Healthy Fruit Popsicles

5 from 9 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These healthy rainbow fruit popsicles are made from 100% fruit and are refined sugar-free, super customizable, and a delicious and healthy treat for warm weather! 

When the warm weather comes rolling around, I am the type of person that instantly wants something cold and refreshing. Ice cream usually doesn’t make the cut, because it feels creamy and ‘heavy’ at a time when I want light and refreshing. But these really healthy fruit popsicle definitely hit the spot! Made from 100% fruit, with the option of cheeky additional extras, these rainbow popsicles are super quick and simple to make for when you next want a treat.

Fruit lollies - A healthy summer treat

As a smoothie bowl addict, I’m pretty much always ready for a refreshing fruity treat, sunshine, or rain – so homemade popsicles are definitely a great option. If you want something that little bit richer, but still super healthy, then you may like my Yogurt Popsicles too.

What I love best about this recipe is that it is super versatile. I’ve provided my favorite fruity options for a delicious layered rainbow popsicle. However, you can also mix and match your favorite fruits, depending on what’s available or in season.

I also made this recipe as sugar-free popsicles – however, read the recipe notes for ways to naturally sweeten yours. I love having a guilt-free treat at-the-ready, that I can grab whenever I want to. Plus, they’re a great way to sneak in lots of nutrients for the whole family.

A healthy summer treat - fruit lollies

What To Include In Your Homemade Popsicles

This recipe is 100% fruit because that’s the way I love them. However, depending on the flavors you prefer, level of sweetness, and consistency, you may want to add in some extras. Let’s take a look at the ingredients you can use for your healthy popsicles.

The Fruit options

  • Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and others
  • Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries
  • Citrus: Grapefruit, Orange, lemon, lime, mandarin, etc.
  • Apples, plums, grapes
  • Mango, pineapple, kiwi
  • Nectarines, peaches, and others

Plus, you can use frozen fruit and fresh fruit! If using frozen fruit, this may be harder to puree and might need an additional splash of liquid. See the section below for examples.

However, if you manage without any extra liquid, I think using frozen fruit could lead to a ‘softer’ texture. Bonus – using frozen fruit will take less time to re-freeze!

fruit lollies

Optional Extras

Sweetener: You can use maple syrup, honey (if not vegan), agave, etc. for refined sugar-free sweetened real fruit popsicles. Bonus – sugars help to soften the texture of the popsicles.

Acid: Lemon juice or lime juice pairs well with most fruits and can also help to reduce ‘icy’ texture.

Fruit Juice: You could combine fruit purees with juice for additional flavor in your healthy popsicles. I.e., Orange, apple, grape, guava, cranberry, blueberry, etc.

Other Liquids: You can combine fruit puree with liquid and whole bits of fruit for interesting textural changes. For example – coconut water, iced tea, lemonade (like this homemade lemonade), flavored water, kombucha, etc.

Fruit lollies and fruit in a plate

Alcohol: For more of an ‘adult’ fruit popsicle, feel free to add alcohol to make a ‘cocktail’ popsicle (like pina colada). Alcohol affects popsicles in a similar way to sugar – so don’t use too much. Anything below 20% is the best guidelines and will make the popsicles softer without being slushy.

To add creaminess: Yogurt – both dairy and dairy-free versions will add creaminess as well as encourage smooth texture. Options include coconut milk, coconut yogurt, almond yogurt, soy yogurt, natural yogurt (non-vegan), greek yogurt, etc. If adding some to these fruit popsicles, I usually only add a couple of small spoonfuls and swirl in with the fruit. That way, they’re still super refreshing.

Other additions: vanilla extract, rosewater, and other natural flavorings can boost the flavor of your homemade popsicles.

How To Make Popsicles

I’ve used a mixture of tropical fruits for these rainbow popsicles. However, feel free to swap out your favorite fruits, as mentioned above.

Fresh fruit for fruit lollies - pineapple, kiwi, mango, strawberries, blackberries

  • Pineapple
  • Kiwi
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Mango
  • Or any of your favorite fruits.

The Method

Begin by washing and preparing the fruit.

