Irresistibly Crispy Mexican Fried Ice Cream Recipe

Crisp and golden, this Mexican fried ice cream recipe delivers a dessert that dances between hot and cold with delightful contrast.

Creamy vanilla ice cream gets a crunchy coating that shatters beautifully when you dig in.

Cornflakes and cinnamon create a magical exterior that locks in the frozen core.

Traditional Mexican restaurants have long served this beloved treat that tantalizes taste buds with every bite.

A simple technique turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

The secret lies in perfectly freezing the ice cream before its quick, hot bath in oil.

You’ll want to serve this spectacular dessert immediately after frying for maximum crunch and temperature drama.

What Sets Mexican Fried Ice Cream Apart

• Customize with Ease: Transform a simple chocolate chunk cookie mix into a decadent dessert with minimal extra ingredients and basic kitchen skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Combines beloved Black Forest flavors of chocolate, cherries, and cream cheese that will delight guests at parties or romantic celebrations.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert in advance and chill, allowing stress-free entertaining and perfect for make-ahead party planning.
• Romance on a Plate: Perfectly crafted for Valentine's Day or date nights, offering a luxurious yet simple dessert that looks professionally made with minimal effort.

Necessary Ingredients for Mexican Fried Ice Cream

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy frozen dessert that serves as the base for the Mexican fried ice cream.
• Frosted Flakes: Crunchy cereal that provides a sweet and crispy coating for the ice cream.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds a traditional Mexican flavor to the coating.

• Honey: Sweet syrup that adds moisture and extra sweetness to the dessert.
• Whipped Topping: Light and fluffy cream that adds a creamy texture on top.
• Chocolate Syrup: Rich sauce that provides additional chocolate flavor and decoration.
• Maraschino Cherry: Bright red fruit that serves as a classic dessert topping.

• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface used for freezing and handling the ice cream scoops.

Instructions for Preparing Mexican Fried Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare Freezing Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to create a smooth, non-stick surface for your ice cream scoops.

Step 2: Create Initial Ice Cream Mounds

Scoop generous rounds of vanilla ice cream onto the prepared baking sheet, forming four distinct mounds.

Step 3: Initial Freezing Process

Place the ice cream scoops in the freezer and allow them to firm up for approximately one hour, ensuring they maintain their shape.

Step 4: Craft Crispy Coating Mixture

Combine crushed frosted flakes with ground cinnamon in a mixing bowl, blending the ingredients until they create a uniform, fragrant mixture.

Step 5: Coat Ice Cream Scoops

Remove the chilled ice cream from the freezer and carefully roll each scoop in the cinnamon-frosted flakes mixture, completely encasing the ice cream and shaping it into a perfect sphere.

Step 6: Secondary Freezing

Return the coated ice cream balls to the parchment-lined baking sheet and place back in the freezer for an additional two hours to solidify the coating.

Step 7: Final Decoration and Serving

Just before serving, artfully drizzle honey over each ice cream ball, crown with a dollop of whipped topping, zigzag chocolate syrup across the surface, and top with a vibrant maraschino cherry for a stunning presentation.

Helpful Suggestions When Making Mexican Fried Ice Cream

• Scoop and freeze ice cream in advance to ensure firm, easy-to-coat balls for perfect texture.
• Use a rolling pin or food processor to create fine, even crumbs for a consistent coating on the ice cream.
• Allow sufficient freezing time between coating stages to prevent melting and maintain crisp frosted flakes layer.
• Drizzle toppings and garnish just before serving to keep the crispy coating crunchy and ice cream cold.
• Replace frosted flakes with crushed graham crackers or cornflakes for alternative flavor and texture variations.

Ways to Customize Mexican Fried Ice Cream

• Tropical Fruit Crunch: Replace frosted flakes with toasted coconut flakes and crushed macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Delight: Use gluten-free cornflakes or rice cereal instead of frosted flakes to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Version: Substitute dairy vanilla ice cream with dairy-free coconut or almond milk ice cream, using dark chocolate syrup and dairy-free whipped topping.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use sugar-free vanilla ice cream, replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup, and top with fresh berries instead of maraschino cherry.

Pairings That Go Well with Mexican Fried Ice Cream

• Pair with Bold Mexican Hot Chocolate: Create a rich, spicy companion drink with dark chocolate, cinnamon, and a hint of cayenne pepper to complement the dessert's sweet crunch.
• Enhance with Tequila Caramel Sauce: Drizzle a homemade caramel sauce infused with aged tequila for an adult twist that adds depth and Mexican-inspired complexity to the fried ice cream.
• Match with Cinnamon Churro Crumble: Sprinkle crispy churro pieces around the ice cream for an extra textural element that echoes the dessert's cinnamon and sweet profile.
• Serve alongside Mexican Coffee: Brew a strong café de olla with piloncillo sugar and cinnamon sticks to provide a warm, aromatic counterpoint to the cold, crispy dessert.

Storage Tips for Mexican Fried Ice Cream

• Place leftover Mexican fried ice cream in an airtight container, covering each scoop individually with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and maintain texture.
• Keep sealed in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 days, ensuring the coating stays crisp by placing wax paper between each scoop.
• Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 2-3 minutes to soften the frosted flakes coating before serving, which helps restore the original crunchy texture.
• Enjoy within 24 hours for the best taste and crispiest frosted flakes coating, as the longer it sits, the more the coating may become soggy.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the ice cream from melting while coating?

Keep the ice cream frozen solid by working quickly and returning scoops to the freezer between coatings. Pre-freeze the baking sheet and work in a cool environment.

• Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the coated ice cream balls up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them tightly covered in the freezer and add toppings just before serving.

• What if I don't have frosted flakes?

You can substitute with crushed graham crackers, cornflakes, or sweetened coconut flakes. Add ground cinnamon to enhance the flavor profile.

Mexican Fried Ice Cream Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy golden cornflake coating embraces cool, creamy Mexican Fried Ice Cream, delivering a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures. Cinnamon-spiced sweetness and crunchy exterior make this dessert a perfect finale for dinner with friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 scoops (1 cup) vanilla ice cream
• 3 cups crushed frosted cornflakes
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Toppings and Drizzles:

• 3 tablespoons honey
• Canned whipped topping
• Chocolate syrup

Garnish:

• 4 maraschino cherries

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Instructions

1. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in the freezer to chill.
2. Create four uniform scoops of vanilla ice cream and transfer them onto the cold baking sheet.
3. Allow ice cream scoops to firm up in the freezer for 60 minutes.
4. Mix ground cinnamon into crushed frosted flakes, ensuring even distribution of spice.
5. Remove hardened ice cream scoops from freezer and quickly roll each one in the cinnamon-flake mixture.
6. Carefully shape each scoop into a compact, evenly coated sphere while preventing melting.
7. Return coated ice cream balls to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Refreeze the prepared dessert for an additional 120 minutes until completely solid.
9. Moments before serving, artfully drizzle honey over each frosty sphere.
10. Crown each dessert with a cloud of whipped topping.
11. Elegantly stream chocolate syrup across the surface.
12. Garnish with a vibrant maraschino cherry and serve immediately to preserve the crisp exterior.

Notes

• Ensure ice cream is rock-solid before coating to prevent melting during the breading process.
• Use crushed corn flakes as a gluten-free alternative to frosted flakes for those with dietary restrictions.
• Keep coated ice cream balls in the freezer until the absolute last moment before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent rapid melting.
• Try different ice cream flavors like chocolate or strawberry for unique taste variations that still capture the classic Mexican fried ice cream essence.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Freezing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 390 kcal
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg