How To Make Deep Fried Oreos In Air Fryer | Easy Treat

Carnival-style deep fried Oreos feel over-the-top, but you can get that same warm, fluffy cookie at home with far less oil by using your air fryer. This version keeps the center soft, the outside golden, and the clean-up simple enough for a weeknight sweet snack.

In this recipe, you’ll mix a quick batter, dip your Oreos, and air fry them in small batches so the coating puffs instead of turning tough. Along the way you’ll see how to avoid soggy cookies, how to keep the batter from sliding off, and how to adapt the method for different air fryer sizes.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make deep fried oreos in air fryer without a pot of hot oil on the stove, this step-by-step breakdown walks you through the whole process from the first scoop of batter to the final sugar dusting.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Deep Fried Oreos

You only need pantry staples plus a pack of Oreos. The exact brand of cookie or pancake mix doesn’t matter much, as long as the batter ends up thick enough to cling to each cookie.

Component	Standard Choice	Simple Swap Ideas
Cookies	Regular Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies	Double Stuf, flavored, or store-brand sandwich cookies
Batter Base	All-purpose pancake mix	Homemade pancake batter or waffle mix
Liquid	Milk (dairy)	Oat, almond, or soy milk; water with a splash of cream
Egg	Whole egg for richness	Egg replacer or extra tablespoon of oil for a looser batter
Fat	Neutral oil in the batter plus light oil spray for the basket	Melted butter in the batter; ghee spray for a buttery note
Sweet Finish	Powdered sugar dusted on top	Cinnamon sugar, cocoa powder, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce
Flavor Extras	Vanilla extract in the batter	Almond extract, orange zest, or pinch of pumpkin spice
Serving	Plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream	Whipped cream, caramel sauce, or berry coulis

According to the official Oreo nutrition label, three regular cookies provide about 160 calories, so air fried deep fried Oreos are firmly in the dessert camp rather than an everyday snack. You can check the detailed numbers on the Mondelez Oreo nutrition panel if you like to track macros or allergens.

Basic Ingredient Ratios

For a small batch that makes about 12 coated cookies, start with:

• 12 Oreo cookies
• 1 cup pancake mix
• 3/4 cup milk (add more by the tablespoon if needed)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil or melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for serving

This ratio gives a thick, spoonable batter that drops off a spoon in a slow ribbon. If it runs like heavy cream, add a little more dry mix. If it sits like paste, add a splash of milk and stir again.

How To Make Deep Fried Oreos In Air Fryer Step By Step

This section walks through each stage of the method so you can repeat it any time. Once you learn it, how to make deep fried oreos in air fryer turns into a fast dessert you can pull off with almost no planning.

Preheat The Air Fryer And Prepare The Basket

Set your air fryer to 350°F (about 180°C) and let it warm up for 3–5 minutes. A preheated basket helps the batter puff as soon as the cookies go in, which gives you a light, golden shell instead of a pale, gummy one.

While it heats, line the basket with a sheet of perforated parchment made for air fryers or a light spritz of oil. Avoid thick, unperforated parchment that blocks air flow; it can affect browning and may shift during cooking.

Mix A Thick Pancake Batter

Whisk the pancake mix, egg, milk, vanilla, and oil in a medium bowl. Stir just until no dry streaks remain. A few small lumps are fine and keep the texture tender once cooked.

Lift a spoonful of batter and let it fall back into the bowl. It should form a ribbon that slowly folds into itself. If the ribbon disappears in a second, it’s too thin and needs a spoonful or two of extra mix. If it drops in chunks, loosen it with a tablespoon of milk.

Dip The Oreos Without Soaking Them

Add 4–6 Oreos to the bowl at a time. Use a fork to flip each cookie so both sides are fully coated, then lift it and let extra batter drip back into the bowl for a second.

The goal is a thick jacket of batter around each cookie, not a huge clump that drags down into the basket. Leaving too much batter on the fork makes the coating heavy and increases the risk of raw spots near the cookie.

Arrange In A Single Layer

Place each dipped Oreo into the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between them. They puff as they cook, so a little gap between cookies helps hot air reach every side.

Work in batches if your basket is small. Crowding can lead to uneven cooking and patches of batter that steam instead of crisp. The batch approach also gives you time to monitor color on the first round before you commit the whole plate.

Air Fry Until Puffing And Golden

Cook the battered Oreos at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. Around the 4-minute mark, open the basket and take a quick look. The edges should be puffed and starting to turn light brown.

If your air fryer runs hot, you may be done closer to 5 minutes. If the tops look pale at 7 minutes, leave them in for another minute and check again. You’re aiming for a soft, pancake-like shell that springs back when you tap it with a fork.

Cool Briefly, Then Dust With Sugar

Transfer the cooked Oreos to a rack or plate and let them sit for 1–2 minutes. The inside stays molten right out of the fryer, and this short rest keeps the first bite from being too hot.

Dust with powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve. Serve while warm so the filling stays soft and the outside still has a delicate crust.

Making Deep Fried Oreos In Your Air Fryer At Home

Deep fried Oreos are usually linked to fairs and food stalls, but air fryers bring that same style of cookie into your kitchen with almost no oil splatter. A few small tweaks help you get consistent results every time.

First, match your batch size to your basket size. A compact air fryer may handle only 4–5 cookies without crowding, while a larger drawer can handle 8–9 at once. Plan for two or three rounds for a family dessert plate.

Second, think about how rich you want the batter. A tablespoon of oil or melted butter inside the batter boosts flavor and gives a softer bite. Leaving it out makes a lighter shell that still browns well but feels a little less heavy.

Finally, decide whether you want standard Oreos, Double Stuf, or flavored versions. Double Stuf Oreos give a thicker, creamier center, while flavored cookies introduce hints of mint, peanut butter, or seasonal notes into the finished dessert.

Air Fryer Time And Temperature For Deep Fried Oreos

Most air fryer models handle this recipe well at 350°F, but small differences in design affect how fast the batter browns. Once you understand the patterns, you can adjust in a couple of seconds each time you cook a batch.

Typical Time Ranges

For basket-style air fryers, 5–7 minutes at 350°F is a solid starting range. Slim, high-powered units often brown faster, while wider units may need an extra minute or two to get color on the tops.

If your air fryer lets you see the food through a window, use color as your guide. Pale tops with wet-looking spots mean the cookies need more time. Deep brown edges with a firm feel mean you’re right at the upper end of the window.

Adapting For Different Cookie Types

Standard Oreos cook right in the middle of the range. Double Stuf cookies, gluten-free versions, or thicker limited editions may take a minute longer because there is more filling inside the batter jacket.

Mini Oreos can work too, but they need careful handling. Dip them lightly and check after 3–4 minutes; their smaller size means they brown faster and can go from tender to dry in a tight window.

Checking Doneness Safely

Use tongs to lift one cookie and gently press the edge. If the coating feels springy and no wet batter oozes out, you’re in a good place. A small crack in the shell with no raw batter showing is also fine.

The filling inside stays soft even when the shell is done, so don’t wait for a firm core. Waiting too long trying to “set” the filling leads to a dry, hard cookie rather than the fair-style texture you want.

Safety And Cleaning Tips For Air Fryer Deep Fried Oreos

Any time you cook batter in an air fryer, a little extra care keeps the appliance clean and reduces splatter. It also protects your counter from stray droplets of hot oil or sugar.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety branch notes that overcrowding an air fryer basket can prevent proper air circulation and even lead to undercooked food, so a single layer is the safest layout. You can read more in their air fryer food safety advice.

Keep The Appliance Stable And Clear

Set the air fryer on a flat, heat-safe surface and keep the back vents clear so hot air can escape. Leave a bit of space around the unit so steam has somewhere to go.

Before you start cooking, move paper towels, plastic packaging, and oven mitts away from the sides and top of the appliance. Batter recipes spit tiny droplets as they cook, and you don’t want them landing on something that could scorch.

Use The Right Liner And Just Enough Oil

If you use a liner, pick one made for air fryers with holes that allow air flow. Place the liner in the hot basket just before you add the dipped cookies so it doesn’t blow around under empty heat.

