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Easy Elephant Ears Recipe makes a great treat to enjoy at home. The pastry dough is fried to perfection and topped with cinnamon sugar.

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Easy Elephant Ears Recipe

No need to wait to enjoy this fabulous treat. We are going to show you how to make elephant ears at home. Don’t let the idea of making these fried pastries intimidate you.

It is very simple and we give you step by step instructions. The results are the best elephant ears.

Each bite is soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The topping takes it to the next level for a delicious treat.

Are elephant ears and fried dough the same thing?

They are made with very similar ingredients and both are fried. However, the dough is prepared differently.

You roll out Elephant ears such as a thin pizza before frying. Fried dough is not normally rolled out.

Ingredients:

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Baking Powder
  • warm water
  • Oil- Peanut, vegetable or canola oil work best for frying.
  • Sugar
  • Cinnamon

How to make elephant ears:

Combine dry ingredients and water in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Step 1 – Add the flour, salt and baking powder. Stir in the warm water until a dough forms. Then let the dough sit for 5 minutes.

Dough split into 6 dough balls

Step 2 – Roll the dough out slightly into thin sheets and cut it into 6 pieces. Next, take each of those pieces and roll into balls of dough.

Flatten dough on a marble counter

Step 3 – Then flatten into ½ inch thick circles.

Fried bread on a silver spatula over a skillet with oil

Step 4 – Place the dough circles in the hot oil and fry until the puff pastry is golden brown. Remove from heat and place on a plate with paper towels.

Combining sugar and cinnamon in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Step 5 – Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.

Cinnamon and sugar mixture sprinkled over fry bread on a plate

Step 6 – Sprinkle the elephant ears with cinnamon and sugar mixture while warm.

How to store elephant ears:

I store the leftovers in the refrigerator in an air tight container. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days.

You can reheat them in the microwave or in the oven. If you stored them without the cinnamon sugar you can brush them with melted butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon.

I normally just use a small saucepan to melt the butter.

What to top on Elephant ears:

Traditionally, cinnamon and sugar goes on top. However, the possibilities are endless for this treat.

Other ideas include:

  • Caramel sauce. You can use store bought or make this easy recipe.
  • Nutella. My kids love this.
  • Powdered Sugar. Simple but delicious.

Whatever you decide to use, it will be delicious. I think your friends and family will love elephant ears.

Print this elephant ears recipe:

Easy Elephant Ears

4.98 from 97 votes
Easy Elephant Ears Recipe makes a great treat to enjoy at home. The pastry dough is fried to perfection and topped with cinnamon sugar.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 251

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Slowly stir in the warm water until a dough forms. Gradually add in the water until the dough is form (you may not need all the water).
  • Let the dough sit for 5 minutes.
  • Then roll the dough out slightly and cut it into 6 pieces.
  • Then roll out each piece into a ยฝ inch thick circles.
  • Heat 3 inches of the oil in a deep pot. Fry the dough circles in the oil until the dough is golden brown and poofs up slight. Then flip the dough to fry the other side.
  • Set the fried dough on a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Stir together the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture onto the dough while still warm.
  • Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 251kcal, Carbohydrates 36g, Protein 4g, Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 1g, Sodium 230mg, Potassium 48mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 2IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 33mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

4.98 from 97 votes (92 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    It’s for 1 serving so 1/6 of the dough.

  2. Nicole Nemeth says:

    Is the nutrition nutrition content for all of the dough? Or 1/6 of the dough? Thanks!

  3. Carrie Barnard says:

    I’m glad you enjoyed it – Thank you for sharing!

  4. Sherry L. Scott says:

    4 stars
    The flavor is spot on to carnival/fair treats. I found 1/2โ€™ thick to be too thick so I made the last 1 thinner and it was better. I also coated them with butter on both sides and used probably 4xโ€˜s the sugar and cinnamon, but we like them super flavorful. If you are going to eat this many calories anyway they may as well be delicious! The butter is a must have though! We went to the Parke Co Covered Brudge festival today and in Rockville, only 1 place had Elephant ears. They were 10$, the line to order was 15 deep with 15 waiting to order. We didnโ€™t wait. Thanks so much for this recipe!

  5. Carrie Barnard says:

    It’s baking powder.

  6. Christina Apple says:

    In the ingredients you say to use baking powder but in the instructions it says baking soda. Which do I use powder or soda? My grandson loves elephant ears & I want to make sure they turn out right. Please & thank you.

  7. Carrie Barnard says:

    Sorry for the confusion. I use warm water and not milk in this recipe.

  8. Carrie Barnard says:

    I’m so glad he enjoyed them. Thank you for sharing!

  9. Kayla says:

    4 stars
    Theyโ€™re good but I think I made them a little too thick. But my husband loved them and heโ€™s the one who wanted elephant ears!

  10. Carrie Barnard says:

    So glad you liked it! Sounds so yummy with what you added!

  11. Christa says:

    Thank you. Our village event last night was charging $10 an ear. I really wanted one but was pretty sure I could make 10 of them for $10!!! Have all ingredients on hand too.

  12. Laine says:

    I have enjoyed this recipe. I have used it twice and both times the ears turned out great. I add melted butter then add cinnamon and sugar, superb.

  13. Beverly bridges says:

    In list of ingredients there is no milk in instructions I believe there is .

  14. Carrie Barnard says:

    I’m so glad they loved it.

  15. Jennifer S Bloom says:

    5 stars
    Made this recipe for our Youth Group, they loved it.

  16. Carrie Barnard says:

    It is baking powder. I fixed the recipe card. Thank you

  17. Holly says:

    Should we use baking powder or soda? Your recipe has powder in the ingredients list, but soda in the directions.

  18. Maurice Boers says:

    5 stars
    Instructions refer to Baking Soda,
    It requires Baking Powder as the recipe itself does not contain an acid. (like cocoa, buttermilk, etc)

  19. Maurice Boers says:

    5 stars
    Ingredients call for Baking Powder, but the instructions call it Baking Soda ?? I know one of the 2 require a different PH of the the recipe…… I guess I’ll need to Google it.