This Air Fryer Ice Cream offers the same irresistible combination of crunchy and creamy, with the rich flavor of your favorite deep-fried ice cream, but it’s made in the air fryer, making it a bit easier and healthier (okay, so it’s still ice cream, but let’s give it some credit!). It’s a fun dessert to create with the kids, but trust me, even adults won’t be able to resist it. Just mention deep-fried ice cream, and watch everyone’s eyes light up!
What is Fried Ice Cream?
Never had it? It may sound like a strange concept, but fried ice cream is absolutely real—and it’s incredible. To make the traditional version, scoops of ice cream are first coated with egg whites, rolled in a crispy cereal mixture, and then dropped into hot oil, where the cereal forms a golden, crunchy shell. You’d think the ice cream would turn into a gooey mess, right? But somehow, it doesn’t! The high temperature of the oil cooks the coating quickly, locking the ice cream inside, leaving it frozen and delicious. It’s almost like a dessert magic trick!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this treat requires just four simple ingredients:
- Vanilla ice cream (or you can get creative with flavors like Rocky Road, S’mores, Chocolate Chip Vanilla, or any of your favorites! Personally, I love Pumpkin Ice Cream—it’s perfect for late summer or early fall!)
- Flour
- Egg whites
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (or use corn flakes, frosted flakes, crushed biscuits, or crushed cookies)
How to Make Fried Ice Cream in an Air Fryer
You’re going to be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to make fried ice cream in an air fryer. Here’s the simple process:
- Scoop ice cream into balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Pop the baking sheet in the freezer and let the ice cream firm up for about an hour.
- Coat each ice cream ball in flour, then freeze for another hour.
- Whisk egg whites in a bowl until foamy, then dip or roll the ice cream balls in the egg whites to coat them.
- Place the crushed cereal in a bowl and roll the ice cream balls in it. The egg whites will make the cereal stick perfectly.
- Return the coated ice cream balls to the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight—make sure they’re super firm.
- When ready to cook, place the balls in an aluminum foil tray in the air fryer basket and air fry for just a couple of minutes (likely in two batches).
- Add your favorite toppings, and serve immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
How Do You Serve Air Fryer Ice Cream?
This air fryer fried ice cream is amazing on its own, but it really shines with some fun toppings. Think whipped cream, chocolate or hot fudge sauce, caramel, maraschino cherries, or any other ice cream toppings you love.
What’s the Best Ice Cream Flavor for This Fried Ice Cream Recipe?
While vanilla is always a classic choice, you can really get creative with your flavor selections. Coffee or chocolate ice cream would be delicious options. Or, go for more unique flavors like Pumpkin Ice Cream, chocolate peanut butter cup, chocolate chip, mocha fudge, strawberry, or butter brickle!
What Can You Use to Coat the Ice Cream Balls Besides Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal?
There are so many options for the coating! I’ve used Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, and other puffed rice cereals. Frosted Flakes also work great. You could even try crushed cookies like chocolate wafers, vanilla wafer cookies, gingersnaps, graham crackers, or Biscoff biscuits. The possibilities are endless!
Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream
Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream is a true dessert wonder! The creamy ice cream is covered in a crunchy cereal coating and air fried to crispy perfection, while the inside stays frozen. It’s a fun and delicious treat!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Additional Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 12 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 622 kcal
Ingredients:
- 48 oz tub of vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup flour
- 3 large egg whites
- 3 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (crushed)
Instructions:
- Scoop about 1 cup of ice cream for each ball. Shape the ice cream into balls and place them in a muffin tin. Freeze for 1 hour.
- After an hour, remove the ice cream balls from the freezer. Coat each one in flour, then return to the freezer for another hour.
- Whisk the egg whites until they are foamy.
- Roll each ice cream ball in the egg whites, then coat with the crushed cereal. Return the balls to the freezer and freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
- When ready to cook, remove the ice cream balls from the freezer. Place them on an aluminum foil tray in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 350°F for 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes:
- Feel free to use any ice cream flavor you like: chocolate, coffee, chocolate chip, strawberry, chocolate peanut butter cup, mocha fudge, or any flavor you enjoy!
- Top your air fryer fried ice cream with any of your favorite ice cream toppings like chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, or more.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 622 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 87g
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 383mg
- Potassium: 601mg
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 51g
- Vitamin A: 1285 IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 359mg
- Iron: 10mg