A machine for making and dispensing iced food products such as granitas, slush drinks and the like comprises at least a tank (3) for containing and processing the product to be dispensed, a dispensing tap (4) located on the front of the machine (1) near the bottom of the tank (3), an evaporator (6) of a refrigerating circuit and a stirring element (5) both located inside the tank (3), and a drive unit (11) for driving the stirring element (5) the evaporator (6) has a substantially cylindrical shape, hollow inside the stirring element (5) extends coaxially around the outside of the evaporator (6) and is rotationally driven about the evaporator (6) by the drive unit (11) the latter is housed at least partly inside the evaporator (6) and comprises an electric motor (12), which is preferably a brushless direct current motor, and drive transmission means (18) interposed between the electric motor (12) and the stirring element (5).
