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Crispy Red White and Blue Mini Funnel Cake Bites

mini funnel cake bites - featured image

These mini funnel cake bites are crispy on the outside and soft inside, topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries for a festive red, white, and blue treat perfect for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) whole milk (can substitute almond or oat milk)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Vegetable oil for frying (neutral oil like canola or sunflower)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
  • Fresh blueberries, whole

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and ground nutmeg (if using) until combined and aerated (about 3 minutes).
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with milk and vanilla extract until smooth (about 1 minute).
  3. Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. The batter should be smooth but thick enough to hold shape when piped (about 2 minutes). Avoid overmixing.
  4. Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot about 2 inches deep and heat to 350°F (175°C) using a candy thermometer (about 10 minutes).
  5. Transfer batter to a squeeze bottle or piping bag. Carefully pipe small spirals (about 2 inches diameter) directly into hot oil. Fry in batches of 4-6 to avoid overcrowding.
  6. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Use a slotted spoon to remove bites from oil and let excess oil drip off. Place bites on a wire rack lined with paper towels to stay crispy (1-2 minutes).
  8. Dust with powdered sugar, then top with fresh sliced strawberries and whole blueberries. Serve immediately for best texture.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) for best results. Fry in small batches to avoid temperature drops and soggy bites. Use a squeeze bottle for easy piping. Batter consistency is key: too runny and bites spread, too thick and they won’t pipe well. Drain on a wire rack to keep bites crispy. Batter can be refrigerated for a few hours before frying. Reheat leftovers in an air fryer or oven to restore crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini funnel cake bites, funnel cake, party snacks, red white and blue dessert, fried dough, patriotic dessert, berry topped funnel cakes