Air Fryer Oreos With Pancake Mix (Like Deep Fried Fair Oreos)

Air fryer Oreos with pancake mix taste like the deep fried Oreos from the state fair. You need just 6 ingredients and 17 minutes, with no pot of hot oil. Each Oreo gets dunked in a thick pancake mix batter and air fried at 370°F until the outside is golden and the cookie inside goes soft and melty.

The trick is parchment paper. Batter is wet, and without parchment it drips straight through the air fryer basket. Line the basket after preheating, set the battered Oreos on top, and they hold their shape every time.

If you love Oreo desserts, you already know about Air Fried Oreos With Crescent Rolls. This pancake mix version is closer to the real fair treat: a light, cakey coating instead of a flaky one.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fried Oreos

Fun to make with kids: dipping and decorating is the best part.

Tastes like the fair: a crisp golden shell and a soft, gooey Oreo center, just like deep fried Oreos.

Pantry ingredients: pancake mix, Oreos, an egg, milk, vanilla, and a little oil.

Fast: 10 minutes of prep and 7 minutes per batch.

No deep frying: no quart of oil to heat, strain, or throw out.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Oreos With Pancake Mix

• Pancake mix: any kind works, including buttermilk, original, or a baking mix like Bisquick or Jiffy. It is the base of the batter.
• Oreo cookies: regular Oreos are classic. Golden Oreos and Double Stuf work too.
• Egg: adds structure, so the coating puffs and holds together.
• Milk: thins the mix into a dippable batter. Whole milk gives the richest flavor.
• Vanilla extract: gives the coating that funnel cake bakery flavor.
• Vegetable oil: keeps the coating tender.
• Powdered sugar: for dusting, the classic fair finish.

How Thick Should the Batter Be?

The batter should be thick enough to cling to the cookie, a bit thicker than regular pancake batter. When you lift a dipped Oreo with a fork, the batter should coat it in an even layer and drip off slowly, not run off.

If your batter is runny, stir in more pancake mix 1 tablespoon at a time. Readers who did this found the coating stayed put much better. If it is too stiff to coat, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time.

What Is the Best Pancake Mix for Fried Oreos?

Any pancake mix works. A buttermilk mix gives a slightly tangy, fluffy coating that tastes the most like fair batter. If you use a “complete” just-add-water mix, you can still add the egg, milk, and vanilla. They make the coating richer and help it brown.

How to Make Fried Oreos in the Air Fryer With Pancake Mix

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Heat it to 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes. A hot basket sets the batter the moment it lands.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the egg, milk, vanilla, and vegetable oil.

Step 3: Stir in the pancake mix. Use a silicone spatula and stir until smooth. Check the thickness. It should cling to a spoon, not pour off it.

Step 4: Line the basket. Lay a sheet of parchment paper in the preheated basket and lightly spray or brush it with oil.

Step 5: Dip the Oreos. Using a fork, dunk one Oreo at a time and turn it to coat both sides. Let the extra batter drip off, then set it on the parchment. Cook about 6 at a time with space between them.

Step 6: Air fry. Lower the temperature to 370°F. Cook 4 minutes, flip, and cook 3 more minutes, until golden on both sides.

Step 7: Cool and repeat. Move the Oreos to a wire rack, then cook the second batch.

Step 8: Finish. Dust with powdered sugar while warm. Add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce and sprinkles if you like.

Parchment Paper Safety

Never preheat the air fryer with loose parchment inside. The fan can lift it into the heating element. Add the parchment after preheating, and place the battered Oreos on it right away to weigh it down. Perforated air fryer liners work well here, and the paper should not cover the whole basket floor.

Do Air Fried Oreos Taste Like Deep Fried Oreos?

Very close. Deep fried Oreos at the fair are dipped in pancake-style batter and dropped in hot oil. This recipe uses the same batter and the same cookie, so you get the same soft, cakey shell and melty center. The air fried version is a little less greasy and slightly less puffy, which most people count as a win.

If you love fair food at home, try my Air Fryer Funnel Cakes or Air Fryer Deep Fried Pickles for a sweet-and-salty spread.

How to Deep Fry Oreos With Pancake Mix

Prefer the real thing? Heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F in a heavy pot. Dip the Oreos in the same batter and fry 3 or 4 at a time for 1 to 2 minutes, flipping once, until golden. Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar.

How to Make Air Fried Oreos Without Pancake Mix

No pancake mix in the pantry? Make a quick batter from scratch. Whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Use this in place of the pancake mix, with the same egg, milk, vanilla, and oil.

The homemade batter runs a little thicker. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it coats the Oreos in an even layer. Cook at the same temperature and time.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Oreos

• Chill the Oreos. 15 minutes in the freezer helps the batter set before the filling melts.
• Do not crowd the basket. Leave space between the Oreos so hot air can crisp all sides.
• Flip gently. Use a thin spatula, and wait until the first side is set (about 4 minutes).
• Check early. Air fryers vary. Peek at 3 minutes on the second side.
• Cool on a rack. Cooling them on a plate traps steam and softens the bottom.

Variations

• Golden Oreos: swap in Golden Oreos for a vanilla-on-vanilla version.
• Cinnamon sugar: toss the hot Oreos in cinnamon sugar instead of powdered sugar.
• Chocolate pancake mix: use a chocolate mix for a double chocolate coating.
• Dipping bar: serve with chocolate sauce, caramel, and whipped cream.

Want another way to fry Oreos? Try Air Fryer Oreo Egg Rolls, or go savory-sweet with Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Oreos.

Storing and Reheating

• Store: keep cooled Oreos in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freeze: freeze in a single layer, then move to a freezer bag for up to 1 month.
• Reheat: air fry at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes until warm and crisp again. Skip the microwave, which makes them soggy.

Air Fryer Oreos With Pancake Mix FAQs

How do you make fried Oreos in the air fryer with pancake mix? Whisk 1 cup pancake mix with an egg, 1/2 cup milk, vanilla, and oil. Dip each Oreo in the batter and set it on parchment in a preheated air fryer. Cook at 370°F for 4 minutes, flip, and cook 3 more minutes.

Can I make air fried Oreos without pancake mix? Yes. Mix 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then use it in place of the pancake mix.

Why is my batter sliding off the Oreos? The batter is too thin. Stir in more pancake mix 1 tablespoon at a time until it clings to the cookie.

Do I need parchment paper? Yes. Wet batter drips through the basket holes without it. Add the parchment after preheating and weigh it down with the Oreos right away.

Can I make these without an air fryer? Yes. Deep fry them in 375°F oil for 1 to 2 minutes, flipping once.

Can I make the batter ahead? You can refrigerate the batter for up to 2 hours. Stir it before dipping, since it thickens as it sits.

How many Oreos can I cook at once? About 6 in a standard basket air fryer, with space between each one.

More Air Fryer Oreo Recipes

• Air Fried Oreos With Crescent Rolls
• Air Fryer Oreo Brownies
• Air Fryer Oreo Cheesecake
• Air Fryer Oreo Cinnamon Rolls
• Air Fryer 2-Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake

More Fair Food Desserts

Air Fried Marshmallow Peeps

Air Fryer Funnel Cake Fries

Air Fryer Cookie Dough Egg Rolls

Air Fryer Cinnamon Churro Bites