Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (2024)

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Elephant Earsare irresistibly delicious and addictive fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Elephant Ears are simple and easy to prepare and also one of our most favorite US State fair & carnival food recipes.

Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (1)

What are Elephant ears (Palmiers)?

Elephant Ears, sometimes also known as Palmiers, are large crispy pieces of fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. They are so big that they look like elephant ears 🙂

These are also known as fry bread and are popular food items sold at carnivals, state fairs, food trucks, and theme parks.

What is the difference between Funnel Cake and Elephant Ear?

Elephant ear is a sweet pastry dough, and funnel cake batter has a consistency similar to pancake or waffle batter.

I love state fair and carnival food items as they are always unique, and you will never find them in any local stores or restaurants.Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (2)

I had elephant ears for the first time at the Indiana State Fair along with ORANGE SHAKE UP and just loved it. My little one also enjoyed the carnival activities and food so much that we visit the fair several times each time they were organized. I, however, feel the state fair and carnival food are slightly overpriced.

But I crave this fried pastry dough even when it is not carnival season, and therefore I tried making it at home. It was not only easy to make but tasted fantastic.

It is unbelievable that this post has been in my draft for more than a year now. I got busy with kids, shifting and work, events, etc. But yesterday, since we were craving for elephant ears again, I prepared them with my tried and tested recipe, and it was so delicious, and that is when I felt I should post this immediately.

Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (3)

SOME OF MY OTHER FAVORITE CARNIVALS AND FAIR FOODS

Anytime you have cravings for carnival, and fair foods, try these out. They are sure to satisfy all your food cravings.

  • BEST HOMEMADE FUNNEL CAKE RECIPE
  • CHURROS
  • ORANGE SHAKE-UP
  • CORN ON THE COB
  • KETTLE CORN
  • ELEPHANT EARS WITH PUFF PASTRY SHEETS (PALMIERS OR LITTLE HEARTS)
Ingredients for Elephant Ears or Palmiers

¾ cup Whole Milk
4 tablespoon Butter
½ teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoon Sugar
2 ¼ teaspoon Active yeast (1 packet)
2 cups All purpose flour
Oil for frying

For coating
2 tablespoon Cinnamon powder
6 tablespoon Sugar

Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (4)

How to make Elephant Ears or Palmiers at home
Step I (Make the dough)
  • In a pan on medium flame, heat milk, butter, salt, and sugar until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Let this come down to 110 degrees F.
  • Sprinkle yeast and let it rest until foamy.
  • Add flour in increments and knead to form a smooth dough.
  • Cover it and keep it aside for 30 minutes.
Step II (Frying the dough and coating )
  • Heat oil in a pan on medium heat for frying.
  • Take around 2-inch balls from the dough and roll them into thin sheets.
  • Fry it on both sides on a medium flame for 2 minutes till it puffs up and becomes golden brown. Transfer it to a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
  • In a bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle it on warm fried elephant ears.
  • Elephant ears are ready. Serve warm and enjoy.
Tip:
  • When preparing the sprinkle, adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar as per your taste.
  • The amount of flour required may vary depending on weather conditions, the brand of flour, etc. So add flour in increments and knead till a smooth dough is formed.

Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (5)

Can I make elephant ears ahead of time?

Like any other fried food, these taste the best when prepared and served fresh. But if you want to make it ahead of time or if there are any leftovers, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Detailed recipe for Easy Homemade Elephant Ears or Palmiers

Recipe card

Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (6)

Elephant Ears | Palmiers | How To Make Elephant Ears At Home?

Kushi

Elephant Earsare irresistibly delicious and addictive fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Elephant Ears are simple and easy to prepare and also one of our most favorite US State fair & carnival food recipes.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Resting Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Latin America, North America, South America

Servings 8

Calories 302 kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup Whole Milk
  • 4 tablespoon Butter
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 2 cups All purpose flour
  • Oil for frying

For coating

  • 2 tablespoon Cinnamon powder
  • 6 tablespoon Sugar

Instructions

Step I - Make the dough

  • In a pan on medium flame, heat milk, butter, salt, and sugar until the butter has melted and sugar has dissolved. Let this come down to 110 degrees F.

    ¾ cup Whole Milk, 4 tablespoon Butter, ½ teaspoon Salt, 2 tablespoon Sugar

  • Sprinkle yeast and let it rest until foamy.

    2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast

  • Add flour in increments and knead to form a smooth dough.

    2 cups All purpose flour

  • Cover it and keep it aside for 30 minutes.

Step II - Frying the dough and coating

  • Heat oil in a pan on medium heat for frying.

    Oil

  • Take around 2 inch balls from the dough and roll them into thin sheets.

  • Fry it on both sides on a medium flame for 2 minutes till it puffs up and becomes golden brown. Transfer it to a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

  • In a bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle it on warm fried elephant ears.

    2 tablespoon Cinnamon powder, 6 tablespoon Sugar

  • Elephant ears are ready. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • When preparing the sprinkle, adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar as per your taste.
  • The amount of flour required may vary depending on weather conditions, the brand of flour, etc. So add flour in increments and knead till a smooth dough is formed.

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 202mgPotassium: 111mgFiber: 3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 219IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2mg

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Elephant Ears Recipe | How To Make Elephant Ears - Cook with Kushi (2024)

FAQs

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.

How to prepare elephant ears for winter? ›

After your first frost, cut the stems to about 6 inches tall. Put the tubers in a grocery bag, plastic pot or bulb rate and cover with a mix of peat moss and soil. Add water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter.

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

Yes, they are both fried dough covered in sugar but they are two completely different items. An Elephant Ear is a huge piece of dough stretched out to be as big as an elephant's ear then it's deep fried and topped with cinnamon sugar.

How do I get my elephant ears to grow big? ›

Fertilizing: Elephant ears are heavy eaters, as well as drinkers. Fertilize monthly with a general fertilizer of choice. Organic slow release fertilizers will last longer, so choose something like bonemeal or bloodmeal when possible. Trimming & Pruning: Plants will produce new leaves throughout the growing season.

How big do jumbo elephant ears get? ›

About Elephant Ear Bulbs - Jumbo

While the whole plant can grow up to 8 feet, each leaf can reach 2 to 3 feet in length and 1 feet in width!

What is the toxic substance in elephant ears? ›

Elephant ear is a common name for several genera of plants. These plants contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals similar to other plants in the Araceae family. Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract.

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.

Are elephant ears poisonous to dogs? ›

This plant may be nice to look at, but it can be toxic to your dog. In fact, it can even be fatal if not treated right away. If your dog eats any part of the elephant ear plant, the first symptom you might see is also the deadliest; a swollen airway leading to inability to breathe.

How do you keep elephant ears fresh? ›

Watering: These plants like to stay moist but avoid wet feet. Proper drainage is key to regulating water distribution and avoiding root rot. Tropical plants love humidity, so encourage humidity indoors with a saucer of pebbles and water. Dormancy: Elephant ears may go dormant indoors during Iowa winters.

Do elephant ears need to be refrigerated? ›

A: Elephant ears (both Alocasia and Colocasia) can be stored in any cool but frost-free and dry area of the house or garage. You do not want to store them in an area where they can freeze or near a furnace or fireplace that will dry them out.

What is another name for elephant ears food? ›

Fried dough is also known as fry dough, fry bread (bannock), fried bread, doughboys, elephant ears, beaver tails, scones, pizza fritte, frying saucers, and buñuelos (in the case of smaller pieces).

What is an elephant ear dessert made of? ›

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

How long does it take for an elephant to grow full size? ›

The African Savanna (Bush) elephant is the world's largest land animal – with adult males, or bull elephants, standing up to 3m high and weighing up to 6,000kg on average. Males only reach their full size at 35-40 years - that's well over half their lifespan as wild elephants can live for up to 60-70 years.

How the elephant got its big ears? ›

Thousands of blood vessels make up the animal's ears. These vessels are thin and close to the skin. They allow the excess body heat to escape the elephant's body and regulate their body temperature. Another reason why they have big ears is to use their ears as fans to cool off their bodies.

How do you multiply elephant ears? ›

How to Propagate Elephant's Ear. Elephant's ear plants send out underground runners that eventually rise to the surface and begin growing a new plant. Divide the plant by using a sharp shovel to cut the pup from the parent plant, making sure it has roots attached. Put the pup in a pot with well-draining potting mix.

Do giant elephant ears need a lot of water? ›

Elephant ear indoor plants need to be watered anywhere from every few days to once a week. Elephant ears are native to tropical regions and are accustomed to large amounts of water. They grow best in soil that stays consistently moist, but not soggy.

References

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