Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Fried Oreos

Crispy, golden, fair-style Fried Oreos with a fluffy batter and a melty cookie center, finished with a blizzard of powdered sugar.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8 (214)
A plate of freshly fried Oreos dusted heavily with powdered sugar on a light kitchen table, with a small bowl of chocolate sauce nearby
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Fried Oreos are one of those snacks that make absolutely no sense in the best possible way. A crunchy, puffy shell. A warm, soft Oreo center that turns into this almost brownie-like bite. And then the powdered sugar comes in like fresh snow and suddenly you are living your best fair day, but in sweatpants.

This version keeps it simple and very weeknight-friendly with pancake mix batter. No fancy yeast situation, no deep-fryer required, and no heartbreak if your first one comes out a little lopsided. They still taste like victory.

A bowl of smooth pancake batter being whisked on a kitchen counter with a carton of milk and a cracked egg nearby

Why It Works

  • Fluffy-crisp coating: Pancake batter puffs fast in hot oil and sets into that classic fair-style shell.
  • Melty center: The Oreo softens and warms without disappearing, so you still get cookie structure with creamy filling.
  • No special equipment: A heavy pot and a thermometer (or a simple batter test) get you there.
  • Quick payoff: From craving to plate in about 20 minutes, including the powdered sugar blizzard.
Battered Oreos frying in bubbling oil in a heavy saucepan on a home stove

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Storage Tips

Real talk, Fried Oreos are at their best hot and freshly fried. But if you end up with leftovers (rare, but respect), here’s how to keep them decent.

Fridge

  • Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just know the crispiness drops a lot after day one.

Reheat

  • Air fryer: 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp again.
  • Oven: 375°F for 6 to 8 minutes on a sheet pan.
  • Avoid the microwave if you can. It makes the coating soft and a little sad.

Freezing

  • You can freeze them, but the texture will never be quite the same. Freeze on a tray, then bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until hot in the center.

Common Questions

What oil is best for frying Oreos?

Use a neutral oil with a higher smoke point like canola, vegetable, peanut, or avocado oil. You want clean flavor and steady heat.

How hot should the oil be?

Aim for 350°F. If the oil is cooler, the batter soaks up oil and gets greasy. If it is hotter, the outside browns before the inside warms through. (If you push to 360°F for extra crispiness, just watch them closely because they brown faster.)

Can I make Fried Oreos without pancake mix?

Yes. You can use a simple batter made from flour, baking powder, sugar, egg, and milk. Pancake mix is just the shortcut version that stays reliable.

Why is my batter sliding off the Oreos?

Two usual culprits: the batter is too thin, or the oil is not hot enough. Thicken the batter with a spoonful or two of pancake mix and make sure the oil is around 350°F.

Can I use Double Stuf or other flavors?

Absolutely. Double Stuf gives a gooier center, and flavored Oreos are fair game. Just keep fry time about the same and avoid overcrowding the pot.

Do I need a thermometer?

It helps a lot, but you can do a quick test: drop a tiny bit of batter into the oil. If it sizzles immediately and floats, you are in a good zone.

Any frying safety tips?

Yes, please. Do not fill the pot more than halfway with oil, fry in small batches, and never leave hot oil unattended. Keep kids and pets out of the splash zone, and lower the cookies in gently so the oil does not slosh.

The first time I made Fried Oreos at home, I learned two things fast: hot oil does not care about your confidence, and powdered sugar will travel like it has plans. But once I got the oil temp steady, it clicked. You fry, you drain, you dust, you eat one “for testing,” and suddenly you are making another batch because the kitchen smells like a fair booth and everyone magically appears asking, “Are those for us?”