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Home » Recipes » Unfried Ice Cream – A Healthy Version of Fried Ice Cream

Unfried Ice Cream – A Healthy Version of Fried Ice Cream

Published: Jul 12, 2022 · Modified: Dec 30, 2022 by Lynda · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Make the finale of your next Mexican fiesta extra sweet with these (NOT) Fried Ice Cream balls. They’re simple to make and the perfect way to end your meal.

Bowl of ice cream with caramel drizzle.
Jump to:
  • The History of Fried Ice Cream
  • 📝Ingredients
  • 👩🏻‍🍳How To Make (Un) Fried Ice Cream
  • 📖 Recipe

I have been under the wrong impression for quite some time. I had been led to believe that fried ice cream was a Mexican treat. However, when I started doing a little research for this post, I learned otherwise.

The History of Fried Ice Cream

Fried ice cream, as it turns out, may have actually been served for the first time at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. It appears that it has gotten tied to Mexican cuisine thanks to Chi-Chi’s restaurant placing it on its menu.

Though Chi-Chi’s is no longer in business, you can create a simple clone at home using only two ingredients. (Or three if you like the extra sweet creamy goodness of dulce de leche.)

📝Ingredients

Organic cinnamon crunch cereal.
  • 2-3 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal crushed
  • 2-3 cups Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream softened
  • Dulce de Leche optional

👩🏻‍🍳How To Make (Un) Fried Ice Cream

To make (Un) Fried Ice cream, start by crushing approximately 2 cups of cinnamon toast cereal. You can either place the cereal in a zip top bag and beat it – a good way to work out some frustration – or place it in a blender and pulse.

Cinnamon cereal in a blender.

It only takes pulsing a few times. Sometimes the little larger pieces of cereal provide the right “crunch.”

Crushed cereal in blender.
Muffin pan covered by plastic wrap.


Pour the cereal into a medium-sized bowl or place on top of some plastic wrap. Using a medium-sized cookie dough scoop, scoop a small ice cream ball and place on top of the cereal. Use your hands to roll the ice cream ball around to get it coated well.

Scoop of ice cream on top of cereal.

Place each coated ice cream ball into the well of a mini muffin pan and freeze for at least 1 hour.

(Un) Fried Ice Cream sitting in muffin pan.

📖 Recipe

ice cream balls

Un-Fried Ice Cream

A healthier version of Mexican Fried Ice Cream
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 80kcal
Author: Lynda

Ingredients

  • 2-3 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal crushed
  • 2-3 cups Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream softened
  • Dulce de Leche optional

Instructions

  • Place cereal in a zip top bag and crush to small pieces. Alternatively, place cereal in blender and pulse.
  • Using a medium cookie dough scoop, scoop yogurt or ice cream and place on top of prepared cereal. Roll the ball around until well coated. You may need to press the cereal firmly on the balls to help it adhere. Place in mini-muffin pan well that has been lined with plastic wrap. Repeat until all of the cereal has been used.
  • Freeze balls for at least an hour. When ready to eat, just remove balls, place in bowl, and add dulce de leche if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 21mg | Sugar: 5g
Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @SouthernKissedBlog or tag #southernkissed!

For extra deliciousness, drizzle dulce de Leche on top of the (un)fried ice cream and enjoy!

Bowl of ice cream balls.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sandra Caster says

    June 08, 2021 at 9:59 am

    Thanks, you are taking me back to the days when my boys were young, we went to Chi Chi’s many times. This is easy peasy

    Reply
  2. Crystal Green says

    September 21, 2014 at 11:57 am

    This looks really good. I would have never thought to do this. Thank you for this desert idea.

    Reply
  3. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    May 13, 2013 at 11:34 am

    I tried it!! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Toni says

    May 06, 2013 at 4:53 am

    this.looks.so.good!!

    Reply
  5. Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says

    May 06, 2013 at 1:06 am

    I’ve been sugar free for 28 days now – But I am wanting ice cream after reading this!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      May 06, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Don’t do it! I would love to be sugar free for just seven days. Keep up the good work.

      Reply
  6. Stefani says

    May 05, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    This looks really good.

    Reply
  7. Leilani says

    May 05, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    Wow that looks interesting! I’ll have to try it sometime.

