Now you don’t have to wait for the state fair to come to town to indulge in these delicious treats.
Although the phrase “everything in moderation” seems to have originated with the ancient Greeks, 19th-century Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, well-known for his famous wit, modified that statement into “everything in moderation, including moderation.” I can’t think of a better way to begin talking about this recipe for fried Oreos. Are they good for you? Not really. Are they incredibly delicious? Yes, really. Should you make them and then eat them in moderation? Absolutely!
While no one is exactly sure who invented fried Oreos, one person who is very famous for serving them is Charlie Boghosian. Known as Chicken Charlie, thanks to his extremely popular food stand, Chicken Charlie’s—a favorite at festivals and fairs to this day—Boghosian first offered deep-fried Oreos in 2001 at the L.A. County Fair. And guess what? When he introduced a battered and fried version of the beloved cookie to fair-goers, this enterprising food vendor was only 16 years old! Also known as The Man Who Fried Everything, Boghosian’s other deep-fried delicacies include Kool-Aid, Twinkies, and the Krispy Kreme sandwich, featuring his establishment’s famous fried chicken.
Fried Oreos are still a wildly popular item at fairs all across the country. And no wonder. When you coat the iconic Oreo in pancake batter, fry it to a golden brown, and cover it with powdered sugar, you are going to indulge in one of the most decadent and delicious sweets ever conceived. Each bite brings a crispy outside, then a fluffy, cake-like layer, and then the prize: a combo of still-crunchy Oreo cookie and melty, gooey creme filling. So, so good.
When Chicken Charlie served his deep-fried Oreos at the fair, before dusting them with Powdered Sugar, he drizzled them with chocolate syrup, and you can, too, with this recipe for The Best Chocolate Sauce Ever.
Pancake batter
Pancake batter, generally a mix of dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) and wet ingredients (milk, eggs, and melted butter or oil), is very likely something you are used to making. But if not, or if you don’t have all of those ingredients on hand, there are lots of varieties of pancake mix on the market. Different brands require different additions; for example, some require eggs and milk, while with others, you only need to add water. And if you have some Bisquick in your pantry, that makes great pancake batter, too.
How do I store leftovers?
Although fried Oreos are best eaten immediately after being fried, the cooled treats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, but know that the texture of the cookies will be softer. We don’t recommend freezing fried Oreos.
Serving suggestions
Fried Oreos are not only decadent and delicious, but they are also a really fun thing to eat! So why not throw a party starring fried Oreos and featuring other fun fair-inspired foods, like Mini Corn Dogs, Cheese Curds, and Fried Pickles with Homemade Ranch Dressing? Or do a themed dessert buffet with fried Oreos, Oreo Pie, Oreo Cake, Oreo Balls, and some Cookies And Cream Ice Cream. “That’s too much Oreo,” said no one ever!
Fried Oreos
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil plus extra, for frying
- 1 1/2 cups pancake mix
- 20 Oreo cookies
- Powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla, milk, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil until smooth.
- Stir in the pancake mix until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Heat enough vegetable oil in a deep pot to reach 375°F. Dip each Oreo into the batter, letting the extra drip off, then carefully place it into the hot oil.
- Fry in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until the cookies turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place on paper towels to drain.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
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