Funnel cake with sugar
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Funnel cake is a beloved carnival treat made by drizzling a thin, sweet batter through a funnel into hot oil, creating a tangled, golden-brown nest. It has a crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, doughy interior, offering a satisfying textural contrast. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of energy, primarily from refined carbohydrates and fats, with minimal protein or fiber.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 49% carbs · 42% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love funnel cake for its irresistible combination of warm, crispy dough and sweet, powdery sugar, which delivers an immediate comfort-food satisfaction. It's also deeply tied to the fun and nostalgia of fairs, boardwalks, and summer festivals, making it as much an experience as a food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high content of refined carbs and added sugar can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To counteract this, pair a small portion with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts) to slow absorption, and avoid eating it on an empty stomach.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, high-energy fuel source
- A classic comfort food that evokes nostalgia and joy
- Simple, few ingredients make it easy to prepare
- Versatile base for both sweet and savory toppings
- A staple of festive and communal eating experiences
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The tangled, web-like shape isn't just for show; it maximizes the surface area that comes into contact with hot oil, creating more crispy edges per bite.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 30.4 g |
| Energy | 353 kcal |
| Protein | 7.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 43.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 138 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 149 mg |
| Potassium, K | 174 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 278 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.72 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 11.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.29 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.29 mg |
| Niacin | 2.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 45.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 31.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 13.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 67.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 52.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.42 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 65.0 ug |
| Retinol | 65.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 76.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.7 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 13.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.64 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.59 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 64.0 mg |
FAQ
What's the difference between funnel cake and elephant ear?
Funnel cake is made from a pourable batter drizzled in a web pattern, while an elephant ear is a single, flattened piece of yeast dough that's deep-fried, resulting in a different texture and shape.
Can funnel cake batter be made ahead of time?
Yes, the batter can be refrigerated for a few hours, but it's best used fresh. If it thickens, you can thin it with a splash of milk before frying.
What are traditional toppings besides powdered sugar?
Common toppings include cinnamon sugar, chocolate syrup, fruit sauces, and whipped cream. In some regions, it's served with savory toppings like cheese.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.53 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 15.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.60 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.