Healthy Popsicles
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My healthy popsicle recipe is wildly refreshing and made with just 3 base ingredients. Made with no dairy OR refined sugar, I love how easy they are to customize!
While store-bought popsicles are high in artificial ingredients and sugar (or worse, high fructose corn syrup!), my healthy popsicles are quite the opposite. Made with natural fruit juice and honey, the results are every bit as refreshing and flavorful- just ask my family, who polish them off within three days!
I initially wanted these to be fruit-only, but found they were either too sour, too bitter, or too icy to bite into. Through recipe testing, I found that adding a fat (coconut milk) and a sweetener (syrup or honey) ensured each popsicle turned out creamy, smooth, and melt-in-your-mouth.
Table of Contents
Why I love this healthy popsicle recipe
- Over 9 different flavor combinations! The base is orange creamsicle flavored, but you can change it up in a multitude of ways.
- Diet-friendly. These popsicles are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and free of added sugar.
- A great way to sneak in whole foods. I know quite a few picky eaters, and let me tell you, adults AND kids will love these popsicles. You can’t even tell they’re healthy.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Great, easy recipe. I needed something sweet without compromising healthy eating. Thanks!” – Robyn
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into homemade popsicles, along with my kitchen notes. Measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Coconut milk. I strongly recommend using canned coconut milk rather than carton milk. Full-fat coconut milk is best and will make for the creamiest popsicle, but low-fat milk will also work.
- Juice of choice. I used 100% freshly squeezed orange juice for the base, but as you’ll see later, different juices and fruit purees yield different flavors. If you use homemade orange juice, add some of the pulp for an even thicker texture.
- Honey OR maple syrup. To sweeten the popsicles and make them even creamier.
How to make healthy popsicles
Step 1- Blend. In a high-speed blender or food processor, add all the ingredients and blend until smooth.
Step 2- Freeze. Pour the mixture into the 6 popsicle molds and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 3- Serve. Once set, remove from the molds and enjoy.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Make them sweeter. These popsicles are not overly sweet since the fruit juice will add a varying level of sweetness. If you prefer sweeter popsicles, add an extra 2 tablespoons of honey (or maple syrup).
- Run the molds under warm water. Sometimes when I try to remove the popsicle from its mold, it has a tendency to stick. If you’re having trouble, run the mold under warm water until the popsicle releases.
- Swap the coconut milk. If you’re not strictly vegan or don’t need these to be dairy-free, you can swap the coconut milk for half-and-half or heavy cream.
Flavor variations
While I personally love orange popsicles, here are some other fruits you can use for some variety!
- Strawberry. Replace the orange juice with 2 cups of fresh or frozen strawberries.
- Blueberry. Replace the orange juice with 2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Pineapple. Instead of orange use, use 100% unsweetened pineapple juice.
- Watermelon. Sub out 3/4 of the orange juice with fresh watermelon juice, and add some optional crushed mint leaves.
- Lemon. Replace a scant 1/4 cup of the orange juice with lemon juice, and add some optional lemon zest.
- Peach banana. Reduce the coconut milk by 1 cup and add ½ banana and 1 cup of frozen peaches.
- Grape. Replace the orange juice with grape juice.
- Chocolate. Replace the orange juice with unsweetened almond milk and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- Carrot cake. Swap the orange juice with carrot juice and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Storage instructions
To store: Popsicles should always be stored in the freezer in their popsicle mold. This way, they’ll stay good for up to 4 weeks.
✅ Nutrition reviewed
“These healthier popsicles make a smart frozen dessert option. They are naturally sweetened and don’t rely on added sugar or unhealthy fats for flavor.” – Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Healthy Popsicles
Ingredients
- 15 ounces canned coconut milk full fat
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice No added sugar * See notes
- 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- In a high speed blender or food processor, add the coconut milk, orange juice, and honey and blend very well, until smooth.
- Distribute the mixture evenly amongst the 6 popsicle molds and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Once set, remove from the molds and enjoy.
Notes
- Flavor options: See my flavor options list above.
- Leftovers: Keep in the freezer for up to 4 weeks.
Nutrition
More healthy frozen desserts
- Low calorie ice cream– With just 50 calories per scoop and the base made from banana, this is such a simple dessert.
- Cottage cheese ice cream– No, this ice cream won’t taste like cottage cheese. It’s so creamy and protein-packed.
- Cashew milk ice cream– I love using cashews in ice cream because it makes it naturally creamy without needing butter or
- Blender ice cream– A simple blender can turn a smoothie-like mixture into creamy ice cream.
- Protein ice cream– 15 grams per scoop and just 3 ingredients, there’s a reason I make this almost weekly!
Originally published June 2021
Does it need to be coconut milk or can I yuse regular?
Yes, you can Mario 🙂 Cream would be better for richness, though.
Awesome! And thank you.
You are so welcome, Julima- I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe 🙂
Can I use regular milk instead of coconut?
Hi Mario- I addressed this earlier for you, but yes you can 🙂
Great, easy recipe. I needed something sweet without totally throwing healthy eating out the window. Thanks!
Love to hear that, Robyn- I appreciate your kind words!
you and your recipes are awesome i have tried so many of them, keep up the good work