Fried Dough
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!
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 recipe brings the fair right into your kitchen. The dough gets super crunchy and crispy outside, with the iconic lightness and airiness on 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 is super 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!
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 also put a mix of cinnamon sugar on top to 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!
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.
