Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream

This Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream is a hot and cold dessert anomaly. A ball of vanilla ice cream is coated in Cinnamon Toast Crunch, then air fried until hot and crispy on the outside with the perfect cold and creamy center.

Did you know ice cream could be fried? And that it would stay frozen?

Get ready for your world to change for the better. This Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream makes a whole lot of sense once you try it. It’s a cold ball of vanilla ice cream coated in flour, egg whites, and crunchy cereal, then fried quickly so it’s hot and crispy on the outside but remains frozen in the middle.

Fried ice cream is normally deep-fried, but I lightened things up and made it in the air fryer. It’s just as delicious but easier, making way less of a mess.

Can You Cook Ice Cream In Air Fryer

It’s a curious question: can you cook ice cream in an air fryer? After all, the appliance is known for its ability to make delicious fried foods without requiring any additional oil. But could it be used to prepare other types of sweets, like ice cream?

Well, there’s only one way to find out – let’s try cooking some ice cream in the air fryer and see what happens! Read on to learn about our journey into this unique dessert-making process and discover if an air fryer can offer alternate ways of producing your favorite frozen treat.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Fried Ice Cream

Ever wondered if it’s possible to make that delicious carnival treat of fried ice cream without deep frying? It IS possible! With an air fryer, you can make your own fried ice cream right at home. Read on for our step-by-step instructions and all the ingredients needed for this delectable dessert.

You need four simple ingredients to put together this delicious dessert!

Remember the detailed instructions and step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card, at the bottom of the page.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Although, use any ice cream flavor!
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour, or for a gluten-free treat, use gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Egg Whites: Use large, room-temperature egg whites
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal: Crush the cereal, an excellent project for the kids!

How to Make Air Fried Ice Cream

Fried ice cream has to be one of the most indulgent desserts out there. Whether you’ve had it at a restaurant, fair, or festival – it always hits the spot! But wouldn’t you like to make your own fried ice cream while getting the same delicious taste with fewer calories and fewer carbs? Well, guess what? You can do just that with an air fryer!

Below, we’ll walk you through exactly how to make some mouthwatering fried ice cream from the comfort of your own home. All you need is three ingredients (including your favorite flavor of ice cream), a few minutes in an air fryer, and a sprinkle of toppings for added deliciousness. So get ready to satisfy that sweet tooth without all those unnecessary calories and extra guilt – let’s get frying!

Step One: Prepare The Ice Cream For The Freezer

Scoop out 1 cup of ice cream and mold it into a ball. Make as many balls as you like, then place them in a muffin tin and freeze for 1 hour.

Step Two: Coat The Frozen Ice Cream In Flour

Remove from the freezer, coat the ice cream balls in flour, then freeze again for another hour.

Step Three: Coat Frozen Ice Cream In Egg Whites

Add egg whites to a bowl and whisk until foamy. Roll each ice cream ball first in egg whites, then coat with cereal. Freeze again for 4 hours or overnight.

Step Four: Air Fry Ice Cream

When you’re ready to cook, remove one of the ice cream balls, set it on a foil tray in the air fryer, then cook for 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips For Making The Best Air-Fried Ice Cream

• Choose the Right Ice Cream: Use a dense and firm ice cream for the best results.
• Freeze the Ice Cream Balls: Freeze the ice cream balls for at least 1-2 hours or until they are firm and solid.
• Work in Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Fry a few ice cream balls at a time to avoid overcrowding the air fryer, which can cause uneven cooking.
• Fry Quickly: Air-fry the ice cream balls for a short period, usually around 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking or melting the ice cream.
• Serve Immediately: Once the air-fried ice cream is done, serve it immediately to enjoy the contrast of the warm, crispy coating with the cold, creamy ice cream. Serve it in a bowl or on a plate and garnish with toppings like chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or fresh fruits.
• Experiment with Toppings: Get creative with your toppings to enhance the flavors and presentation. Add crushed nuts, caramel sauce, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra indulgence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fried ice cream batter made from?

Fried ice cream isn’t really made with a batter! The crispy coating comprises flour, egg whites, and crushed cereal.

How do you fry ice cream without it melting?

We are taking a couple of steps throughout the process to ensure this hot and cold dessert is the perfect texture! Here are my best tips to avoid melty fried ice cream:

• Freeze throughout the process: You’re basically re-freezing the ice cream balls after each and every step of the recipe. This ensures that they stay nice and cold the whole time.
• Cook at high heat: Make sure you preheat the air fryer first so it’s nice and hot. The high heat cooks and crisps the exterior quickly. Just a couple of minutes, and they’re done! Any longer than that, and the heat will start to melt the ice cream.

Can fried ice cream be made ahead of time?

Yes and no. You can prepare it beforehand, but once it’s fried, you need to serve it right away!

To prep the ice cream in advance, follow the recipe instructions as listed, but don’t fry. Instead, wrap the ice cream balls tightly and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you’re ready to serve them, just air-fry them as directed!

Ingredient Notes

• Swap the cereal. I love the sweet spice of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but feel free to use another crispy cereal or even crushed-up cookies! Try it with Corn, Frosted, Rice Krispies, Nilla Wafers, graham crackers, etc.
• Try another ice cream. The vanilla is a classic, but you can absolutely swap it out for your favorite variety of ice cream. Anything goes!
• Keep freezing! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Re-freezing the ice cream is essential for the right texture. Don’t skip the steps.
• Preheat the air fryer. It needs to be hot before you fry the ice cream. If it’s coming to temperature with the ice cream already in it, you’ll end up with a melty mess.
• Cook one at a time. We don’t want to overcrowd the air fryer basket. The air needs space to circulate all the way around.

Best Toppings For Fried Air Fryer Ice Cream

Fried ice cream is great as-is, but you absolutely can’t go wrong with any and all of your favorite ice cream toppings. Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate Syrup
• Whipped Cream
• Maraschino Cherries
• Caramel Sauce
• Hot Fudge Sauce
• Sprinkles
• Honey
• Fruit Sauce

More Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER SWEET POTATO CHIPS
• AIR FRYER BLOOMING ONION
• BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE RECIPE SHRIMP
• AIR FRYER CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA
• AIR FRYER LOADED TATER TOTS
• BLACKSTONE LOADED GRILLED NACHOS
• AIR FRYER HARDEE’S BIG HOT HAM ‘N’ CHEESE
• AIR FRYER PHILLY CHEESESTEAK CALZONES