“Fried” Ice Cream Pie

This Fried ice cream pie isn’t fried at all. The ingredients blend perfectly to make it taste exactly like fried ice cream you get in a Mexican restaurant, without all of the mess and oil. It makes a great dessert anytime, but it’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo!

When I first read that this fried ice cream pie tastes just like Fried Ice Cream that you get in a Mexican restaurant, you could say that I was skeptical, but I decided to try it out, all I can say is that I was mind blown!

It really does taste just like fried ice cream from a restaurant, so much so that many of my family members said, “I want this for my birthday next year.” Seriously, it’s that good.

Fried Ice Cream Pie

Fried ice cream pie doesn’t seem like it should work, and yet neither does traditional fried ice cream. Dropping something frozen into hot oil sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but somehow it turns into something unforgettable. Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that make the least sense, and that’s part of what makes them so fun.

Of course, there is nothing fried about this Fried Ice Cream Pie, it tastes the same without all of the work.

Who Invented Fried Ice Cream?

The exact origins of fried ice cream are a little hazy. Some believe it first appeared at the 1893 World’s Fair, while others credit its creation to Japanese tempura restaurants. No matter where it began, it found lasting popularity in the United States, especially on the menus of Mexican-American restaurants like Chi-Chi’s. Fried ice cream pie takes that nostalgic idea and simplifies it—capturing the same crunchy, creamy contrast without the challenge of deep-frying. It’s a smart and delicious adaptation of a dessert that’s always been a little unexpected.

The Secret to Fried Ice Cream Pie

Getting fried ice cream pie to taste like the real thing is surprisingly simple. Crushed cornflakes and ground cashews come together to mimic the buttery crunch of fried pastry, without the need for a deep fryer. The fats from the cashews and the crisp texture of the cornflakes create a flavor that’s remarkably close to the fried ice cream you’d find at a Mexican restaurant.

The best part? There’s no hot oil to deal with, no splattering, and no worrying about whether the ice cream is melting into a puddle inside the crust. The hardest part of this recipe is simply waiting for the pie to set up in the freezer—and with a little patience, the payoff is well worth it.

Ingredients in Fried Ice Cream Pie

 For complete ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card. 

• vanilla bean ice cream – or substitute frozen yogurt
• Cool Whip® – can substitute low-fat or fat-free if you prefer
• ground cinnamon
• corn flakes – crushed
• butter – salted or unsalted is fine
• granulated sugar
• salt
• cashews or almonds – chopped

• Maraschino cherries – for garnish
• chocolate syrup – for garnish
• Redi-Whip – or fresh whipped cream for garnish

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions you may have about this Fried Ice Cream Pie Recipe.

How to make this Easy Fried Ice Cream Pie

This ice cream pie comes together quickly, the hardest part is waiting for it to freeze!

In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the crushed cornflakes, cashews, sugar, and salt. Mix well to combine. Cool to room temperature.

Allow ice cream to soften. When soft enough, fold in Cool Whip and cinnamon.

In a deep dish 9″ pie plate, pour half the crumb mixture on the bottom. Pat to an even layer. Spread the ice cream mixture over the crumbs. Top the ice cream mixture with the remaining crumbs.

Cover the pie with plastic wrap and place the pie in the freezer until frozen. (Overnight is best)

Before serving, cut the pie into 8 slices. Garnish each slice with Redi-Whip and a maraschino cherry.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Serve.

Store the leftovers in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Love it?? Pin it!! 

Don’t forget where you saw this delicious Fried Ice Cream Pie recipe! Make sure you pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go!

Tips and Tools for Making Fried Ice Cream Pie

• I used my 9″ deep dish ceramic pie plate when I made this recipe.
• My Kitchenaid Mini Chopper works perfectly for chopping up the cashews.
• Transfer ice cream (or frozen yogurt) to a larger bowl by scooping with an ice cream scoop when it is softened.  Fold in Cool Whip and cinnamon with a heavy-duty rubber spatula. What’s even quicker and easier?  Use the paddle attachment on your Kitchen Aid Mixer. Set on the lowest setting to fold it all together, just don’t let it melt too much!  

More Ice Cream Dessert Ideas

Do you love ice cream and frozen treats in general, as much as we do?? These dessert ideas are family-tested and proven winners. Sometimes it gets hard to decide which dessert to make. But there is always another time and another chance to celebrate with a tasty treat!

Here are some favorite frozen desserts of mine:

• Dairy Queen Apple Pie Blizzard
• Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake (pictured)
• Copy Cat Baskin Robbins Daiquiri Ice
• Pineapple Dole Whip (Like Disney’s!)
• Coffee & Donuts, Ice Cream, Cake
• Chocolate Waffle Cookie Dessert
• Shirley Temple Float
• Margarita Pie

My mouth is watering! Let’s get to the recipe! 

This recipe was originally posted on May 15th, 2015.  It was updated to improve user experience, and re-shared April 28, 2025.