Okay guys, I've literally stumbled onto one of the most genius recipes I've seen in a while…get ready to have your mind blown! Here in Canada, we have these delicious pieces of sugared, deep-fried dough served with all kinds of crazy toppings. Crazy, I know, but they are the most addictive, guilty pleasure this country has going. And in true Canadian spirit, they're affectionately known as Beaver Tails.
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Now Beaver Tails are an actual chain of mobile trucks/food stations located across Canada at various tourist attractions, festivals and amusement parks. They have a food truck that frequently visits the University of Toronto (I'm guilty of sneaking one on my way to class!) but they are most known for their locations at Toronto's Waterfront, Canada's Wonderland and Blue Mountain ski hill in Collingwood. Those are the locations I'm familiar with in Ontario at least. But honestly, who wants to spend that much time or effort trying to find the things, especially when they are that scrumptious and you can now make them from home?
These Homemade Beaver Tails aren't the healthiest, so definitely be aware that these should be a rare treat to be enjoyed on a cheat day LOL. I also consider this recipe to be pretty dangerous because they are made using pizza dough. The dangerous part is that they are so easy to make and don't require a ton of ingredients from the grocery store, so you'll be tempted to make them everyday considering how ungodly delicious they are 😉
Now because Beaver Tails are high in calories (though not quite as high as a funnel cake…) they are usually enjoyed during special occasions and can be a fun weekend project if you're looking to try something new. Just be careful when sliding the dough into the hot oil, and don't cook them on either side for longer than 2 minutes!
These Homemade Beaver Tails are a great idea for parties, relaxing at home and pretty much anywhere you can enjoy a handheld dessert (duhhh like…everywhere!!) So what are you waiting for?! Slather some Nutella and crazy toppings on these babies and get eating!
Will you be trying these Homemade Beaver Tails? We promise it's super easy with the help of some pizza dough!
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Ingredients
- 1 bottle Canola or sunflower oil
Dough
- One bag pizza dough
- 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp flour
Dipping Mixture
- Plate filled with white sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Topping Ideas
- Strawberries
- Shredded coconut
- Sliced bananas
- Nutella
- Brown sugar
- Chocolate/butterscotch chips
- Reese's pieces
- Mini marshmallows
- Any other candy you desire!
Instructions
- Add ingredients to pizza dough and tear apart and mix together in a large bowl. This will probably take a while, but just do your best to get it all mixed together.
- On a heavily floured surface, roll out your dough so that it is about a 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Using a knife, cut dough into 4 pieces and then use the knife to cut the dough (this step is optional and only for aesthetic reasons) so that the dough forms the shape of a beaver tail (basically a long, oval shape).
- In a large, deep frying pan or a large pot, pour in about half of a bottle of sunflower/canola oil. Basically, you want to make sure it's deep enough for the beaver tails to be submerged.
- Take a small piece of flattened dough and put it in the oil. You'll know when the oil is hot enough when the dough floats to the surface and starts to cook. Remove the piece of dough at this point and add a larger piece of dough, cooking for 2 minutes each side. Set your stopwatch on your phone to ensure precise cooking times, and only cook one to two beaver tails at a time in the oil. Of course, be careful when cooking around hot oil as well.
- Meanwhile, combine a plate full of sugar with cinnamon and stir to combine.
- When the first beaver tail is done, use a large slotted serving spoon to remove it from the pan and let it drain on a paper towel lined plate for about a minute.
- Transfer to sugar plate, coating on all sides.
- Decorate with your fave toppings (mine is Nutella, coconut and strawberries!)
Jane says
Um..I try not to eat gluten but I would cheat just to eat these!! YUM!! My fiancee is from Toronto and introduced me to these delicious things. Thanks for the recipe!
Taylor Stinson says
Hahaha they are soooo worth the cheat I’m telling you!! The occasional treat doesn’t hurt 😉
Alison says
I have never even heard of Beaver Tails but these look delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
Taylor Stinson says
They are so simple! Let me know how they turn out 🙂
Isabela Xela says
Beaver Tails??? OMG I’d never believed it:) Thanks for that:)
Hannah says
I’ve never in my life heard of a beaver tail, but this looks ahmayzing!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Hannah! 🙂
Gail says
I made these last night 🙂 I’ve never tried a beavertail but it looked pretty simple and I’ve heard they’re amazing. I made my own dough and as a result, got 20 of them. They came out absolutely amazing 🙂 All the girls at work are asking for the recipe now so I’m sending your link around 🙂 My husband was looking for a sugary snack to have at his morning break to get him through to his lunch. He works at a concrete manufacturer so yeah, very physically intensive. He’s loving these now too! I’m going to pop the balance into the freezer tonight so they stay fresh, if there’s any left…lol. He can pull them out in the morning and they’ll be well thawed by break
Taylor Stinson says
I’m SO happy these turned out so well for you Gail!!! They are admittedly quite addictive – I always make a batch around the holidays. Thanks so much for letting me know that you made these. You’ve made my day! 🙂
Jan says
I know these as elephant ears.
I have not had them since as a child. Thank you for the recipe.
A comedian jon something
cracked jokes about wanting them so bad. Thnx again
Mary Kate says
I made pizza dough and might have some left over, but I’m not sure what “a bag” of pizza dough is, weight/measurement-wise. Is it a pound, roughly?
Taylor Stinson says
Hey Mary Kate – so sorry for the delay in response. I’m honestly not sure what the weight is, sorry about that! You can use up whatever pizza dough you have on hand though, you just break off little bits to make the fried dough circles so you have some flexibility!