Name: Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 cups flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup pumpkin puree; 1/2 cup milk; 2 eggs; 1/4 cup sugar; 3 to 4 cups canola oil or neutral oil like avocado oil; powdered sugar (to sprinkle on top)

If you love pumpkin spice and fair-style treats, these Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries are the perfect fall dessert! They’re made with real pumpkin puree, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a sweet treat packed with the flavors of autumn.

I came up with this recipe after a little experimenting, and these pumpkin funnel fries were a hit! They’re a fun twist on traditional funnel cakes, with the batter piped into hot oil in short, fry-shaped strips instead of the usual swirled cake.

The best part? You can make this homemade pumpkin dessert in about 20 minutes. Finish the warm funnel fries with a dusting of powdered sugar, sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar, or serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special fall treat.

pumpkin spice funnel fries dusted with powdered sugar

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries

Full of fall flavor: Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg bring cozy autumn flavor to every bite.
Ready in about 20 minutes: This quick dessert is perfect when you’re craving something sweet.
A fun twist on funnel cake: The fry shape makes these easy to serve and fun to share.
Easy to customize: Try powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or pumpkin pie spice for finishing touches.
Perfect for fall gatherings: Serve them for a fall party, Halloween get-together, or a fun family dessert.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries

all purpose flour
baking powder
salt
ground cinnamon
ground cloves
ground nutmeg
pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
milk
eggs
sugar
oil
powdered sugar

They are full of all the flavors of the fall season in a fun, sweet treat! If you’ve never made funnel cakes or funnel fries, don’t be intimidated. If you get a good thermometer that will make all the difference in frying these up. If you prefer you can make pumpkin spice funnel cakes with this same batter, instead of the funnel cake fries.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. Mixing these ingredients first helps distribute the spices throughout the batter.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl or the bowl of a mixer, combine the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, and sugar. Mix until the ingredients are smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Make the Pumpkin Funnel Fry Batter

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture. Mix just until everything is combined.

You don’t need to keep mixing once the batter comes together.

Step 4: Heat the Oil

Pour the neutral, high heat oil into a deep, heavy pan suitable for frying. Heat the oil to 350°F, checking the temperature with a cooking thermometer.

Keeping the oil near the correct temperature helps the funnel fries cook evenly and turn golden brown

Step 5: Pipe the Funnel Fries

Transfer some of the batter to a quart-size zip-top bag. Snip a small piece from one bottom corner to create an opening for piping.
Carefully squeeze 4- to 5-inch strips of batter into the hot oil. Work in small batches so you have room to turn the fries as they cook.
Be careful when working around hot oil, and keep the bag and your hands well away from the surface of the oil.

Step 6: Fry Until Golden

Cook the pumpkin funnel fries until browned on one side, then carefully turn them with tongs. My original recipe calls for about 20 to 30 seconds per side, but watch their color and doneness as you cook.

Adjust the heat as needed to help maintain the oil temperature. Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the batter strips and the temperature of the oil.

Step 7: Add Powdered Sugar and Serve

Transfer the cooked funnel fries to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. While they’re still warm, sprinkle them with powdered sugar.

Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade pumpkin spice funnel fries!

pumpkin funnel fry batter piped into hot oil

Beware, your family will line up as you are making these great pumpkin spice treat. Sprinkle while they are warm with some powdered sugar for the perfect touch.

Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries

Delicious Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries are a great fall fair food that you can make yourself.

Maryann @ Domestically Speaking

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Serving Size 4 people

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
3 to 4 cups canola oil or neutral oil like avocado oil
powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

Instructions

Combine your dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Whisk to combine.
In your mixer combine the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs and sugar. Once combined slowly add the dry ingredients while the mixer is on low.
Mix until it’s just combined.
Heat your oil in a deep pan until it’s 350 degrees. Place pumpkin batter into a quart size ziploc bag. Cut a small corner piece off to pipe the batter into the hot oil. Squeeze 4-5 inch long “fries” into the hot oil.
Adjust heat as needed. Once browned on one side, flip and cook the other side. Takes about 20-30 seconds per side.
Place on a paper towel lined plate and immediately sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy warm!

Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Funnel Fries

Use a thermometer. This is one of my biggest tips for frying funnel fries. A thermometer helps you monitor the oil temperature instead of guessing.

Don’t overfill the pan. Frying in small batches makes the fries easier to turn and helps keep the oil temperature from dropping too much.

Use a small opening in your bag. A smaller opening helps you pipe narrower strips. You can always trim a little more off the corner if needed.

Serve them warm. These pumpkin spice treats are best enjoyed shortly after frying, when they’re freshly cooked and the powdered sugar is still clinging to the surface.

Be careful with hot oil. Use a deep pan, avoid splashing, and keep children away from the stove while frying.

Topping Ideas for Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries

Powdered sugar is my favorite simple finish, but you can switch things up depending on what you’re craving.

Cinnamon sugar: Sprinkle the warm fries with a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon.

Pumpkin pie spice: Add a light sprinkle for even more seasonal flavor.

Vanilla ice cream: Serve the warm funnel fries alongside a scoop for a delicious warm-and-cold dessert.

Extra powdered sugar: Add another dusting just before serving for that classic fair-style look.

Can You Make Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cakes Instead?

Yes! You can use the same pumpkin spice batter to make pumpkin spice funnel cakes rather than individual fries. Instead of piping short strips, pipe the batter in a swirling pattern into the hot oil, taking care not to overcrowd the pan.

Keep an eye on the cooking process and adjust as needed based on the size and thickness of your funnel cake.

What to Serve with Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries

These sweet pumpkin treats are delicious on their own, but they’re also fun to serve as part of a fall dessert spread. Pair them with vanilla ice cream, offer a bowl of cinnamon sugar for dipping or sprinkling, or serve them alongside other seasonal favorites.

If you love pumpkin spice as much as I do, you might also enjoy my Fall Pumpkin Spice Donuts and Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe.

These Pumpkin Spice Funnel Fries are a fun way to bring the flavors of fall home. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and a delicious alternative to traditional funnel cake. I hope you enjoy this sweet little taste of the fair as much as we do!