Blend each fruit separately and then pour in bowls (strain the seeded fruit if you prefer). For a chunkier texture, you can mash softer fruits with a fork instead.

If you want to add any sweetener, then pop it straight into the blender with the fruit. Start with 1/2 tbsp per fruit and increase to taste.

blended fresh fruit in separate bowls

Pour a little of each fruit mixture into the popsicle molds. You can layer them in whatever order you prefer, but I like strawberry, mango, pineapple, kiwi, and finally, blackberry. Tap the molds lightly on a surface between pouring each layer to get rid of any air bubbles.

Rainbow fruit lollies mix poured in moulds

Insert popsicle sticks in the middle of each one and then freeze for at least 10 hours, until fully set.

100% fruit Healthy Rainbow Fruit Lollies

How To Store

You can keep these frozen treats in the molds for up to 2 months. If de-molding, then lay them on a tray, freeze till solid, and then transfer to air-tight bags/containers. Make sure they’re not touching, or they will stick together.

A fruit lolly held in hand

Other Recipes You May Like

For More frozen treats how about these Healthy Yogurt Popsicles, Salted Caramel & Raspberry Vegan Magnum Ice Creams, Simple 4-Ingredient Avocado Ice Cream, or even Vegan no-bake layered Cherry Cheesecake (gluten-free).

For other fruity summer dishes how about this Watermelon Keg/ Dispenser, Tropical Mango Salad, or Quick & Simple Watermelon Salsa.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments. I’d also really appreciate a recipe rating and any feedback, and feel free to tag me in your recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie.

This recipe was first published in July 2019 and has been updated with new photos and text. The recipe remains the same though.

Healthy Fruit Lollies

5 from 9 votes
By: Samira
These healthy rainbow fruit lollies are made from 100% fruit and are a delicious, refreshing treat for warm weather! Particularly a wonderful healthy summer treat!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup pineapple
  • 1 cup kiwi
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 cup mango
  • Or any of your favorite fruits.

Instructions 

  • Wash and prepare/chop the fruit.
  • Blend each fruit separately and then pour in bowls (strain the seeded fruit if you prefer). For a chunkier texture, you can mash softer fruits with a fork instead.
  • If you want to add any sweetener, then pop it straight into the blender with the fruit. Start with 1/2 tbsp per fruit and increase, to taste.
  • Pour a little of each fruit mixture into the popsicle molds. You can layer them in whatever order you prefer but I like strawberry, mango, pineapple, kiwi, and finally, blackberry. Tap the molds lightly on a surface between pouring each layer, to get rid of any air bubbles.
  • Insert popsicle sticks in the middle of each one and then freeze for at least 10 hours, until fully set.
  • How To Store: You can keep these frozen treats in the molds for up to 2 months. If you're wanting to re-use the molds or de-mold them, then lay them on a tray and freeze till solid and then transfer to air-tight bags/containers. Make sure they're not touching or they will stick together.

Video

Notes

The total time does not include setting/freezing time. It's best to leave the lollies in the freezer for about 10-12 hours.

Recipe Notes

  • Read the 'what to add' section for ideas of additional ingredient choices, sweeteners, creamy elements, alcohol, and more. 
  • Blend the fruits whole and pour straight into the popsicle molds or blend and strain, for a smoother end result.
  • If you want to add sugar to your rainbow popsicles, then I suggest using a natural sweetener like maple or agave. You could also use erythritol or stevia if preferred. Sugars actually help to lower the freezing point of the popsicle, which will help to make it softer.
  • If you decide to add a creamy yogurt then you create a nice 'tie-die' effect by running a knife up the side of the mold a few times before inserting the stick. 
  • For a different style of real healthy popsicles, dice/slice the fruit and add to the popsicle mold along with the liquid of your choice ( i.e.coconut water for coconut popsicles). These will be 'harder' popsicles and will take longer to melt while consuming. But look beautiful and still taste lovely. 
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Freezer friendly: 2 Months

Nutrition

Serving: 1Lolly, Calories: 66kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 244mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 391IU, Vitamin C: 70mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating