How to Make Nugget Ice Without a Machine (Is It Even Possible?)

Love chewable nugget ice but don’t have a machine? Here are the best DIY hacks to make Sonic-style ice at home — no fancy appliance required.

I get it — not everyone wants to spend $300 on a nugget ice maker. But if you’ve ever tasted that soft, chewy Sonic-style ice, you know it’s hard to go back to regular cubes. That leads to the obvious question: Can you make nugget ice without a machine?

Short answer: Not exactly.
But good news: You can get pretty close with some clever home hacks.

Here are the best DIY ways to make nugget ice at home — even if you’re working with nothing more than a freezer and a few basic tools.

What Makes Nugget Ice Unique?

Before we get into the methods, it helps to understand what makes nugget ice different. Nugget ice isn’t just small ice chunks — it’s made by compressing flaked ice into soft pellets. The result is light, airy, chewable ice that holds its shape but breaks apart easily when you bite it.

Regular crushed ice? Hard.
Nugget ice? Cloud-like crunch.

Method 1: The Blender Crushed Ice Hack (Not Quite Nugget, But Close)

If you’ve got a high-powered blender or food processor, you can crush regular ice cubes until they’re broken into small, uneven shards. It’s not true nugget ice, but it’s closer in size and texture than full cubes.

How to do it:

Add a handful of ice cubes to your blender
Pulse in short bursts — don’t over-blend
Pour the crushed ice into a cloth or towel and gently press to remove excess water
Serve immediately

Pro tip: Use boiled and cooled water to get clearer, softer ice.

Method 2: The Silicone Ice Tray + Rolling Pin Technique

You can also make mini ice cubes using silicone trays (especially pebble-style trays). Once frozen, place the ice in a clean towel and gently break it down with a rolling pin or mallet.

It takes a little elbow grease, but the texture ends up softer than standard cubes — especially if you let them sit for a few minutes before serving.

Here’s a pebble-style ice mold that works great

Method 3: DIY Ice Flakes Using a Slushy Machine or Shaver

If you happen to own a slushie machine or manual ice shaver, you can use it to create flaked ice. Then, place the flakes in a mold or press them together in a chilled container to simulate the compressed feel of nugget ice.

It’s a longer process, but the result gets really close to real pellet ice — especially if you use filtered water.

Method 4: The Towel Wrap + Freezer Method

This is one of the oldest hacks out there, and while it’s not nugget ice, it gives you softer, breakable chunks of ice.

How to do it:

Fill a zip-top bag with water
Wrap it in a dish towel
Freeze it for 2–3 hours (before it hardens fully)
Break it into chunks using the towel

You get soft, frosty, almost snow-like ice chunks — and honestly, it chews pretty well.

Why These Hacks Aren’t Perfect

Let’s be real: none of these methods can match a true nugget ice maker. Why? Because real nugget ice is made using a machine that compresses flakes using a metal auger under pressure. That’s something your kitchen tools can’t fully replicate.

But if you’re looking for a temporary solution, these DIY hacks do the trick — especially for iced coffee, sodas, or cocktails.

When You’re Ready… Here’s What to Buy

Once you’re hooked on that soft crunch (and trust me, you will be), it might be time to invest in the real thing. Here are a few home nugget ice makers that deliver:

1. Silonn Nugget Ice Maker

33 lbs/day
Compact + quiet
View on Amazon

2. GE Opal 2.0

Premium model with Wi-Fi
Real Sonic-style texture
View on Amazon

Close Enough (Until You Go All-In)

While you can’t get perfect nugget ice without a machine, these DIY methods can get you close enough to satisfy the craving — at least for now. And when you’re ready to upgrade, it’s one of the best small luxuries you’ll ever invest in.

Until then, grab your blender, your rolling pin, or your silicone trays… and make the best of it. Your ice game just leveled up.

Can You Use a Portable Ice Crusher?

If you don’t have a blender, a manual or electric ice crusher can be a solid middle ground. These gadgets are usually used for cocktails or snow cones, but if you crush the ice gently and don’t overdo it, you’ll end up with soft, chewable bits that are way better than full cubes. It’s not perfect nugget ice, but it’s easy to use and doesn’t cost much.

Why Filtered Water Changes Everything

No matter which DIY method you use, filtered or distilled water makes a huge difference. Not only does it improve the taste, but it creates softer, clearer ice that’s easier to chew and work with. Tap water with minerals tends to form cloudy, hard ice that cracks more than crushes — and that’s the opposite of what we want.

Get Your Kids Involved for Fun Summer Drinks

Making DIY nugget-style ice can actually be a fun kitchen activity — especially for kids. Let them help with the blender or ice tray method, then pour over fruit punch or lemonade. Add some paper straws and a slice of fruit, and suddenly your homemade Sonic-style drink becomes the hit of summer. Bonus: it keeps them away from soda and makes hydration fun.

Storage Tips for DIY Ice

If you go through the effort of making a batch of DIY nugget-style ice, you don’t want it to melt or fuse into one frozen lump. I recommend storing it in a small insulated cooler or ice bucket with a lid. Just avoid tossing it into your freezer unless it’s spread out — otherwise, you’ll end up with a brick of ice you can’t use.

Best Drinks for DIY Nugget Ice

Once you’ve got your ice, the real fun begins. Nugget-style ice is perfect for:

Iced coffee
Sodas and sparkling water
Mocktails or cocktails
Fresh-squeezed juices
Hydration drinks like Liquid IV or Gatorade

Basically, anything cold and refreshing gets better when it’s poured over chewable ice. It just hits different.

The Ice Texture Test

Here’s how you know if your DIY method worked: scoop a handful and squeeze. If the ice compresses slightly in your hand, kind of like snow, and breaks apart easily when you bite it — you’re close to real nugget ice. If it’s hard and sharp, you may need to soften it by letting it sit out a few minutes before serving.

You Might End Up Wanting the Real Thing Anyway

Let’s be honest — once you get used to the idea of chewy, delicious ice at home, you’ll probably end up wanting a nugget ice machine anyway. And that’s okay. Many of us start with hacks, but after a few parties or daily iced coffees, the upgrade becomes worth it. It’s one of those “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” purchases.

How to Make Nugget Ice Without a Machine (Is It Even Possible?)