Inspired by the State Fair of Texas, my Chocolate Chip Fried Cookie Dough makes the ultimate indulgent dessert!
The WOW Factor
Balls of melting chocolate chip cookie dough, battered and deep fried, my Fried Cookie Dough balls are every bit as amazing as you get at the state fair. They definitely bring the WOW factor! But they’re also amazingly easy. I have a feeling once you try these, it will be an experience you want to experience over and over again!
State Fair Favorites!
Y’all know how crazy I am about state fair food. Think, Funnel cakes, corn dogs, churros, fried Oreos. And of course, deep fried chocolate chip cookie dough. I mean, talk about the ultimate indulgence! A thin layer of crispy sweet breading surrounds melting chocolate chip cookie dough that will literally make you weak in the knees.
Keep Calm and Fry On!
It’s super easy to make these little balls of fried bliss. You just mix together the cookie dough and freeze it in balls while you prep the batter and oil. Then it’s fry time. Once I fried and tasted my first one, I had to keep telling myself “just keep calm and fry on”! 😉 Mmmm-AZING!!
Oh and you can totally use store-bought cookie dough for this recipe instead! It’s a great time-saver and still turns out absolutely delicious when fried.
Ingredients and Supplies
(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details. To learn more about specific baking ingredients and how they function in baking recipes, reference my Complete Guide to Baking Ingredients)
Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter: adds richness, moisture and the classic cookie dough flavor. If you use salted butter, you might consider using less salt in the recipe as it will affect the sweetness of the cookie dough.
- Light brown sugar: adds sweetness, chewiness, and depth from the molasses content.
- Granulated sugar: sweetens the cookie dough and the batter, but also contributes to the crispness of the coating.
- Pure vanilla extract: flavor enhancer that helps balance the sweetness and rounds out flavors.
- Milk: loosens the dough so it’s scoopable, and acts as the liquid binder instead of egg.
The main liquid for the batter that helps create a smooth, dippable consistency. - All-purpose flour: provides structure and body to the cookie dough and the batter. If you’re concerned about raw flour safety, you can preheat the flour before making the dough. Just spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or microwave it in a bowl in 30-second intervals until it reaches 160°F. That said, because the dough melts and becomes very hot during the frying process, I’ve never personally been concerned about it being unsafe to eat. But do whatever makes you feel most comfortable. This recipe is all about fun and deliciousness!
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: the classic cookie dough mix-in. Brings texture, richness, and indulgent bites of melty chocolate.
- Baking powder: adds lightness and puff. Creates a slightly airy texture so the batter isn’t too dense.
- Kosher salt: balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor. Table salt will actually pack a saltier punch than Kosher salt so if you only have table salt, adjust accordingly.
- Neutral Oil: canola or vegetable oil work well! The oil adds tenderness and helps prevent the batter from being tough or dry. It’s also used for frying to create that crispy golden shell.
- Powdered sugar: adds a sweet, snowy finish and enhances the fair-food vibe – like funnel cakes or beignets!
Supplies:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer with paddle attachment
- Mixing bowls
- Large frying pan
- Paper towels
How to Make Fried Cookie Dough
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars until smooth.
- Add the vanilla and milk and beat until well combined.
- Stir in the flour until just combined and add the chocolate chips.
- Stir until distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop two-teaspoon sized balls of dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze for at least 20 minutes while you prepare the batter and heat the oil.
- Make the Batter: whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, oil and vanilla.
- Add to the dry ingredients and whisk until thin and smooth.
- Frying and Finishing: Heat the oil in a large frying pan to 375°F.
- Remove the cookie dough from the freezer and shape each ball of dough into smooth round balls with your hands.
- Place 1/2 cup flour in a small bowl. Roll each ball of cookie dough in the flour and then dip in the batter, using a fork to roll it around in the batter.
- Carefully transfer the coated cookie dough ball to the hot oil for frying.
- Fry each ball of dough for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown all around and crisp on the outside.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating
Fried cookie dough is best served immediately. But you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day before the texture is too far gone. Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp the outside back up
Fried foods, like these Fried Cookie Dough Balls, crisp up great in the air fryer. It’s a lot like oven reheating, just usually speedier. But every air fryer is different, so be sure to check your model’s reheating guidelines to get the best results.
More Fair Food at Home
Fair Food Favorites you can make right at home! From standards like funnel cakes and corn dogs to new takes on classic fair flavors, this is your ticket to all the yum!
If you make my Fried Cookie Dough, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Fried Cookie Dough
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 16
- Category: Dessert
Description
Chocolate chip Fried Cookie Dough for the ultimate indulgent dessert!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Frying and Finishing:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dipping
- 4–5 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars until smooth. Add the vanilla and milk and beat until well combined. Stir in the flour until just combined and then the chocolate chips until distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop two-teaspoon sized balls of dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 20 minutes while you prepare the batter and heat the oil.
- For the batter, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, oil and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and whisk until thin and smooth.
- Heat the frying oil in a large frying pan to 375°F.
- Remove the cookie dough from the freezer and shape each ball of dough into smooth round balls with your hands.
- Place 1/2 cup flour in a small bowl. Roll each ball of cookie dough in the flour and then dip in the batter, using a fork to roll it around in the batter, and then carefully transfer it to the hot oil for frying.
- Fry each ball of dough for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown all around and crisp on the outside.
- Remove to a paper towel lined plate and dust with powdered sugar before serving. Best served immediately.
Notes
If you’re concerned about raw flour safety, you can preheat the flour before making the dough. Just spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or microwave it in a bowl in 30-second intervals until it reaches 160°F. That said, because the dough melts and becomes very hot during the frying process, I’ve never personally been concerned about it being unsafe to eat. But do whatever makes you feel most comfortable. This recipe is all about fun and deliciousness!
I recently came across your site. I’m in love. There are so many wonderful recipes on here that I will be able to WOW with thru the holidays. Thank you, I’m your newest fan.
Can I freeze these and pull them out when I want to use them? would it be the same process frying them? if so how long will they last frozen? Thank you for your time.
Hi Richard! Absolutely, just dip them in the batter and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once you’ve dipped all of the cookie dough balls, place them uncovered in the freezer to freeze completely. Once they’re frozen completely, you can transfer them to a freezer safe baggie or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to fry them, just continue the recipe as written. They’ll just take an extra few minutes to fry and heat completely through. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Hi, can I use the air fryer instead of the deep fryer? Would this work? Let me know.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth! I couldn’t say for sure because I’ve never tried it as I don’t own an air fryer, but it’s certainly worth a try. Let us know if you try it.
thank you for sharing this beautiful work
How do I store them afterwards if there left overs?
Hi Megan! They’re best served fresh fried, but you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven under the broiler for 1-3 minutes. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Hey I was wondering if I could use any chocolate chip cookie recipe? Or does it have to be this one?? Thanks!
Hi Charlotte! I’ve only tried it with this cookie dough recipe, but I think any eggless cookie dough recipe that’s thick enough to hold it’s ball shape when frozen should work. Enjoy!
Hi i have two questions!
Can i use store bought cookie dough? And what oil do you use to fry it in, i assume canola?
Hi, Faye! Yes, you can use store-bought cookie dough. And canola works just fine! Hope this helps!
I had some problems. I dipped the ball
Into the flour than the batter. I had to force the batter to stick to the ball and as they were frying all of the cookie dough came out and became a huge mess in the frying pan.
Hi Teri! Did you coat the cookie dough ball completely in flour? Was the batter thick or thin when you dipped the ball in it? If for some reason your batter was too thick, it would have a harder time sticking. Did you follow the ingredients exactly? Would love to help troubleshoot what went wrong.
Please Tell.I dont have brown sugar so can i use just the white sugar. Also how much time it would take if i mix manually instead of using electric mixer.
Hi NJ! Yes, you can substitute the brown sugar for an equal amount of white sugar. It won’t take too much more time to mix the dough by hand, just be sure to mix it until it’s well combined. Enjoy!
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Hello these sound great! I will be making some today. My question is, can I make the batter without using sugar? Will it still be as delicious as the recipe including sugar?
Hi BreAnna! Since there’s only 1 tablespoon in the batter, it would be worth a try. The slight sweetness of the batter compliments the cookie dough so well that it probably won’t taste the same. Enjoy!
Tried to make this yesterday and when I put the cookie dough/batter in the oil the cookie dough ended up separating from the batter, any suggestions?
Hi Tiffany! Did you coat the frozen balls of cookie dough in flour first and then the batter? The flour helps the batter stick. Also, the balls of dough should be completely covered in batter to where you can’t see any cookie dough before you fry them. Hope this helps.
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Hey! I want to make them to bring to a super bowl party. So I can’t really serve them immediately. It’d be a couple hours later. Would that be okay?
Hi Brudget! Yes, they will still taste great! Just make sure you fry them until they’re nice and crispy. And just store them on a plate or platter covered in plastic wrap instead of sealed in a contianer so the moisture from the cookie dough doesn’t make the coating too moist. Enjoy!
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Hi is the consistency suppose to be running like that because it kinda feels like I didn’t cook it all the way and I’m eating raw dough?
Hi Samantha! The cookie dough center should be warm and molten-like. Yes, similar to eating raw cookie dough.
I’ve tried this twice and followed every step and they arnt holding together. They keep coming apart. Is there anything else I can try or am I doing something wrong with my batter?
Hi Cassandra! I’m so sorry to hear this. Is it the dough or the batter that’s coming apart? And is it coming apart as your dipping it in the batter or once it’s been fried? Make sure your balls of dough are frozen. Freezers definitely vary so it might take longer to get them slightly frozen. Make sure you dip the dough balls in flour before submerging into the batter. And use a fork to gently coat the cookie dough and then lift it from the batter. Let’s figure out what’s going wrong so that you can enjoy them sooner rather than later. 🙂
Refrigerator dough does have raw eggs though
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Can you just use refrigerated cookie dough?
Of course! I just love making mine from scratch. Enjoy!
Yummm!! These look addictive. 🙂 Can you tell me how much of a stick 4 tbs of butter would be?
Hi Herra! It’s usually half of a stick or 1/4 cup. Enjoy!
These are simply ridiculously awesome. Pure indulgence. And that’s a good thing. Thanks Maegan!