Everyone loves a popsicle on a hot summer day! While some store-bought versions are little more than water, sugar and food coloring, homemade popsicles can be a nutritious and hydrating snack for the whole family. They’re surprisingly easy to make, and can be a great project for kids to get involved in. Just blend your favorite fresh or frozen fruit or combination of fruits, add sweetener if needed, freeze and enjoy! For more adventurous palates, experiment with adding veggies (spinach and cucumber work great!), herbs, or avocado or nut butter for creamier pops with an extra nutrient boost. If you don’t have popsicle molds, ice cube trays, paper cups, small baking or mini muffin tins, or even a loaf pan (just place evenly placed sticks into the partially frozen mixture, then slice into individual pops when fully frozen) will all work too.
Here are some combos we love:
Striped Strawberry and Blueberry Pops:
Puree about 1 pound of strawberries with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and sweetener (if needed) and set aside. Next, puree 12 oz of fresh blueberries with 1 teaspoon of lime juice and sweetener (if needed). Pour about 1 tablespoon of strawberry mixture into each popsicle mold. Freeze until just firm (about 30 minutes). Add 1 tablespoon of the blueberry mixture to each mold. Freeze another 30 minutes. Repeat until molds are filled.
Breakfast Popsicles:
Mix 1 cup of Greek yogurt with 2 teaspoons of honey and 1/3 cup of milk (yogurt should be thick, but pourable. Add more milk if needed). Scoop out about ¼ cup of the yogurt mixture and stir in ½ cup of granola. Pour a spoonful of yogurt into the bottom of each of your molds. Add a spoonful of the granola mixture, and then a spoonful of chopped fruit. Continue layering into molds are filled.
Green Monster Popsicles:
Blend 2 medium bananas, 2 cups of diced pineapple, 2 cups of baby spinach and ½ cup coconut water together until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until solid.
Amanda Buthmann MS, RD is a pediatric and family nutritionist at Lara Metz Nutrition in NYC. For more information contact her at Amanda@larametznutrition.com, or visit www.larametznutrition.com
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