Ice cream nachos are the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors in one delicious and Instagram-worthy dish. This unique dessert is made by topping tortilla chips with scoops of ice cream, fruit, sauces, candies, and other creative toppings. The contrast of the crispy tortilla chips with the cold, creamy ice cream is simply amazing. Whilst I love tortilla chips, I like to make my version with a waffle cone (as I love keeping it sweet!). Keep reading to learn all about the history of ice cream nachos, how to make them at home, fun topping ideas, and where to find the best ice cream nachos near you!
A Brief History of Ice Cream Nachos
While ice cream nachos may seem like a modern invention, this creative dessert actually has its roots going back decades. The exact origins are unclear, but ice cream nachos seem to have first become popular at baseball stadiums and amusement parks in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Vendors at baseball stadiums came up with the idea as a way to sell more ice cream and capitalize on the popularity of nachos served at concession stands. Amusement parks also started offering ice cream nachos as a fun, sharable snack for families strolling the midway.
The very first restaurant known to put ice cream nachos on their menu was San Francisco’s Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos in 1995. Their signature “Francisco’s Special” combined tortilla chips with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.
As the famous dessert started garnering attention on social media in recent years, ice cream nachos have become more and more mainstream. Today, you can find ice cream nachos at minor league baseball parks, theme parks, state fairs, restaurants, ice cream shops, and even specialty nacho restaurants across the country.
How to Make Ice Cream Nachos at Home
Making epic ice cream nachos at home is easy and doesn’t require any special skills or equipment. All you need are waffle cones, your ice cream of choice, and toppings such as fruit, candy pieces, cookies, syrups, whipped cream, etc.
Pro Tips:
- Work quickly so the ice cream doesn’t melt into a messy soup with soggy waffle cones.
- Spread a layer of plastic wrap or wax paper on the plate or bowl first for easy cleanup.
- Allow 2-4 scoops of ice cream per serving depending on size.
- Get creative with the ice cream flavors too – cookies and cream, mint chip, etc.
The crunchy waffle cone pieces add a fun new twist to classic ice cream nachos. Be sure to top them while the ice cream is still firm and cold for the best texture contrast. Get creative with your favorite fruits, candies, cookies, and sauces to make these ice cream nachos truly Instagram-worthy!
Fun Topping Combinations for Ice Cream Nachos
The beauty of ice cream nachos is that you can top them with just about anything you want! Here are some delicious ideas to inspire your own flavor combinations:
The Classic – Vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles
S’mores – Chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, crushed graham crackers
Tropical – Strawberry or pineapple ice cream, diced mango, pineapple, shredded coconut
Apple Pie – Vanilla ice cream, chopped apples, caramel sauce, cinnamon crumbles
Mint Chocolate Chip – Mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate sauce, Andes mints
Peanut Butter Lover’s – Chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cups, peanut butter sauce
Candy Shop – Vanilla ice cream, chopped candy bars like Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&Ms
Birthday Cake – Cake batter ice cream, rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream, maraschino cherry
Salty and Sweet – Chocolate ice cream, pretzels, caramel sauce, sea salt
Cookie Dough Lover’s Dream – Vanilla ice cream, cookie dough chunks, chocolate chips
The combinations are infinite – get creative and try new flavors! Just remember to include a variety of textures with crunchy candies and cookies along with sauces and fruits. The more colorful your nachos, the better they will look on social media too!
Where to Find the Best Ice Cream Nachos
While homemade ice cream nachos are delicious, sometimes you want to leave the work to the experts. Ice cream shops, restaurants, baseball stadiums, and theme parks are serving up loaded and outrageous nachos that are worth seeking out. Here are some of the most Instagram-famous spots to try ice cream nachos:
- Little Man Ice Cream, Denver CO – This ice cream shop is famous for enormous nachos piled high with toppings like cookies, cotton candy, and giant nougat bars along with their homemade ice cream.
- Milkjam Creamery, Nashville TN – Over-the-top ice cream nacho combinations include Toffee Crunch with Heath Bar pieces and salted caramel as well as Southern Peach Cobbler loaded with peach ice cream and fresh peach slices.
- Coolhaus, Los Angeles CA and New York NY – This trendsetting ice cream sandwich shop makes ice cream nachos both sweet and savory. Try the BBQ Brisket nachos topped with smoked brisket.
- State Fairs – Part of the fun of state fairs are the wacky fried foods, and ice cream nachos have become a popular new treat. The Iowa State Fair and Ohio State Fair are leading the way with combos like s’mores nachos and buckeye nachos.
- Baseball Stadiums – Catch an MLB or Minor League Baseball game and you’ll likely find ice cream nachos in the concession stands. Ballparks like Comerica Park, Coors Field, and Nationals Park feature extravagant nachos.
Where have you tried the most insane ice cream nachos? Tag the location on Instagram and keep the ice cream nacho trend going strong! Just be ready for a major sugar rush when you dig into these impressive mountains of ice cream, candy, fruit, and more. Ice cream nachos truly have to be seen (and eaten) to be believed!
Ice Cream Nachos
Ingredients
- 4 waffle cones crushed into pieces
- 2 cups ice cream
- 1 cup assorted toppings
Instructions
- Break waffle cones into bite-sized pieces. You can break them apart with your hands or put them in a plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin.
- Scoop small balls of ice cream into the bottom of a bowl or platter. Use ice cream that is slightly softened but not completely melted. Popular ice cream choices are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, but get creative!
- Add the crushed waffle cone pieces on top of the ice cream scoops.
- Top with desired toppings: Fresh fruit, crushed candy bars, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, etc.
- Serve immediately while the ice cream is still cold and firm. Enjoy your custom ice cream nachos creations and come up with new combinations.