Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, Deep Fried Cookie Dough is an indulgent dessert that’s easy to make at home. A fun fair-style treat that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or satisfying your sweet tooth.
Deep Fried Cookie Dough is the perfect indulgence for anyone who loves a crispy exterior with a warm, gooey center. This fun and easy-to-make dessert takes classic cookie dough to the next level by frying it until golden and crunchy on the outside while keeping the inside soft and chewy.
Whether you’re craving a fair-style treat or a unique dessert to impress guests, deep fried cookie dough is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you love the flavors of the recipe, also try Edible Cookie Dough Recipe and Cookie Dough Frosting.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- Perfect texture contrast — Crispy, golden outside meets warm, gooey cookie dough inside for a truly irresistible bite.
- Quick and easy — Uses simple ingredients and comes together fast, making it perfect for last-minute dessert cravings or parties.
- Fun and nostalgic — Reminds us of carnival and fair treats, bringing a playful twist to classic cookie dough.
- Customizable — You can experiment with different cookie dough flavors and coatings, from chocolate chip to peanut butter.
- Crowd-pleaser — A unique dessert that’s sure to impress guests and delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour. The base for the dough, providing structure and texture.
- Unsalted butter. Softened at room temperature to help blend smoothly into the dough.
- Brown sugar. Adds rich, caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
- Granulated sugar. Balances sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Milk. Used to adjust dough consistency; add gradually to achieve the right texture.
- Chocolate chips. Classic mix-in that adds bursts of melty chocolate throughout the dough.
- Pancake mix. Helps lighten the dough and gives it a tender, fluffy texture.
- Egg. Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Vegetable oil. Used both in the dough and for frying; choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point.
- Powdered sugar. For dusting the finished fried cookie dough bites, adding a touch of sweetness and a pretty finish.
Variations
- Peanut butter twist. For a nutty flavor, replace a portion of the butter with creamy peanut butter. It pairs perfectly with the chocolate chips and adds richness to the dough.
- White chocolate chips. Swap in white chocolate chips or mix them with semi-sweet chips for a different flavor profile. It’s a fun way to customize each batch.
- Toppings. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a sweet finishing touch, but it’s totally optional. If you prefer a less sweet treat, skip the topping or drizzle with melted chocolate instead.
- Stuffed centers. Try inserting a small piece of candy, peanut butter cup, or caramel square into the center of each dough ball before frying for a surprise inside.
- Cinnamon sugar coating. Instead of powdered sugar, roll the fried dough bites in cinnamon sugar for a warm, churro-like finish.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Make the cookie dough. Start by beating the butter.
Step 2. Add the sugars and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
Step 3. Once this is well combined, add in the milk and beat until mixed.
Step 4. Stir in the flour by hand. We prefer to not use the mixer when adding in the flour.
Step 5. You may need to add more milk depending on the consistency of your cookie dough.
Step 6. Now, gently stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 7. Finally, roll the chocolate chip cookie dough into balls. The dough should make about 20 balls of cookie dough. Once all of the cookie dough has been formed into balls, refrigerate until you are ready to fry them.
Step 8. Combine the batter ingredients in a medium bowl. Make sure the pancake mix, egg, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract together are well combined. Next, dip each cookie dough into the batter. Allow any excess batter to drain back in the bowl. Gently drop in the oil.
Step 9. Let the cookie balls cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. I usually turn them occasionally until they are golden brown.
Step 10. Once they come out of the hot oil, place them on a paper towel lined plate to soak up any grease. Transfer to a serving dish and dust with powdered sugar. Serving warm is suggested.
Topping Ideas
- Powdered sugar. A classic finishing touch. Lightly dust over the fried dough or serve extra on the side for dipping especially fun for kids!
- Chocolate drizzle. Add a warm drizzle of melted milk or white chocolate for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Strawberry sauce & whipped cream. Turn your fried cookie dough into a full dessert by serving it with Homemade Strawberry Sauce Recipe and a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
- Festive sprinkles. Add colorful sprinkles over chocolate drizzle for a fun and festive look. You can easily match them to any holiday or celebration theme.
FAQs
Yes, you can make the cookie dough ahead of time. Store the cookie dough in an airtight container up to 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
Then once you are ready to fry them, remove from refrigerator and begin frying them. We do not recommend storing fried cookie dough. It is best to be eaten straight from frying them.
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. This is the perfect dessert to have prepared and place in your freezer for an unexpected get-together at your house.
Once you are ready to serve, thaw your cookie dough in the refrigerator or on your counter. Then it is ready to deep fried for the best dessert.
Your guest will be glad they stopped by.
Expert Tips
- Homemade or store-bought dough. We love making our own cookie dough from scratch, but store-bought dough works just fine if you’re short on time or prefer convenience.
- Batter consistency. Don’t worry if the coating batter seems a bit thin. It’s meant to be light and will cover the cookie dough balls perfectly once fried.
- Frying oil. Vegetable oil is ideal for deep frying because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point. Make sure the oil is hot enough (about 350°F) before frying for best results.
- Chill the dough. Before frying, chill the cookie dough balls in the freezer for 15–20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape and prevents the centers from cooking too quickly.
- Work in small batches. Fry only a few cookie dough balls at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and affect the texture.
- Drain after frying. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried dough onto a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Serve warm. These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, right after frying, when the centers are still gooey and the outside is perfectly crisp.
Try More Cookie Dough Recipes
More Fried Desserts
- Deep Fried Snickers Recipe
- Deep Fried Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- The Best Deep Fried Cheesecake
- Deep Fried Oreos
Make this deep fried cookie dough recipe for a great treat. Don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating.
Fried Cookie Dough
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened at room temperature
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Milk may need more when making
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- For Frying:
- 1.5 cups Pancake Mix
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp Vegetable Oil plus more for Frying
- 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugars and vanilla extract with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer. Then add in the milk and beat until combined.
- Then stir in the flour by hand. Add more milk at this time depending on the constituency of your cookie dough.
- Then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Roll the cookie dough into approximately 20 balls and refrigerate until you are ready to fry them.
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot.
- Place the pancake mix, egg, 1 cup of milk, 2 tsp vegetable oil and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Then dip each cookie dough into the batter, then place in the oil.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown.
- Place the fried cookie dough on a serving plate and top with the powdered sugar. Enjoy!
