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Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with Ice Cream? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Serve Ice Cream alongside Apple Pie, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Mixed Fruit Bowl, Sourdough Waffles, and Chocolate Cake.

Apple Pie Ice cream and fruits go hand in hand, no whichever way you have them.

For a lighter option, try Chocolate Cake. Chocolate Cake

Cakes and ice cream are also a classic pairing, and you can choose a variety of flavors.

Ice cream is a sweetened frozen food that people usually eat as a dessert or snack.

The simple recipe contains milk or cream, sweetener, and a spice.

You can also get ice creams in many flavors these days.

It's delicious food, but you can enjoy ice cream with plenty of other foods.

So, what to serve with ice cream if you plan to include it in your party menu?

There are plenty of items that you can serve with ice cream, so don't go anywhere.

We will list the seven best items you can enjoy with the dessert, so check them out below.

Table of Contents

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  • 7 Perfect Accompaniments for Ice Cream
    • 1 - Apple Pie
    • 2 - Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
    • 3 - Mixed Fruit Bowl
    • 4 - Sourdough Waffles
    • 5 - Chocolate Cake
    • 6 - Toasted Nuts
    • 7 - Pancakes
  • Frequently Asked Questions

7 Perfect Accompaniments for Ice Cream

You have plenty of options to serve with ice cream for yourself or at a gathering - pistachio ice cream side suggestions.

Take a look at the following and enjoy them.

1 - Apple Pie

apple pie Save for Later!

Ice cream and fruits go hand in hand, no whichever way you have them.

So we added apple pie to the list.

It's a popular treat in many places, and some topping ingredients can vary depending on the place.

Imagine biting into a crunchy crust and the juicy and soft filling inside the pie, and you know you have tasted heaven.

It has a sweet and tart flavor and combines nicely with the cold and creamy ice cream.

Apples come in different colors, and their taste and texture vary too - apple butter side dish ideas for pairing.

While all have similar nutritional content, only some are good for making pies.

Varieties like Braeburn, Pink Pearl, Crips Pink, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Cripps Pink are ideal for making pies, so choose one.

2 - Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

oatmeal raisin cookies Save for Later!

Ice cream tastes terrific with cookies, too, and there are plenty to choose from.

Oatmeal raisin cookies are delicious, and you can quickly make plenty in large batches.

The cookies usually contain oats, sugar, raisins, and dough.

You can use rolled or quick oats to make yummy snacks.

For sweetener, use brown and white sugar in equal parts to get crispy edges and a juicy and chewy texture inside.

Oats are also life-prolonging, health-boosting, and an all-round superfood - baked oatmeal side pairings and uses.

Hence, using the ingredient for making cookies can be a healthy addition to your diet.

3 - Mixed Fruit Bowl

mixed fruit bowl Save for Later!

When serving ice cream, a bowl of mixed fruits can be a suitable accompaniment.

This dish is one of the simplest to make because you can make it with any combination of fruits.

The fruit bowl contains a mixture of fresh fruits, so you can choose whichever fruits are available.

You can create a dish using a few or several varieties, depending on your preference.

To make your fruit bowl even more attractive, you can select fruits with different colors.

Kiwi, pineapple, orange, grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and watermelon are some colorful fruits you can use for the dish.

Add a little honey and lime juice and mix to get that sweet and tangy flavor when you pop a piece of fruit into your mouth.

If passion fruit is not available for the fruit bowl, passion fruit substitute suggestions and alternatives list good stand-ins.

4 - Sourdough Waffles

sourdough waffles Save for Later!

Ice cream and waffles are also a great combo, and you'll never get tired of eating them.

If you haven't eaten them together, now is the chance; we also guarantee that your guests will enjoy them together.

If you don't have much time to spare, you can buy readymade waffles.

However, you'll have more satisfaction if you make the waffles from scratch.

You can also experiment with ingredients like chocolate chips, crushed nuts, and fresh fruits for that added sweetness.

One tip to keep in mind if you plan to serve waffles to a crowd is to keep them warm before serving.

You can do this by preheating the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and placing the waffles on one of the racks.

Serve directly when it's time.

For fans of tangy, fermented flavors, sourdough bread side ideas and pairings show complementary bites that work with sourdough-based waffles.

5 - Chocolate Cake

chocolate cake Save for Later!

Cakes and ice cream are also a classic pairing, and you can choose a variety of flavors.

If your ice cream is vanilla-flavored, a chocolate cake can be a suitable side dish - chocolate cake side pairings and tips.

Everyone prefers something different, but chocolate cake is a popular flavor with both grownups and kids.

So, it will be a hit if you serve it alongside ice cream.

Unlike some other types, chocolate cake isn't that hard to make.

You can even make a spongy version, as it's even simpler.

The ingredients include all-purpose flour (keep extra for dusting), granulated sugar, cocoa powder (unsweetened), eggs, vanilla extract, and fine salt.

The outcome will be a delicious spongy cake ready to go with ice cream.

6 - Toasted Nuts

toasted nuts Save for Later!

Ice cream and nuts combine pretty well too.

So, a bowl of toasted nuts will be a fine addition to your menu.

Everyone can just grab a handful and enjoy them with the ice cream.

Some of your guests may even top their ice cream with nuts and have them simultaneously.

You can select different varieties of nuts and mix them or keep separate bowls for each type.

Cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts are some varieties you can include - Brazil nut substitute options and alternatives when needed.

Nuts are tasty, convenient, and a very popular food.

You just have to toast them and place them on the food table, and those who want can have them.

7 - Pancakes

pancakes Save for Later!

They're simple, but ice cream and pancakes make a great team.

Also, everyone loves pancakes, so you won't go wrong if you serve them with the ice cream.

You can make pancakes with several flour types if you don't have all-purpose flour.

These include oat, gluten-free, brown rice, corn, buckwheat, and whole wheat flour.

Choose toppings like raspberries, chocolate chips, walnuts, and blueberries to improve the flavors.

Pancakes are a great source of energy as they have carbs.

So, everyone will get to fill up their belly and stay energized.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for Ice Cream?

Apple Pie Ice cream and fruits go hand in hand, no whichever way you have them. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Ice cream tastes terrific with cookies, too, and there are plenty to choose from.

Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

What side adds the most nutritional balance?

A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. This side dish is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.

Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.

Is a starchy side necessary?

Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.

Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.

What is the best side when short on time?

Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.

strawberry ice cream side pairings match many summer menus. peach ice cream side suggestions offer fruity complements for similar occasions.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

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Andrew Gray - GustoMeadow founder

Hi, I'm Andrew

Food Writer & Recipe Developer

Restaurant industry veteran sharing real recipes, honest substitutes, and tips that actually work in a home kitchen.

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