Why Chefs Are Adding Crisps to Ice Cream This Summer
When it comes to upgrading a bowl of ice cream, most of us reach for chocolate sauce, sprinkles or perhaps a handful of fresh berries.
But what if the secret to making your favourite summer dessert even better was hiding in your snack cupboard?
It might sound unconventional, but chefs are increasingly embracing the sweet-and-salty combination of crisps and ice cream – and once you understand the science behind it, it starts to make perfect sense.
Why Crisps Work So Well with Ice Cream
The success of salted caramel proves that sweet and salty flavours are a winning combination.
Adding crisps introduces another important element: texture.
The creamy smoothness of ice cream is contrasted with the satisfying crunch of crisps, creating a dessert that’s far more interesting than a simple scoop in a bowl. It’s the same principle many restaurants use when adding brittle, toasted nuts or honeycomb to desserts – layering textures to make every mouthful different.
Brits have long experimented with unexpected crisp pairings, from crisp sandwiches to dipping chips into milkshakes, so adding them to ice cream is simply another take on the nation’s love of mixing sweet and savoury flavours.
Which Crisps Should You Use?
If you’re curious enough to give it a go, simplicity is key.
Ready salted crisps are widely considered the best starting point because they enhance the sweetness of the ice cream without competing with it.
Strongly flavoured crisps can quickly overwhelm delicate desserts, so it’s worth saving your favourite cheese and onion or salt and vinegar for another occasion.
Once you’ve mastered the classic combination, you can experiment with thicker-cut crisps for even more crunch.
The Biggest Mistake People Make
Timing makes all the difference.
Don’t scatter the crisps over your dessert until you’re ready to eat it. If they sit on the ice cream for too long, they’ll lose the crisp texture that makes the pairing so enjoyable.
Rather than crushing them into fine crumbs, break them into bite-sized pieces. That way, you’ll get little bursts of crunch throughout every spoonful instead of the crisps disappearing into the ice cream.
The Best Ice Cream Flavours to Pair with Crisps
Vanilla is the obvious choice because its delicate flavour lets the sweet-and-salty contrast take centre stage.
If you’re feeling adventurous, chocolate and salted caramel also work particularly well, creating a dessert that’s rich, indulgent and packed with contrasting textures.
Give It a Gourmet Finish
If you want to take the idea one step further, try this simple combination:
- Four scoops of good-quality vanilla ice cream
- A generous drizzle of caramel sauce
- A handful of lightly crushed ready salted crisps
- A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt (optional)
Serve immediately while the crisps are still crunchy.
Is It Worth Trying?
On paper, crisps and ice cream might sound like one of those internet food trends destined to divide opinion.
But unlike some viral combinations, there’s genuine culinary logic behind it. Sweetness, saltiness and crunch are all proven ways to make desserts feel more satisfying, which explains why chefs have been using similar flavour combinations for years.
Will it replace your favourite ice cream toppings forever? Perhaps not.
But if you’re looking for a simple way to elevate dessert this summer without buying anything fancy, that forgotten packet of ready salted crisps in the cupboard could be exactly what your freezer has been waiting for.
Original expert commentary provided by Sophie Nahmad, Lead Recipe Developer at Gousto.
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