HealthMatters
Whip up these homemade banana popsicles next time you crave something sweet! With only a handful of ingredients and simple steps, this easy recipe is about to become your new favorite dessert. They are creamy, satisfying, healthy, and naturally gluten-free too!
Calling all banana lovers, these homemade popsicles are for you! Your neighborhood ice cream truck stands no chance against these creamy popsicles. They make for a healthy treat, yet do not compromise on flavor at all!
My kids love popsicles – not just as a summer treat, but pretty much all year round. But store bought popsicles can be expensive, and the ingredients tend to be more processed than I prefer. But you’d be surprised how easy it is to make your own popsicles at home!
From the first time you bite into one of these banana ice pops you’ll be sold. The final product is so indulgent, nobody will even know they are made with only wholesome ingredients.
With just 10 minutes of prep time you’ll have healthy banana popsicles ready to go in the freezer! You can even set some of the mixture aside to enjoy as a yummy banana smoothie while you wait. The best part? This recipe is a great way to use up those fresh bananas before they go bad.
Why You’ll Love These Banana Popsicles
- Healthier Option: Many store-bought popsicles are high in sugar, and may even have artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors added (Source). This banana popsicle recipe calls for natural ingredients, with no refined sugar! They are sweetened by maple syrup and the bananas themselves.
- Family-Friendly: This is a kid-friendly recipe so the whole family can enjoy these sweet treats! They are perfect for cooling down on hot summer days, but equally enticing all year round.
- Creamy Texture: You will love their consistency! They are honestly so creamy you might as well call them banana pudding popsicles!
- Easy To Make: With basic ingredients and a few simple steps, this banana popsicles recipe makes for an easy treat.
- Customizable: Play around with this recipe for banana popsicles, adding an ingredient or two for your favorite flavor! See our recommended flavor variations later in this post!
Ingredients
Any local grocery stores will have what you need for these creamy banana popsicles! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the nutritional values!
- Bananas: Bananas are the main ingredient of these banana ice cream pops, of course! You’ll want to use super ripe bananas, for the sweetest flavor.
- Oat Milk: Use unsweetened oat milk to keep these banana flavored popsicles refined-sugar free. Plus, the oat milk already has a subtle sweetness to it.
- Greek Yogurt: Unsweetened Greek yogurt gives a boost of protein to these healthy popsicles. It also provides a richer taste and thicker consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract elevates the other flavors and brings out the natural sweetness of these frozen treats.
- Maple Syrup: Skip the processed sugar and use pure maple syrup! Not only does it sweeten things up, but it also adds a nice flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Milk: Any unsweetened milk will work! Try soy milk, cow’s milk, coconut milk, or almond milk.
- Yogurt: Use coconut yogurt, almond yogurt, or regular plain yogurt in place of the Greek yogurt, if desired.
- Sweetener: Replace the maple syrup in these banana freeze pops with agave nectar, honey, or coconut sugar.
How To Make Banana Popsicles
You only need a blender, popsicle molds, and popsicle sticks! Here’s how to make this easy recipe:
Blend Ingredients: Peel the bananas and add them to a blender or food processor along with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until completely smooth.
Pour Into Molds: Pour the banana mixture into popsicle molds and insert a popsicle stick.
Freeze: Freeze the popsicles for at least 4 hours or until frozen solid. This may take between 4 hours – overnight.
Serve: When the popsicles are frozen solid remove them from the mold by running the outside of the mold under warm water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Hot Water Trick: Heating the molds under hot water in the kitchen sink will slightly melt the popsicle, helping to loosen it from the mold.
- Any Mold Works: You can use silicone popsicle molds or any other ice pop molds you have on hand.
- For Sweetest Popsicles: Use ripe or overripe bananas for a boost of natural sweetness. They are best when they have at least a few black spots on them!
- Magic Shell: Add an extra fun touch to the popsicles by coating them with a chocolate layer, often called a magic shell. Melt chocolate chips or dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a little bit of coconut oil and mix well. When the chocolate comes in contact with the frozen popsicles it will harden quickly thanks to the coconut oil. You can set them on a baking sheet on the kitchen counter to fully set for a few minutes, before transferring back to the freezer.
Variations
Try adding in other simple ingredients for fun flavor variations to these easy banana popsicles!
- Banana Fudge Popsicles: Add 1 – 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture for creamy chocolate banana popsicles.
