Popsicles
These healthy rainbow fruit popsicles are made from 100% fruit and are completely sugar-free, totally customisable 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. Having something light and delicious made from fruit it is a bonus. So these really healthy fruit popsicles 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.
What I love best about this recipe is that it is super versatile. I have made my favourite fruity options for a delicious layered rainbow popsicle. However, you can also mix and match your favourite fruits, depending on what is 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.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR HOMEMADE POPSICLES
This recipe is 100% fruit because that is the way I enjoy them. However, depending on the flavours 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
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Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and others
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Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries
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Citrus: Grapefruit, Orange, lemon, lime, mandarin, etc.
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Apples, plums, grapes
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Mango, pineapple, kiwi
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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.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Sweetener: You can use maple syrup, honey, agave, for refined sugar-free sweetened real fruit popsicles. However, you should count on the natural sweetness from the fruits. Plus if they are ripe, they will be sweeter as well;
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 flavour 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, flavoured water.
HOW TO MAKE POPSICLES
I’ve used a mixture of berries with banana for these rainbow popsicles. However, feel free to swap out your favourite fruits, as mentioned above.
Strawberries slices( to decorate)
Raspberries
Blackberries
Banana
The Method
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. Which is exactly what I have done here.
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 de-molding, then lay them on a tray, freeze till solid, and then transfer to air-tight bags/containers. Make sure they are not touching, or they will stick together.