These frozen treat recipes are PERFECT for the summer heat! If your kiddos are anything like mine they already pining for popsicles!
My only issue?
I know they are so easy to pick up at the store, but they are SO much more delicious homemade (plus what a great summer activity!) Then of course there is the amount of processed sugars, chemical additives, and dyes in most store-bought popsicles.
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Here’s my bullet-proof homemade popsicle recipe!
You can use 12ozs of any combination of fruit – pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, banana, kiwi, oranges, apples, the list is endless.
- Puree your fruit on high until you have a puree-like consistency.
- Add 2 cups of full-fat, plain Greek yogurt, and ¼ cup of honey.
- Blend until incorporated.
- Pour into popsicle molds and insert your sticks.
- Freeze for 5 hours or overnight.
This mix will yield 10 (3oz) popsicles. My favorite so far is strawberry-banana, and berry mix!
The best part? With the fruit and the Greek yogurt, this is actually a complex snack with healthy fats, protein, and fiber!
Frozen Chocolate Bananas
You might find yourself sneaking into the freezer to nom on these! Super easy and so delicious. Peel a banana, then insert a wooden kabob stick into the banana- it will help later. Now dip into semi-sweet baking chocolate. Place on a wax-paper covered cookie sheet to freeze.
Wanna mix it up? Have the kids break out their favorite toppings, like sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, the sky’s the limit!
Freeze for one hour. Then, take out and wrap individually with plastic wrap, before placing back in the freezer.
Frozen Fruit Sticks
If you can’t stand the thought of turning on your blender or doing one more dish, then try these frozen fruit sticks!
- Gently place cut fresh fruit into your popsicle molds- raspberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, strawberries, blueberries, whatever tickles your fancy. (I usually try to stick with 3).
- Layer the fruit in your molds.
- Next, pour coconut water over the fruit, until your mold is nearly full.
- Freeze for two hours, until partially frozen solid.
- Insert your popsicle stick, which should stand up straight by themselves.
- Finish freezing.
Frozen Berries
Raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries are delicious as frozen snacks – the trick is how you freeze them!
If you toss all of the berries in a bag and then put them in the freezer, you’re going to get one big frozen mass of berries. (Anyone else ever have to drop the bag on the floor to try and make a smoothie? Just me?)
Especially with raspberries and blackberries, you want to freeze them individually. Put wax paper down on a cookie sheet, then gently shake your berries out onto the sheet. Make sure none of them are touching each other.
If you like them a little sweet, you can sprinkle some sugar on top.
Place in the freezer for two hours, or until they are frozen solid.
Then you can put them in a bag with your other whole berries.
For an especially amazing treat, try some frozen berries with a handful of chocolate chips and pecans. Healthy doesn’t have to taste bad!
Fruit Slushies
Slushies, slurpees, milkshakes, or anything cold, frozen, and sweet just seems to go down better in the summer, doesn’t it?
If you want a frozen treat without the sweeteners, dyes, and other ‘lurkers’ hiding in the ice cream truck, try these slushies!
You can grab your favorites, hit the frozen food aisle, or take a wander through your local farmer’s market with your kiddos! Let them pick out their own fruit!
Note: buying fruit in season will be cheaper, and you can often buy in bulk and freeze yourself for later!
Here’s my slushie master list!
2 cups of frozen fruit- here are some ideas:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Pineapple
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Mango
- Cucumber
- Apples
- Oranges
1-3 tablespoons honey
Note: Depending on the fruit you add, you will need more or less honey to make sure it doesn’t turn your mouth inside out.
½ cup Water or Milk, depending on fruit choice
- Place liquid, honey, and fruit into a food processor or blender.
- Blend thoroughly, until you have a slushy mix.
- Serve within 10 minutes.
Hint: You can pour any remainders into your popsicle molds!
Frozen Treat for the Pupper? You bet!
Dehydration can sneak up on your dog quickly in the summer, especially if he/she has a shorter muzzle- like your pugs, Frenchies, bulldogs, and boxers.
You can create what is called an ‘ice lick’ for your pup the same way you make popsicles for your kids!
Your dog can smell the treats in the lick and is also rewarded by cooling off – and staying hydrated – while licking. The biggest thing when making your dog lick is having room in the freezer.
You are going to need to be able to freeze your lick in a bowl, bucket, or Bundt pan, and this can take up more room than you think. It’s a fine balance between being big enough it won’t melt immediately in the summer heat, but not so large it can’t fit in your freezer.
Next, the treats! You can do veggies, dog treats, fruits, cheese, nut butters, or even small pieces of meat. (Go easy on the meat, as too much protein can cause diarrhea.)
For the liquid component, you can use low sodium meat broths, sugar-free juice (double check for any xylitol! It’s poisonous to dogs), yogurt, and even just plain ol’ water.
Layer the treats by adding a layer to the bottom of the bowl, then covering with your liquid. Freeze for 30 minutes and repeat until you’ve filled your container.
Pro tip: Have a larger bowl, paddle pool, or washtub you can place your lick in to contain the mess.
There have been some concerns that ice cubes can cause bloat in dogs, which can be dangerous. This has been proven to be a myth- dogs consuming too much cold water, very quickly, like when they are hot and thirsty after exercise, is what causes the bloat. So, watch your pup to make sure he/she doesn’t go overboard.
Does your family have a favorite summer treat? Let me know in the comments!
