Name: Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Cuisine: Coffee
Ingredients: ½ cup instant coffee; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup water

If you’re obsessed with coffee and crave something cold, creamy, and oh-so-trendy, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream! This delightful treat takes the frothy, cloud-like magic of dalgona coffee and transforms it into a scoopable, deeply satisfying frozen dessert—perfect for hot days or anytime you want a caffeinated pick-me-up.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Five-Minute Magic: With just three staple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream in minutes—no ice cream maker or complicated steps required.
Intense Coffee Flavor: The instant coffee delivers a bold, satisfying taste that true coffee lovers will absolutely swoon over in every spoonful.
Fluffy, Dreamy Texture: Dalgona-style whipping gives this frozen treat a light, mousse-like consistency—so it’s still pillowy and irresistible straight from the freezer.
Impressively Instagrammable: This viral sensation looks as good as it tastes, whether you’re serving it at a brunch or treating yourself after dinner.

Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just three simple ingredients, you’ll be amazed at the transformation from humble pantry staples to a show-stopping frozen dessert. Each one plays a unique—and absolutely necessary—role in achieving that signature Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream flavor and texture.

Instant Coffee (½ cup, preferably Nescafe freeze dried granules): These granules provide a bold, authentic coffee taste and whip up into billowy peaks for that beloved dalgona fluff.
Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Sugar not only sweetens but also stabilizes the whipped mixture, helping it hold those magical peaks and giving the finished ice cream a luscious, creamy texture.
Water (½ cup): Hot water is the secret that dissolves sugar and coffee instantly, making the mixture smooth and easy to whip into coffee clouds.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream recipe is just the beginning—you can easily adapt it to suit your cravings or dietary needs. Think of this as your foundation for countless delicious experiments!

Mocha Magic: Add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mix before whipping for that classic coffee-chocolate combo.
Vegan Twist: Use coconut sugar for a deep caramel note, or try maple syrup and a dash of dairy-free milk in place of water for a plant-based version.
Spiced Kick: Stir in a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom with the coffee and sugar to give your ice cream a warm, aromatic finish.
Extra Creamy: Fold in a scoop of softly whipped cream before freezing for a richer, more decadent texture.

How to Make Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare the Whipped Coffee “Cloud”

Start by bringing your water to a boil—freshly boiled water dissolves both the sugar and the coffee granules quickly, which is key to that silky, airy texture. Add the hot water, instant coffee, and sugar to a stand mixer bowl (or use a hand mixer with a deep mixing bowl). Whip on high until you get stiff, glossy peaks that almost look like meringue. This magical transformation is what makes dalgona so dreamy!

Step 2: Freeze into Ice Cream

Spoon the whipped coffee mixture carefully into a small airtight container, smoothing the top if you’d like that classic “ice cream parlor” look. Tightly cover the container—this helps prevent freezer burn and keeps everything irresistibly fresh. Pop it in the freezer overnight, or at least 6 hours, and let that fluffy goodness set into a perfectly scoopable treat.

Step 3: Scoop and Serve

When you’re ready to serve, run your ice cream scoop under hot water, shake off any excess, and dig in! The heat makes scooping smooth and easy. Serve your Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream in bowls or cones for the dreamiest caffeinated dessert experience ever.

Pro Tips for Making Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream

Whipping to Stiff Peaks: Don’t stop mixing until your coffee-sugar mixture is thick and forms dramatic, beautiful peaks—this ensures a light, scoopable texture even after freezing.
The Right Coffee: Look for a good quality, freeze-dried instant coffee; it delivers robust flavor and the perfect structure for whipping.
Airtight Containers Matter: Keep your Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream covered tightly in the freezer to lock in flavor and prevent those pesky ice crystals from forming.
Scoop Like a Pro: Dip your scoop in hot water before serving to get gorgeous, smooth domes every time.

How to Serve Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream

Garnishes

Give your ice cream that coffeehouse flourish! Try a dusting of cocoa powder, a scatter of chocolate-covered espresso beans, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a pinch of flaked sea salt to play up the sweet-savory balance. If you love texture, a sprinkle of crushed biscotti or wafer cookies brings delightful crunch.

Side Dishes

This ice cream is a show-stopper on its own, but if you want to create an epic dessert moment, pair it with brownies, a crisp almond tuile, or your favorite buttery shortbread cookies. The sweet, creamy coffee flavor is also fabulous with a simple platter of fresh seasonal berries.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve scoops of Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream in a fancy coupe glass with a chocolate-dipped rim for an Instagram-worthy treat. Or try sandwiching scoops between thin chocolate cookies for the ultimate coffee ice cream sandwich. For a crowd, offer a DIY ice cream bar with assorted toppings and sauces so everyone can make their own coffee creation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream will keep beautifully for up to two weeks in the freezer, as long as it’s tightly sealed to keep those flavors and textures fresh. Be sure to press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the container for extra protection.

Freezing

This recipe absolutely loves cold temperatures! For best results, always let your dalgona mixture set for at least 6 hours (overnight preferred) to ensure it firms up into a creamy, scoopable consistency. If freezing longer, just thaw for a couple of minutes before serving to let the magic happen.

Reheating

Since this is a frozen treat, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended—just let your scoops rest at room temperature for 2–5 minutes after removing from the freezer, and they’ll be perfectly soft and ready to enjoy.

FAQs

Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?

For this recipe, instant coffee is essential because it whips up with sugar and water into the classic dalgona foam—brewed coffee won’t achieve the same fluffy results. Look for freeze-dried instant coffee granules for the very best whip and flavor.
How do I stop ice crystals from forming in my ice cream?

The key is to cover your container tightly and, for extra protection, place plastic wrap directly on the ice cream surface before sealing. This helps prevent air exposure, keeping your Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream smooth and creamy.
Is this recipe very sweet? Can I adjust the sugar?

The sugar is what stabilizes the coffee foam and contributes to texture, so don’t skip it entirely. However, you can try reducing it slightly to taste, or experiment with natural sweeteners like coconut sugar—just keep in mind that changing the ratio will affect the structure.
Do I need an ice cream maker for Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream?

No ice cream maker is needed! All you need is a stand mixer or hand mixer to whip up the dalgona, then you simply freeze it until set—so easy and totally accessible for anyone.

Final Thoughts

If you love coffee and adore easy, crowd-pleasing desserts, you cannot miss making this Frozen Coffee Dalgona Ice Cream. It’s playful, refreshing, and surprisingly simple—a special treat that will win over friends, family, and every coffee lover you know. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked after the very first scoop!