Easy Funnel Cake Recipe Without Milk

Want a warm, crispy funnel cake without waiting for the fair? This easy funnel cake recipe without milk uses pancake mix, water, and sugar for a sweet treat you can make at home in about 20 minutes. Add vanilla if you like, then finish each golden cake with a generous dusting of powdered sugar.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The batter needs just three main ingredients.
• You can make funnel cake without adding milk.
• It’s ready in about 20 minutes.
• Add your favorite toppings for a fun family treat.

Ingredients

You’ll find the full recipe with measurements at the bottom of the post.

• Complete pancake mix
• Water
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract, optional
• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
• Powdered sugar, for topping

The batter for this 3 ingredient funnel cake recipe with pancake mix is made with pancake mix, water, and sugar. Vanilla is optional. Check the pancake mix label if you need a recipe without dairy or eggs, since some mixes contain milk or egg ingredients.

Equipment

• Deep pot or Dutch oven
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Candy thermometer, optional
• Funnel, squeeze bottle, pastry bag, or plastic bag

How to Make Funnel Cake With Pancake Mix

1. Heat the oil. Add 2 to 3 inches of oil to a deep pot or Dutch oven. Heat it to 375°F. A candy thermometer makes it easy to check the temperature.
2. Mix the batter. Whisk the pancake mix, water, sugar, and optional vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. The batter should pour easily, but it shouldn’t be watery.
3. Pour the batter into the oil. Transfer the batter to a funnel, squeeze bottle, pastry bag, or plastic bag with a small corner snipped off. Carefully drizzle it into the hot oil in a circular motion, overlapping the lines to make a lacy cake.
4. Fry until golden. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, then carefully flip the cake with tongs. Fry the other side until golden brown and crisp.
5. Drain and serve. Move the funnel cake to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and add any toppings you like.

Tip: To check whether the oil is ready, drop in a tiny bit of batter. If it sizzles and cooks quickly, the oil is hot enough.

Tips for Funnel Cake Without Milk

This funnel cake recipe uses water instead of milk, so you don’t need to make a separate milk swap. If you’re avoiding dairy because of an allergy or dietary need, check the pancake mix label too. Some mixes contain milk ingredients.

For a funnel cake recipe without eggs, choose a pancake mix that doesn’t contain egg ingredients. The recipe itself doesn’t call for adding an egg, but the mix may contain egg, so the label matters.

You also don’t need to add baking powder. The pancake mix already includes leavening ingredients, which makes this a handy funnel cake recipe without baking powder.

Variations and Topping Ideas

This homemade funnel cake is easy to change up. Try one of these ideas:

• Add cinnamon to the batter for a little extra flavor.
• Stir in sprinkles or finely chopped nuts.
• Mix in a little cocoa powder for chocolate funnel cake.
• Top with strawberry compote, crushed Oreos, marshmallows, or fresh fruit.
• Use a gluten-free pancake mix if needed, and check its package directions for any adjustments.

Powdered sugar is the classic topping, but cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, and vanilla ice cream are delicious too. Funnel cake also makes a fun snack with coffee, tea, or homemade hot chocolate.

Can You Make Funnel Cake With Bisquick?

Yes. You can make funnel cake with Bisquick or another pancake and baking mix. Combine the mix with water and sugar, then follow the same steps for frying. Check the package label if you’re making a milk-free or egg-free version.

Storing Leftover Funnel Cake

Funnel cake tastes best fresh, while the edges are still crisp. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven until warm to help bring back some of the crispness. The microwave will soften the cake.

FAQs

Can you use water instead of milk for funnel cake?

Yes. This recipe uses water in place of milk. The pancake mix is the other ingredient to check if you need your funnel cake to be completely dairy-free.

How do you make funnel cake without eggs?

Use a pancake mix that doesn’t contain eggs, then prepare the batter with water and sugar. This makes a no-egg funnel cake recipe without adding eggs yourself. Check the package label, since pancake mixes vary.

Can you fry funnel cake in a pan?

Yes. Use a deep, heavy pan or Dutch oven with enough oil to fry the batter safely. Keep the oil at 375°F and cook one cake at a time so the pan doesn’t get crowded.

Is this a 2 ingredient funnel cake recipe?

This version uses three main ingredients: pancake mix, water, and sugar. Vanilla is optional, and oil is used for frying. You may see 2 ingredient funnel cake recipes, but this recipe includes sugar for a sweeter batter.

What can I use instead of a funnel?

A squeeze bottle, pastry bag, or plastic bag with a small corner cut off will work. Pour slowly and carefully so the hot oil doesn’t splash.

More Recipes to Try

• Caramel Apples Recipe
• Deep-Fried Oreos Recipe
• Sweet and Crunchy Twix Apple Salad

More Recipes

• Caramel Apples Recipe
• Deep-Fried Oreos Recipe
• Sweet and Crunchy Twix Apple Salad

Need to change the number of servings? You can click on the number of servings and change the number. This will adjust the ingredient measurements to what you need. 

If you love this recipe, come back and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️