Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream is such a treat and easier to make than you might think. It’s vanilla ice cream coated in cinnamon sugar cereal and air fried so the inside is cool and creamy and the outside is crisp and crunchy. Top it with chocolate sauce and whipped cream and you have a dessert that is out of this world!
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In my early 20’s I worked at Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurant. I’m pretty sure they are all closed now, but that’s where I first discovered fried ice cream. I was hooked from the first bite.
Typically the ice cream balls are deep fried in oil. I’m not a big fan of deep frying at home because it’s a mess and makes the house smell like fried foods for days. That is why I love air fryer fried ice cream. So easy and no giant vat of oil to dispose.
It’s just 3 simple ingredients!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
- Easier than deep frying: The air fryer gives you that crispy coating without messy oil.
- Fun dessert idea: This recipe feels restaurant-quality but is easy enough for home.
- Perfect texture: Crispy cinnamon coating with creamy cold ice cream inside.
- Customizable: Use different cereals, ice cream flavors, and toppings.
- Great for parties: Everyone loves interactive desserts.
- Kid-friendly recipe: Fun to make and eat.
As featured on the Drew Barrymore Show! How fun!
If you’ve never had air fryer fried ice cream before, you are in for a treat! It takes a couple of steps to get to the final result, but it’s very easy and well worth it.
You’ll start with ice cream. Vanilla ice cream is typically used, but any ice cream flavor works! You’ll scoop fist size balls of ice cream and freeze them until solid. The ice cream ball is then dipped in an egg mixture and coated in Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal.
The ice cream is frozen again and when solid, quick air fried for 4 minutes. This makes a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating while retaining the cold, creamy ice cream on the inside. Top it with your favorite ice cream toppings and enjoy the most delicious dessert!
Want to impress guests? Make these! The ice cream balls can be prepared ahead and frozen until you’re ready to cook. Set out a toppings bar and you have a fun and unique party dessert.
Ingredients
- Air Fryer– I personally love my Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer
- A silicone air fryer liner or something to sit inside of the air fryer to hold the ice cream ball.
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream– or your favorite flavor. Chocolate, caramel, cinnamon swirl would all be great choices.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal– for the cinnamon sugar coating
- Eggs– this sounds weird for ice cream, but it makes the cereal stick and you can’t taste the eggs in the final product.
- Your favorite ice cream toppings
How to make Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
Scoop ice cream into four 1 cup balls. I find it easiest to mold the ice cream into balls using my hands. Place the ice cream balls on a sheet pan or plate and freeze 1 hour until solid.
Add the cereal to a zipped top bag and crush the cereal using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer. You’ll want the cereal pretty fine, but not a dust. If the pieces are too big, they won’t stick to the ice cream. Add the crushed cereal to a shallow bowl.
Add the eggs to a separate mixing bowl and whisk.
After the ice cream balls have been in the freezer for at least 1 hour, take them out and roll the ice cream balls in the whisked eggs, then roll in the cereal, pressing the cereal into the ice cream. Roll in the eggs once again and again in the cereal again. Make sure to really pat the cereal on so it sticks.
Freeze the prepared ice cream balls for 4 hours or overnight.
Place an air fryer liner in the air fryer basket. Cook 1 ice cream ball at a time for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer at 350°F.
Drizzle with your favorite toppings and enjoy immediately.
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Topping suggestions
Drizzle these delicious syrups over your fried ice cream
- Chocolate sauce
- Hot fudge
- Strawberry sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Honey
- Chocolate honey
- Dulce du leche
- Of course, whipped cream and maraschino cherries are a must!
Tips For The Best Fried Ice Cream
- Freeze the ice cream balls until VERY firm before coating. They must be completely solid to not melt in the air fryer.
- Work quickly so the ice cream doesn’t melt while breading.
- A silicone liner helps prevent sticking inside the air fryer.
- Instead of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, use Corn Flakes, Chocolate Rice Krispies, Cinnamon Chex, coconut flakes, chopped pecans, or cookie crumbs as the coating
- Try different ice cream flavors- coffee, pumpkin, cinnamon swirl, blueberry- all great choices.
- Refreeze after breading for the crispiest results.
- Air fry 1 ice cream ball at a time and keep the rest in the freezer until it’s their turn to get fried.
- Serve immediately after air frying for the best texture contrast.
- Air fryer fried ice cream balls are great to make ahead! Prepare the ice cream balls through the steps but don’t air fry. Leave the coated ice cream balls in the freezer until you’re ready to cook- up to 3 months. Perfect to make a lot and have them on hand when a fried ice cream craving hits!
Variations
Use Different Ice Cream Flavors
Try:
- chocolate
- caramel swirl
- cookies and cream
- cinnamon
- coffee
- dulce de leche
Try Different Cereals
You can use:
- Frosted Flakes
- Golden Grahams
- Cap’n Crunch
- crushed cornflakes
- graham crackers
Add Fillings
Roll the ice cream around:
- mini chocolate chips
- caramel sauce
- cookie butter
- crushed cookies
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fried ice cream actually melt in the air fryer?
Not if it’s frozen well beforehand. Keeping the ice cream balls very firm is the key to success.
Can I make fried ice cream ahead of time?
Yes! You can bread and freeze the ice cream balls ahead of time, then air fry right before serving.
What’s the best cereal for fried ice cream?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch works especially well because of its cinnamon sugar coating and crunch. Cornflakes, Chocolate Rice Krispies, or Cinnamon Chex would also work.
Can I use a different ice cream flavor?
Absolutely. Vanilla, chocolate, caramel swirl, coffee, and cinnamon flavors all work great.
How long should I freeze the ice cream balls?
Freeze them for at least 4 hours before breading and again before air frying.
Can I deep fry these instead?
Yes, but the air fryer version is easier, lighter, and less messy.
Why is my coating falling off?
The eggs help the cereal coating stick. Make sure the ice cream is frozen solid before breading.
Try these desserts
- Frozen S’mores
- Air Fryer Donut Holes
- Texas Sheet Cake
- Brownie Truffles
- No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie
- Mini Fruit Pies
Video How To Make Mexican Inspired Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream Balls
Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Scoop ice cream into four (4) 1 cup balls. I find it easiest to mold the ice cream into balls using my hands. Place the ice cream balls on a sheet pan or plate and freeze 1 hour until solid.
- Add the cereal to a zipped top bag and crush the cereal using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer. You’ll want the cereal pretty fine, but not a dust. If the pieces are too big, they won’t stick to the ice cream. Add the crushed cereal to a shallow bowl.
- Add the eggs to a separate mixing bowl and whisk.
- After the ice cream balls have been in the freezer for at least 1 hour, take them out and roll the ice cream balls in the whisked eggs, then roll in the cereal, pressing the cereal into the ice cream. Roll in the eggs once again and again in the cereal again. Make sure to really pat the cereal on so it sticks.
- Freeze the prepared ice cream balls for 4 hours or overnight.
- Place an air fryer liner in the air fryer basket. Cook 1 ice cream ball at a time for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer at 350°F.
- Drizzle with your favorite toppings and enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
- Air fryer fried ice cream balls are great to make ahead! Prepare the ice cream balls through the steps but don’t air fry. Leave the coated ice cream balls in the freezer until you’re ready to cook- up to3 months. Perfect to make a lot and have them on hand when a fried ice cream craving hits!
- Instead of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, use Corn Flakes, Chocolate Rice Krispies, Cinnamon Chex, coconut flakes, chopped pecans, or cookie crumbs as the coating
- Try different ice cream flavors- coffee, pumpkin, cinnamon swirl, blueberry- all great choices.
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