Just before my daughter came to visit this summer, she informed me that she was cutting food dyes out of her 4-year-old's diet. "Please plan accordingly." In preparation for this visit I had of course stocked up on large quantities of Jell-O, sprinkles and colored sugar. All were instantly obsolete.
She also shared that she had purchased some healthy popsicles that were very popular in her house and described them to me as containing Greek yogurt and fruit. I knew that I could make my own version: smoothie popsicles.
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What Ingredients are Needed to Make Smoothie Popsicles?
I love a good smoothie, so usually have the ingredients needed. But if you've ever made your own smoothies, you know that the ingredients are extremely flexible, allowing you to customize the smoothie (and the popsicles) to your own preference.
Here is my basic formula:
Fruit: I like to start with frozen fruit as it is easy to keep around. Fresh fruit also works well, or a combination of the two. Think frozen berries with half a banana. Yum.
Liquid: I like to use juice for the sweetness it provides. Almond milk also works really well, I prefer vanilla flavored but unsweetened. If you prefer dairy milk, that would also work.
Protein powder: A scoop of vanilla protein powder adds creaminess and also makes the smoothie more satisfying. Until now your mix is all simple carbs, but by getting some protein in there it helps up the "health" factor of your smoothie/popsicles.
You can also add other ingredients per your preference: yogurt (Greek or regular), any liquid (I once used green tea for a smoothie), or different additives such as flaxseed, avocado or nut butters. You can even try a weight gain smoothie to fill those pops with some healthy calories.
If it tastes good in a smoothie, it'll make a great smoothie popsicle!
How to Make Smoothie Popsicles
2 steps needed: Mix everything in a blender, pour into molds. Then let them freeze, so maybe that's 3 steps? Either way, super simple.
Before you pour, do a little taste test of what you just whipped up. Smoothies are delicious and should taste great both before AND after freezing. So, take a little Quality Control step and adjust as needed before pouring into the molds.
What kind of popsicle mold is needed?
There are lots of popsicle molds available, the one I use is Zoku brand. But you can also freeze in plastic cups or even ice cube trays - you'd just need to find some sticks to freeze in them to give little hands something to hold onto.
To unmold, hold the plastic mold under warm water from the tap for a minute. The popsicle will then slide right out.
💭Note: I found another popsicle mold that I love - I used it to make Fudgesicles. Easy release molds! Follow the link to check them out.
Additional Flavor Ideas
Need more inspiration? Here are a few ideas for you to try out:
Strawberry smoothie popsicle: Use fresh or frozen strawberries. Add half a banana for a strawberry-banana flavor.
Blueberry smoothie popsicle: just like the strawberries, but I specifically like to use a grape juice if available to really bring out the purple-blue color. So fun!
Green smoothie popsicle: make a spinach smoothie, per my green smoothie recipe. Or keep it simple, with spinach, pineapple juice, and protein powder. YUM
Peanut Butter-Banana smoothie popsicle: Banana is the fruit for this smoothie, and milk instead of juice for sure. A flavor burst of peanut butter. You could even use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla. It almost sounds like something Elvis would like; don't you think?
Or make a chocolate banana protein shake and then freeze it into popsicle form - super yummy and healthy!
You'll want to make these super easy popsicles again and again!
Recipe FAQs
I use whey protein, but everyone has their own preferences. The Cleveland Clinic provides some good guidelines for how to chose, based upon your priorities. Just keep in mind that one scoop of protein powder is a very small amount, especially when divided among 6 popsicles.
More Fun Treat Ideas
In addition to popsicles, kids love these banana pops. And kids of all ages will enjoy some homemade fudgesicles.
Is it time for movie night? Make it special and even more fun with some colorful and delicious unicorn popcorn!
📖 Recipe
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Smoothie Popsicles
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups fruit fresh or frozen (mixed berries or sweet cherries)
- ¾ cup fruit juice
- 1 scoop protein powder vanilla flavored
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
- Pour liquid into popsicle mold, add sticks and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Capri Lilly
These smoothie popsicles were so easy to make and so refreshing! Perfect for a cool snack on these hot LA days.
Sula
Same here, they really cool you off on a super hot day!
Alexandra
Such a great and delicious idea - so refreshing!
Sula
Thank you! 🙂
Taleen | Just As Tasty
What a great idea for a healthy yet refreshing treat! Will be making these again and again.
Sula
That's the beauty, you CAN make them again and again, and keep changing the flavors!
Angela
I love these popsicles, they are perfect for these hot days in Italy 🙂
Sula
Yes, hot days demand a refreshing popsicle!
Emily
We LOVE these smoothie popsicles!! What a great idea for a summer and a way to sneak in some healthy ingredients for my son (and me)!
Sula
It really helps when we can at least feel a little better about those ingredients!
Andréa Janssen
A delicious and great idea for a healthy snack.
Sula
They are very refreshing on a hot summer day!
Shelley
This is such a smart idea! So much healthier than all the junky popsicles with high fructose corn syrup and weird dyes and additives. What's really great about this recipe is that it's so very flexible, with all your suggestions for different fruits and yummy flavor combinations! Guilt-free refreshment on a hot summer day!
Sula
I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you Shelley. 🙂
Beth
We love these popsicles here at the house! Can't wait to make more of these!
Sula
That's the beauty: you can make another batch so quickly!
Ashley
Ooohhh!! Making these today! Yum. Love the ideas for smoothie popsicles!
Sula
Enjoy them!
Sharon
This smoothie popsicle recipe is genius! Getting my daily dose of fruit while staying cool is just the thing I need to get me through summer.
Sula
It really helps, especially on a super hot day!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
These look delicious and so healthy! A great ice cool treat for the summer.
Sula
They definitely are! I hope you try them soon!
Big Trouble
These looks delicious, Sula! What a great idea! Healthy popsicles are so expensive at the store; it makes way more sense to make them at home. Plus, these seem relatively easy! Can't wait to try these out ASAP!
Sula
They are easy! I don't know why I didn't try these sooner!