Before you begin making homemade popsicles for and with your little ones, you'll first need to choose what kind you want to make! When it comes to popsicles, there are several different kinds out there. While the flavor combinations are virtually endless, you'll also have to make a choice in which type of texture you'd like; icy or creamy. Yogurt and coconut milk are great bases for creamy pops, while a fresh fruit puree is ideal for making fruity popsicles. Once you've chosen which type of popsicle you'd like to make, there are a few basic popsicles making steps to consider to make sure your children's popsicle making adventure is a success.
Healthy Homemade Popsicle Making: The Basics
Step 1: Pick a Flavor
Now that you've chosen either fruity or creamy, it's time to decide how you'll be flavoring your popsicle. When it comes to fruity popsicles, ripe or slightly overripe fruit produces the sweetest flavor. Now, if you don't have any overripe fruit on hand, don't worry! You can always ramp up the sweetness of a summer popsicle recipe by adding a touch of honey, agave, maple syrup or another processed sugar alternative. It's also important to note that once your popsicle is frozen, the flavor will become less intense. That being, you'll want your popsicle puree a pinch sweeter than you would typically consider.If you've chosen to make a creamy popsicle, you can use a few different bases, the most popular being yogurt, Greek yogurt and full-fat coconut milk. While yogurt will give you a deliciously creamy popsicle, it is not ideal for individuals sensitive to dairy or those who are following a vegan diet. For a dairy-free creamy popsicle base, coconut milk or another milk alternative is the best option. Coconut milk will also add a deliciously tropical taste to your popsicle and taste incredible when blended with most fruits.
Step 2: Choose Your Mold
Now that you have your ideal flavoring picked out, it's time to mold your popsicle! Popsicle molds are easy to find and can be purchased at nearly any grocery market. When purchasing a frame, there are a few things you'll want to consider. Look for a mold that is easy to clean and easy to unmold. These molds yield the best results and are much easier to clean, allowing you to quickly make your next batch of popsicles.Can't seem to find a popsicle mold anywhere? Don't worry. Plenty of household items can be used to create your tasty popsicles. Yogurt containers, ice cube trays and even muffin tins all work well when used as a popsicle mold. Now, if your little one is helping you out in the kitchen, have them help decide what to use as a mold. You'd be surprised at some of the creative ideas they come up with!When placing your popsicle puree into a mold, remember that the mixture will generally expand as it freezes. This being, you must leave space in the top of your mold for the popsicle to fill as it freezes. Additionally, if you're using a homemade popsicle mold and can't get the sticks to stand upright, we recommend covering the top of your frame with aluminum foil and poke the popsicle sticks through that. Doing so will give them the support needed to stand straight on their own.
Step 3: Freeze
Your popsicles are flavored and set in the mold, now its time to freeze your popsicles. Depending on what ingredients you used to create your homemade popsicles, you can expect them to take between 3-8 hours to freeze completely. Thicker popsicles will likely take longer to freeze, whereas fruit and liquid-based popsicles will freeze rather quickly.For soft and creamy popsicles, try turning your freeze as cold as it will go. The quicker your popsicles freeze, the softer they will be!
Step 4: Unmold and Enjoy!
To unmold your popsicles like a pro, simply run the mold under warm water. By holding the bottom of the frame and running the entire mold under warm water for about 10 seconds, your popsicles will unstick from the frame and come out quickly. Serve your popsicles up as a refreshing treat during a long day in the sun, or treat more creamy popsicles as an after-dinner dessert.Remember, when it comes to making homemade popsicles, the flavor depends on you! Popsicles are a dessert that can be customized to your children's taste buds. Plus, if you're adding in extras like whole fruit, chocolate chips or nuts, each popsicle can be different! Have one child who loves nuts and another who hates them? Only add nuts to half of the popsicles molds and viola! You have a bunch of popsicles that both of your children will enjoy.
