Air-Fried Ice Cream: A Tasty Treat!

Air fryer fried ice cream is a fun and easy dessert to make. It has a crunchy, creamy texture and can be made in just a few simple steps. The process involves coating scoops of ice cream with egg white and rolling them in crushed cereal before air frying. The high heat of the air fryer cooks the coating quickly, leaving the ice cream inside frozen. This creates a delicious, crispy shell with a smooth and creamy inside. The dessert is then served with toppings of your choice, such as whipped cream, chocolate sauce, honey, cherries, or caramel sauce.

Choosing your ice cream flavour

Classic Choice: Vanilla Ice Cream

Vanilla ice cream is the traditional choice for fried ice cream. Its neutral flavour pairs well with the crunchy, sweet coating and various toppings typically used in this dessert. It provides a creamy base that complements the crispy texture of the fried coating.

Creative Variations

If you want to experiment with different flavours, there are endless possibilities. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Chocolate: Chocolate ice cream can be a delicious option, especially if you're a chocolate lover. It pairs well with the cinnamon and sugar in the coating, creating a chocolatey, spicy treat.
• Coffee: Coffee ice cream can add a nice twist to your fried ice cream. The rich, caffeinated flavour can be a pleasant surprise for those who enjoy a bit of coffee with their dessert.
• Chocolate Chip: For an extra indulgent treat, consider chocolate chip ice cream. The chocolate chips will add a nice texture contrast to the creamy ice cream and crispy coating.
• Strawberry: Strawberry ice cream can bring a touch of fruity freshness to your fried ice cream. It creates an interesting combination of flavours and textures.
• Mocha: If you're a fan of both coffee and chocolate, mocha ice cream might be the perfect choice for your fried ice cream creation.

Pairing with Toppings

When choosing your ice cream flavour, consider the toppings you plan to use. For example, if you want to drizzle your fried ice cream with chocolate sauce, a vanilla or strawberry ice cream might be a better choice than a chocolate one, to avoid overwhelming chocolate flavours. On the other hand, if you plan to use fruity toppings or sauces, a complementary ice cream flavour could be a fun choice.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the choice of ice cream flavour comes down to your personal preference. Choose a flavour that you know you enjoy, or be adventurous and try something new. Remember, fried ice cream is all about having fun and indulging in a unique dessert experience.

Preparing the ice cream balls

The first step in making fried ice cream in an air fryer is to prepare the ice cream balls. Here is a detailed guide:

Start by lining a rimmed baking sheet or tray with wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminium foil. You can also use a muffin tin or a muffin pan. Place the lined sheet/tray/tin in the freezer to chill. This will make it easier to handle the ice cream and prevent it from melting too quickly.

Take your favourite ice cream flavour (vanilla is a classic choice) and scoop out balls of about 1 cup in size. You can use an ice cream scoop or your hands to shape them into rough balls. Don't worry about making them perfect at this stage, as you will further shape them later. Place the ice cream balls on the chilled sheet/tray/tin and return them to the freezer for at least 1 hour, or until they are hard.

Once the ice cream balls are frozen, it's time to coat them. First, roll each ball in flour, then return them to the freezer for another hour. The flour will help the other ingredients adhere to the ice cream.

Next, you will need to prepare the crunchy coating. For this, you can use crushed cereal, such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, or any other crunchy and easy-to-crush cereal. If using a plain cereal, you can add a bit of cinnamon to the coating for extra flavour. Place the cereal in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush it into fine crumbs, leaving some larger pieces for added crunch. You can also use a food processor or blender to pulverize the cereal.

In a separate small bowl, whisk egg whites until they become foamy. This will act as a binding agent and help the cereal coating stick to the ice cream.

Now, take the ice cream balls out of the freezer and dip or roll them in the egg whites. Immediately after, roll the coated ice cream balls in the crushed cereal. Use your hands to press the cereal firmly into the ice cream and shape them into nice, round balls. Make sure the ice cream is completely covered by the coating.

Return the coated ice cream balls to the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This step is crucial, as it will ensure that the ice cream is frozen solid before air frying, preventing it from melting too quickly.

Making the crunchy coating

Once crushed, you can mix in some ground cinnamon for added flavour. Next, you'll want to prepare a shallow bowl of whisked egg whites. This will act as a sticky base for the cereal coating to adhere to. You can omit this step and simply roll the ice cream in honey or maple syrup before the cereal coating if you prefer.

Now, it's time to coat the ice cream balls. Remove them from the freezer a few at a time and dip them into the egg whites, or honey/maple syrup alternative, ensuring they are well coated. Then, roll the ice cream balls in the crushed cereal until fully covered. You can use your hands to press extra cereal into any gaps.

Return the coated ice cream balls to the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial, as it ensures the ice cream is frozen solid before air frying, preventing it from melting too quickly.

Air-frying the ice cream

First, create a small, shallow bowl out of aluminium foil and place it in the bottom of your air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes.

Next, remove the ice cream balls from the freezer and place them on the foil, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 2 minutes if cooking two at a time, or 3 minutes if cooking just one. The ice cream balls will be lightly golden brown, but don't worry if they don't look much different—air-fried ice cream is decadent anyway!

Top with your favourite toppings and enjoy immediately.

Adding toppings

• Whipped cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Hot fudge sauce
• Caramel sauce
• Honey
• Maraschino cherries
• Sprinkles
• Nuts
• Fruits, such as apricots, fresh strawberries, or raspberries
• Wet walnuts

You can also get creative and combine multiple toppings to create a unique flavour profile. For example, you could drizzle chocolate sauce over the fried ice cream and then sprinkle on some crushed nuts for added texture. Or, for a more indulgent option, top with whipped cream, hot fudge sauce, and a cherry for a classic sundae-style treat.

Remember, the key to successful fried ice cream is to work quickly when handling the ice cream and to allow enough freezing time between steps. This will ensure that your ice cream stays solid and doesn't melt when you air fry it.

Frequently asked questions