Fried Ice Cream

5 from 7 votes
11 Comments

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Fried Ice Cream is one of my favorite Mexican desserts, with its crispy outer shell and smooth cold ice cream. Now you can make this tasty treat right at home!

Three plates of Fried Ice Cream with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Fried Ice Cream
  2. Extra Toppings
  3. Getting the Perfect Ice Cream Shape
  4. Crispy, Crunchy Shell
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Fried Ice Cream
  6. Other Ice Cream Treats You’ll Love
  7. How to Make Fried Ice Cream
  8. Fried Ice Cream Recipe

Nothing tops off a meal at a Mexican restaurant better than a dish of Fried Ice Cream. It’s so satisfying to dig my spoon into the delicate crunchy outer shell to find smooth, cold ice cream in the middle. This homemade recipe combines two of my very favorite things into one: “fried” and “ice cream”. It takes a little time, but you will love the end product, and so will your loved ones! Trust me, it’s well worth the effort.

Ingredients in Fried Ice Cream

The flavors in this beautiful dessert are unlike anything I’ve ever tried before. Sweet, a hint of spice, and smooth ice cream. It’s incredible! Here’s what you need:

  • Vanilla ice cream – about three cups for this recipe. Make sure the ice cream is REALLY cold. You can also switch up the flavor of ice cream too! Try chocolate ice cream, butterscotch, Neapolitan, etc.
  • Corn Flakes Cereal – You’ll need about three cups of crushed corn flakes. You could also try Cinnamon Toast Crunch, crushed up.
  • Coconut flakes – two cups sweetened coconut added to the cornflakes mixture gives the shell an extra layer of texture that is so delicious.
  • Ground Cinnamon – start with about four teaspoons, then add more to taste.
  • Corn syrup – one and a half cups of LIGHT corn syrup works best for this recipe.
  • Vegetable oil – You’ll use the hot oil to deep fry your ice cream.
  • Chocolate sauce – optional, but SO yummy!
  • Caramel sauce – for a real treat use chocolate AND caramel sauce together.
  • Whipped cream – a little or a lot for garnish.
  • Maraschino Cherry – can’t have ice cream without a cherry on top!
Ingredients to make Fried Ice Cream including ice cream, oil, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, corn flakes, cinnamon, corn syrup, coconut, whipped cream and cherries.


Extra Toppings

Add chopped pecans, crunchy almonds, sprinkles, extra coconut or extra chocolate sauce. I like to provide bowls of extra toppings for guests to decorate their dessert however they like.

Getting the Perfect Ice Cream Shape

Scoop out medium-sized scoops of ice cream, about one cup each in size. You’ll use your hands to roll into balls. The best way to do this is use gloves so your hands don’t get sticky (and cold!) Pop them in the freezer for at least eight hours but preferably longer, like overnight. If you’re under a time constraint and don’t have all day to make these, you can use a smaller ice cream scoop so they will freeze faster.

Three scoops of vanilla ice cream on parchment paper in a pan for Fried Ice Cream.

Crispy, Crunchy Shell

To get that beautiful, crispy outer shell takes a few steps and a little patience, but well worth it.

  • In a shallow bowl, combine corn flakes, coconut, ground cinnamon and mix together. Then separate into two equal portions. One portion goes into a Ziploc bag to use later. Using the shallow dish for the rest, roll the frozen ice cream bowls in the cereal mixture until they’re completely covered. Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
  • Next, coat ice cream balls with corn syrup and roll in remaining mixture from the Ziploc bag. Repeat this process until the balls are completely covered.
  • Freeze for another another hour or so. Heat oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 400 degrees. One at a time, lower the balls into the oil and fry until golden brown (about 30-45 seconds).
  • Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Drizzle with chocolate and/or caramel and top whipped cream and a cherry. Repeat with the remaining ice cream balls. Serve immediately.
Spoon scooping out a bite of Fried Ice Cream.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fried Ice Cream

Is fried ice cream a Mexican tradition?

While fried ice cream is a favorite at most Mexican restaurants, it’s actually thought to have come from Asia, and brought to Mexico by Chinese immigrants.

