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Home » Dessert » Fried Twinkies

Published: July 2, 2020 Last Modified: July 2, 2020 By Sara 14 Comments

Fried Twinkies

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

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.

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. 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 simple 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 best 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 homemade 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 best 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 homemade fried Twinkies, you’ll never feel the need to order them at the fair again!

More dessert recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Fresh Strawberry Pie
  • Chocolate Covered Strawberries
  • S’mores Cookies
  • Cosmic Brownies
  • Cake Balls

Fried Twinkies Video

A plate of fried Twinkies served with raspberry sauce.
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5 from 12 votes

Fried Twinkies

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.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Freezing Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 180kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Comments

    1. Marsha says

      June 23, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      5 stars
      County fair food at home, yummy!

      Reply
    2. Jessi Niles says

      October 30, 2021 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      I dont like Twinkies regularly but this recipe made me love them they were wonderful and so easy i will definitely make this again i also used it to make Oreos and it worked great! Thank you.

      Reply
    3. Jacque Hooper says

      July 13, 2020 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      Tried these with my kids and they were DELICIOUS! Wayyy better than what we usually get at the state fair! Excited to enjoy these all summer long!

      Reply
    4. Jacque Hastert says

      July 9, 2020 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! Finally, I can bring a county fair favorite home to enjoy with the family!

      Reply
    5. Allyson Zea says

      July 8, 2020 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      These come out so good every time!

      Reply
    6. Beti says

      July 8, 2020 at 8:43 am

      5 stars
      My kids would definitely LOVE these!! YUM!

      Reply
    7. katerina says

      July 8, 2020 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow, these twinkies sound SO GOOD!! I have to try this!

      Reply
    8. Natalie says

      July 8, 2020 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      Twinkies are good, but fried…SO MUCH BETTER!! They are a fun, quick, & easy treat!!

      Reply
    9. Beth says

      July 8, 2020 at 7:03 am

      5 stars
      I love this idea! My kids loved it! We will definitely be making these again!

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        October 21, 2022 at 9:17 am

        Hello, do you need to freeze the twinkies beforehand? Thank you

        Reply
        • Sara says

          October 24, 2022 at 9:00 am

          You do not need to freeze them!

          Reply
    10. Toni says

      July 8, 2020 at 6:21 am

      5 stars
      This is such an amazing idea!! My kids really loved it!

      Reply
    11. Vikki says

      July 7, 2020 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      I am also a fan of fried desserts, so when I saw this I had to try it — and was not disappointed! Loved every bite

      Reply
    12. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      July 7, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      These fried Twinkies sound delicious! Dangerously good…

      Reply

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