Cinnamon Sugar Fried Elephant Ears
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If you’ve ever wandered through carnivals or a food truck festival and found yourself hypnotized by the smell of warm fried dough, these Cinnamon Sugar Fried Elephant Ears bring that exact vibe to your own kitchen, without the ticket price or long lines. These are thin, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-in-the-middle treats that puff up in hot oil and get loaded with whatever toppings you love most: cinnamon sugar, fruit, powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle. The dough comes together in one bowl and doesn’t need any yeast or rising time, so you can have a batch ready to fry in about half an hour. Perfect for weekend cravings or dessert-for-dinner nights!
Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Sugar Fried Elephant Ears
- Nostalgic Flavor Hit: These taste just like the classic fairground elephant ears but without the wait in line.
- Quick Fry Time: Each piece cooks in just a few minutes, so you can go from raw dough to finished treat fast.
- Crispy and Chewy Texture: The outside gets perfectly crisp while the inside stays soft with just the right chew.
- Perfect for Kids (and Adults): Easy to tear, top, and snack on, these are crowd-pleasers for all ages.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely already have everything you need to make them—no specialty shopping required.
Ingredients Needed To Make Cinnamon Sugar Fried Elephant Ears
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Flour
- Sugar
- Oat milk
- Butter, melted
- Vegetable oil
- Favorite toppings (such as pie filling, powdered sugar, cinnamon and sugar)
How To Make Cinnamon Sugar Fried Elephant Ears
- Mix the flour, sugar, melted butter, and warm milk in a bowl until combined.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for a bit.
- Lightly flour your counter and turn the dough out onto it.
- Fold the dough over a few times until it comes together.
- Divide the dough into pieces and roll each one out until thin.
- Heat oil in a skillet.
- Carefully fry each piece of dough on one side until golden, then flip and cook the other side.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Add your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough a few hours in advance. Just keep it covered and chilled until you’re ready to roll and fry. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before working with it.
What oil is best for frying?
A neutral oil with a high smoke point works best, like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Avoid anything strongly flavored like olive oil.
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The
Craveworthy Baking
Cookbook
A collection of some of my favorite recipes. From sweet to savory baking recipes that just work, every time. These recipes are all dairy-free and gluten-free, with options to use full dairy and gluten if you prefer. No complicated swaps, no weird textures, just really good baking.
Get all the best baking tips!
Wondering how in the world to get the BEST bake every time? We’ve laid it all out for you.
How do I know when the oil is hot enough?
Use a thermometer if you have one. You’re aiming for 375°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil. It should bubble right away but not brown instantly.
Can I cook these in an air fryer?
Yes. Roll out the dough as usual, spray with a little oil, and cook in a preheated air fryer at 375°F for 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy as the fried version, but still delicious.
What are the best toppings?
Classic powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar are always a hit. You can also use pie fillings, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or even fresh fruit and caramel for a more indulgent twist.
How do I store leftovers?
Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5–8 minutes to get some of the crispiness back.
Can I freeze these?
It’s not ideal since the fried texture doesn’t hold up well in the freezer. If you must, freeze them unfried after rolling out and place parchment between layers. Fry straight from frozen but allow extra cook time.
Why is my dough sticking while rolling?
If the dough is too soft or warm, it can get sticky. Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin, and chill the dough briefly if needed.
Cinnamon Sugar Fried Elephant Ears
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups Gluten Free 1.1 flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup oat milk, warm
- 3 tbsp Dairy Free butter, melted
- 1-2 cups vegetable oil
- Favorite toppings such as pie filling, powdered sugar, cinnamon and sugar
Instructions
- Add the flour, sugar, melted butter, and oat milk to a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest.
- Lightly flour your work surface before turning your dough out.
- Work the dough by gently folding it over about 10 times. The dough should come together more. If the dough begins to stick sprinkle a little extra flour.
- Divide the dough into 8 pieces.
- Roll each piece out until it is thin.
- Heat vegetable in a large skillet to 375. You want the oil to be about 1" deep so the dough doesn't stick.
- Gently lower the dough into the skillet. Allow the first side to fry for 2-3 minutes before flipping.
- Allow the second side to fry 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Transfer the elephant ears to a paper towel lined plate or cooling rack and allow them to drain.
- Top with your favorite toppings.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Lightly spray both sides of each piece of dough with cooking spray.
- Air fry in batches for 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and puffed.
- While warm, top with cinnamon sugar or your favorite toppings.
Once you make these fried elephant ears at home, you’ll wonder why you ever waited for a fair to enjoy them. They’re simple, fun, and hit that perfect combo of crispy edges and soft centers. I like to keep a stash of toppings on hand and let everyone build their own. Definitely a treat worth the little bit of mess in the kitchen.
Howdy! Just wanted to pop in and say these are delicious, and the instructions work with Air Frying (minus the oil). I used to get elephant ears at the fair on my birthday but can’t anymore because I discovered a gluten allergy late last year. These hit the spot!
We are so happy you loved these and love hearing the air fryer worked!