"Fried" Ice Cream

There is no better way to end a spicy meal at a Mexican restaurant than with creamy, rich ice cream encased in an addictively crunchy cinnamon-sugar shell. This “fried” ice cream is an easy way to make that delectable dessert without having to struggle with hot oil and melty ice cream! A no-bake dessert made up entirely of things you find in a grocery store, it's is an effortless treat to bring out at the end of a barbecue or festive Cinco de Mayo celebration!

What goes into fried ice cream?

Start by forming store-bought dulce de leche ice cream into large rounds. It is easily customizable since each family member can pick their own flavor! While the ice cream is refreezing, the crunchy coating is quickly toasted in butter on the stove. Many deep fried ice cream recipes use corn flakes because they don’t get as soft or chewy as wheat-based cereals do. This recipe uses a similarly crunchy rice-based cereal that's beloved in snack mixes. If cinnamon cereal is not available, use plain cereal and add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in with the sugar. After the cereal mixture cools, it’s time to roll! Coat the ice cream thoroughly in the cereal, and top with whatever your heart desires.  The coolest part? The topping stays crunchy on the surface of the ice cream even after a few nights in the freezer. If there are any leftovers, this is perfect for later noshing!

What goes on top of a fried ice cream?

While the ice cream rolled in crunchy cinnamon-sugar cereal is reason enough to enjoy this dessert, playing around with toppings makes this already fun treat more interactive! Classic options such as fudge sauce, whipped cream, cherries, strawberry sauce, and caramel are hard to resist. Different types of fruit, sprinkles, chopped toasted nuts, and coconut flakes are also delicious.