Like most culinary masterpieces, there is a dispute over the origin of fried ice cream. While many attribute fried ice cream to modern-day Mexican restaurants, the phenomenon did not become a cultural staple there until the 1980’s. While some trace fried ice cream’s roots back to Japenese tempura restaurants, most American experts point to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair as the origin of the desert.
According to historians, by 1894 a Philadelphia company had begun forming ice cream into small, flat cakes, wrapping them in pie crust, and frying them in butter or lard. By the 1970’s, fried ice cream was common in a large number of restaurants including Chinese, Japanese, and Polynesian restaurants. Regardless of its origin, the deliciousness of fried ice cream is universal. Give this recipe a try once you’ve looked over our 9-step guide on how to use a deep fryer.
Deep Fried Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
1 quart of vanilla ice cream
3 cups crushed cornflake cereal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 egg whites
Oil for frying
2 quarts oil for frying
Instructions
1. Form the ice cream into 8 half-cup sized balls. Place the ice cream balls on a baking sheet and freeze approximately 1 hour, or until solid.
2. In a shallow dish or plate, combined the crushed cornflake cereal with the cinnamon. In a second dish, beat egg whites until foamy. Working quickly, roll the ice cream balls in the egg whites, then in the corn flakes. Repeat this process until the ice cream is completely covered. Freeze the cereal-covered ice cream balls for an additional three hours.
3. Using your deep fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees.
4. Using the deep fryer basket or slotted spoon, fry the ice cream balls in small batches of one or two at a time. Cook the balls for around 15 seconds, until golden brown.
Foot Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, you need only opt for a gluten-free cornflake cereal. If you’re feeling creative, you can mix other ingredients into the cornflake cereal including crushed pecans or vanilla wafer cookies. For garnish, you can use whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and cherries.
