Fried Cookie Dough Bites Sonic Copycat Recipe

I love state fairs and I love cookie dough, so you know that the deep fried cookie dough bites are going to be one of my favorite state fair foods. You can also get these at Sonic but why not just make them at home with the ingredients that are already in your own pantry! These deep-fried cookie dough bites are so much fun for children and grown-ups alike, and a great way to bring the excitement and novelty of state fair food right to your home. This Sonic copycat recipe is one of the simplest deep-fried desserts you can whip up and one that everyone just seems to love, making them a fantastic option for entertaining. If you’re a fan of a deep-fried sweet treat with a nice crunch, check out my recipes for Homemade Glazed Donuts, New Orleans Beignets, Apple Fritter Donuts, Churros, Funnel Cakes, and Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnuts!

Why We Love This Recipe

With ingredients like premade chocolate chip cookie dough (you can use homemade edible cookie dough, of course!) and a simple pancake mix-based batter, even those with limited experience in the kitchen can create something truly special. The use of a Dutch oven or deep fryer makes achieving that perfect golden brown finish a breeze. They can be prepared in advance and quickly fried before serving, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Premade Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (like Pillsbury or Tollhouse) – The base ingredient, it’s super convenient as it is premade and designed to be consumed raw. All-Purpose Flour – Adds structure to the batter, making sure it coats the cookie dough well. Granulated Sugar – Gives the batter some sweetness. Baking Powder – This leavening agent helps the batter to puff up and become light and crispy when you fry it. Buttermilk – Adds a tangy flavor to the batter and contributes to the tender texture of the coating. Salted Butter – Brings a rich flavor into the batter. Vanilla Extract – A dash of vanilla enhances the sweet flavors of the batter and cookie dough. Large Egg – Helps to bind the batter ingredients together. Canola or Vegetable Oil, for Frying – A neutral oil is ideal for deep-frying as it can create that crispy exterior without adding any unwanted extra flavors to the bites.

Tips for Success

Keeping the dough balls the same size helps with even cooking. I find ½-inch the perfect size for quick frying while keeping a deliciously soft center. Freezing the cookie dough balls before frying helps them maintain their shape and ensures the center stays soft and gooey. To keep your hands clean and safe from splatters, use skewers or forks to dip and fry the dough balls. Overcrowding can lower the oil’s temperature, resulting in a soggy coating instead of crispy, so cook in batches to ensure they cook evenly and prevent them from sticking together. Before serving, consider dusting the bites with powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra sweetness and a wow factor to the presentation.

Substitutions and Variations

For those with gluten sensitivities, replace the all-purpose flour in the batter with your favorite gluten-free blend, and use a gluten-free edible cookie dough. There’s a wide variety of edible cookie dough flavor options, so feel free to experiment with using flavors like peanut butter, double chocolate, cookies & cream, sugar cookies, funfetti birthday cake, M&M cookie dough, or Snickerdoodle, and you may even find candy bars and other sweet snacks you love represented in an edible cookie dough form, such as Lucky Charms, Oreo, Twix, and Snickers! Feel free to mix in extras like crushed nuts, mini M&Ms, or sprinkles into the cookie dough before freezing. After frying the bites, consider coating or drizzling them with a flavored sauce, such as chocolate, raspberry, butterscotch, or mint chocolate or dusting them with powdered sugar for a sweet finish. For a slightly lighter version, you can try air-frying the cookie dough bites. While the texture will be different from deep frying, it’s an easy way to reduce oil intake.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Brownie Sandwich Cookies with Cookie Dough Frosting Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches Cookie Dough Cookies

Always be careful when working with hot oil. Keep a lid or baking sheet nearby to cover the pot quickly, if the oil starts to splatter. Keeping the temperature of the oil at a constant 350°F is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of a crispy exterior and gooey interior, so use a deep fry thermometer to monitor the oil’s temperature throughout the frying process. If the bites are browning too slowly or too quickly, make sure to adjust the stove to high or medium heat accordingly.

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

Fried Cookie Dough Bites Sonic Copycat Recipe - 19