Cinnamon-Coconut {Un} Fried Ice Cream

This simple, easy fried ice cream recipe actually requires no frying at all! Not missing is that golden, crispy, delicious cinnamon coating with flakes of sweetened coconut and creamy ice cream underneath. Can be made gluten-free and / or vegan!

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I know it’s mid-October, but it’s been hot as heck here in Southern California, and I’ve been craving ice cream all week long.

I made these cinnamon and sugar covered ice cream balls earlier this summer and it’s been one of our favorite desserts ever since.

The recipe was inspired by many a trips to Chi-Chi’s with my grandparents when we were kids. No trip was ever complete without an order or two of Mexican fried ice cream.

I don’t really know why they called it that because I’ve never seen this dessert anywhere in Mexico. Tempura-battered fried ice cream is popular in Asian cuisine, but that’s a totally different thing.

Anyway, Chi-Chi’s fried ice cream was made by rolling huge balls of vanilla ice cream in egg whites, then in a mixture of crushed cornflakes, cinnamon, and magic.

They would deep fry the cinnamon-crusted ice cream until the coating was golden brown but the ice cream still frozen underneath.

The beauty of this recipe is you still get that crunchy cinnamon coating and cold, creamy ice cream but without having to fry ice cream at all!

what you’ll need to make this {un} fried ice cream recipe

This really could not be more simple. All you really need to make this recipe is patience while you wait for the ice cream to get nice and hard. But there a few items that will make the process easier and more delicious.

1. Your favorite ice cream. Keep in mind it will get coated with a cinnamon-coconut mixture so mint chocolate chip might not be the best decision, but you be you. I chose vanilla.
2. Large ice cream scoop. Ideally a 4 ounce one would be best.
3. Baking sheet. Scoop the ice cream onto the baking sheet and place in the freezer. Don’t forget to make sure your baking sheet fits in the freezer first!
4. Parchment paper. To line the baking sheet. This makes getting the ice cream balls off super easy.
5. Sweetened, shredded coconut.
6. Cinnamon graham crackers.
7. Food processor. To crush the graham crackers and cinnamon really finely. You can also crush the graham crackers with a rolling pin in a Ziplock bag if you don’t have a food processor.

how to do it

First step is to get the ice cream scooped into balls and freeze them again so they are stiff and not melty.

While you are waiting for the ice cream to harden you can start making the coating.

A lot of recipes call for crushed corn flakes browned in melted butter, but we’re going with a toasted coconut-cinnamon graham cracker situation that is pretty irresistible.

Start by toasting the coconut in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly so it gets a nice even brown.

Then combine graham crackers and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until it is in small, even crumbs. Pour crumbs out onto a large plate.

Remove ice cream balls from the freezer. Let sit at room temperature for a minute or two, just until they are melted enough for the crumb mixture to stick to them.

Roll the ice cream in the crumb mixture gently packing it onto the sides of the balls with your hands. Stick back in the freezer to harden. At this point you can cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month—a nice little treat whenever you need one!

how to serve fried ice cream

Of course, eating them just as they are is fantastic, but making an ice cream sundae is truly how they’re meant to be served. A {Un} Fried Ice Cream Bar for Cinco de Mayo or a summer ice cream social would sure be fun. Here’s some of my favorite toppings:

• Whipped cream
• Mexican Hot Chocolate Sauce
• Sprinkled with cinnamon
• Salted caramel sauce
• Marachino cherries
• More toasted coconut

gluten-free and vegan variations

This recipe is super adaptable for different diets.

For gluten-free folks, you can substitute gluten-free cinnamon graham crackers for the regular ones.

For those following a vegan diet, vegan vanilla ice cream is widely available and cinnamon Teddy Grahams have no honey and are vegan.

more sweet recipes to try!

• Almond Poppy Seed Ice Cream
• Mexican Chocolate Sweet Tamales
• No-Churn Blueberry Mezcal Swirl Ice Cream
• 12 S’mores Combinations That Will Blow Your Mind
• Fig Bars
• Mexican Wedding Cookies
• No-Churn Cream Cheese Ice Cream

why fry when you can un-fry?

Try this yummy {un} fried ice cream recipe and let me know what you think! Share a photo and tag me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno or leave me a comment below!

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