Deep Fried Cookie Dough

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You might as well call these deep fried balls of HEAVEN. They are pure decadence in the best possible way and I’m so excited to share these with you.

Jared and I tackled this recipe together, actually, because deep frying while filming is a balancing act I’d rather not juggle alone. Seeing my expensive camera anywhere near 360°F oil makes my heart skip a beat! It was a fun recipe to conquer together, and we certainly enjoyed the fruits of our labor. These deep fried cookie dough balls certainly make a bit of a mess but they are so completely worth it!

Watch the video below to see exactly how these are made from start to finish!

Deep Fried Cookie Dough Recipe Tips

Here’s some extra help and advice in case you think you’ll need it. I’ve tried to answer every possible question so you can be wildly successful when you go to make these babies in your own kitchen. As always, feel free to ask any other questions in the comments below!

The Cookie Dough

I prefer homemade to store-bought any day of the week, and the cookie dough in this recipe is no exception! If you really wanted to, you could use store-bought cookie dough and proceed with the batter and frying.
However, if you are worried about the possibility of consuming undercooked eggs, then I recommend you use pasteurized eggs. The cookie dough in this recipe does not fully cook through. If you can’t find pasteurized eggs, you can omit the egg and replace it with 3 tablespoons of milk. The texture won’t be exactly the same, but I understand it’s a must for some people.

The Batter

Use the batter to fry the cookie dough soon after making it. The batter may look really thin, but I promise it will puff up and offer a nice light yet crispy coating once it’s fried.

Frying

I used vegetable oil, but any mild oil with a high smoking point will do. I always use a deep fry thermometer to track the temperature of the oil, both for safety and for the best possible taste and texture. Oil that’s too cold will yield a greasy product. Oil that’s too hot will overcook and burn the outside. Bits of batter getting stuck in your oil is pretty much inevitable, so I like to use my mesh skimmer to remove any larger pieces of batter or debris from the oil as I fry.

We randomly discovered that one of my chocolate dipping tools worked beautifully for picking up the batter-coated cookie dough and placing it in the hot oil. When we used our hands not only did our fingers pull away the batter, but it’s just not safe to place your hand that close to the oil (even if you see pro chefs do it all the time). Deep frying is already dangerous, no need to risk unnecessary oil burns! We always keep our fire extinguisher out when we deep fry.

Make Ahead

The balls of cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days before frying. Unfortunately, once these babies are fried they need to be served soon after. They’re not the kind of treat that will stay good for days on end. However, you can keep them warm in a 175°F oven until ready to garnish and serve.

4.50 from 4 votes

How to make

Deep Fried Cookie Dough

Yield: 24 cookie dough balls

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Deep Fried Cookie Dough made with homemade chocolate chip cookie dough, dipped in batter, and fried to golden crispy perfection! Keep reading for the full step-by-step video, tons of tips, and the printable recipe!

Ingredients

For the cookie dough:

• 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups (159 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

For frying:

• 1 1/4 cups (159 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (255 grams) milk
• 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 quart oil, for frying
• Melted chocolate, for drizzling
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions

Make the cookie dough:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until very well combined. Add in the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. On low speed gradually add the flour and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips.
2. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, at least one hour or up to 2 days if placed in an airtight container.

Prepare the dough for frying:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the milk and vegetable oil, and whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
2. In a medium heavy pot, heat 2 inches of oil until it reaches 360°F. Take a chilled ball of cookie dough and dip it in the batter, turning it over with your hands until it’s completely covered. Let excess batter drip back into the bowl, then gently drop it into the oil. Fry up to 4 or 5 balls at a time.
3. Fry the balls for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, or until they’re puffed and a dark golden brown on all sides. Remove them from the oil using a frying skimmer and place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the rest of the cookie dough balls and batter. Maintain the temperature of the oil between 360 to 370°F.
4. Drizzle the balls with melted chocolate and a dusting of powdered sugar before serving warm. These are best served the day they’re fried, but can be kept warm in a 175°F oven until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

Adapted from Sugar Hero

Course : Dessert

Cuisine : American

Recipe by Tessa Arias

Author: Tessa Arias

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)