    Reply
  8. Meghan @JaMonkey says

    May 05, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    I worked at a Mexican restaurant in high school and learned this recipe. They used corn flakes though and then sprinkled the cinnamon and sugar after it was fried.

    Reply
  9. Kathleen says

    May 05, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    I’ve never tried this, but it looks amazing!

    Reply
  10. courtney says

    May 05, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    Oh my gosh – yum!!

    Reply
  11. Shell Feis says

    May 05, 2013 at 3:50 am

    Oh my goodness that sounds amazing!

    Reply
  12. Theresa says

    May 04, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    This looks really really good.

    Reply
  13. Ashley - Embracing Grace says

    May 03, 2013 at 11:17 am

    This looks absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  14. Tricia Nightowlmama says

    May 03, 2013 at 10:40 am

    OH I would love to give this a try looks so tasty

    Reply
  15. Mellisa says

    May 02, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    Yum, what a great recipe!

    Reply
  16. HilLesha @To the Motherhood says

    May 02, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Looks delish!

    Reply
  17. Maryann says

    May 02, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    what a clever idea.

    Reply
  18. Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says

    May 01, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    Holy smokes! I wish I would have tried this when I wasn’t Paleo.

    Reply
  19. Marcie W. says

    May 01, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    This look like absolute heaven!

    Reply
  20. Colleen says

    May 01, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    This looks so good and better then the grilled chicken and green beans i just ate LOL

    Reply
  21. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    May 01, 2013 at 11:22 am

    I’ve got to try this! I’m book marking this page!

    Reply
  22. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says

    April 30, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    Yep, I tried it at Chi Chi’s ad I miss that place. This looks so delicious!

    Reply
  23. Jenn says

    April 30, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    You would post this on day one of my sugar fast. 😉

    Reply
  24. Sheilacakes says

    April 30, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    Looks amazing. There is a Chi-Chi’s in Brussels Wanna go sometime?

    Reply
  25. Tammy says

    April 30, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    We’ve always made it with seasoned cornflakes – what a great idea to use cinnamon toast crunch!

    Reply
  26. Elaina- @atimeout4mommy says

    April 30, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    omg this sounds delicious!

    Reply
  27. April Golightly says

    April 30, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    I love fried ice cream so much.

    Reply
  28. Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says

    April 30, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    Neat trick. I may have to try it 🙂

    Reply
  29. Donna says

    April 30, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    What a great idea!

    Reply
  30. Penelope (NYC Blogger) says

    April 30, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Ooh, looks yum!

    Reply
  31. Jennifer @ The Quirky Momma says

    April 30, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    What a cool recipe. My family would really like that. I think I’ll surprise them this weekend!

    Reply
  32. Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says

    April 30, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    I love how easy that is to make. Awesome.

    Reply
  33. nicole @nicky_olea says

    April 30, 2013 at 10:21 am

    Oh yummy! Gonna try this for desert soon!

    Reply
  34. Lolo says

    April 30, 2013 at 1:27 am

    I LOVE fried ice cream!! I need to make this!

    Reply
  35. Jennifer says

    April 29, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    Oh this is a MUST for the next time I make dessert!

    Reply
  36. Katy says

    April 29, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    Who knew? All I know is that I love fried ice cream where ever it came from. Thanks for sharing the recipe and info.

    Reply
  37. patti says

    April 29, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    I really want to try this. Fried ice cream is so good, but this looks just as delicious.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Zesty Cheesy Enchiladas says:
    September 3, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    […] Wasn’t that easy?  Serve it with a side salad, some rice, and beans.  For dessert, try my Unfried Ice Cream recipe. […]

    Reply
  2. Pressure Cooked Pork says:
    September 3, 2018 at 6:25 am

    […] such as salsa, avocado, guacamole, etc.  Serve with rice and beans as side dishes and perhaps some unfried ice cream to finish off the […]

    Reply
  3. Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe says:
    April 24, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    […] Non-Fried Ice Cream […]

    Reply

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Lynda and Johnny statue

My name is Lynda and I am a recovering sugar addict and travel junkie. I'm also a mom of two children & 2 dogs, wife of 1....and a messy cook taking life one bite at a time.

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