The viral 'watermelon ice cream' trend is the ultimate UK heatwave 'quick fix'

There’s a no-fuss, no-thrills icy sweet treat dominating TikTok feeds right now, and it may be the perfect antidote to the UK heatwave - and you only need two ingredients to get your fix.

Britain continues to experience soaring temperatures, creating baking, sun-kissed evenings designed for beach hangs with disposable barbecues and backyard charcoal cooking with friends and family.

If you’ve got the mains sorted, then you may be on the hunt for a whole foods dessert option that not only tantalises taste buds, but cools you down in the process.

Those flicking through FoodTok (Foodie TikTok) may already be familiar with a trend being dubbed ‘watermelon ice cream’ - and how you can make it without breaking the bank.

“That watermelon ice cream trend is peak lazy summer indulgence. It’s refreshing because it requires zero actual effort,” said one fan.

A second reported: “It's definitely trending hard right now. Whether it lasts as long as the heatwave is another question, but man, that watermelons flavour sounds perfect for a quick fix.”

“I love trying new food trends and the frozen watermelon sorbet made using some Greek yogurt does not disappoint,” a third said.

Another person remarked: “We just tried the viral watermelon ice cream, and oh my goodness, it did not disappoint The whole family loved this one!”

As seen on social media, the viral delicacy is a no-churn ice cream, meaning you don’t need to wait hours to dig into the results.

How to make the viral watermelon ice cream

Good Morning America reported that the most popular technique online is to scoop out half of a watermelon segment so that it resembles a bowl.

Freeze the watermelon overnight before slowly pouring in milk or double cream (heavy cream if you live in the United States).

Using a spoon, scrape out the frozen fruit flesh and mix it directly with the milk. This motion will create a creamy consistency, and you should come out of the motion with a no-churn, watermelon-flavoured frozen treat with no added sugars or nasty preservatives.

If you fancy a dairy-free treat, then some social media content creators have been substituting cream for almond milk. Meanwhile, Lifeway has used kefir in its version!

"Many people in the comment section didn't believe it actually works, but I promise it really does," TikToker Alexa Santon, known for posting videos under her @alexawhatsfordinner moniker, told ABC News.

"It just takes about five minutes of stirring, scraping, and it turns into ice cream like magic. It's creamy, light, refreshing and really fun to make.”

Expert weighs in on the trend

Carly Campbell, a recipe developer, food content creator, and founder of Bite Sized Bash, told FOODbible that there are 'several' food guidelines to keep in mind when re-creating the viral recipe.

"Even though the watermelon rind will not be eaten, wash it thoroughly under running water before cutting it. Do not use soap. A knife can carry bacteria from the outside of the melon into the fruit. Knives, cutting boards, hands, and spoons should also be clean," she explained.

"After cutting a watermelon, it should be kept cold. Fresh-cut melon can allow harmful bacteria to grow quickly when it is left at unsafe temperatures. At home, cut watermelon should be refrigerated at 40°F, or 4°C, or below. It should be refrigerated or frozen as soon as possible rather than left on the counter for a long time."

Campbell continued, reminding eaters that even though the dessert is fruit-based, it still contains dairy, fat, calories and sugar.

"Scraping a hard, frozen watermelon can be difficult, so children should be closely supervised. An adult may need to begin scraping the fruit or allow it to soften for a few minutes first," the expert added.

Alternative ice cream product available in the UK

If you don’t fancy making your own fruity ice cream, then there are suitable alternatives available, including K-food brand Melona’s vegan ice cream bars.

According to popular Instagram account @newfoodspotteruk, mango and melon versions of the treats have been spotted in Iceland, priced at £3 for four.

And good news - we should see more plant-based ice cream products from manufacturer Binggrae in the future.

“We are actively launching plant-based ice cream treats in regions such as Europe, where high nontariff barriers are imposed on dairy products, as a way to break through export barriers,” a representative said.

"We plan to expand overseas sales by broadening the distribution of our plant-based products, including vegan Melona, which is currently sold at Carrefour stores across Europe, and the vegan Bungeo-Samanco [fish-shaped ice cream sandwich], which was launched late last year.”