Fried Twinkies: a weeknight method

A plate of fried Twinkies served with raspberry sauce.

When I go to the county fair every summer, I cannot resist the fried delicacies! Some of my favorites include fried Oreos, fried pickles and these light and fluffy fried Twinkies.

Fried Twinkies are a remake of the carnival classic that are fun and easy to make at home.

A plate of fried Twinkies served with raspberry sauce.

Twinkies are great on their own, but fried Twinkies are even better! This is a fun dessert option that is totally unexpected, yet always gets rave reviews from family and friends.

How do you make fried twinkies?

Make a unfussy batter with pancake mix, eggs, milk and vegetable oil. Dip your Twinkies in the batter, then place them in a pot of oil. Fry the cakes for a few minutes until they’re golden brown. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar, then serve the Twinkies immediately with a dipping sauce if desired.

A plate with a pile of Twinkies on it.

Tips for the finest fried twinkies

This batter works perfectly for other fried desserts such as fried Oreo cookies and fried candy bars.
Be sure to completely cover each Twinkie in batter so that the filling won’t leak out when you fry them.
It’s important to use a frying thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of your oil. If the oil is too hot, the outer coating of the cakes can burn. If the oil is too cold, the batter will absorb excessive amounts of oil and become greasy.
The batter should be thick enough to form a nice coating around the Twinkies. If the batter drips right off your Twinkies, you can add more powdered pancake mix, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
For ease of frying and eating, feel free to put your Twinkies onto popsicle sticks or craft sticks.
Use a sieve to sift the powdered sugar over your cakes for a professional look.
I like to serve this dish with a dipping sauce. I typically make my kitchen-made raspberry sauce, or otherwise I use chocolate syrup.

Pancake batter in a bowl.

Flavor variations

Twinkies: Try different varieties of Twinkies, this recipe works great with all the flavors!
Coatings: Roll the cooked Twinkies in cinnamon sugar instead of sifting powdered sugar over the top.
Batter: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the batter for a dose of chocolate flavor.

A Twinkie being dipped into a bowl of batter.

How long do deep fried snack cakes last?

I find that fried Twinkies are finest when served hot from the fryer. As the Twinkies sit, the outer coating will soften. You can store any leftover cakes in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Feel free to reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F until crisp and heated through.

A tray of fried Twinkies topped with powdered sugar.

Once you try these kitchen-made fried Twinkies, you’ll never feel the need to order them at the fair again!

More dessert recipes you’ll enjoy

Fried Twinkies Video

Add as Google preferred source Authorthe Makdob kitchen A plate of fried Twinkies served with raspberry sauce.

These fried Twinkies feature the classic snack cakes coated in a sweet batter, then deep fried to golden brown perfection. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a side of raspberry sauce for a unique and decadent dessert. Time Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Freezing Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Serves 8

Ingredients

8 Twinkies
1 1/2 cups pancake mix
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons vegetable oil plus more for frying
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar
raspberry or chocolate sauce optional

Instructions

Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees F.
Place the pancake mix, egg, milk, 2 teaspoons vegetable oil and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir to combine.
Dip each Twinkie into the batter, then place in the oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over.
Place the Twinkies on a serving plate and sift powdered sugar over the top. Serve immediately with a side of dipping sauce if desired.