Fried Chicken Ice Cream
Okay y’all, I’ve been OBSESSED with this TikTok trend lately! The first time I saw someone bite into what looked like a crispy chicken drumstick only to reveal creamy vanilla ice cream inside, I literally gasped. This optical illusion dessert is pure genius – it looks EXACTLY like fried chicken but tastes like a delicious frozen treat!
Today I’m gonna walk you through making your own “Not Fried Chicken” ice cream at home. This dessert might look complicated, but I promise it’s actually pretty simple to make. Plus, it’s WAY cheaper than ordering the fancy version from Life Raft Treats that costs a whopping $100 for just 8 pieces! Let’s get started on this fun kitchen project that’ll totally impress your friends and family.
What Is Fried Chicken Ice Cream Anyway?
Before we dive into the recipe let’s clear something up – this dessert contains absolutely NO chicken! It’s vanilla ice cream shaped to look like chicken drumsticks or tenders coated in white chocolate and crushed cornflakes to mimic the appearance of crispy fried chicken. The cornflakes give that perfect golden-brown “fried” look and add a delicious crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy ice cream inside.
This TikTok viral dessert is inspired by the famous “Not Fried Chicken” ice cream from Life Raft Treats, but our homemade version is budget-friendly and just as impressive looking.
Why You’ll Love Making This Recipe
- It’s a total conversation starter at parties and gatherings
- Kids absolutely LOVE the surprise factor
- The contrast between crunchy coating and creamy ice cream is delicious
- It’s a no-bake dessert that requires minimal cooking skills
- You can customize it with different ice cream flavors
- Making it costs a fraction of the price of the store-bought version
- It’s perfect for summer cookouts, April Fool’s Day, or any fun occasion
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Ice Cream Base:
- 1.75 quarts vanilla ice cream (store-bought or homemade)
- 6 Mini Twix Bars (to mimic the “bone” in drumsticks)
For the Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (Optional):
- 2 cups cold heavy cream
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (chilled)
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the “Breading”:
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- 3 cups cornflakes, crushed
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Disposable gloves (trust me, these help A LOT)
- Cutting board
- Bowl for melted chocolate
- Bowl for crushed cornflakes
- Freezer space (very important!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Option 1: Using Store-Bought Ice Cream
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Prep your workspace: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and put it in the freezer to chill. Make sure you have enough freezer space!
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Shape the “chicken” Put on your gloves (the ice cream is COLD!) and take a handful of slightly softened vanilla ice cream. Flatten it in your palm place a Mini Twix in the center then add more ice cream on top. Quickly mold it into a drumstick shape, covering the Twix completely. The Twix will serve as the “bone” in your chicken drumstick.
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Freeze the shapes: Place your shaped ice cream pieces on the chilled baking sheet and return to the freezer for at least 2 hours until completely firm.
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Prepare the coating: About 30 minutes before you’re ready to coat, melt the white chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Crush your cornflakes into small pieces but not too fine – you want some texture!
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Coat the ice cream: Working quickly with one piece at a time, dip each frozen ice cream “chicken piece” into the melted white chocolate, then immediately roll in the crushed cornflakes to coat completely. Return each piece to the freezer immediately after coating.
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Final freeze: Once all pieces are coated, freeze for another 2 hours until the coating is completely set.
Option 2: Making Homemade Ice Cream First
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Chill your equipment: 15 minutes before starting, place your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the refrigerator to chill.
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Whip the cream: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip!
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Fold in ingredients: Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
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Freeze the base: Pour the mixture into a parchment-lined baking dish and freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight.
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Shape and continue: Follow steps 2-6 from Option 1 to shape and coat your ice cream “chicken.”
Pro Tips for Success
Look, I’m not gonna lie – working with ice cream can be tricky! Here are some tips I’ve learned from making this recipe several times:
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Work in batches! Don’t try to do all the pieces at once or your ice cream will melt. I keep most of the ice cream in the freezer and only take out what I’m working with.
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Gloves are essential. They protect your hands from the freezing ice cream and help prevent transferring body heat that would melt the ice cream faster.
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If things get melty, STOP. Put everything back in the freezer for 30 minutes and then continue. Patience is key!
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The white chocolate coating needs to be warm enough to coat smoothly but not so hot it melts the ice cream. If it starts to thicken too much, reheat it briefly.
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For extra realistic-looking “chicken,” you can add a tiny bit of yellow or orange food coloring to your white chocolate to make it look more like fried chicken coating.
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Move FAST when coating the ice cream. Have everything ready to go before you take the ice cream out of the freezer.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
While vanilla ice cream with cornflake coating is the classic combination for this recipe, you can definitely get creative:
- Ice Cream Flavors: Try chocolate, strawberry, or even butter pecan ice cream for different “meat” colors!
- Coating Options: Instead of cornflakes, try crushed pretzels, graham crackers, or vanilla wafer cookies
- Bone Alternatives: No Twix? Use Kit Kat bars, Pirouette cookies, or skip the “bone” entirely for boneless chicken tenders!
- Chocolate Options: White chocolate bark or melting wafers work well if you don’t have chips
Serving Suggestions
Serve your fried chicken ice cream in fun, themed ways to maximize the illusion:
- Arrange in a paper “bucket” like real fried chicken
- Serve with sweet dipping sauces like caramel, chocolate, or strawberry “ketchup”
- Place on a platter with real side dishes like mashed potatoes (use vanilla ice cream!) and green beans (use green candy) for an entire “meal” of desserts
Storage Tips
These ice cream treats need to be eaten fairly soon after making them. The cornflakes will eventually lose their crunch in the freezer. Here’s what works best:
- Short-term storage: Keep in the freezer for up to 1 week in an airtight container
- For best results: Eat within 24-48 hours of making for the optimal crunchy-to-creamy ratio
- Serving time: Let sit at room temperature for about 3-5 minutes before serving for the perfect consistency
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does this actually taste like chicken?
A: Nope! It’s 100% dessert – vanilla ice cream with a sweet crunchy coating. It just LOOKS like chicken!
Q: Can I make this ahead for a party?
A: Yes! Just be aware that the cornflakes might soften a bit in the freezer over time. I’d recommend making them no more than 2-3 days in advance.
Q: Why is my ice cream melting too fast when I try to shape it?
A: Your kitchen might be too warm or you might be handling it too much. Try working in a cool room and using gloves that you’ve chilled in the freezer.
Q: Can I use a different cereal instead of cornflakes?
A: Absolutely! Crushed Corn Chex, Rice Krispies, or even crushed vanilla wafers would work great.
Q: How much does this cost to make compared to buying it?
A: The Life Raft Treats version costs about $100 for 8 pieces. Making this at home costs roughly $15-20 for the same amount – huge savings!
My Final Thoughts
I’ve made this fried chicken ice cream three times now, and every single time people literally GASP when they realize what they’re actually eating. The best reaction was from my nephew who was so confused when he bit into what he thought was a chicken drumstick at our summer BBQ!
The contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the crunchy cornflake coating is absolutely delicious. While it does take a bit of patience and freezer space to pull off, I promise the results are totally worth it. And honestly, it’s so much fun to make!
Happy ice cream making, friends!
Have you ever tried making food that looks like something completely different? Tell me about your kitchen adventures in the comments!
