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All the flavors of the classic Mexican Fried Ice Cream without the actual frying!  Cold, creamy vanilla ice cream coated with a crisp cinnamon coating. Perfect individual desserts for summer! Top with fudge sauce and whipped cream for a fun treat the entire family will love.

Looking for more Mexican dessert recipes? You’ll want to try our tres leches cake recipe, homemade churros, and sopapillas.

Mexican Fried Ice Cream topped with whipped cream and a cherry with a bite taken out on a plate.


 

Easy Mexican Fried Ice Cream. Having fried ice cream is a treat usually reserved for going out to eat at the local Mexican restaurants. Making authentic FRIED ice cream at home can be kind of messy. Which is where this EASY to make NOT TRULY FRIED version comes in.

How to make Mexican Fried Ice Cream

  1. Scoop the ice cream (you can use any flavor you like! Vanilla is a traditional flavor). Form the scoops into nice round ball shapes and place on a cookie sheet.
  2. Freeze the ice cream balls. This will help them hold their shape.
  3. Crush corn flakes. I have had a lot of people comment and message that they have made this with Cinnamon Toast cereals also and it’s always a big hit!
  4. Toast the cereal in a skillet with some butter and ground cinnamon.
  5. Remove the ice cream and roll in a cinnamon sugar mixture.
  6. Coat the ice cream with the toasted cereal.
  7. Top with chocolate, whipped cream and cherries.
Fried Ice cream served on a plate, topped with whipped Cream and cherries

F.A.Q’s

Can this be made in advance?

Yes they can! I try to keep the ice cream balls frozen and coat with the toasted cereal just before serving. However, you can prepare them ahead of time and have them in the freezer. Just wait to add any toppings like chocolate sauce or whipped cream until you serve.

Can I use a different flavor of ice cream?

Yes! You can choose any flavor you would prefer. Just make sure you choose a flavor that will complement the cinnamon coating.

Pro Tips:

  • Shape the ice cream into the ball form and then re-freeze for at least 3 hours.
  • When handling the ice cream to put the coating on, wear plastic gloves, it will help prevent melting due to the heat from your hands
  • Instead of rolling the ice cream in the crumb coating, it’s easier to set them in there and press the coating on using your hands.
Mexican Fried Ice Cream topped with whipped cream and a cherry with a bite taken out on a plate.

More Dessert Recipes to try:

Easy Mexican Fried Ice Cream

5 from 36 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Chilling Time: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Serene
An easy to make Mexican Fried Ice Cream without any actual frying. Cold creamy ice cream coated with cinnamon sugar, and a crispy cinnamon breading. Top with chocolate and whipped cream for the ultimate dessert!
Easy to make mexican fried ice cream on a pink plate topped with drizzles of chocolate fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Ingredients  

  • 4 large scoops ice cream
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Fried Topping

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups corn flakes crushed
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Toppings

  • Whipped Cream
  • Hot fudge sauce
  • cherries

Instructions 

  • Scoop the ice cream and shape into a round ball. Place on a baking sheet or plate and put into the freezer for at least 3 hours.
  • Crush the corn flakes, sprinkle with cinnamon. Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the corn flakes and saute for about 3 minutes or until the corn flakes are toasted.
  • In a small bowl combine the white sugar and remaining cinnamon.
  • Take the ice cream from the freezer, roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture, then coat with the toasted corn flakes. It's easiest to set the ice cream down and press the crumbs into the ice cream.
  • Top with hot fudge, whipped cream and cherry.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Recipe first published June 16, 2016. Updated June 5, 2020 with new images, video and information.

 

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Welcome to my kitchen!

Welcome to the House of Yumm!! My name is Serene. I’m the food photographer, recipe developer, and official taste tester around these parts.

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Recipe Rating




22 Comments

  1. My family and friends are so in love with this recipe. So simple and insanely delicious! My new favorite dessert. Thank you!!!

  2. I was tasked with dessert for a card night with 8 friends. The host suggested Mexican Fried Ice Cream and I thought he lost his mind. First, how would I transport that, then…how would I fry it? Would I have to do it at his house? Ultimately, this recipe and method are foolproof. I followed it to a tee and they turned out perfectly. I feared the outer coating would be soggy. Not at all. And these were a HIT…no, a SMASH HIT. I have a feeling I will be asked to make these again and again. Granted I was only going about 4 miles from home….so keep that in mind. I don’t think they’d last long without ample refrigeration.

  3. So easy! I didn’t bother to refreeze the ice cream scoops for my initial try, but would consider that if making more for a family. I didn’t have any corn flakes on hand, but substituted graham cracker crumbs. Honey instead of chocolate syrup was delicious. I have bookmarked this recipe to use again, thank you!