My cousin, bless his cotton socks, once tried to deep-fry a whole box of Oreos in his garage. Said it was for a “science experiment.” More like a fire hazard. The smoke detector went off so many times, the fire department knew his address by heart.
His mom, Aunt Carol, nearly had a stroke. She banned him from the kitchen, the garage, heck, even the backyard grill. Said he was a menace to society and all things edible. That’s when I stepped in. I knew there had to be a way to enjoy this classic carnival treat at home without setting the house ablaze. If you want to compare techniques, you can also check out this well-known fried Oreos recipe for inspiration.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Fried Oreos
Look, life’s short. You deserve a little treat now and then. These Air Fryer Fried Oreos hit that sweet spot without all the fuss and mess of traditional deep frying. You get that warm, soft, cake-like coating around a melty Oreo center.
It’s just a nice thing to have. Perfect for a movie night, or when you’ve had a long day and just need something comforting. No special equipment is needed beyond your air fryer, which, let’s be honest, you probably already have humming away on your counter.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Fried Oreos
Getting the right stuff together is half the battle. Don’t skimp on quality, even for a treat like this. Good ingredients make a difference.
Air Fryer Fried Oreos – Wet Ingredients
1 large egg: This is your binder. It helps hold everything together, gives the batter some structure.
1/4 cup milk: Any kind of milk works, honestly. Whole milk gives it a richer taste, but skim is fine too.
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Don’t skip this. It adds a little something extra to the batter, a warmth that makes it special.
Air Fryer Fried Oreos – Dry Ingredients
1 cup pancake and baking mix: This is your base. Bisquick is great because it already has leavening agents and a bit of fat.
2 tablespoons granulated sugar: A little extra sweetness for the batter. It helps with browning too, giving it that golden color.
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Oreos
This isn’t rocket science, but there are a few tricks to getting it right. Pay attention to the details, and you’ll have perfect results every time.
Start by preheating your air fryer to 350 degrees F. While it’s preheating, whisk your egg, milk, and vanilla in a bowl. Slowly incorporate the pancake mix and sugar until you have a thick batter that slowly drips off your whisk.
Line your basket with parchment paper and coat it with nonstick spray. Dip your Oreos until fully coated, then place them in the basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 7 minutes until golden brown.
Tips for Perfect Air Fried Oreos
The most important tip is to not overcrowd the basket. Air circulation is key to that crispy finish. You should also remember to use parchment paper to prevent sticky messes.
If you are looking for other sweet morning treats, you might also enjoy these quick breakfast ideas to keep your air fryer working hard.
Serving Suggestions
A simple dusting of confectioners’ sugar is classic. If you want to take it further, try a drizzle of warm chocolate or caramel sauce. Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes for a fantastic temperature contrast.
Some people like a tiny pinch of sea salt on top to balance the sweetness. A dollop of whipped cream never hurts, either.
Note: When it comes to the nutritional side of things, it is always worth keeping an eye on your ingredient quality, especially when experimenting with various plant-based substitutes in your baking.
Air Fryer Fried Oreos
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup pancake and baking mix such as Bisquick, plus more if needed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Nonstick cooking spray for the parchment
- 12 chocolate sandwich cookies such as Oreos
- Confectioners' sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Cut 2 sheets of parchment to fit the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer without hanging over the edges and set aside. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add the pancake mix and granulated sugar and whisk until smooth. The batter should be the consistency of thick cake batter to allow it to coat the cookie and hold its shape. If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding more pancake mix 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Line the basket of the air fryer with a parchment piece and spray lightly with cooking spray. Dip 6 cookies in the batter, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Arrange the cookies on the parchment in a single layer without touching. (Make sure to place a cookie on each of the four corners so the parchment doesn’t fly up during cooking.) Air fry at 350 degrees F until the battered coating is golden brown and puffed, about 7 minutes. Remove and repeat with the remaining sheet of parchment and cookies.
- Dust the fried Oreos with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put Oreos in an air fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely make delicious fried Oreos in an air fryer for a less messy and quicker version of the carnival classic.
What is the best batter for air fryer fried Oreos?
A simple pancake mix doctored with milk, egg, and vanilla extract creates a sweet and crispy batter perfect for air fryer fried Oreos.
How do you get the batter to stick to the Oreos?
Ensure your batter has the right consistency, like thick pancake batter, to properly coat the Oreos before air frying.
How long do you cook fried Oreos in an air fryer?
Air fryer fried Oreos typically cook for a short time, usually just a few minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
