Quick Answer
A single deep fried Oreo contains around 200 calories. However, the exact calorie count can vary depending on factors like the brand of Oreo, oil used for frying, and preparation method. On average, a deep fried Oreo made with regular Oreos contains about 200-250 calories.
Calories in Oreos
To determine the calories in a deep fried Oreo, we first need to know the calories in an unfried Oreo cookie. Here are the nutrition facts for some popular brands of Oreo cookies:
| Oreo Type | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Oreo | 2 cookies (35g) | 160 |
| Double Stuf Oreo | 1 cookie (35g) | 160 |
| Oreo Thin Bites | 20 cookies (35g) | 140 |
| Mint Oreo | 2 cookies (35g) | 160 |
| Golden Oreo | 2 cookies (35g) | 140 |
As you can see, most regular-sized Oreos contain around 140-160 calories per serving. Since a single Oreo weighs around 18 grams, one regular Oreo cookie contains approximately 80 calories.
Calories Added During Frying
Deep frying adds a significant amount of calories due to the oil absorbed by the food.
According to estimates, deep frying can increase the calorie content by an extra 50-90 calories per 28 grams (1 oz) of food fried, depending on factors like oil temperature and frying time.
Since the average Oreo weighs around 18 grams, deep frying a single Oreo may add approximately 30-50 extra calories.
The exact amount of oil absorbed will depend on:
– Type of oil used – Oils like canola, vegetable, and peanut oil have 120-130 calories per tablespoon. Oils with higher saturated fat like coconut oil are over 110 calories per tablespoon.
– Frying temperature – Food absorbs more oil when fried at lower temperatures. Frying between 350-375°F minimizes oil absorption.
– Frying time – The longer the frying time, the more oil the food will soak up. Oreos only need to be fried for 20-60 seconds to get crispy and golden brown.
– Coating/batter – Any coatings or batter will increase the calorie content of the fried Oreo. For example, a fried Oreo rolled in powdered sugar will have slightly more calories.
Total Calories in a Fried Oreo
Based on the average calorie information above, here is an estimate of the total calories in a single deep fried Oreo:
– 1 regular Oreo cookie = 80 calories
– Extra calories from frying (oil absorption) = 30-50 calories
– **Total calories for a deep fried Oreo = 110-130 calories**
So for a single fried Oreo made with regular Oreos and typical frying methods, you can expect around 110-130 calories.
Of course, the precise calorie count can vary depending on the factors discussed above. Here is the calorie range for different types of deep fried Oreos:
– Regular Oreo: 200-250 calories
– Double Stuf Oreo: 220-270 calories
– Oreo Thin Bites: 180-230 calories
– Golden Oreo: 190-240 calories
In general, most deep fried Oreos will provide **200-250 calories per cookie**.
Nutritional Value
Here is the full nutritional breakdown for a typical deep fried Oreo:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Carbs | 24g |
| Sugar | 14g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Sodium | 105mg |
As you can see, around half the calories come from fat due to the oil absorption during frying. Deep fried Oreos also provide a significant amount of carbs and sugar.
However, they lack protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Deep fried Oreos are considered a high calorie, low nutrition food.
Health Impact of Fried Oreos
Here is a look at some of the health considerations around consuming deep fried Oreos:
– **High in calories** – At over 200 calories each, fried Oreos pack a lot of calories for such a small treat. Eating more than one can quickly add excess calories.
– **High in fat** – A single fried Oreo provides around 12g of fat, mostly from the fried oil. The American Heart Association recommends only 25-35g of fat per day, so fried Oreos can use up a third of that amount quickly.
– **Weight gain** – The dense calories, fat, and sugar in fried Oreos can lead to weight gain if consumed in large amounts. Enjoying them occasionally is fine, but they should not be a daily snack.
– **Blood sugar spike** – The refined carbs and sugar can spike blood glucose levels. Those with diabetes need to be mindful of portion sizes.
– **High blood pressure** – Excess sodium can be an issue for those with hypertension. Fried Oreos provide 105mg sodium per cookie.
– **GI discomfort** – Greasy, heavy foods like fried Oreos may cause stomach discomfort, bloating, and other GI symptoms in some people.
– **Lack of nutrients** – Beyond calories, fried Oreos provide almost no beneficial vitamins, minerals, fiber or other nutrients.
So while an occasional deep fried Oreo won’t harm your health, they are considered more of an indulgent treat. Moderation is key when enjoying high calorie fried foods.
Ways to Make Them Healthier
Here are some tips to lighten up deep fried Oreos:
– Use whole grain Oreos instead of regular to add more fiber.
– Dip in dark chocolate instead of frying for a lighter option.
– Fry in an air fryer with just a spritz of oil spray to cut back on oil.
– Use just an egg white wash instead of heavy batter before frying.
– Dust with powdered sugar instead of massive amounts of chocolate, caramel or other heavy toppings.
– Serve with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries to add nutrients.
– Stick to a single cookie as a dessert instead of multiple.
– Drink water instead of sugary sodas to avoid excess sugar and calories.
While deep fried Oreos will always be an indulgent dessert, these tweaks can help control portions and make them just a bit healthier.
Making Deep Fried Oreos at Home
If you want to try making deep fried Oreos at home, here is a simple recipe:
**Ingredients:**
– Vegetable or canola oil for frying
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– Oreo cookies
– Powdered sugar (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Heat at least 2 inches oil to 350°F in a heavy pan. Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.
2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a shallow bowl. Whisk milk, egg and vanilla in another bowl.
3. Dip Oreos in the flour mixture, then egg mixture, then back into the flour.
4. Fry Oreos for 30-60 seconds until golden brown, flipping once.
5. Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Be sure to fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Let oil return to 350°F between batches.
Follow proper safety precautions when deep frying at home. Fried Oreos can be served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Where to Get Fried Oreos
If you don’t want to fry Oreos at home, you can purchase them pre-made at certain restaurants and bakeries. Here are some places to find deep fried Oreos:
– State and county fairs – Fried Oreos are a staple concession snack at fairs around the US.
– Carnivals/amusement parks – Places like theme parks and boardwalks often sell fried Oreos along with other fried treats.
– Specialty donut shops – Some gourmet donut shops offer fried Oreos along with their donut menu.
– Bakeries – A few bakeries add fried Oreos to their rotation of fried goodies like donuts and fritters.
– Burger joints – Casual burger spots may serve fried Oreos as part of their appetizer selection.
– Ice cream/dessert shops – Fried Oreos can sometimes be found at ice cream parlors and dessert-focused eateries.
Check the menus of your local restaurants and food shops to see who offers fried Oreos in your area. Many places advertise them as a signature item or limited-time seasonal special.
Conclusion
A single deep fried Oreo contains around 200 calories, depending on the brand of Oreo cookie and frying method used. The high amount of fat and lack of nutrients make fried Oreos more of an occasional indulgent treat. Moderating portion sizes and choosing lighter cooking methods can help control calories when enjoying this fried dessert. While deep fried Oreos are high in fat and calories, they can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