5 Summer Popsicle Recipes For Kids
To help you stay cool this summer, we've rounded up our top 5 summer popsicle recipes for kids. Each recipe on this list is delicious and incredibly easy to make, meaning that with supervision, your skilled little chefs can make this tasty dessert on their own!
Orange Creamsicle Protein Pops
If you're a fan of popsicles, then you're in luck. There are so many ways to turn these sweet treats into a creamy and refreshing dessert. With the summer days heating up, a popsicle may be just what your kids need to cool down. When it comes to popsicle lovers, it's a pretty even tie between creamy and fruity fans. Those who are following a strict diet often opt for fruit-based options as they tend to be a bit healthier. However, there are plenty of ways you can turn a creamy popsicle treat into a healthy snack. Include your children in the popsicle making process and choose a simple (yet delicious) recipe like these Orange Creamsicle Protein Pops. These tasty popsicles use coconut cream as a naturally sweet base, which makes them entirely dairy-free!Easy-to-make, this recipe uses just four ingredients: Coconut cream, fresh oranges, plant-based protein and maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Just add all the ingredients into the blender and voila! You have the perfect popsicle that your child will enjoy helping make.
Chai Na Na Protein Pops
Is your little one tired of the same ol' fruity popsicles you've been purchasing? If that's the case, it may be time to try a homemade popsicle recipe for kids. And for even more fun, you can let them help make it! Get your kids excited about kitchen time by switching up the popsicle flavors and making something more sophisticated. By swapping the regular strawberry and kiwi flavored pops with a recipe like these Cha Na Na Protein Pops, they'll surely feel like a big kid in the kitchen. A great source of protein, fiber and iron, this popsicle recipe makes it easy to sneak essential nutrients into a sweet dessert. Your kids will love snacking on this refreshing treat and you'll feel great knowing it's made with wholesome, natural ingredients. Plus, this recipe is excellent for children with food allergies, as it's gluten free and vegan!
Blackberry Vanilla Protein Pops
We've talked a lot about creamy popsicles, but what about a delicious popsicle recipe for our fruit lovers? Don't worry! There are tons of healthy, fruity popsicle options for you and your little ones to enjoy. Plus, they're effortless to make. To make healthy homemade popsicles with fruit, you'll first need to pick a fruit! Berries, kiwi and mango are just a few of the delicious fruits we love to use. For an even sweeter popsicle, try using fruit juice instead of fruit or adding in an all-natural sweetener.For a delicious way to stay cool this summer, start with these vibrant and tasty Blackberry Vanilla Protein Pops. Packed full of delicious fresh blackberries, lemon and natural plant-based protein they're easy to make and a recipe your kids will love to help out with.
Raspberry Chocolate Protein Popsicles
Now that we've covered both fruity and creamy popsicles, it's time to talk about combining the two! If you can't decide which kind of popsicle you prefer, then we have the perfect solution. These Raspberry Chocolate Protein Popsicles combine the sweet fruit-filled flavors of raspberries with chocolate for a truly decadent dessert. Free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, it is the perfect recipe to make for kiddos with sensitive stomachs. Simple to make, your little ones will love helping you create this tasty treat.
Vanilla Chocolate Protein Pops
Searching for a recipe that everyone will love? If so, then we suggest going with two of the most loved and classic flavors around; vanilla and chocolate! Just one bite of these Vanilla Chocolate Protein Popsicles will leave your taste buds happy as ever. This popsicle is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings, is a great post-workout treat and the ideal snack for high-energy kids. The vanilla and chocolate swirled layers are delicious and come with a very ample helping of protein. Prepped in less than 10 minutes, they're the perfect treat to make with your kiddos the night before a day in the sun.There you have it! Five of our favorite summer popsicle recipes for your little ones to enjoy. Whether your child's a fan of the fruity Blackberry Vanilla Protein Pops or craving something a bit more creamy like our Orange Creamsicle Protein Pops, there's bound to be a recipe on this list that they'll enjoy. Make your child's kitchen time even more enjoyable by allowing them to get creative and choose they're favorite add-ins and extras to include in their popsicle recipe.