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One of the best parts about summertime for kids are the sweet treats – heck adults too!
Next to jumping into the lake or a water balloon fight, frozen treats were always a refreshing way to cool down. Unfortunately many frozen treats are loaded with added sugar and while some added sugar is certainly fine, it’s nice to find an option that helps you minimize added sugar for your kids.
That’s why I created five easy homemade fruit freeze pops, with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or added sugar, for you to whip up and enjoy all summer long!
Table of Contents
Why You Should Make Homemade Fruit Freeze Pops
As I mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a neon colored freeze pop here and there, but there are many benefits to making these homemade fruit freeze pops for your kids.
Pros of Homemade Fruit Freeze Pops
- You control the ingredients
- No added sugar
- No artificial sweeteners or colors
- Increases fruit intake
- Helps add more fiber
- Hydrates
Cons of Homemade Fruit Freeze Pops
- Takes more time then buying them in the store
- More expensive than a store bought freeze pop (without fruit)
It’s not that you have to replace all your child’s favorite frozen treats with these freeze pops, but try adding these in as an option.
Ingredients for Fruit Freeze Pops
The best part about these freeze pops is not only that they are made with minimal ingredients, but you can customize them based on your favorite fruit and whatever liquid you’d like to use.
Frozen fruit
You can certainly use fresh fruit with these homemade fruit freeze pops, but I prefer the convenience of frozen fruit. Plus frozen fruit is just as great as fresh, if not better as it’s picked and frozen at it’s peak ripeness and doesn’t lose nutrients as it travels to get to your freezer.
You can usually purchase frozen fruit in bulk at any grocery store.
Liquid
Adding a liquid like 100% juice, unsweetened coconut water, milk, or even water helps to thin the freeze pops mixture, making it easier to pour into the pop molds.
While fruit is considered nature’s candy, sometimes it doesn’t match up to the ultra sweet flavor that store bought frozen treats with added sugar provide.
That’s why using 100% juice, like orange, apple, or pineapple juice, can help you sweeten these freeze pops without all the added sugar.
When selecting a juice, make sure it’s 100% juice to avoid the added sugar.
If using coconut water, opt for a variety without added sugar as well.
Equipment for Freeze Pops
The most important piece of equipment for these freeze pops is a good blender.
I personally use the Ninja Master Prep Food Processor Blender with Pitcher. Because it’s a pitcher, it’s perfect for pouring the homemade freeze pops mixture into any mold.
It also comes with a chopper too!
- Blender
- Measuring spoons
- Measure cups
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet – for freezing the freeze pops
Holding a frozen treat can quickly freeze your entire hand. I purchased these popsicle holder sleeves and use them for all the neighborhood kids!
How to make Freeze Pops
Blend frozen fruit and liquid
Add your frozen or fresh fruit along with your liquid of choice to your blender and blend until smooth.
The mixture should be thin enough where it easily pours off a spoon in a stream. If not, simply add a little more liquid until you get the right consistency. This just makes it easier to pour into the mold.
Add to Mold or Tube
Add your fruit freeze pop mixture to whatever mold you have on hand. I went with the disposable ice popsicle freezer tubes, but I’ve also used a reusable silicone popsicle mold too.
You can make these homemade fruit freeze pops into a popsicle using a silicone popsicle mold.
Freeze
When freezing these freeze pops, it’s important to lay them on a flat surface so they freeze evenly. I use a baking sheet to make this easier. Once they’re frozen you can lay them any which way.
Your freeze pops should be frozen in roughly 5 hours, but it’s best to let them freeze overnight.
Variations
As I mentioned, there’s so many different ways you can modify these freeze pops.
All you need is some fruit and enough liquid to make it thin enough to pour into your popsicle mold.
You can even make them adult friendly by adding in rum or your favorite liqueur. Just make sure you label them or keep them out of reach of your kids!
Make one or all of these homemade fruit freeze pops and you just might never buy store bought again!
Strawberry Banana Freeze Pops
- 2 cups Strawberry
- 1 Banana
- 1 ½ cups Orange juice
Tropical Freeze Pops
- 3 cups Tropical fruit
- 1 cup Coconut water
- 6 oz pineapple juice
Kiwi Freeze Pops
If you don’t feel like peeling the kiwi, you can leave the peel on! This is completely safe to do and just adds more fiber!
- 2 cups Kiwi
- 1 banana
- 6 oz Pineapple juice
Blueberry Banana Freeze Pops
Make sure to blend this one up extra long to ensure the skins of the blueberries are blended well.
- 2 cups Blueberries
- 1 Banana
- 1 cup Orange juice
Cherry Berry Freeze Pops
- 3 cups Berries
- 1 ½ cups Orange juice
How Long Does it Take to Freeze Popsicles?
The size, shape, and volume of your popsicle will determine how long it will take for it to freeze.
Typically it will take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours for a standard size popsicle to freeze, but I find that it’s best to let them set overnight to ensure they’re completely frozen.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
Fruit Freeze Pops
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring cups
- Funnel
- Freeze pop tubes or popsicle molds
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
Strawberry Banana Freeze Pops
- 1 Banana
- 2 cups Strawberries frozen or fresh
- 1 1/2 cup Orange juice or water
Tropical Freeze Pops
- 3 cups Frozen tropical fruit blend or mango, peaches, pineapple, banana
- 6 oz Pineapple juice
- 1 cup Coconut water unsweetened
Kiwi Freeze Pops
- 2 cups Kiwi fresh or frozen, diced
- 1 Banana
- 6 oz Pineapple juice
Blueberry Banana Freeze Pops
- 2 cups Blueberries fresh or frozen
- 1 Banana
- 1 cup Orange juice
Cherry Berry Freeze Pops
- 3 cups frozen berry fruit blend or strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries
- 1 1/2 cup Orange juice
Instructions
- Blend fruit and liquid until they are well combined and have a thin consistency. Add more liquid if needed.
- Using a funnel, add freeze pop mixture to freeze pop tubes or popsicle mold. Lay freeze pops flat on a baking sheet and freeze for 3 to 5 hours or until frozen.
