It’s probably the best news you’ll hear this summer: Yes, you can eat ice cream for breakfast. It’s no longer just an impossible childhood dream. A scientific study, some social media attention, and a clever new kitchen appliance have turned everyone’s favorite summer dessert into a breakfast trend that’s delighting kids and adults alike.
Mixing childhood dreams with indulgence, this trend shakes up breakfast and adds a touch of fun to the usual morning routine. Whether it’s a weekend treat or an everyday delight, ice cream for breakfast makes mornings much more enjoyable.
The creation of a phenomenon
The trend gained attention a few years ago, when a Japanese study found that people who ate ice cream first thing in the morning showed signs of reduced stress and increased alertness. Ice cream lovers around the world were eager to learn about the news, even though news outlets were unable to verify the study or its results. Still, fans of the frozen treat found the rumors newsworthy enough to change their morning meal.
Then, in 2021, the Ninja Creami ice cream maker hit the market and instantly became a social media darling. The blender-sized appliance claims to quickly transform just about anything into creamy, smooth frozen custard. Add your frozen ingredients—from milk, cream, and sugar to fruit, non-dairy milk alternatives, natural sweeteners, no- or low-calorie sweeteners, protein powder, flavor extract, chocolate, nut butter, and more—press a button and watch it transform into ice cream before your eyes.
The gentle influence of social networks
Then along comes TikTok, the social media platform with a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. From Dalgona coffee to ready-to-grill quesadillas, the platform has a proven track record of turning simple culinary creations into global phenomena. Now, it’s ice cream’s turn to shine—at the breakfast table.
Try searching for “breakfast ice cream” on TikTok. You’ll get an endless stream of videos on how to make Ninja Creami concoctions ranging from rich and indulgent to low-carb, high-protein, sugar-free, and other healthy mixes fit for the most important meal of the day.
From unknown TikTok users to well-known social media influencers like Dylan Lamay and Alexis Frost, it seems like everyone on the internet is enjoying a bowl of sweet, creamy ice cream for breakfast. Even former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has openly shared her love of ice cream as she starts her day.
“I eat it for breakfast,” Nancy Pelosi told Ruthie Rogers on her podcast Ruthie’s Table 4. “It’s a great way to start the day. I don’t eat it every day, but I eat it often.” If celebrities like these are starting their day with a scoop of ice cream, you know it’s a trend with some serious oomph.
Sweet breakfasts are nothing new
Sweet breakfasts are nothing new. In the United States, French toast and waffles are drizzled with maple syrup. In France, pastries like pain au chocolat are breakfast staples. In Thailand, breakfast consists of sweet sticky rice drizzled with sweetened condensed milk, and in Japan, you’ll find fluffy, sweetened soufflé pancakes. So while ice cream for breakfast may seem revolutionary, it’s actually a delicious twist on a long-standing global tradition.
The market for breakfast-worthy frozen treats is booming
Luckily for ice cream lovers looking to indulge in a healthy yet indulgent breakfast, the supermarket freezer is full of options. You’ll find products that cut down on fat, calories, and sugar. Some offer significant doses of protein and other nutrients, and many are dairy-free and vegan.
Halo Top makes dairy-based ice creams that are low in calories and high in protein. Arctic Zero offers a similar product that is dairy-free. Famous for its rich yogurts and healthy overnight oats, Noosa now offers probiotic-enriched frozen yogurt ice creams.
Good for the mind
While the nutritional value of ice cream is up for debate, there’s no doubt that indulging in a favorite treat every now and then can have a big, even short-term, positive impact on your mood. According to Rupa Health, indulgences release feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that increase happiness and reduce stress levels. So that morning scoop of ice cream might be just the pick-me-up you need.
Rachel Engelhart, a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating coach, tells The Healthy that she advises her clients to fill their plates with nutritious foods, but also to allow themselves to enjoy favorite treats like ice cream or chocolate in moderation.
“Many of my clients are hard on themselves and often judge their food choices, which negatively impacts their mood,” she says. “Perfecting our day with a delicious coffee, a delicious dessert, or one of our favorite restaurant meals is also an important way to positively impact our mental health.”
The future of breakfast is now
The breakfast ice cream trend is shaking up the industry. Ice cream makers across the U.S. are creating new breakfast-themed flavors to meet consumer demand. Ample Hills Creamery offers a Parisian morning flavor: croissant-infused ice cream with raspberry jam swirls. Their Buzzing’ in Brooklyn flavor features coffee ice cream studded with cinnamon roll pieces and espresso caramel bits. San Francisco-based Humphry Slocombe, known for their cheeky naming style, doesn’t disappoint with a cornflakes and bourbon-infused flavor called Secret Breakfast.
Baskin Robbins recently launched a flavor called “Breakfast in Bed,” which features maple syrup and pancake ice cream mixed with fluffy pancake pieces and ribbons of blueberry compote. And supermarket brand Blue Bell’s I Heart cereal flavor features fruity cereal-infused ice cream with confetti sprinkles and sugar-coated fruit cereal pieces.
If you want to make your own ice cream for breakfast, the internet is full of recipes for classic custard ice cream, no-churn ice cream, and healthy Ninja Creami recipes. Find the one that suits your morning mood.
Breakfast balls are here to stay
The ice cream breakfast trend is gaining traction, but it’s clear that it’s not just a summer trend. With innovative devices like the Ninja Creami, the viral influence of social media, and a growing market for healthy frozen treats, our morning routines are undergoing a delicious transformation. So when breakfast time rolls around, why not indulge in a scoop of sweet, creamy, cold joy? After all, who says you can’t start with dessert?
Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks, including the bestsellers Campfire Cuisine, Ramen Obsession, and Ramen for Beginners. A food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer, she is the creator of the food blog All Ways Delicious, where she shares easy recipes for the best dishes from around the world.