Why doesn’t fried ice cream melt?

This is why it’s so important to work with REALLY cold ice cream. It doesn’t melt because it’s frozen solid, and then quickly dipped in hot oil with the crispy outer shell. This allows the outside to cook and crisp before even reaching the ice cream center.

How long do you deep fry the ice cream balls?

You’ll only want the ice cream balls in the hot oil for ten to 15 seconds at the most. The shell gets golden and crispy, and the ice cream stays cold and smooth inside.

READ NEXT:75+ Best Mexican Recipes

Spoon cutting into a ball of Fried Ice Cream.

Other Ice Cream Treats You’ll Love

How to Make Fried Ice Cream

Fried Ice Cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Fried Ice Cream

5 from 7 votes
A big scoop of Fried Ice Cream is a great way to cool off on hot summer days. I love the crispy outer shell with the smooth, cold ice cream in the center!
Prep Time 1 day 1 hour
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 1 day 1 hour 2 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Mexican/Spanish
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 3 c vanilla ice cream
  • 3 c. corn flakes crushed
  • 2 c. coconut flakes
  • 4 tsp. cinnamon or to taste
  • 1 1/2 c corn syrup
  • oil for frying
  • chocolate topping
  • caramel topping
  • whipped cream
  • cherries

Instructions

  • Scoop out medium-sized scoops of ice cream (appx. 1 cup size) and roll into balls (you can do this using gloves so your hands don't get all sticky). Freeze for about an hour roll.
    Three scoops of vanilla ice cream on parchment paper in a pan for Fried Ice Cream.
  • Meanwhile, combine corn flakes, coconut, and cinnamon and divide into two equal portions. Put one potion in a Ziploc bag to use later and put the remaining portion in a bowl. Roll ice cream balls in corn flake mixture. Put on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
    Coating for Fried Ice Cream in a bowl and some in a ziplock bag.
  • Coat ice cream balls with corn syrup and roll in remaining mixture (the one you put in the plastic bag). You want the balls completely coated, so if needs be, re-coat the balls with corn syrup and roll again in the mixture.
    Covering ball of ice cream with corn flakes, coconut and cinnamon mixture for Fried Ice Cream.
  • Freeze another hour or so.
    Three balls of Fried Ice Cream on a plate covered with plastic wrap.
  • Heat oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 400 degrees. One at a time, lower the balls into the oil and fry until golden brown (about 30-45 seconds). Remove from the oil and place on a bowl or small plate.
    Ball of Fried Ice Cream in the deep fryer basket.
  • Drizzle with chocolate and/or caramel and top whipped cream and a cherry. Repeat with the remaining ice cream balls. Serve immediately.
    Three plates of Fried Ice Cream with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Notes

  • Nutrition does not include toppings.
  • Scoop out medium-sized scoops of ice cream, about one cup each in size. You’ll use your hands to roll into balls. The best way to do this is use gloves so your hands don’t get sticky (and cold!)
  • Pop them in the freezer for at least eight hours but preferably longer, like overnight.
  • If you’re under a time constraint and don’t have all day to make these, you can use a smaller ice cream scoop so they will freeze faster.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 808kcalCarbohydrates: 183gProtein: 11gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 968mgPotassium: 344mgFiber: 6gSugar: 91gVitamin A: 2400IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 35mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This Fried Ice Cream has a great crisp and cold ice cream mix. So yummy, and guess what? My family wants me to make some more. Highly recommended!

  2. 5 stars
    This is a great recipe! So fun for the kids and so delish for us all! Followed the recipe to a T and it came out perfectly. Thanks for sharing!

  3. 5 stars
    Wow, I’ve never tried fried ice cream! Sounds decadent and a different way to eat this dessert. Can’t wait to try

  4. I'm trying this tonight! So excited! Scared to death my ice cream will melt in the fryer :/ but I'm going to try it!!!

  5. only had fried ice cream once (at the grand canyon of all places) but i remember loving it! Must try this sometime 🙂

  6. Ooo that looks yummy. I think I'd sub caramel for chocolate. Gonna stumble this and add to my recipe box. 😀