Summer is finally here, it’s hot and many kids are home so what’s a better treat then frozen fruit pops. The best part about these is that they are sugar and dairy free, and so fun to make at home. Your kids can make them, or you can make them for them and know you are giving them a great healthy snack.
Many popsicles that you buy in stores are packed with sugar and artificial dyes. Why is this necessary when you can make these colorful treats with all the fresh fruits in season in just minutes. You can get creative and make striped ones, or different colored popsicles. You can even sneak in some veggies like spinach or carrots with fruit, for extra nutrients.
Get creative and have some fun with these simple frozen fruit pops. Happy Cooking!
Choosing ingredients
Since we are in the midst of summer there are many fruits available that are in season. Eating seasonally is always best, as fruit is picked when ripe and has the most nutrients in them. Also seasonal fruit is usually the cheapest. I try to alway think of eating the rainbow as well to pack in as many nutrients as possible in every bite.
Think of your favorite fruit smoothies or juices when picking flavors and make it look pretty, I think when food is esthetic and colorful it is more appealing. Some of my favorite flavors are strawberry and lemonade, pineapple, orange and banana, mango and strawberry, peach with apricot, mixed berries, strawberry and banana, watermelon and raspberry, strawberry and ginger, lemonade with mint.
When adding veggies try to use similar colors as fruits. For example use spinach with lemon, or kiwi to disguise the veggies and keep color vibrant. For carrots add them to orange and pineapple, and for bell peppers you can add them to a berry mix. When using veggies add about 1/4 -1/2 a cup with the rest of your fruits so that veggie flavor is not overpowering. Don’t forget to use herbs and spices like ginger, peppermint, lavender, etc for added flavor.
What you need?
To make these super simple frozen fruit pops, you only need a few simple things. A blender, food processor or immersion blender to mix up fruit. If you do not have any of these you can mash up fruit with a fork or potato masher, or simply make the clear pops with fruit pieces in it. For those you just slice fruit and pour in lemonade or coconut water.
The next thing you need is a Popsicle mold. There are many types out there. I like this one as it comes with sticks and everything. It is silicone and BPA free, making it easy to pop them out. I also like and have this one because of its shape, more traditional (see photos). Both are great however any mold can work for these frozen fruit pops. Even if you don’t have a mold you can use small paper or plastic disposable cups like these and add Popsicle sticks.
How to make them?
These frozen fruit pops are so simple to make. Basically you need to figure out your flavor, and if you want a frozen smoothie pops or a clear one with fruit pieces.
For frozen smoothie pops you just dump fruit and 1/4 cup water in blender and mix up until smooth. Pour that into mold and freeze.
For clear pops with fruit pieces, you cut up fruit of your choice, place it in molds and pour lemonade or coconut water over it to fill, and freeze.
If you wanted a 2 colors or striped Popsicles you would need to make 2-3 frozen smoothies pop purees in different colors (fruit). For example strawberry, pineapple and orange, and lime and spinach. Then carefully pour in a little at a time alternating flavors to get stripes.
Once they are ready I like to pop them out of molds and wrap them individually with plastic wrap and store them in the freezer, just like the store bought ones. This way it takes up less space in freezer and is quick and easy to pull out when you want a delicious frozen treat.
If you like this recipe and want to learn how to make more delicious healthy treats check out these recipes:
Or check out my website for a free cooking class, and more details on my cookbook here
Recipe: Frozen Fruit Pops
Frozen Fruit Pops
Frozen fruit pops are the easiest and best treat for the summer heat, Sugar and dairy free, vegan snacks that are fun to make!
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups of fruit of your choice - berries, kiwi, pineapple, mango (whatever is in season and you love)
- water, coconut water or lemonade
- For lemonade:
- 2-3 lemons
- 1-3 tsp monk fruit or stevia
- water
Instructions
Option 1 - clear fruit popsicle with fruit piece
- Wash, peel and slice fruit. For berries you can leave whole.
- Choose clear base liquid - either lemonade or coconut water.
- If using lemonade as base, make some in blender with lemons, water and sweetener of choice. I prefer stevia or monk fruit to keep it sugar free. Use 2 lemons for 2 cups of water and about 1-3 tsp of monk fruit or stevia. start with 1 and taste. Add more if needed.
- Place fruit pieces in popsicle mold and pour lemonade or coconut water to fill mold
- Cover and put popsicle sticks and freeze for 3-6 hours
Option 2 - fruit smoothie popsicles
- For a fruit smoothie popsicle simply add 1-2 cups of fruit of your choice to blender with 1/4 cup water and blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into popsicle mold, place sticks and freeze for 3-6 hours.
Once popsicle are ready (either kind) pop them out of molds and wrap each one individually with plastic wrap and store in freezer. Pull out anytime and enjoy a ice cold treat.
Notes
Use silicone or plastic popsicle molds. If you don't have any you could use small plastic cups.
I like to wrap mine when they are ready individually as they are easier to eat and take up less space in freezer.
Some of my favorite flavors are: strawberry and lemonade, pineapple, orange and banana, mango and strawberry, peach with apricot, mixed berries, strawberry and banana, watermelon and raspberry, Think of your favorite smoothie and make it in an ice pop.
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