People Are Putting This Savory Ingredient on Their Ice Cream—And We’re Sold

On this week’s episode of TikTok dessert trends: Ice cream has a new love interest. And, are you ready for the shocking twist? It’s savory.

This “elite combination” has circulated several times on social media platforms, but Dua Lipa sharing her love for the sweet and salty treat ignited the dialogue all over again. And, funnily enough, no matter how many times this simple dessert hack trends on social media, it always leaves the internet divided, either with utter delight or total disgust. 

Creators have called the combo “magical,” “mind-blowingly good,” and downright “crave-worthy.” At the same time, some people just don’t get it at all, saying it looks disgusting and like a waste of perfectly good ice cream. “I feel like this is a prank and everyone is in on it,” said one user.

We’ve never shied away from savory condiments on ice cream before, and we certainly won’t start now. So without further ado, let us introduce you to the ice cream craze that has the internet buzzing.

The Olive Oil on Vanilla Ice Cream Trend

Drizzling “good” olive oil on vanilla ice cream and topping it off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes the standard frozen treat to new and incredible heights. “It's like discovering ice cream for the first time all over again,” raved one TikTok commenter. 

Why does it work? It's simple: salty-sweet can't be beat! But to delve into it even further, there’s a reason this unexpected mash-up works so well. 

It’s a delicious, tongue-coating duo of fats, but instead of tasting too rich and heavy on the palate, the spicy, fruity notes of the olive oil make it feel bright, lively, and balanced. Meanwhile, the sea salt intensifies the sweetness of the ice cream and adds a crunchy bit of intrigue to the bite. It’s simultaneously light and indulgent, and it gives your average ice cream an instant gourmet upgrade. 

If you’ve ever had an olive oil cake, olive oil cookies, or olive oil brownies you know exactly what olive oil in desserts can do. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try.

Tips for Trying This Trend 

Dish out a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream, and grab that extra-flavorful olive oil from the pantry you’d never dare to cook with. The higher quality the oil, the tastier the dish, so now is the time to pull out that bottle gifted to you over the holidays that you haven’t known what do with.

Next, the flaky salt. The fatter and flakier the crystals, the better (something like Maldon). They’ll deliver both a satisfying crunch and a not-too-concentrated salt flavor. 

Now, you’re just a drizzle and a light sprinkle away from a chef-level dessert. 

Interested in exploring more ice cream toppings that lean into the savory side? Try an aged balsamic vinegar drizzle, freshly-brewed espresso finish, or—for the bold—a sprinkling of chili crisp.