Air-Fried Ice Cream: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make fried ice cream in an air fryer! It's a fun dessert to make and eat, and it's easier and healthier than deep-frying. The air fryer creates a warm and crunchy outer coating, while the ice cream inside stays frozen. The key to success is to ensure your ice cream is frozen solid before frying, and to work quickly so that the ice cream doesn't melt.

Ingredients and prep

Making fried ice cream in an air fryer is a fun and easy way to prepare this dessert without the mess of deep-frying. Here is a detailed guide on the ingredients and preparation process:

Ingredients:

• Vanilla ice cream: Use a high-quality ice cream that freezes well and has a creamy texture. You will need around 1 quart (48 ounces) of ice cream to make 8 medium-sized scoops.
• Corn flakes: You will need about 3 cups of crushed corn flakes for the crunchy coating.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a delightful flavour to the corn flake coating. You will need about 1 teaspoon.
• Egg whites: These help bind the corn flake coating to the ice cream. You will need 3 to 4 egg whites, beaten until foamy.
• Toppings (optional): You can serve the fried ice cream with various toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate sauce, hot fudge, caramel sauce, honey, cherries, or sprinkles.

Prep:

• Start by scooping out the ice cream into 8 evenly sized balls. Use an ice cream scoop dipped in hot water for easier shaping. Place the ice cream balls on a baking sheet or in a muffin tin and freeze for about 1 hour.
• Prepare the corn flake coating by crushing the corn flakes into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor, blender, ziplock bag, or rolling pin. Mix the crushed corn flakes with cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl.
• Remove the ice cream balls from the freezer. Working quickly, dip or roll each ball in the egg whites, and then coat them with the corn flake mixture. Make sure the coating covers the ice cream completely.
• Place the coated ice cream balls back into the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial to ensure the ice cream is frozen hard before air frying.
• When ready to serve, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C). Create a small shallow bowl out of aluminium foil and place it in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
• Remove the ice cream balls from the freezer and place them in the air fryer, frying 1-2 balls at a time for about 2 minutes each.
• Serve the fried ice cream immediately with your desired toppings. Enjoy the warm, crispy coating and cold, creamy ice cream!

Note: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free corn flakes or another suitable cereal. You can also experiment with different coatings, such as crushed cookies, cereal, or coconut flakes.

Air fryer vs deep fryer

Air fryers and deep fryers are both appliances used to cook fried foods, but they differ in several ways. Here is a detailed comparison between the two:

Health

Air frying is considered a healthier alternative to deep frying as it uses significantly less oil. Deep fryers require large amounts of oil to operate, resulting in higher calorie intake and a greasy, heavy taste. Air fryers, on the other hand, use hot air and a small amount of oil to achieve a similar crispy, golden finish.

Taste

Deep fryers produce a traditional fried taste and are suitable for foods with thick or wet batters. Air fryers work well with dry exterior foods, resulting in a crispy, caramelized finish with less oil.

Preparation and Cooking Process

Deep fryers require more preparation and attention during cooking. Foods need to be dipped in a wet batter before frying, and the frying process must be closely monitored to avoid splashes and burning. Air fryers, on the other hand, are more hands-off; simply place the food inside, set the temperature, and let it cook. Some air fryers even have self-stirring features.

Clean-up

Deep fryers can be messy and require a lot of clean-up. The oil needs to be disposed of, and the appliance itself must be cleaned, which can be a tedious task. Air fryers are much easier to clean, and there is no oily residue or mess to deal with.

Price

Deep fryers are typically cheaper than air fryers, with prices starting at $25. Air fryers can cost upwards of $100. However, air fryers often go on sale, and they can be used for a wider variety of cooking tasks, making them a more versatile appliance.

Speed

Deep fryers cook food faster than air fryers, taking only 3-5 minutes once the oil has reached the desired temperature. Air fryers usually take between 10-20 minutes to preheat and cook.

Versatility

Both deep fryers and air fryers can be used to cook a wide range of foods, including vegetables, fish, baked goods, and frozen foods. However, air fryers cannot be used for foods with wet batters as they may seep through the air fryer basket. Deep fryers are suitable for these types of foods.

Space

Deep fryers are typically smaller and easier to store than air fryers, which can be bulky and take up counter space.

Both air fryers and deep fryers have their pros and cons. Deep fryers deliver traditional crispy, fluffy fried foods but require more effort and create more mess. Air fryers are healthier, easier to use and clean, and more versatile but may not produce the same level of crispness as deep fryers. Ultimately, the decision between the two depends on your specific needs, preferences, and cooking habits.

Coating options

There are several coating options for fried ice cream, which can be made in an air fryer.

The traditional coating for fried ice cream is cornflakes, which can be crushed and mixed with cinnamon and sugar. Some recipes suggest adding coconut sugar to the cornflakes to give the coating a deeper fried taste.

Other coating options include:

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
• Frosted Flakes
• Crushed biscuits
• Crushed cookies (chocolate wafers, vanilla wafers, gingersnaps, graham crackers, or Biscoff biscuits)
• Coconut flakes
• Rice Krispies or other puffed rice cereals
• Flour tortillas
• Vanilla wafers
• Bread
• Tempura batter

For an air fryer, it is best to avoid runny coatings like batter, and instead use coatings that stick to the ice cream better, such as cereals.

Toppings

There are many different toppings that can be used to elevate your fried ice cream. The most common toppings are whipped cream, chocolate sauce, hot fudge sauce, and maraschino cherries. However, you can also add fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, pitted cherries, or banana slices. For a nuttier taste, you can add flaked coconut to the mix. If you want to add some crunch to your dessert, you can use crushed graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or even crushed churros as a topping. Finally, for an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle honey or maple syrup on top.

Tips and tricks

Preparation

Before you begin, it's important to note that this recipe requires multiple freezing steps, so be sure to plan ahead. You can also make the ice cream balls ahead of time and keep them in the freezer until you're ready to fry them.

To start, use an ice cream scoop to form 8 evenly-sized ice cream balls. Place them on a baking sheet or in a muffin tin and freeze for about an hour. The ice cream balls should be frozen hard before proceeding to the next steps.

Coating

For the coating, you can use a variety of ingredients such as crushed cornflakes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, crushed cookies, or even coconut flakes. If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different coatings to find your favorite. Just remember to avoid using runny coatings if you're using an air fryer.

Once you've chosen your coating, prepare it by crushing or blending it into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor, blender, ziplock bag, or rolling pin to achieve the desired consistency.

Binding

To help the coating stick to the ice cream balls, you'll need a binding agent. Some recipes suggest using egg whites, while others recommend honey or maple syrup. If you're using egg whites, whisk them until they become foamy, then dip or roll the ice cream balls in the mixture. If you're using honey or maple syrup, simply roll the ice cream balls in the sweetener before coating them.

Freezing

After coating the ice cream balls, return them to the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the ice cream is frozen hard before air frying.

Air Frying

When you're ready to air fry the ice cream, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C). Create a small shallow bowl out of aluminum foil and place it in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Air fry the ice cream balls one or two at a time for 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as the ice cream may start to melt.

Toppings

Serve the fried ice cream immediately with your desired toppings. Some popular options include whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, honey, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries. Get creative and experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combinations!

Frequently asked questions