The first time I tried fried ice cream was in the 1980’s, here in Toronto at a Mexican (Americanized) restaurant called Chi-Chi’s.
It really is fried, with a coating on the outside that acts as insulation from the heat getting to the ice cream. There are many methods: some double coat a cereal blend around the ice cream, some make a batter then coat in cereal but the surest way of achieving fried ice cream (without the ice cream melting) is to use slide bread.
Each scoop of ice cream gets enveloped with 2 slices of white sandwich bread. There’s still a danger of having the hot oil getting to the ice cream but this method is the surest way of achieving success.
No matter what, the ice cream gets a quick fry. Are you a little timid about frying? I will also include a cheat no-fry method that’s really good too!
Deep Fried Ice Cream
(makes 6)
6 scoops of ice cream (any flavour but I like vanilla)
12 slices of white sandwich bread, crusts removed
4 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
2 cups fine, unseasoned breadcrumbs
vegetable oil for frying
Garnishes
Chocolate or Caramel Sauce
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherries
Chopped Nuts
- Begin this recipe at least one day head. Place your scoops of ice cream on a parchment lined tray and place in the freezer for 3 hours to harden.
- Use a rolling pin to roll and thin out your slices of bread. Place one slide of bread on your work surface per ice cream scoop and place ice cream on top. Place another slice of bread on top of each scoop and use your hands to mold the slices around each ball. Be sure no ice cream is exposed.
- Crack your eggs and whisk to blend with a fork. Dip the balls in eggwash then in breadcrumbs.
- Place back in the freezer overnight.
- Place about 3 inches of oil in a deep pot and bring up to 375F. Grab your frozen ice cream balls and fry for 15-20 seconds on each side.
- Remove from the oil and roll in cinnamon-sugar and serve with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, whipped cream, cherry and chopped nuts.
- Repeat for other servings.
NOTE: Try sliced pound cake instead of sliced bread
Try the No-Fry Version of Deep Fried Ice Cream
Bonus Recipe
Make an edible cup using a flattened white sliced bread or a trimmed tortilla shell and place in between two ladles and deep-fry until golden. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix and allow to cool.
