Deep-Fried King Cake Bites with Cinnamon Sugar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Miniature bites of traditional Mardi Gras king cake dough, deep-fried until golden and coated in cinnamon sugar for a festive sweet treat. This French-inspired Mardi Gras recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, layers king cake dough, vegetable oil, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 French cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, store-bought or homemade king cake dough
4 cups for frying vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup for dusting powdered sugar
optional, for traditional inclusion mini plastic baby figurines

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F, using a candy thermometer to monitor temperature accurately.
Step 2: Tear 1 lb king cake dough into 1-inch pieces, shaping each into a loose ball.
Step 3: Carefully drop 6-8 dough balls into the hot oil, frying for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and puffed.
Step 4: Using a slotted spoon, transfer fried dough balls to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 5: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 2 tsp ground cinnamon. Toss warm dough balls in the cinnamon sugar until evenly coated.
Step 6: Dust with 1/2 cup powdered sugar for extra sweetness and serve warm, optionally hiding a mini plastic baby figurine inside a few bites for Mardi Gras tradition.