If you’ve ever craved that magical hot-and-cold contrast of creamy chilled ice cream wrapped in a crisp, golden shell, then my Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe is about to become your new obsession. This show-stopping treat delivers a delightful mix of textures and flavors—a cold, velvety scoop of vanilla ice cream enrobed in sweet, cinnamon-spiced cornflakes, quickly flash-fried to crunchy perfection. Topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of honey or chocolate syrup, and a bright cherry, this dessert brings restaurant-inspired flair to your home kitchen while remaining surprisingly easy to master.

Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making the Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe doesn’t require fancy or hard-to-find ingredients; instead, it’s all about everyday staples that shine in combination. Each element plays a role, either boosting flavor, adding crunch, or providing that showy finishing touch.

Vanilla ice cream: Choose a firm, good-quality vanilla for the dreamiest texture and cleanest flavor base.
Cornflakes cereal (crushed): The secret to that signature crisp coating—crushing them ensures every bite is extra crunchy.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth and aromatic spice that makes each mouthful nostalgic and inviting.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch sweetens the coating, balancing the earthy flavor of cornflakes and cinnamon.
Large eggs: Essential for binding the coating so it clings beautifully to each ice cream ball.
Milk: Whisked with eggs, it thins the mix for the ideal dipping consistency.
Vegetable oil for frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point to fry up gorgeously golden shells.
Whipped cream: Adds a pillowy, creamy finish that melts dreamily into the warm shell.
Honey or chocolate syrup: Drizzling these over the top instantly ups the wow factor and brings extra sweetness.
Maraschino cherries for topping: A classic finishing touch—bright, cheerful, and just a little bit retro!

How to Make Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe

Step 1: Scoop and Freeze the Ice Cream

Start by scooping four generous balls of vanilla ice cream and arranging them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop them in the freezer for at least two hours, or until they’re rock-solid. This makes them much easier to coat and helps prevent melting when they hit the hot oil later. Don’t rush this step—it’s the key to a perfect Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe!

Step 2: Mix the Crunchy Coating

While the ice cream is firming up, stir together your crushed cornflakes, sugar, and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Crushing the cornflakes by hand or with a rolling pin gives just the right texture, ensuring each ice cream ball gets a thick, craggy crust.

Step 3: Prepare the Egg Wash

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined. This mixture not only helps the cornflake coating stick to the ice cream but also ensures a golden, crispy finish once fried.

Step 4: Coat the Ice Cream Balls

Working quickly, roll each frozen ice cream ball in the cornflake mixture, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally roll it once more in the cornflakes for a second, even thicker coating. This double layer is your secret weapon for that impossibly crunchy shell and ultimate contrast to the cold ice cream center.

Step 5: Freeze Again

Return the coated ice cream balls to the freezer for another one to two hours. This extra chill time ensures your Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe won’t melt during the brief hot-oil bath, so don’t skimp here!

Step 6: Fry the Ice Cream

Heat two to three inches of vegetable oil in a deep saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Working one at a time, gently lower a frozen, coated ice cream ball into the hot oil, frying for just about ten seconds until the coating is crisp and golden. Quickly remove it with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel to drain away excess oil. The key is speed—hot oil, short fry time, perfect crunch!

Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches

Serve immediately! Crown each sphere with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a drizzle of honey or chocolate syrup (or both!), and finish with a maraschino cherry for that irresistible final flourish. Each bite is pure joy!

How to Serve Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe

Garnishes

The beauty of a Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe lies in the toppings—go lavish! Whipped cream adds cool, airy contrast to the crunchy shell, while a ribbon of rich chocolate syrup or sweet honey makes the whole thing decadent. Don’t forget the maraschino cherry; it’s not just for looks but also delivers a pop of tart sweetness with every bite.

Side Dishes

This dessert is the star of any table, but if you want to make it a shared feast, serve alongside fresh sliced fruit like strawberries or tropical mango. For a Mexican-inspired twist, pair it with cinnamon-dusted churros or a small cup of café de olla for coffee and spice lovers.

Creative Ways to Present

For extra flair, try serving your Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe in a crunchy tortilla bowl or atop a warm brownie for a fabulous hot-cold comfort combo. Hosting guests? Set up a DIY fried ice cream bar with bowls of toppings—think crushed nuts, sprinkles, extra syrups, and fruits—so everyone can customize their masterpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover fried ice cream (unlikely, but miracles happen!), place each ball in an airtight container and store in the freezer. The coating softens over time, but it will still be tasty for up to two days.

Freezing

The best part about this Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe is that you can prepare the coated ice cream balls in advance—simply keep them well-wrapped on a parchment-lined tray in the freezer for up to 24 hours before frying. This is ideal when entertaining or prepping ahead for a special occasion.

Reheating

Fried ice cream is best enjoyed straight after frying, as reheating will melt the ice cream. However, if you need to crisp up the coating a bit, you can flash it in a very hot oven (425°F) for 2–3 minutes—just be aware the center will start to soften quickly, so eat immediately!

FAQs

Can I use other flavors of ice cream in this Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe?

Absolutely! While classic vanilla gives that nostalgic diner vibe, feel free to try chocolate, strawberry, or even coffee ice cream. Any firm-textured ice cream works well—just make sure it’s very frozen before coating and frying.

What’s the best cereal to use for the crunchy shell?

Cornflakes are traditional and deliver that perfect crisp, but you can experiment with other sturdy cereals like crushed Rice Krispies. Avoid cereals with lots of added sugars as they can burn quickly in hot oil.

Do I need a deep fryer for this Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe?

Not at all! A heavy-bottomed saucepan filled with a couple of inches of oil does the trick. Just be sure to maintain the oil temperature at 375°F with a kitchen thermometer for quick, crispy results without melting the ice cream.

How do I prevent the ice cream from melting when frying?

Two things matter most: making sure your ice cream balls are thoroughly frozen at every stage and frying for only a few seconds in very hot oil. Don’t skip the second chill after coating—the extra freeze keeps everything solid inside.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! There are gluten-free cornflake options available, so simply swap those in and double-check that your ice cream is gluten-free. You’ll still get that crave-able crispy shell and creamy center.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired (and hungry!) to try out this Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe for yourself. It’s the kind of unforgettable dessert that brings smiles to every table, whether you’re treating yourself or wowing your friends. Give it a go—your kitchen adventures are about to get a whole lot sweeter!

Homemade Fried Ice Cream Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 25 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including freezing)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the deliciousness of Homemade Fried Ice Cream, a crispy and creamy treat that combines the goodness of ice cream with a crunchy coating. Perfect for a special dessert or a fun twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Vanilla Ice Cream Balls:

4 large scoops vanilla ice cream

Cornflake Coating:

2 cups cornflakes cereal (crushed)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Egg Wash:

2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk

For Frying and Topping:

Vegetable oil for frying
Whipped cream
Honey or chocolate syrup
Maraschino cherries for topping

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Instructions

Prepare Ice Cream Balls: Scoop ice cream into balls, place on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid.
Coat Ice Cream: Mix cornflakes, cinnamon, and sugar. Dip frozen balls in the mixture, then in egg wash, and coat again with cornflakes. Freeze.
Fry Ice Cream: Heat oil, fry coated balls briefly until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Serve: Top with whipped cream, honey or chocolate syrup, and a cherry. Enjoy immediately.