Fried Ice Cream

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This easy no-fry method for fried ice cream has everything you love about the popular restaurant classic without the oily mess of deep frying. This unique 4 ingredient dessert is ready in under 30 minutes and will have your friends and family begging for more!

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What is fried ice cream?

Fried ice cream is a popular restaurant style dessert made by freezing ice cream to a very hard ball, then coating it in batter and deep-frying briefly to crisp up the outer coating without melting the ice cream. This leads to a warm and crispy outer layer with a cold sweet creamy center of ice cream.

Where is Deep fried Ice Cream From?

Often associated with both Mexican and Asian cuisine, the exact origin of deep fried ice cream is a bit of a mystery.

Some claim that deep fried ice cream originates from Asian cuisine and was first invented by covering ice cream in tempura batter and flash frying until crispy.

It has also become a signature dessert in Mexican cuisine, and is commonly found in Mexican restaurants with a crisper corn flake coating.

Either way, all we know is that it is absolutely delicious, and if you love the restaurant style deep fried ice cream, you will absolutely love this easy no-fry fried ice cream recipe you can make at home!

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Can you make fried ice cream without a deep fryer?

Generally ice cream is frozen at very cold temperatures to make it rock hard so it can survive the piping hot temperatures of a deep frying. This method can be tricky at home with a standard freezer and only works if you have a messy oily deep fryer you can use.

However this simple at home method does not involve any deep frying or oil whatsoever! The crispy out coating is pan fried on its own in butter, and cooled before being applied to hand formed balls of creamy vanilla ice cream. You still get that crispy crunchy outer layer, and a soft creamy ice cream center with none of the deep frying mess!

What is in No-Fry Fried Ice Cream?

This recipe uses just 4 simple ingredients plus your favorite ice cream toppings.

Corn flakes
Butter
Cinnamon
Vanilla Ice Cream

Toppings:

Caramel sauce (or honey)
Chocolate syrup
Whipped cream
Chopped cherries (fresh or maraschino)

Variations to Recipe

It’s hard to go wrong with homemade fried ice cream. While this recipe uses vanilla ice cream and cinnamon, there are many variations you can make to add flavour and texture.

Try using a different flavour of ice cream, these flavour work very well for fried ice cream.

Butterscotch ripple
Chocolate ice cream
Cookie dough
Strawberry
Cookies and cream
Pistachio

You can also add a variety of different toppings, or provide a bunch of toppings and let people make their own like a sundae bar, the kids will love it!

Chopped berries
Toasted coconut
Chocolate chips
Banana
Peanuts
Sprinkles
Peanut butter

If you are lactose intolerant or cutting dairy and would like to make fried ice cream, you can substitute your preferred dairy free ice-cream.

Since corn flakes contain gluten free, you will need to use something else in order to make fried ice, try toasted coconut flakes instead!

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Tips for Homemade fried Ice Cream

Make sure the ice cream is well frozen before making this recipe. Not so hard you can’t scoop it, but not so soft it melts when you handle it.
If the ice cream is melting while shaping, try running your hands under cold water first to cool them down.
You can use boxed ice cream and cut it into rectangular slices if you are having trouble shaping the balls.
Make sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent any sticking.
Allow the corn flake topping to cool slightly before coating to avoid melting the ice cream too much.
To cool the topping faster, place the bowl in the fridge.

Make Ahead Tips

This dessert is easy to make in advance for dessert or parties. After coating the ice cream, place in the freezer on a parchment lined baking sheet until you are ready to eat.

Before serving, remove from the freezer and add desired toppings or let everyone dress their own like a sundae bar!

Best way to Store

Fried ice cream is best stored in the freezer. For long term storage place in a deep container with a lid and store for up to 2 months.

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Fried Ice Cream

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 3

Total Time: 18

Servings:

All the deliciousness of fried ice cream butnone of the mess! A decadent yet simple dessert you can make at home. Creamyvanilla ice cream coated in crunchy cornflake topping drizzled with chocolateand caramel sauce. This no-fry version of deep fried ice cream does not use adeep fryer making for a quick and easy clean up!

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Ingredients

6 cups corn flakes
1/2 cup butter, salted
2 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
32 oz Vanilla ice cream

Toppings

Honey or caramel sauce
Chocolate fudge sauce
Whipped cream
Cherries, fresh or maraschino

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Instructions

To create the topping add the corn flakes to a large freezer bag. Seal the bag leaving a small 1 inch gap to let air escape and crush the corn flakes with a rolling pin into small pieces. You can also add the corn flakes to a food processor and blitz into a coarse crumble.
Add butter to a non-stick pan over medium heat and once melted add the crushed cornflakes and cinnamon. Continue to cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the corn flakes become golden brown. They should darken and start to smell toasted and nutty. Remove from the heat and pour mixture into a shallow bowl to cool.
To create the ice cream balls, scoop a 4 oz serving of ice cream from the container and shape into a ball with your hands. Make sure the ice cream is frozen enough to stay firm while shaping.
Immediately coat the ice cream ball in the corn flake topping by placing the ball in the dish with the cooled topping and rolling to coat evenly. Lightly press the coating into the ball and shake lightly to remove any excess coating. Repeat for the remaining ice cream to form 8 total portions.
Place the coated ice cream balls on a parchment lined baking sheet and return them to the freezer to refreeze for at least 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
Before serving drizzle with your choice of chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and cherries.