I’ll just lay it all out there: I take my dessert game pretty seriously. There are not enough meals in this lifetime to waste even one bite on a medium-good sweet.
No, friends. We go big and crispy and leaning towards decadent or we go home. And that is why deep-fried desserts, from classic churros to state fair Twinkies, are a category all their own.
1. Deep-Fried Cookie Dough
I am here for cookie dough in every single form, and that definitely includes raw, straight from the tub. But let me tell you, deep-fried cookie dough is a whole different kind of wonderful.
You get that crunchy, powdered-sugar-dusted outside, and then you hit the warm, gooey chocolate center. These bite-sized treats are just so addicting. It’s a total win.
2. Fried Twinkies
Fried Twinkies. Just let that sink in for a second.
That fluffy, sweet deliciousness you already love, but now it’s wrapped in a crispy outer shell from being deep-fried. Yeah. I know. It’s pure joy.
3. Deep-Fried Peach Cobbler
Of all the deep-fried goodness on this list, this one might just be my favorite. It takes just 25 minutes to pull together with fewer than ten ingredients.
The canned peaches bring a tart and tangy vibe that plays so well with the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
You get a flaky, buttery crust, and when you top it all off with vanilla ice cream? It is pretty much a showstopper.
4. Churro Bites
Churros are just the ultimate deep-fried snack, but these little bites are so small and cute that I had to go with them over the full-sized version.
Plus, you can whip them up with only six ingredients in about 15 minutes. You just can’t beat that kind of easy.
5. Deep-Fried S’Mores
There’s really nothing like taking a bite through a crispy, golden-brown crust and hitting that fluffy, melted marshmallow and gooey chocolate inside.
That is exactly what you get with these deep-fried s’mores. Each one is somehow even yummier than the last.
6. Deep-Fried Oreos
While you’re dreaming of unbelievably good desserts, go ahead and picture this one. You get all the chocolate and creamy sweetness of an Oreo, but it’s surrounded by a golden-brown, deep-fried crust.
I mean, come on. It doesn’t get much better than that.
7. Fried Ice Cream
You’ve probably had fried ice cream at your favorite Mexican restaurant, but if you haven’t, you are in for such a treat.
The center is a big ball of cold, sweet vanilla ice cream, and it’s surrounded by a crispy, crunchy cornflake crust. Then it’s topped with crushed graham crackers, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
I like to add chocolate sauce to mine, too! And don’t worry, it’s so easy to make, and you won’t melt the ice cream. I can tell you that from personal experience!
8. Deep-Fried Coca-Cola Balls
The consistency of these will remind you of beignets or maybe some syrup-covered donut holes. But the flavor is totally unique, all thanks to the Vanilla Coke.
You can make eight of these in just 15 minutes, which makes them perfect for dessert or even a super sweet breakfast.
9. Deep-Fried Cheesecake Bites
Cheesecake is already so decadent, right? But then you roll it in batter, deep-fry it, and coat it in powdered sugar and your favorite sweet sauce.
That is a treat that is absolutely worthy of a sugar coma. Those deep-fried cream cheese and vanilla centers are just too good to be true!
10. Fried Rosette Snowflake Cookies
These gorgeous cookies are just as pretty as they are tasty. They take about 40 minutes, but the ingredients list is super short and basic.
All you need is granulated and confectioners sugar, eggs, flour, milk, almond extract, salt, and some oil for frying.
They’re kind of like beautifully designed funnel cakes, but in cookie form. Who wouldn’t be here for that?!
11. Deep-Fried Sweet Ravioli
You already know how delicious regular deep-fried ravioli is, but ravioli isn’t just for dinner anymore. Now you can have it for dessert, too.
And don’t worry, the filling of ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract is definitely sweet enough to enjoy. You will not find any cheese and tomato paste in this ravioli.
12. Deep-Fried Chocolate Truffles
Oh my gosh. Chocolate truffles are so, so good. Now, picture deep-fried chocolate truffles that have bananas at their center.
Not many flavor combos can beat dark chocolate and banana, and these crunchy little balls are beyond delicious. They are one of the best things you’ll ever put in your mouth.
13. Fried Brownie Truffle Bites
These fried brownie bites are where brownies and truffles meet, and it is incredible. Every single bite is packed with chocolate, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and more.
Each one is just big enough for about two delectable bites, and you’ll definitely be coming back for more.
14. Deep-Fried Cookie Dough Wrapped Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
The name of this one has a lot going on, I get it. Just think about it as a crispy cookie dough dessert with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
That makes it so much easier to picture, and I bet you’re drooling already.
15. Deep-Fried Bananas
Bananas are just phenomenal no matter what you do with them. But slicing them up, dipping them in pancake batter, deep-frying them, and then covering them in cinnamon and sugar?
That might be my favorite way to enjoy them. Yes, they are just as good as they sound. The recipe says to serve them with vanilla ice cream, but that’s not even necessary.
These are 100% sweet enough all on their own.
16. Fried Donut Holes
There’s nothing super unique about these, but I just couldn’t make a list of deep-fried desserts without them.
These are those classic donut holes you already know and love. And that is definitely good enough!
17. Deep-Fried Nutella S’Mores Dumplings
These s’mores dumplings taste a lot like the other deep-fried s’mores, but I just love their unique dumpling shape!
And you add Nutella to these, so you get an extra layer of complexity in the flavor. So good.
18. Deep-Fried Apple Fritters
Okay, so these might look like lumpy zombie brain bites, but as soon as you take that first bite of apple cinnamon yumminess, you will not care one bit about how they look.
And that powdered sugar and vanilla glaze on top is just extra icing on the cake.
19. Deep-Fried Cheesecake
If the cheesecake bites weren’t your thing, try this version for deep-fried cheesecake chimichangas instead.
The flavor is pretty similar, but I love the way these look. They’re gorgeous, and because of their rolled shape, they’re also super convenient and not messy to eat.
20. Deep-Fried Chocolate Bar
Can you even improve on a chocolate bar? I mean, they’re already chocolate bars! But it turns out, there is a way.
You cover them in a breadcrumb and flour mixture and deep-fry them for about 5 minutes. You’re left with that same fantastic ooey-gooey chocolate bar center, but now you have a golden, crunchy, deep-fried crust.
It’s the best of both worlds and will kind of remind you of a chocolate pie.