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Recipes

17 Healthy Popsicle Recipes to Help You Survive the Summer Heat

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at UC Berkeley chapter.

When the weather starts getting warmer, you’re going to start craving cold foods. Ice cream might come to mind, but it can be heavy, full of sugars, and hard to make at home without a machine. On the flip side, popsicles are easy to make with or without a mold at home. Popsicles aren’t just a great way to cool down, but are also a good way get in your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Read on for a wide variety of healthy popsicle recipes that will help cool you down this summer.

1. Raspberry and Honey Yoghurt Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes chocolate dairy product
Reni Forer

These tart yet sweet popsicles are low in fat and high in protein. You can also switch out raspberries for blueberries or strawberries—or use all three berries.

2. Green Goddess Spinach Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes vegetable herb
Megan Prendergast

Obviously, these aren’t your ordinary popsicles. With banana, pineapple, and mango in this blend, you’ll barely taste the spinach but get plenty of vitamins and fiber.

3. Coconut Banana Date Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes milk coffee
Photo courtesy of warmvanillasugar.com

Naturally sweetened with dates, these creamy pops will give you plenty of fiber and good fats (thanks to coconut milk).

4. Mango Lassi Popsicles

easy mango recipes dairy product milk
Hui Lin

These popsicles might not be a true mango lassi (no one’s stopping you from adding the proper spices), but it will curb your cravings for one in just three simple ingredients. Plus, fiber and probiotics are good for your digestive system.

5. Blue Spirulina Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes lemon
Photo courtesy of greensmoothiegourmet.com

Spirulina is all the craze these days. Aside from tinting blue smoothie bowls and homemade mermaid toasts, spirulina contains 60 to 70% of its dry weight in protein and has significant amounts of calcium, vitamins, iron, and potassium. Superfood popsicle? Count me in!

6. Rainbow Smoothie Popsicles

rainbow food popsicle raspberry
Jennifer Nigro

The rainbow food trend hasn’t quite yet passed, but even if it has, you could probably get your daily servings of vegetables and fruits by making these pops.

7. Cucumber Mint Popsicles

ways to use matcha ice ice cream
Jen Baron

Made with coconut water, these pops are perfect for poolside days (or when you get sunburned). Cucumber and coconut water are great for hydration and cooling down, while mint aids in better digestion.

8. Greek Yogurt Parfait Popsicles

greek yogurt recipes cream ice
Jackie Kuczynski

Technically, you could get away with eating popsicles for breakfast if you use this recipe

9. Green Coconut Cream Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes popsicle milk
Photo courtesy of greensmoothiegourmet.com

If you want to control your weight, this avocado, spinach, and matcha popsicle recipe is the one for you. It’s raw, plant-based, and oh so creamy—this recipe even includes which popsicle mold to use!

10. Vegan Chocolate Banana Popsicles

Frozen Vegan Desserts sweet lollipop
Kristine Mahan

Finally, a recipe that doesn’t require molds whatsoever! These bite-sized treats are quick and easy to make for parties or just for yourself (because duh, why would you share?).

11. Creamy Avocado Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes water sweet
Kristi Cook

Not only do avocados make dank avocado toast, but they also make great popsicles full of good fats. I know, you might be shaking your head at this, but try it before you knock it.

12. Blueberry Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes candy ice
Photo courtesy of lynzyandco.com

Can you go wrong with a classic blueberry and yogurt popsicle? The vanilla flavor really makes this combination a simple exquisite one.

13. Fruit and Yogurt Push-Up Popsicle Copycat

Fireworks ice cream sweet
Maddie Cleeff

Another fruit and yogurt pop, but this will make you nostalgic for Flintstone Push-Up Popsicles.

14. Kiwi Coconut Chia Seed Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes sweet
Photo courtesy of thelittleepicurean.com

These are a great way to switch up chia seed pudding (especially if you eat it for breakfast). The result is a tropical, creamy and protein-packed popsicle that will help you beat the heat.

15. Whole Fruit Popsicles

healthy vegan desserts sweet popsicle
Rachel Labarre

As if popsicles weren’t easy to make already, this recipe makes them even simpler. All you need to do is slice fruit to your liking (or buy it ready-cut at grocery stores).

16. Creamy Honeydew with Lime Popsicles

healthy popsicle recipes cream sweet
Photo courtesy of meatified.com

Honeydew is sweetest during the summer months (depending on where you live), and it comes with potassium levels higher than that of bananas, lots of vitamin C, and high water content to help you stay hydrated. These pops are legit.

17. Spicy Watermelon Jalapeño Popsicles

summer popsicle ice
Leah Valenti

Sounds funky, but jalapeño gives this popsicle a nice, spicy kick. And if you pick a sweet watermelon, no one will even know you added tomatoes to this recipe.

I don’t know about you, but these healthy popsicle recipes sound delicious, nutritious, and replenishing. The good thing about these recipes is that they’re versatile and so easy to swap out ingredients for your favorite fruits and vegetables. Plus, they’re tasty and can help take your mind off the heat.

Which of these healthy popsicle recipes are you going to try this summer? 

Eileen Wang

UC Berkeley '18

Eileen is a 4th-year studying Business Administration UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. She dislikes lukewarm food and loves almond lattes. She denies her lactose-intolerance because dairy is just too good, but is currently conquering vegan baking.