It can be hard to find cool treats for summer that aren’t loaded with sugar. Don’t get me wrong - every kid deserves an Otter Pop every now and then, right? But for my sugar junkie kiddos, these are fantastic recipes to cut sugar and add some nutrition to their daily diet. Make sure to read to the end for a slightly less ‘pure’ popsicle for adults only!

Pack-a-Punch Popsicles for Kids:

Mango-Pineapple Pops

Ingredients:

1 can cubed pineapple (14 ounces)
1 peeled, cubed mango or 1 cup frozen
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Dixie Cups & popsicle sticks OR popsicle molds

How to Make:

1. Empty pineapple into a blender, along with mango and water.

2. Add lemon juice, then puree.

3. Fill popsicle molds or Dixie Cups two-thirds of the way full, then add in a few pieces of mango and pineapple. If using Dixie Cups, insert a popsicle stick in each one, create a grid on top of each cup using tape to hold the sticks upright, and freeze. If using popsicle molds, follow directions from manufacturer for freezing. When ready to serve, cut open the Dixie Cups and peel them away from the pops.

Strawberry Beet Pops

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup beets (cooked and cooled)
3/4 cup apple juice
1 tsp lemon juice

How to Make:

1. In a blender (preferably a high-speed blender), purée all ingredients until completely smooth.

2. Pour into your favorite popsicle mold and freeze 3-4 hours, or until completely firm. Makes 5-6 popsicles.

Carrot Pineapple Pops

Ingredients:

1 can of coconut milk
1 cup of pineapple
2 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup of carrots (or 10 baby carrots)
2 Tbsp chia seeds

How to Make:

1. Put the first four ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. The carrots make take a few rounds to become smooth, but they will.

2. Add in chia seeds. Pulse once or twice to combine.

3. Pour into molds, and put into the freezer. It will take around 6 hours to become hard.

Avocado Banana Pops

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
1 ripe avocado
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
2 ounces plain kefir or yogurt of choice

How to Make:

1. First, soften the frozen pineapple by microwaving the chunks for 10 seconds. The liquid formed will also help the blender mix all the ingredients

2. In a blender, add the kefir or yogurt, avocado, pineapple and banana. Blend. You may need to use a spoon or rubber spatula to mix the ingredients when the blender is turned off. You want a thick and smooth consistency

3. Pour into freezer safe containers. Popsicles can be enjoyed once set, after around 2 hours.

Creamy Lime Pops

Ingredients:

1.5 cups pineapple (fresh or frozen)
1/2 banana
3/4 cup coconut milk
1/2-1 cup spinach
Zest and juice of 1 lime

How to Make:

1. Purée all ingredients in a blender until completely smooth.

2. Pour into your favorite popsicle mold and freeze 3-4 hours, or until completely solid. Makes 5-6 popsicles.

Finally, here are some Popsicles for Parents, for those times where just plain popsicles aren’t enough:

Gin and Tonic Pops

Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup limeade
1 cup tonic water
½ cup gin
Juice and zest of one lime
12 lime slices
12 Dixie Cups & popsicle sticks OR popsicle molds

How to Make:

1. In a large bowl combine sweetened condensed milk, limeade, tonic, gin, lime juice and lime zest. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Divide mixture among 12 dixie cups.

2. Insert a wooden spoon or popsicle stick into the center of each lime slice and place into each cup/popsicle mold, making sure there is no room between the mixture and lime slice. If using popsicle molds, cut lime slices to fit the filled molds and follow directions from manufacturer for freezing.

3. Freeze until solid, at least 5 hours and up to overnight.

4. When ready to serve, remove popsicles from molds (cut open the Dixie Cups, if using, and peel them away from the pops). Enjoy!