A light spray of oil on top of the coated Oreos near the halfway mark helps the batter brown, but a heavy coating can smoke. Start with a quick mist and only add more oil if your first batch looks pale.

Clean The Basket After Each Batch

Once the air fryer has cooled, wipe the basket and tray with warm, soapy water. Batter that dries onto the grate can burn the next time you cook and can give off a bitter smell that clings to sweet recipes.

Check the heating element for stray drips of batter or sugar and clean them gently according to your manual. Regular cleaning keeps the fan clear and helps the appliance brown food evenly from batch to batch.

Variations And Serving Ideas For Air Fryer Deep Fried Oreos

Once you’ve made the classic version, it’s easy to spin small tweaks into new desserts. Changes in cookie type, batter flavor, and toppings create a lot of variety with the same basic method.

Cookie And Batter Flavors

Swap the cookie base to match the occasion. Mint Oreos pair well with a drizzle of melted chocolate and crushed candy cane. Peanut butter Oreos work with a splash of peanut butter stirred into the batter.

You can change the batter flavor too. Stir in a spoonful of cocoa powder for a chocolate coating, a pinch of cinnamon for warmth, or a little orange zest for a bright note that cuts through the richness.

Toppings Kids Love

For a party plate, set out bowls of mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, and crushed Oreos. Let people dip the warm cookies in a simple glaze and then into the toppings they like best.

Another easy option is a scoop of vanilla or cookies-and-cream ice cream with two or three deep fried Oreos on the side. The contrast between cold ice cream and warm cookie makes each bite feel special without extra work.

Toppings For Grown-Up Guests

For a richer dessert, stack warm deep fried Oreos on a small plate and drizzle with salted caramel sauce or dark chocolate ganache. A pinch of flaky salt on top balances the sweetness.

Fresh berries, such as sliced strawberries or raspberries, also pair well with these cookies. The berries add a little tart juice that keeps the dessert from feeling too heavy.

Batching And Storing Leftovers

Deep fried Oreos taste best right after cooking, though they hold up for a few hours at room temperature. If you need to cook ahead for guests, undercook them by about a minute, then pop them back into the air fryer for 2 minutes before serving.

Leftovers can go into an airtight container once cooled. Reheat them in the air fryer at 320°F for 2–3 minutes. The texture won’t match a fresh batch, but the batter shell still softens and the filling warms through.

Troubleshooting Air Fryer Deep Fried Oreos

If your first batch doesn’t come out quite right, small adjustments usually fix it. The table below lists common problems and quick fixes, so you can rescue the next round without guessing.

Problem	What You See	What To Try Next
Batter Slips Off The Oreos	Bare spots on the cookie after cooking	Thicken the batter with a spoonful of pancake mix and dry the cookie surface before dipping
Raw Batter Near The Cookie	Center looks wet even when outside is browned	Lower heat to 330–340°F and extend time by 1–2 minutes so the middle cooks before the outside darkens
Shell Too Dark Or Hard	Deep brown crust with dry, tough bite	Drop temperature to 325–340°F or shorten cook time by 1–2 minutes
Cookies Stick To The Basket	Coating tears when you lift them	Use a perforated liner or add a light oil spray on the basket before placing dipped cookies
Batter Blows Around	Strands of batter on the fan or heating element	Make sure the batter is thick and avoid running the fan empty with a loose liner before food goes in
Sugar Burns On The Bottom	Dark patches with burnt sugar smell	Dust with powdered sugar only after cooking and clean leftover sugar from the basket between batches
Oreos Burst Open	Filling leaks through cracks in the shell	Cook at a slightly lower heat and avoid pressing the cookies in the basket so the filling can expand gently

Once you get a feel for your air fryer’s heat level and fan strength, these adjustments become second nature. A small tweak to batter thickness, basket load, or cook time often turns a so-so batch into a plate that disappears the moment you set it on the table.

With this method, you now know exactly how to make deep fried oreos in air fryer with a light batter, a soft center, and a clean kitchen at the end of the night.