may not need all the water).
- Let the dough sit for 5 minutes.
- Then roll the dough out slightly and cut it into 6 pieces.
- Then roll out each piece into a ½ inch thick circles.
- Heat 3 inches of the oil in a deep pot. Fry the dough circles in the oil until the dough is golden brown and poofs up slight. Then flip the dough to fry the other side.
- Set the fried dough on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Stir together the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture onto the dough while still warm.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Nutrition Facts
Pro Tips
- Rolling Dough – Roll the dough out with a rolling pin into thin slices. We like to roll about ¼ inch thick.
- No Yeast – The baking powder helps the bread rise.
- Frying Bread – Fry bread one at time to ensure that all the edges are crispy. You will need to work in batches.
Fun Topping Ideas
Traditionally, cinnamon and sugar goes on top. However, the possibilities are endless for this treat.
- Cherry Pie Filling. I think a dollop of this with whipped cream would be amazing.
- Caramel sauce. You can use store bought or make this easy recipe. We even like to add sprinkles for a fun twist.
- Hot Fudge Sauce. Chocolate fans will love this topping.
- Nutella. My kids love this.
- Powdered Sugar. Simple but delicious.
Whatever you decide to use, it will be delicious. I think your friends and family will love elephant ears.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are made with very similar ingredients and both are fried. However, the dough is prepared differently.
You roll out Elephant ears such as a thin pizza before frying. Funnel Cake is fried in a criss-cross pattern.
I store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days.
You can reheat them in the microwave or in the oven. If you stored them without the cinnamon sugar you can brush them with melted butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon.
More Easy Treat Recipes
We love to hear from you! If you make these Homemade Elephant Ears Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
You don’t have a temp for the oil? Are we going with a standard 350?
Yes, I heat the oil to 350 degrees F.
Is the nutrition nutrition content for all of the dough? Or 1/6 of the dough? Thanks!
It’s for 1 serving so 1/6 of the dough.
The flavor is spot on to carnival/fair treats. I found 1/2’ thick to be too thick so I made the last 1 thinner and it was better. I also coated them with butter on both sides and used probably 4x‘s the sugar and cinnamon, but we like them super flavorful. If you are going to eat this many calories anyway they may as well be delicious! The butter is a must have though! We went to the Parke Co Covered Brudge festival today and in Rockville, only 1 place had Elephant ears. They were 10$, the line to order was 15 deep with 15 waiting to order. We didn’t wait. Thanks so much for this recipe!
I’m glad you enjoyed it – Thank you for sharing!
In the ingredients you say to use baking powder but in the instructions it says baking soda. Which do I use powder or soda? My grandson loves elephant ears & I want to make sure they turn out right. Please & thank you.
It’s baking powder.
They’re good but I think I made them a little too thick. But my husband loved them and he’s the one who wanted elephant ears!
I’m so glad he enjoyed them. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you. Our village event last night was charging $10 an ear. I really wanted one but was pretty sure I could make 10 of them for $10!!! Have all ingredients on hand too.
I have enjoyed this recipe. I have used it twice and both times the ears turned out great. I add melted butter then add cinnamon and sugar, superb.
So glad you liked it! Sounds so yummy with what you added!
In list of ingredients there is no milk in instructions I believe there is .
Sorry for the confusion. I use warm water and not milk in this recipe.
Made this recipe for our Youth Group, they loved it.
I’m so glad they loved it.
Should we use baking powder or soda? Your recipe has powder in the ingredients list, but soda in the directions.
It is baking powder. I fixed the recipe card. Thank you
Instructions refer to Baking Soda,
It requires Baking Powder as the recipe itself does not contain an acid. (like cocoa, buttermilk, etc)
Ingredients call for Baking Powder, but the instructions call it Baking Soda ?? I know one of the 2 require a different PH of the the recipe…… I guess I’ll need to Google it.