How to Make Fried Oreos

Wish you could enjoy deep-fried treats from the boardwalk or state fair in the comfort of your own home? Even if you don't have a deep fryer, it's easy to make a batch of these warm, golden brown fried Oreos in your kitchen. Remember, always use extreme caution around hot oil.

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 8-10 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes

EditIngredients

• 1 cup dry pancake mix
• 2/3 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 18 Oreo cookies
• Cooking oil for frying (vegetable oil or canola oil)
• Confectioner's sugar, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup (optional)

EditSteps

EditPreparing the Oil

1. Pour 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm) cooking oil in a heavy cooking pot. The pot should be deep enough so the sides are at least 4 inches (10cm) higher than the oil. When deep frying, there should be enough oil to completely cover the food you are frying, but the pot should not be more than half way full of oil.^[1]
   
   • To fry, use a vegetable oil with a high smoking point and little to no flavor, like refined peanut oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, or safflower oil.^[2]
   • If you don't have a heavy cooking pot, or one with a very thick, heavy bottom, you can use a wok or a deep sauté pan instead.^[3]
2. Heat the oil to 375ºF (191ºC). Use a frying, candy, or thermocouple thermometer. These thermometers show temperatures up to 500ºF (260°C).^[4] To check temperature of the oil, hold it in the center of the pan. If your thermometer clips to the side of the pan it will be easy to keep track of the temperature as you work.^[5]
   
   • If you don't have a thermometer, stick a wooden spoon, skewer, or chopstick into the oil. If the oil bubbles around the wood, it's hot enough for frying.^[6]
   • You can also use a kernel of popcorn to check the temperature. It will pop in oil that is 350ºF (178ºC), so you will know when it is close to optimum frying temperature.^[7]
   • If the oil begins to smoke, it's too hot. Carefully removed your pan from the stove to cool.^[8]

EditPreparing the Cookies

1. Combine pancake mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Your batter should not be runny--it should be thick and gooey so it will stick to the cookies.^[9]
   
   • If your batter is too thin, add 1/4 cup of pancake mix.^[10]
   • You can substitute funnel cake mix or waffle mix for pancake mix. Make sure it's thick enough to coat the Oreos.^[11]
2. Dip an Oreo in the pancake batter using tongs or your hands, coating it entirely with batter.^[12] The cookie shouldn't sit in batter too long or it will get soggy, so only dip one at a time and then put it straight in the oil. The batter should be thick and sticky enough so you can't see through it to the chocolate cookie underneath.
   • If you hand-dip the cookies, just use one of your hands--then you can use your "dry hand" to start frying the cookies and you won't need to stop to wash.
   • If the cookies are coming apart or crumbling, put them in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. This also prevents the cream center from getting too melted when you fry it.

EditFrying the Cookies

1. Put the coated Oreo in the hot oil. Frying works best in small batches, so fry only 4 or 5 at a time, depending on the size of your pot. The cookies should have enough room to float around without touching each other and sticking together.^[13]
   
   • When adding cookies to the oil, the temperature will drop (especially if you froze the Oreos before hand). Keep the oil between 250ºF-325ºF (121ºC-163ºC) while frying.^[14]
   • Attempting to fry large batches will not only cause your batter to stick together, it will also lower the temperature of the oil too low and the dough won't get crispy.^[15]
   • Be careful when cooking with hot oil. Don't throw battered cookies into the pot--this would cause spattering, splashing, and a dangerous situation.^[16]
   • If you're afraid to use your hand to place the cookies in the oil, use tongs instead.^[17]
2. Cook Oreos until they are crispy golden brown, remembering to turn them over with tongs. The cookies will float on top of the oil and fry quickly--less than 2 minutes. Don't walk away from the pot or they may burn or over cook.^[18]
   
   • Keep the cookies moving as they fry so they don't stick together.
   • Allow the oil to heat up between batches, back to 375ºF (191ºC). Use tongs or a strainer to remove bits of batter that may be floating in the oil.^[19]
3. Remove the fried cookies with tongs and place them on a paper towel to drain. Oil remains on the outer fried dough and won't reach the inside batter or cookie. Blotting excess grease will make this decadent treat slightly more healthy.^[20]
   
   • The oil provides the flavor and crunch of the cookie, so don't go overboard and soak up every last drop.^[21]
   • You can also drain the cookies on a wire rack, but using absorbent paper towel will remove more grease than letting it drip off on a wire rack.^[22]
4. Wait for the oil to cool, then use a funnel to pour it into an empty bottle. You can reuse the oil for deep frying (make sure to strain and remove any bits of batter floating around) or bring the to a donation point (often a waste management facility).^[23]
   
   • Never pour oil down the drain. It will block your plumbing.^[24]
   • If you can't find anywhere to recycle your cooking oil, make sure the lid is on tight and throw it in the trash or pour it over weeds.^[25]
   • If you plan to reuse your oil within the next few weeks, store it in a cold, dark place or the refrigerator so it will last longer.^[26]
   • If you don't have a funnel, pour the cooled oil into a paper cup, then pinch the top of the cup so you can easily pour it into the mouth of the sealable bottle or container.
5. Serve warm. You can add a dusting of powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, whipped cream, or any other garnish you'd like.
   
   • Allow the cookies a minute or two to cool so your don't burn yourself, but do eat them while they're still warm! Keep finished cookies in an oven on low heat (about 200ºF or 93ºC) if you're doing a large batch so they will stay warm until they are served.^[27]

EditVideo

EditWarnings

• Never use water, flour, or sugar to put out a grease fire. Use baking soda, the lid or a damp towel to smother the flames. Remember to turn the stove off.
• Make sure an adult helps you with this project--hot cooking oil is dangerous and can quickly start a fire or cause serious burns.

EditThings You'll Need

• Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, deep saute pan, or wok
• Long tongs
• Thermometer (frying, candy)
• Paper towels
• Large bowl
• Empty glass bottle
• Funnel
• Whisk

EditRelated wikiHows

• Make Fried Ravioli Cookie
• Cook
• Deep Fry at Home

EditSources and Citations

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