Easy Elephant Ears Recipe (2024)

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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.

Easy Elephant Ears Recipe (1)

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.

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Ingredients:

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

How to make elephant ears:

  • First, get out a medium size mixing bowl. Add the flour, salt and baking soda.
  • Second, slowly stir in the milk until a dough forms.
  • Next, gradually add in the water until the dough is formed. It is important to do this gradually because you may not need all of the water.
  • Once everything is combined, let the dough sit for 5 minutes.
  • After the 5 minutes, 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.
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  • Then flatten into ½ inch thick circles.
  • Now, add 3 inch of oil to 375 degrees in a large pot over medium heat. Place the dough circles in the hot oil and fry until the puff pastry is golden brown. It will poof up slightly and then you flip the dough after just a minute per side or more depending on your stove.
  • Fry the other side until the puffy pastry is puffed and golden. They should be golden brown. Remove from heat.
  • Line a plate with paper towels and put the fried dough on it to drain on paper towels. This will help to absorb any excess grease.
  • Finally, mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
  • Lay the elephant ears out on a baking sheet. Then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while still warm.
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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.

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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.

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Print this elephant ears recipe:

Easy Elephant Ears

5 from 95 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 mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Calories 251

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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 ½ 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

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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!

About Carrie Page
Easy Elephant Ears Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is an elephant ear dessert made of? ›

Elephant ears are crispy, cinnamon-sugar fried bread confections!

What's the difference between elephant ears and fried dough? ›

Heavenly scented and mouth-watering FRIED DOUGH is the specific name for a variety of fried bread made of yeast dough, also known as: fry dough, fry bread, doughboys, elephant ears (smaller versions called mouse ears), scones and frying saucers.

How to make an elephant ear costume? ›

For the ears:

Cut four identical oversized ear shapes out of gray felt to create two ears. Hot glue the edges of each pair of ear pieces together, leaving an opening at the smaller edge that will attach to the hoodie. Allow to dry, then stuff with cotton balls or paper towels (or old newspaper) before gluing shut.

What is another name for elephant ear dessert? ›

A palmier (/ˈpælmieɪ/, from French, short for feuille de palmier 'palm tree leaf'), pig's ear, palm heart, or elephant ear is a French pastry in a palm leaf shape or a butterfly shape, sometimes called palm leaves, cœur de France, French hearts, shoe-soles, or glasses that was invented in the beginning of the 20th ...

What is the origin of the elephant ear recipe? ›

Inspired by the fry bread of Native Americans, elephant ears get their name from their big, “ear”-like shape. Fry bread was invented by the Navajo tribe of the southwestern United States in 1864 using the flour, sugar, lard, and salt given to them by the U.S. government.

What are the two types of elephant ears? ›

There are two types of elephant ears: alocasias and colocasias. Colocasias display their leaves with tip of the heart pointing down. They prefer full sun and consistent moisture. Alocasias hold the tip of their leaves out or upward and they prefer more well drained soil and a little shade.

What is similar to elephant ears? ›

A flower that bears a striking resemblance to an elephant ear leaf is the Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica). These elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers are often mistaken for the large, heart-shaped leaves of the elephant ear plant due to their similar shape and size.

What is a turtle funnel cake? ›

$9.99. Delicious funnel cake with pecan pieces, brownies, caramel syrup, and whipped cream topping.

What is the elephant ear Italian dish? ›

It's called “elephant ear” because it's very big and the bone kind of reminds people of the elephant's trunk." The big chop of meat is pressed until very thin. It's then battered in six eggs, Parmesan, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and breadcrumbs. Then the cotoletta is cooked in butter until the crust is golden.

Is a churro like an elephant ear? ›

A churro is much like an elephant ear, just smaller. Sort of an elephant earring.

What can you do with elephant ears? ›

Elephant ears can be grown as annuals, starting with new plants each year, or may be kept over the winter (most are hardy only to zone 8). Plants that have formed bulbs can be dug, dried and stored like cannas or dahlias after frost has killed the foliage. Illustris with other tender annuals.

How do you make elephant ears out of felt? ›

Step-by-Step Guide:
  1. Prepare the Felt: Lay the gray or light gray felt fabric flat on a table. Use a pencil or chalk to draw the shape of elephant ears. ...
  2. Cut Out the Ears: Carefully cut out the drawn ear shapes from the felt fabric.
  3. Attach Ears to the Headband: Heat up the hot glue gun.
Jul 18, 2023

What is an elephant ear? ›

Elephant ears is the common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves. “Elephant ears” is the common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves.

Is elephant ear a type of taro? ›

All you need to know about growing colocasia (taro), also known as elephant ears, in this Grow Guide. Colocasia esculenta (taro or elephant ears) is grown for its huge and velvety heart-shaped leaves in shades of lime green, purple or black.

Is elephant ear yam edible? ›

The primary use of Elephant's ear is the consumption of its edible corm and leaves. In its raw form, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense acridity discomfort to the lips, mouth and throat. This is due to the presence of calcium oxalate and microscopic needle-shaped raphides in the plant cells.

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