Red velvet funnel cakes are a delicious and indulgent treat that's perfect for holidays like Valentine's Day or Christmas, but also perfect for when you just want something "different."
Recipe: $2.22 | Per Serving: $0.28 | Servings: 8
We really enjoy fair foods now and then but aren't big on actually going to the fair. With the crowds, high prices, and two kids who get tired of walking easily, it's not as much fun as you see on TV. But as long as we have fair foods like funnel cakes and Fair Scones, we're good and happy.
That said, this red velvet funnel cake is unlike any fair food I've had. In a GOOD way! It's a delicious funnel cake, but with the red velvet flavor twist, that's absolutely perfect.
Adding a drizzle of cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar on top just makes it feel so indulgent and incredible that you find yourself eating two or three before realizing it.
For more red velvet recipes, check out my Red Velvet Banana Bread and Red Velvet Cake Mix Cheesecake Brownies.
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- Minimal ingredients. This red velvet funnel cake recipe is only 4 simple ingredients (plus oil for frying). For more fried foods check out our Air Fried Oreo Cookies and Cherokee Fry Bread.
- They're quick to make. Making the funnel cake batter takes almost no time at all, which is perfect because that means it's ready to eat that much sooner. It would have taken you longer to stand in line and place an order if you were at an actual fair.
- It's a great treat. While I don't expect you to eat one of these every day, having a funnel cake now and then is a great way to bring a little fun into your home.
🥘 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
Buttermilk pancake mix- Any "just add water" pancake mix will work just fine, but buttermilk flavored pancake mix is preferred because it will give us a better red velvet flavor. (Red velvet is a buttermilk chocolate cake that's dyed red, so you can see the reasoning here).
Cocoa powder- Add in some cocoa powder for added chocolate flavor and deeper color.
Red food coloring- I recommend using gel food coloring as it is much more vibrant, and you'll need less to achieve your desired hues.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
🔪 Instructions for Red Velvet Funnel Cakes
Step 1: Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a skillet until bubbly (about medium heat).
Step 2: In a bowl, sift together the pancake mix and cocoa powder until no lumps remain.
Step 3: Add the water to the bowl and whisk until smooth.
Step 4: Mix in red food coloring until you achieve your desired color.
Step 5: Pour the batter into a pastry bag or a sandwich bag with the corner cut off.
Step 6: Pipe your design into the heated oil and cook until it looks mostly dried and the edges look crisp.
Step 7: Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Step 8: Remove the funnel cake and place it on a paper towel lined plate to drain while you cook the remaining funnel cakes.
Step 9: Top with a dusting of powdered sugar and serve warm.
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Creating Red Velvet Flavor- Red velvet flavor in this recipe is a blend of acidic ingredients like buttermilk or vinegar and cocoa powder. The acidity from buttermilk reacts with cocoa powder for the classic taste. Red gel coloring enhances visual appeal.
- Food Coloring Options- Liquid food coloring can replace gel, but colors may be less vibrant. Both options yield delicious red velvet funnel cakes.
⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
Batter Preparation: Prepare your funnel cake batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. This convenient option is perfect for prepping before a party, allowing you to save time and minimize last-minute stress.
🍳 Reheating
Storage and Reheating: Save leftover funnel cakes in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.
Freshness Reminder: For best tasting results, I recommend eating them fresh instead, but reheated isn't too bad unless you overcook them then they can become pretty chewy.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes. Making your own funnel cake at home is very simple and easy to do. The hardest part is getting the oil to the perfect temperature before dropping the batter in.
You can test it by simply adding a small drop of batter into the pan and watching the reaction. You want it to bubble, sizzle, and look like it's cooking. Underheated oil will not give such a result.
Yes. You can use regular pancake mix, buttermilk pancake mix, or even Bisquick and get a similar result every time.
To make funnel cake fries at home with this simple recipe all you need to do is change the shape that you are pouring into the hot oil. While you'd normally pipe spirals and circles, for fries you would do short (or long) straight lines.
❤️ More Delicious Dessert Recipes
If you tried this Red Velvet Funnel Cake, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Red Velvet Funnel Cake
Equipment
- Frosting bags or sandwich bags
Ingredients
- 2 cup vegetable oil ($1.40)
- 2 cups buttermilk pancake mix ($0.62)
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder ($0.18)
- 1 cup water ($0.00)
- ⅛ teaspoon red food coloring ($0.02)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat about 2-3 inches of oil until bubbly.
- Sift together the pancake mix and cocoa powder in a bowl to remove all large lumps. This makes the funnel cakes smoother and speeds up the whisking process.
- Add the water to the bowl and whisk until no lumps remain.
- Add in the red food coloring until you achieve the color desired.
- Pour the batter into a pastry piping bag or in a Ziploc sandwich bag with a corner snipped off.
- Pipe circular designs into the oil, or pipe straight lines for funnel cake fries.
- When the batter looks mostly dried and the edges look crisp, flip it over and cook the other side for an additional minute or two.
- Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm.
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