Maybe, just maybe, we discovered the way to have ice cream for breakfast without the guilt - certainly, you can argue that it has wholesome granola surrounding it, and we all know that's breakfast territory. They come together in no time and are a great way to use those bits of leftover ice cream.
These unique truffles are perfect dessert bites you can always have in your freezer. So unique and delicious!
I think you can never have too many summer recipes; you just can’t.
So how about using the leftovers of your favorite ice cream (cheesecake berry ice cream and cinnamon ice cream for me), making them into small truffles and covering them in crunchy granola?
You smiled, didn't you?
I never thought that the word leftover would involve ice cream. Yet here I am.
Steps for making this recipe
- Make ice cream balls the size of walnuts (image above), and freeze them again.
- Have ready plain granola and roll the frozen bites. Make sure the oat mixture sticks as much as you can.
- Freeze them again until you're ready to eat them.
Top tips
- Ice cream: use all those last spoonfuls of ice cream that are left behind. Any flavor will do, literally. Just make sure they are cream-based ice creams (check our easy ice cream recipes), not sorbets; otherwise, they will melt too fast and you won't be able to get the truffle to hold.
- Granola: I use my favorite granola without the added stuff, like almonds, cranberries and the like. Why? Because they are too big to stick to the ice cream truffles.
- Oil: I use olive oil for the granola because I just love that recipe, but you can use regular oil, canola or coconut. The best oil for granola without clumps (which is good for these truffles) is coconut oil. It doesn't clump.
- Freezing: they need to be kept in the freezer, obviously. And you need to take into account the time it takes for you to freeze them after you make them roll in the granola.
Why this recipes works
- Ice cream leftovers are a thing. For some reason, we find our freezers with pots of a few tablespoons worth of this frozen dessert. And just leave them there. Well, here is your answer. Make ice cream granola truffles!
- Granola, you can make it or you can use store-bought. So both ingredients can be in your home at all times and you can be eating these truffles in minutes.
- They're creamy and crunchy and just plain wonderful!
I used leftovers from two of my favorite ice creams: Sweet Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream and Espresso Ice Cream.
But you don't have to go the homemade route, just use your favorite flavor.
This can be labeled a non-recipe recipe, which is a complicated way of saying it's just an idea, or that I just had small amounts of different ice creams in my freezer, was about to make some granola, and started playing around with both ingredients.
And bingo, ice cream granola truffles are born, never to leave my freezer again.
Related recipes you might like:
One last thing
If you made this recipe and loved it, you can comment below and leave a five-star ⭐️ review. Also, if you had issues, let me know so we can troubleshoot together. I appreciate honest feedback and suggestions.
You can also subscribe to our FREE email series 'Baking the Best' and our regular newsletter. Or follow and save my recipes on Pinterest.
Ice Cream Granola Truffles
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy ice cream, any flavor as long as they're cream-based, not water-based (no sorbets)
For the granola:
- 1 ½ cups oats
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup olive oil, see notes
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons dark brown sugar
Instructions
For the granola:
- Preheat oven to 300ºF (120ºC).
- In a large bowl mix oats and coconut.
- In a small saucepan, heat olive oil, maple syrup, and sugar just until dissolved, it doesn’t need to boil.
- Add at once to the oat mixture and mix well with a fork or spoon, making sure it coats everything.
- Spread on a baking sheet (preferably with 1-2 inch borders) and bake for 40-45 minutes or so, moving it every 15 minutes, so it bakes evenly.
- It will feel wet, but after that time it will be golden, and some parts will be dried.
- Granola hardens as it dries, but if it’s still too wet leave it for 10 more minutes.
- Take it out of the oven, and let it cool, moving it around at first so it doesn’t clump. Break down as many clumps as you can as they will not stick well to the ice cream.
- Or you can crush them with a rolling pin later before you coat your truffles.
- Keep in jars with tight lids.
To make the truffles:
- Scoop portions of ice cream (I use a melon baller but a very small ice cream scoop works too, of course) and quickly form them into little balls with your palms.
- Put them on parchment paper or aluminum foil, or a baking tray and freeze the plain truffles again for 3 or 4 hours, or until they are solid hard.
- You can keep them frozen for weeks before coating them with the granola, but make sure you put them inside a covered container, separated in rows with parchment paper.
- Put the cold granola on a plate, wooden board or shallow bowl, and roll the ice cream ball in it, making sure they are well coated. You might need to adhere it with your hands.
- Eat immediately.
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Paula, these look like the perfect little treats to enjoy on Labor Day weekend (or any other day of the week or month) - fun idea, Paula!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
You know what they say right...guilt is the mother of invention?! 🙂 At any rate, these sound wonderful!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I am totally on board with the addition of granola making ice cream perfectly acceptable for breakfast!
Mary Callan says
It just shows - sometimes the best "recipes" require very little - simply delicious!
Mary x
Beth says
Your granola truffles are so pretty! And I have to admit that I've already clicked on that caramelized fruit recipe. It looks amazing too!
Kathya Rodriguez says
This are so cute, looks refreshing and good
Chef Di says
I LOVE this idea, and they are so pretty... and feel far less guilty to eat than out of the carton with a big spoon, like I tend to when the craving hits!!! 🙂
Cocoa and Lavender says
Paula - you are so incredibly creative! You do wonderful things that no one would ever think of! And it is brilliant to consider these breakfast treats. Amazing. Happy breakfasting! ~ David
Katy says
You had me at ice-cream for breakfast! Ice cream granola truffles are an inspired idea!
Stacy says
What a great idea! Such a delicious and tidy way to serve ice cream, Paula. I love your combination of flavors as well.
Shannon R says
What a neat idea. I have a lot of ice cream in the house...looks like I know what I'll be making!
Sarah Reid says
How smart of you to make a Summer friendly truffle!
Deb says
A batch in the freezer at all times! They probably wouldn't last too long! What a scrumptious treat!
Renee says
Brilliant Paula. Simple, tasty, and such a great little treat when you want just a bite and not a whole bowl of ice cream.
Laura Dembowski says
These are an awesome idea, Paula! Perfect for Labor Day!
german in pdx says
This is the perfect idea - ice cream truffles and using granola. Perfect breakfast food, I absolutely agree ~ Bea @ The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
cquek says
interesting,,, i love to have that right now.
Liz Berg says
I love non-recipe recipes!!! And these would be great to have parked in the freezer for company 🙂
Foodie Stuntman says
Thank you for participating this week! This is a very creative use of granola. Thanks for sharing it.
The Ninja Baker says
Thank you, indeed, dear Paula for granting permission to imbibe in ice cream for breakfast! Very smart of you to assemble these gems with your top of the line blackberry cheesecake and brown sugar delights =)