Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream: A Fun & Delicious Treat Anyone Can Make!

Hey, foodies! I’m excited to share one of the most fun desserts I’ve recently made with my kids: Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream! Despite its name, this treat isn’t fried at all and doesn’t have any chicken in it. This creative dessert looks just like fried chicken drumsticks but tastes like tasty ice cream with a crunchy top. The internet is going crazy over this dessert, and now that I’ve tried it, I can see why!

This recipe caught my eye on social media, and I had to try it with my daughters. We had a great time making these treats in the afternoon. The looks on their faces when they bit into something that looked like fried chicken but tasted like sweet ice cream was priceless!

What Exactly Is Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream?

Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream is a novelty dessert that looks like fried chicken drumsticks but is actually made of

• Vanilla ice cream (or any flavor you prefer)
• Candy bars that serve as the “bone”
• A coating of crushed cornflakes or other cereal for the “fried” exterior
• White chocolate that helps the cereal stick to the ice cream

These treats aren’t fried at all, unlike the fried ice cream you usually get at Mexican restaurants. They are just shaped to look like chicken legs and covered in crunchy things to make them look like fried chicken.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For about 5-6 ice cream drumsticks, you’ll need:

• 3 cups of vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor)
• 5-6 Twix or Kit Kat bars (these will serve as the “bones”)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 2 cups cornflakes or frosted flakes (crushed)

Most of these ingredients are likely already in your pantry, which is why this recipe is so easy to find and great for last-minute family activities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let me walk you through how to make these fun Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream treats:

Preparation:

1. Freeze your candy bars – Place your Twix or Kit Kat bars in the freezer for about an hour before starting. This helps them maintain their structure while you’re forming the drumsticks.
2. Prepare your workspace – Line a plate or cutting board with cling film or parchment paper.
3. Get your ice cream ready – Remove the ice cream from the freezer about 20 minutes before starting so it becomes slightly softened and pliable.
4. Crush your cornflakes – Place them in a ziplock bag and crush them slightly, but not too fine.
5. Wear gloves – I highly recommend wearing food-safe gloves as this can get messy and the gloves help prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly from the heat of your hands.

Creating the Drumsticks:

1. Take 3-4 tablespoons of slightly softened ice cream.
2. Form the ice cream around one end of the frozen Twix bar, shaping it to resemble a chicken drumstick. The Twix will serve as the “bone” sticking out.
3. Place each formed drumstick back on your lined plate or board.
4. Transfer them to the freezer immediately for at least 3 hours to harden completely.

The Coating Process:

1. Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth.
2. Let the melted chocolate cool slightly but ensure it remains in liquid form.
3. Prepare your crushed cornflakes in a separate bowl.
4. Working quickly (this part can be tricky!), take one frozen ice cream drumstick at a time and:
   • Dip it into the melted white chocolate, coating as much of the ice cream portion as possible
   • Immediately roll it in the crushed cornflakes
   • Place it back on the lined plate
5. Return each coated drumstick to the freezer immediately after coating.
6. Freeze for another 2-3 hours until fully hardened.

And voila! You’ve got yourself some super fun and delicious Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream drumsticks that will definitely impress your family and friends!

Tips For Success

From my experience making these treats with my girls, here are some helpful tips:

• Keep everything cold: The key to success is working quickly and keeping everything as cold as possible. If the ice cream starts melting too much at any point, pop it back in the freezer before continuing.
• Create space in your freezer beforehand: Make sure you have a flat surface in your freezer ready to go before you start making these.
• Use plastic wrap wisely: The plastic wrap helps you shape the ice cream without it sticking to your board or hands.
• Try different cereals: While cornflakes are traditional, you could experiment with frosted flakes for a sweeter coating or even try crushed cookies!
• Dip and roll quickly: The ice cream will start melting as soon as it touches the warm chocolate, so be prepared to move fast during the coating process.

Variations to Try

One of the things I love about this recipe is how versatile it is! Here are some fun variations we’ve tried or are planning to try next time:

Different “Bones”

While Twix bars work great because of their shape, you could also use:

• Kit Kat bars
• Wafer sticks
• Pretzel rods (for a sweet and salty combo)

Different Ice Cream Flavors

Vanilla is classic, but why not try:

• Chocolate ice cream
• Strawberry ice cream
• Cookies and cream
• Butter pecan (my personal favorite!)

Different Coatings

Beyond cornflakes, consider:

• Rice Krispies for a different crunch
• Crushed cookies for a sweeter exterior
• Granola for a heartier texture
• Crushed graham crackers

Sauce Drizzles

After freezing completely, you could drizzle with:

• Caramel sauce (to mimic honey on chicken)
• Chocolate sauce
• Strawberry sauce (for a spicy-looking “hot sauce” effect)

FAQ About Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream

I’ve received a bunch of questions about this fun treat, so let me answer some of the most common ones:

Q: Does Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream actually taste like chicken?
A: Absolutely not! Despite its appearance, it tastes 100% like ice cream with a crunchy coating. There’s no chicken flavor whatsoever – it’s just made to look like chicken drumsticks.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
A: Yes! These can be made 2-3 days in advance. Just keep them well-wrapped in the freezer until ready to serve.

Q: My ice cream keeps melting while I’m trying to shape it. Help!
A: This is the trickiest part of the recipe. Try working with smaller batches of ice cream at a time, keeping the rest in the freezer. Also, chilling your hands under cold water before handling the ice cream can help.

Q: Can I use store-bought ice cream, or should I make my own?
A: Store-bought ice cream works perfectly fine and is what I typically use. If you want to make a day of it, you could make homemade ice cream with your kids first, then create the drumsticks.

Q: Are these suitable for vegetarians?
A: Yes! Despite looking like chicken, these treats contain no meat products at all. Just check the ingredients in your ice cream and candy bars to ensure they match your dietary preferences.

Why This Recipe Is Perfect For Families

I gotta say, making Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream has become one of our favorite family activities. Here’s why we love it:

1. It’s interactive: Kids love getting their hands dirty (or in this case, cold!) and shaping the ice cream.
2. It teaches patience: The waiting between freezing stages teaches kids that good things come to those who wait.
3. It’s a conversation starter: When we serve these to guests, it always gets people talking and laughing.
4. It’s budget-friendly: Using ingredients you likely already have at home makes this an affordable activity.
5. It’s customizable: Everyone can make their own variation with different flavors or coatings.

The Origin Story

This fun dessert trend appears to have originated as a creative take on traditional fried ice cream. Some credit it to Goldbelly’s “Life Raft Treats,” which created a similar product that went viral. Since then, home cooks everywhere have been creating their own versions.

I love that this recipe is a much more affordable homemade version of something you might otherwise order online for a premium price!

Final Thoughts

Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream is one of those recipes that proves cooking can be fun, creative, and a little bit silly. It’s perfect for birthday parties, April Fool’s Day treats, or just a random weekend activity with the kids. The combination of creamy ice cream, crunchy coating, and the sweet candy “bone” creates a textural experience that’s truly delightful.

My girls and I had an absolute blast making these, and the looks on their friends’ faces when we served them was priceless! “Wait, is that chicken or ice cream?” is exactly the reaction you want.

So go ahead, gather your ingredients, clear some space in your freezer, and prepare for a fun-filled afternoon making these wacky and wonderful Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream treats. I promise they’ll be the talk of your next gathering!

Have you tried making these or any similar novelty desserts? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below! And if you make these, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your creations!

Happy not-frying!