Hi friend! I wanted to share one of our favorite things from the past couple of weeks: popsicles!
It’s probably because it feels like we’re living in a sauna each day during Houston summer, but my boys have been OBSESSED with eating popsicles lately! I am all for giving kids processed or sugary foods without major restrictions but the dietitian side of me wants to see my kids eating nutrient-dense foods as much as possible. If there’s one thing I have learned as a mom, it’s that giving your kids something that is enticing to them (like popsicles) versus something less appealing (a bowl of plain fruit) makes a world of difference.
So I wanted to share how I make homemade popsicles for my boys! Now, before you write me off thinking “homemade popsicles sound annoying, I don’t have time for that!”, let me reassure you that these could not be easier to make! Here’s the steps: wash fruit, cut fruit into large pieces (don’t even have to cut tiny pieces), throw them in a blender, add in a liquid, blend, pour, and freeze. See? Not that bad.
I’ve gotten ahead of myself a little bit though, first, you do need a decent popsicle mold. Yes, you could always do a DIY version with popsicle sticks and paper cups, but I’ve done that before and it does turn into the annoying mess I promised you this wasn’t. So I would recommend these reusable molds or these disposable bags (my boys like the molds waaay better).
Ok, next is what are you going to add to these popsicles. Simply put, you can add almost any fruit you want, but here are my favorite combinations for my boys if you want a starting spot:
Berry mint – 2 cups berries of choice (we typically use strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) + 1 tablespoon of orange juice + mint to taste (I do a small handful of mint leaves)
Orange mango coconut – 2 cups fresh or frozen mango + 1-2 tablespoon orange juice + 1 can coconut milk
Watermelon mint – 2 cups watermelon + mint to taste (1 small handful of mint leaves)
But really, you can try all kinds of combinations to tailor these popsicles to what your kids would enjoy.
Here are a couple of tips when making your own popsicle.
- Pick your favorite fruit to make up the majority of the popsicle.
- Add in a little liquid to make the mixture more fluid and easier to pour into the molds. Some ideas for this include orange juice to add a dash of sweetness, coconut milk for fat or coconut water for hydration, or just plain water.
- Be mindful of added sweeteners. Adding things like maple syrup, honey, or orange juice is a great way to cut any tartness from the fruit, but use sparingly and only add to taste.
There you go, those are my favorite combinations and tips for making your own popsicles. Now wrangle up your kids, let them help you make these, and enjoy a delicious frozen treat this summer.