- Strawberry Banana Popsicles: Blend fresh or frozen strawberries with the banana mixture.
- Banana Peanut Butter: Add 2 tbsp peanut butter to the mixture. When popsicles are frozen solid, drizzle melted chocolate over each popsicle to coat the outside. You can also try a peanut butter shell! Almond butter would be good here, too!
- Banana Berry: Add ½ cup mixed berries, either blending or leaving whole. You can also use freeze-dried fruit here.
- Banana Mango: Add 1 diced mango before blending!
- Tropical: Add ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks. Substitute the oat milk with full fat coconut cream and substitute the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt.
- Banana Ice Cream: Churn the banana mixture in an ice cream machine instead of pouring into molds. Enjoy as creamy ice cream!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these banana ice cream popsicles just as they are, or get more creative with your serving style! As suggested above, you can coat the popsicles in chocolate for a more indulgent treat. Here are a few other ideas:
Dietary Adaptations
With only 5 ingredients, these banana frozen popsicles will satisfy many dietary needs! However, if you are looking to make adjustments here are a couple suggestions:
Vegan Option: Swap the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt to make these popsicles vegan friendly. Coat or drizzle with dairy-free chocolate if you want!
Sugar-Free Option: These are refined sugar free, since we use pure maple syrup, but for a no added sugar option, just omit the maple syrup! The popsicles will still taste great, since they are naturally sweet from the bananas. This is a good option for anyone looking to maintain balanced blood sugar levels or if you have a special diet requiring no sugar of any kind!
Storage Directions
To Freeze: Store popsicles in the popsicle molds in the freezer until serving. You can remove them from the molds and store in an airtight container once they are fully frozen. If stacking, use a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap in between. Alternatively, you can place them in a freezer bag once you remove them from the molds. The popsicles can be stored for up to 3 months. Run the mold over warm water to loosen the popsicle and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
DO I HAVE TO USE RIPE OR OVERRIPE BANANAS FOR THIS RECIPE?
This recipe calls for ripe bananas, as the popsicles will not be very sweet if you use unripe bananas. Feel free to use overripe bananas if you want something with more sweetness. This would also be a good way to cut down on the maple syrup, if desired.
HOW DO I PREVENT ICE CRYSTALS FROM FORMING IN THE POPSICLES?
Try using full fat coconut cream in this recipe, instead of oat milk. The healthy fats in coconut cream will help prevent ice crystals from forming. Alternatively, you can use a thickener like guar gum or cornstarch which will keep the popsicles creamy.
CAN I USE FROZEN BANANAS FOR THIS RECIPE?
Yes, you can use frozen bananas for an extra creamy texture. Frozen bananas are a popular ingredient for homemade vegan ice cream, and would work perfectly fine for these popsicles too! Just be sure to wipe off any ice crystals from the frozen bananas before blending.
ARE BANANA POPSICLES HEALTHY?
This banana ice pop recipe is a healthy choice when you crave something sweet! They have minimal ingredients and no refined sugars. The Greek yogurt adds a boost of protein for a healthier option compared to heavy creams and processed dairy. Maple syrup is a natural way to sweeten the popsicles, but you can even cut this out if you’d like.
Flavor Variations:
- Chocolate: Add 1 – 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder into the mixture before blending.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 2 tbsp peanut butter into the mixture before blending. When popsicles are frozen solid, melt some chocolate and drizzle over each popsicle to coat the outside.
- Banana Berry: Add ½ cup mixed berries either into the mixture, or drop them in whole into the popsicle molds and layer with the banana mixture before freezing.
- Banana Mango: Add 1 diced mango into the blender with the bananas and other ingredients.
- Tropical: Add ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks, substitute the oat milk with full fat coconut cream and substitute the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt, blend with bananas until smooth.
Recipe Notes:
- Heating the molds under hot water will slightly melt the popsicle which will help to loosen it from the mold.
- To prevent ice from forming in the popsicles you can add coconut cream instead of oat milk. The healthy fats in coconut cream can help prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Coconut yogurt can be used instead of greek yogurt for a vegan friendly option.
- Want to make ice cream instead of popsicles? Try churning the banana mixture in an icecream machine instead of pouring into molds.
- Use ripe bananas for a sweeter popsicle.
- Store popsicles in the popsicle molds or in an airtight container in the freezer until serving.
- Popsicles can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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