Easy-to-Make Deep Fried Oreos (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

If you’re looking for the ultimate outrageous dessert experience, look no further than Deep Fried Oreos. This State Fair Favorite is just 5 ingredients (plus powdered sugar for dusting) and couldn’t be easier to make. The secret ingredient? Pancake mix!

When our photographer texted me during his photo shoot for this recipe, he said “God bless whoever invented deep-fried Oreos!” I couldn’t agree more, but I didn’t even know who to thank.

Turns out the creator wasCharlie Boghosian, an Armenian living in Los Angeles. He was only 16 years old at the time, but had already built a reputation as “The Man Who Fries Everything.” He debuted Deep Fried Oreos at the LA County Fair in 2001, and the world has never looked back. (See my post for other delicious State Fair treats.)

We don’t actually know how Charlie made his deep-fried Oreos, but our version starts with a surprising secret ingredient: dry pancake mix. Think Bisquick or any other all-purpose baking mix. Beyond that, all you need is milk, eggs, and Oreos. Our recipe testing determined that Double Stuf Oreos work best here, so reach for those if at all possible. And I say “recipe testing” with a wink, because testing this recipe could not possibly qualify as “work!”

Recipe ingredients

Equipment and ingredient notes

• Thermometer: A trustworthy digital thermometer can keep you on track when frying, or cooking in general. The target temperature for Deep Fried Oreos is 375 degrees.
• Oreos: You can use regular or Double Stuf Oreos in this recipe, they both work wonderfully. I prefer Double Stuff for the extra filling. Mint, peanut butter, or any other variety of Oreos would work fine too!
• Oil:Opt for a neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil, for frying. Make sure you don’t add too many Oreos at once: crowding the pan can cool the oil down which results in oil-saturated cookies and they cook slower, too. Don’t rush it; let the hot oil return to 375 between batches.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Line a plate or baking sheet with paper towels. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and pancake mix until smooth. If runny, add more pancake powder, 1 tablespoon at a time, until thickened.

2. In a Dutch oven, deep pot, or deep fryer, heat oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Working in batches (I do 4 to 6 Oreos at a time), dip Oreo cookies in pancake batter, allowing excess batter to drip back into the bowl.

3. Deep fry until golden brown on one side, about 1 to 2 minutes. Flip each cookie and continue to cook until golden brown on the second side.

4. Drain excess oil on paper towels.

5. Dust with powdered sugar.

Do I need a deep fryer?

While you can fry Deep Fried Oreos on a stove, I like to have a deep fryer on hand if you plan to fry a lot of food. The Cuisinart 4-Quart Deep Fryer is the one I own and love, and it comes to temperature much faster than the stovetop method and creates less splatter. It’s my pick for the best deep fryer, and you can get it for $99.95 at Amazon.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield:This easy Deep Fried Oreos recipe yields 36 cookies.
• Storage:Deep Fried Oreos are best eaten warm and fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven set to 425 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Air fryer:Unfortunately this recipe doesn’t work to air fry because it’s a wet batter. We tested it and 0/10 do not recommend.