Fried Ice Cream
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.
Fried Ice Cream the Easy Way
Fried ice cream is an irresistible dessert that is a must-try if you’ve never had the pleasure! It’s a restaurant-style favorite featuring a scoop of cold, creamy ice cream coated in a crispy, golden, sweet cinnamon coating then fried for a wonderful hot-cold, crunchy, creamy experience!
MY OTHER RECIPES
This version of Mexican fried ice cream without deep frying is the perfect, easy, and mess-free accompaniment to a Cinco-de-Mayo inspired dessert spread that includes homemade churros, sopapilla cheesecake bars, and tres leches cake. It’s perfect for parties, family nights, and when you’re craving something a little extra special!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to make with just 4 ingredients!
- No deep frying means less mess and easy clean up.
Ingredients Notes
 calc(100vw – 40px), 730px” data-pin-media=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fried-ice-cream-ingredients.jpg” data-lazy-src=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fried-ice-cream-ingredients.jpg” data-pin-description=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” data-pin-title=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” /></div>
</figure>
<div class= "This fried ice cream recipe is made without deep frying, so it’s easy, mess-free, and just as crunchy as your favorite Mexican restaurant dessert.")
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Vanilla ice cream: This recipe makes enough for 4 scoops, but you can easily double the ingredients. I highly recommend my homemade vanilla ice cream for this!
- Frosted Flakes cereal and cinnamon: The sweet, crunchy, cinnamon coating. Crush the cereal in a Ziploc bag or pulse it in a food processor until coarse crumbs.
- Salted butter: Helps toast the cereal to make it extra crunchy.
- Toppings: Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce.
How to Make Fried Ice Cream without Frying
Put on a pair of disposable gloves and use your hands to scoop and form ice cream into four large balls. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet then freeze until they are rock hard.
While they are freezing, crush the cereal in a ziplock bag using a rolling pin.
 calc(100vw – 40px), 643px” data-pin-media=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-3-edited.jpg” data-lazy-src=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-3-edited.jpg” data-pin-description=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” data-pin-title=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” /></div>
</figure>
<figure class= "This fried ice cream recipe is made without deep frying, so it’s easy, mess-free, and just as crunchy as your favorite Mexican restaurant dessert.")
 calc(100vw – 40px), 730px” data-pin-media=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-4.jpg” data-lazy-src=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-4-1200×857.jpg” data-pin-description=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” data-pin-title=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” /></div>
</figure>
</figure>
<div class= "This fried ice cream recipe is made without deep frying, so it’s easy, mess-free, and just as crunchy as your favorite Mexican restaurant dessert.")
Melt butter in a skillet and sauté the cereal and cinnamon until toasted and browned. Cool completely.
Place crumb mixture in a shallow dish then roll the solid scoops of ice cream in the cereal crumbs, pressing them down so they stick.
 calc(100vw – 40px), 643px” data-pin-media=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-5-edited.jpg” data-lazy-src=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-5-edited.jpg” data-pin-description=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” data-pin-title=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” /></div>
</figure>
<figure class= "This fried ice cream recipe is made without deep frying, so it’s easy, mess-free, and just as crunchy as your favorite Mexican restaurant dessert.")
 calc(100vw – 40px), 730px” data-pin-media=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-8.jpg” data-lazy-src=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-make-fried-ice-cream-8-1200×857.jpg” data-pin-description=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” data-pin-title=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” /></div>
</figure>
</figure>
<div id= "This fried ice cream recipe is made without deep frying, so it’s easy, mess-free, and just as crunchy as your favorite Mexican restaurant dessert.")
Serve on a plate or in a bowl, drizzle with hot fudge sauce and add a cherry if desired. Enjoy it with your favorite people!
 calc(100vw – 40px), 730px” data-pin-media=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fried-ice-cream-i-heart-naptime-4-scaled.jpg” data-lazy-src=”https://www.iheartnaptime.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fried-ice-cream-i-heart-naptime-4-scaled.jpg” data-pin-description=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” data-pin-title=”Restaurant-Style Fried Ice Cream, No Deep Fryer Needed” /></div>
</figure>
<div id= "This fried ice cream recipe is made without deep frying, so it’s easy, mess-free, and just as crunchy as your favorite Mexican restaurant dessert.")
Recipe Tips
- Make ahead. You can do this with or without the cereal coating. To prevent it from getting a bit soft, I recommend preparing just the ice cream scoops ahead of time.
- Best enjoyed when served immediately.
- Work quickly. Keep the ice cream in the freezer until you’re ready to roll and serve.
- No Frosted Flakes? Use crunchy cornflakes and honey for the crumb mixture.
- You can also use Cinnamon Toast Crunch or crushed cookies instead.
- Other topping ideas. Chocolate syrup, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, etc.
