Fried Oreos
Crisp, golden batter on the outside and a warm, soft cookie inside make these fair-style fried Oreos a fun dessert to share. They cook quickly, so set up your station before the first cookie goes into the oil.
Total
25 min
Servings
20 fried Oreos
Level
Easy
Fried Oreos are the kind of sweet treat you might know from fairs, boardwalks, and school fundraisers. At home, they are simpler than they look: dip cookies in a quick pancake-style batter, fry until golden, and dust with powdered sugar.
The key is steady oil temperature. If the oil is too cool, the batter soaks up oil. If it is too hot, the outside browns before the inside warms through.
Because this recipe uses hot oil, younger cooks should have an adult nearby. Use a thermometer if you have one, work in small batches, and give the cookies a minute to cool before eating.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
8 items · 20 fried Oreos
- 20 Oreo cookies, or another chocolate sandwich cookie
- 1 cup pancake mix
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup whole milk, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons more if needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional
- 4 to 6 cups neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil, for frying
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Set up the frying station
Line a plate or sheet pan with paper towels. Place a cooling rack over another sheet pan if you want the fried Oreos to stay crisper. Set the cookies, batter bowl, tongs, and a slotted spoon near the stove before heating the oil.
2. Heat the oil
Pour 2 to 3 inches of oil into a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350°F. If you do not have a thermometer, drop in a small spoonful of batter. It should bubble right away and turn golden in about 45 to 60 seconds.
3. Mix the batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, egg, 3/4 cup milk, vanilla, and sugar if using. The batter should be thick enough to coat a cookie, like a loose cake batter. If it feels too thick to dip, whisk in 1 tablespoon milk at a time.
4. Dip the cookies
Drop 3 or 4 cookies into the batter and turn them with a fork until fully coated. Let the extra batter drip off for a second so the coating is even, not clumpy.
5. Fry in small batches
Carefully lower the coated cookies into the hot oil. Do not crowd the pot. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning once, until puffed and golden brown.
6. Drain and repeat
Lift the fried Oreos out with a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Move them to the prepared paper towels or rack. Let the oil return to 350°F before frying the next batch.
7. Dust and serve
Sprinkle the warm fried Oreos with powdered sugar. Serve after 2 to 3 minutes of cooling, when the centers are warm but not too hot to bite.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Fried Oreos taste best right after frying. You can mix the dry pancake mix with sugar ahead of time, but wait to add the egg and milk until just before cooking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. They will soften as they sit.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in an air fryer or toaster oven at 325°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want the coating to stay lightly crisp.
- Cookie swaps: Try vanilla sandwich cookies, mint Oreos, peanut butter sandwich cookies, or gluten-free sandwich cookies. If using gluten-free cookies, use a gluten-free pancake mix too.
- Batter thickness: If the batter slides off the cookies, whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons more pancake mix. If it is too thick and pasty, add a splash of milk.
- Oil temperature: Keep the oil around 350°F. Hotter oil can brown the coating too fast, while cooler oil can make the dessert greasy.
Cook's note
A Dutch oven is helpful because its tall sides reduce splatter, but any heavy, deep pot can work. Never fill the pot more than halfway with oil, and do not leave hot oil unattended.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make fried Oreos without pancake mix?
Yes. Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Then add the egg, milk, and vanilla as written. The texture will be similar.
Do I need to freeze the Oreos before frying?
No. Room-temperature cookies work well. Some cooks like to freeze them for 15 to 20 minutes to help them hold their shape, but it is not required.
Can I make fried Oreos in an air fryer?
You can make a different version in an air fryer using crescent dough or biscuit dough wrapped around the cookies. Wet batter like this recipe will drip through the basket, so it is meant for oil frying.
Why are my fried Oreos greasy?
The oil was probably too cool, or the pot was crowded. Fry in small batches and let the oil come back to 350°F between batches.
What should I serve with fried Oreos?
Powdered sugar is classic. You can also add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or sliced strawberries.
05Keep cooking
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