Air-Fried Ice Cream: A Quick, Crispy Dessert Dream

Making fried ice cream in an air fryer is a fun and simple dessert that can be made at home. The process involves rolling ice cream into balls, coating them with a dry batter, and then air frying for a couple of minutes. The key to success is patience, as the recipe requires a lot of freezing time to ensure the ice cream balls are solid before cooking. This unique treat is crunchy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside, making it a perfect indulgent dessert.

Choosing your ice cream

The first step to making fried ice cream in an air fryer is choosing your ice cream. You can use any flavour of ice cream you like! Vanilla is a classic option, but you can also get creative and use something like chocolate, coffee, strawberry, or even pumpkin. Just make sure that the ice cream is firm enough to scoop and shape into balls. It should also be frozen solid before you put it in the air fryer.

If you want to get really fancy, you can even make your own homemade ice cream. Some fun flavours to try are old-fashioned chocolate, homemade vanilla, chocolate brownie, or Ferrero Rocher.

Once you've chosen your ice cream, scoop it into balls of about 1 cup in size. You can use an ice cream scoop or your hands to shape them. Don't worry if they're not perfectly round, you can roll them later to make them more uniform. Place the ice cream balls in a muffin tin or on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer to harden for at least 1 hour.

Now that you've chosen your ice cream and scooped it into balls, you're ready to move on to the next step of making fried ice cream in an air fryer!

Selecting a coating

Types of Coating:

• Cereal: The most popular option for a coating is cereal, as it adds a crunchy texture to the creamy ice cream. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, and crushed cookies or biscuits are all great choices. If you opt for a plainer cereal like Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavour.
• Nuts: If you want to add some extra crunch and flavour, consider using crushed nuts as a coating. Pecans, for example, can be a delicious option.
• Coconut: Toasted coconut flakes can add a sweet and crunchy element to your ice cream. You can use them as a sole coating or mix them with cereal for a tropical twist.

Tips for Selecting a Coating:

• Crunch Factor: Choose a coating that will provide a satisfying crunch when fried. Cereals, nuts, and coconut flakes are ideal as they retain their crunch even after being frozen and fried.
• Flavour Profile: Consider the flavour of your ice cream and select a coating that will complement it. For example, cinnamon-based coatings go well with vanilla ice cream, while crushed cookies or nuts might pair better with chocolate or strawberry ice cream.
• Ease of Crushing: If you plan to crush your chosen coating, ensure it is easy to crush into fine crumbs. Cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Corn Flakes, or Rice Krispies are simple to crush and stick to the ice cream.
• Freezer-Friendly: Opt for coatings that can withstand freezing temperatures without becoming soggy. Cereals, nuts, and coconut flakes are ideal as they retain their texture when frozen.

Remember, the key to a successful coating is to ensure it sticks to the ice cream and provides a delicious contrast in texture and flavour. So, be creative, experiment with different options, and have fun with it!

Preparing the coating

The coating is what gives fried ice cream its signature crunch and texture. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the coating for your air-fried ice cream:

• Choose your cereal: You can use a variety of cereals for the coating, such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, or even crushed cookies or biscuits. The main criteria are that the cereal is crunchy and easy to crush.
• Crush the cereal: Place the chosen cereal in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush it into crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step. For added texture, leave some larger pieces intact.
• Add cinnamon (optional): If you're using a plain cereal like Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, consider adding a bit of ground cinnamon to the crushed cereal. This enhances the flavour and gives it a classic, crave-worthy taste.
• Prepare the egg whites: Separate the egg whites from the yolks and whisk them in a separate bowl until they become foamy. The egg whites act as a binding agent and help the cereal stick to the ice cream.
• Combine the cereal and cinnamon (if using): In a medium-sized bowl, mix the crushed cereal with the ground cinnamon. Stir well to ensure they are thoroughly combined.
• Dip and roll: Take your ice cream balls out of the freezer, and dip them into the whisked egg whites. Then, immediately roll them in the cereal-cinnamon mixture until they are completely coated. Use your hands to press the coating onto the ice cream balls if needed.
• Freeze again: Place the coated ice cream balls back into the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the ice cream is frozen solid before air frying, preventing it from melting too quickly during cooking.

Coating the ice cream

First, prepare your ice cream balls. Using an ice cream scoop, form balls of about 1 cup in size. Place them on a baking sheet or in a muffin tin and freeze for at least an hour until they are hard. This step ensures that the ice cream balls hold their shape when you start coating them.

Now, it's time to create the crunchy coating. For this, you will need a cereal of your choice. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, and Frosted Flakes are popular options. You can also get creative and use crushed cookies or biscuits, or even shredded coconut or chopped nuts. Place your chosen cereal in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush it into fine crumbs, leaving a few larger pieces for added texture. If you're using a plainer cereal, like Corn Flakes, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to the mix for extra flavour.

Next, prepare your wet coating. Separate some egg whites from the yolks and whisk them until they become foamy. You can also use honey or maple syrup as an alternative to the egg whites. This step will help the dry cereal coating stick to the ice cream.

Take your ice cream balls out of the freezer and roll them in the egg whites or honey, making sure they are completely coated. Then, immediately roll them in the crushed cereal. Use your hands to press extra cereal onto any exposed areas, ensuring the ice cream is completely covered.

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

Once your ice cream balls are frozen solid, they are ready for the final step—air frying! Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F and create a small shallow bowl out of aluminium foil to place in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Air fry the ice cream balls one or two at a time for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as you don't want them to melt!

And that's it! Your fried ice cream is now ready to serve. Top it off with your favourite toppings, such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, or cherries, and enjoy the delicious combination of warm, crunchy coating and cold, creamy ice cream.

Air-frying the ice cream

Take your ice cream out of the freezer and place it in the air fryer. It is recommended that you only cook one ball at a time to ensure even cooking and to avoid overcrowding. Place the ice cream ball on a small piece of aluminium foil to make it easier to remove from the air fryer basket.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F for 2-3 minutes. Once preheated, put the ice cream in the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as you don't want your ice cream to melt!

Once done, use the foil to lift the ice cream ball out of the air fryer and serve immediately. Top with your favourite toppings, such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, cherries, or sprinkles. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions