Healthy Banana Popsicles

These easy banana popsicles are creamy, sweet, refreshing, and made with just 2 base ingredients (+ several flavor variations) for a healthy summer treat!

Simple and Healthy Homemade Banana Popsicles

We’re already obsessed with healthy nice-cream, which has you blend frozen bananas into the perfect soft-serve consistency. But did you know you can make delicious, healthy banana popsicles, too?

Unlike store-bought popsicles, these healthy banana popsicles are free from artificial chemicals, flavorings, stabilizers, or other add-ins. You can even get away with making entirely sugar-free banana popsicles, combining just bananas and vanilla extract for the delicious, simple base, with optional cinnamon.

Check out our list of optional add-ins though, too, for delicious flavor variations – whether you’re in the mood for vegan chocolate, peanut butter, or fruity banana pops. No matter what, these are a delicious dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free treat loved by children and adults alike!

You might also enjoy creamy lemon ice pops, mixed berry nice cream, or these non-frozen peanut butter banana pops.

The Ingredients

• Banana: It’s best to use ripe or slightly overripe bananas. The riper they are, the sweeter the popsicles will be.
• Vanilla extract: Use natural vanilla extract for the best flavor. It complements and enhances the banana flavor and adds a hint of ice-cream-ness.
• Sweetener: (optional) Sometimes the sweetness of the bananas will be enough, but if you’re catering to a sweet tooth, then a small amount of maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar/coconut sugar will help.
• Cinnamon: (optional) This warming spice pairs perfectly with banana.

Banana Popsicle Flavor Variations

• Canned coconut milk: ¼- ⅓ cup of full-fat canned coconut milk can help to make slightly softer, less icy banana popsicles.
• Dairy-free yogurt: Use full-fat vegan vanilla yogurt to mix into or layer with the banana mixture.
• Cocoa powder: Add 1-2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder. Optionally, add it to just half the mixture and create layered dairy-free chocolate banana popsicles.
• Peanut butter: Add a few tablespoons of peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) for rich and creamy peanut butter banana popsicles.
• Spinach: A handful of spinach will blend seamlessly into the popsicles, turning them vibrant green without affecting the flavor.
• Jams/Jellies: Swirl in your favorite fruity jam/jelly before transferring it to the molds.
• Other fruits: Add about ¼-½ cup of other fruits to create delicious fruity variations.
  • Strawberry banana popsiclesRaspberry banana popsicles
  • Mango banana popsicles
• Peanut butter or dairy-free chocolate-coated banana popsicles: Dip the frozen popsicles partway into melted vegan chocolate or peanut butter and optionally sprinkle with crushed nuts, freeze-dried fruit, shredded coconut, sprinkles, etc.

Did you know you can skip blending entirely and make fresh banana popsicles by freezing half a banana on a popsicle stick and optionally covering it with vegan chocolate?

How to Make Banana Popsicles?

• 1) First, peel and then transfer the bananas to a food processor or blender along with all the remaining ingredients (except sweetener), and blend until smooth and creamy.

Give it a taste once blended, and add sweetener, if desired. Note that adding sugar helps to make softer popsicles.

• 2) Pour the banana popsicle mixture into popsicle molds (leave a small amount of space for expansion) and insert the popsicle sticks.

• 3) Then transfer the mold to the freezer overnight or until fully set (6-8 hours).

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Use the ripest bananas possible: The riper they are, the sweeter the popsicles.
• Sweeten to taste: After blending, taste the mixture and sweeten accordingly.
• If you don’t have molds: There are several options – small plastic or paper cups, a muffin liner, an XL ice-cube tray, or even yogurt pots will work. Use a layer of foil or plastic wrap over them to hold the popsicle sticks in the center.
• If you have leftover banana mixture: Either enjoy it with vegan yogurt and granola or add a little plant-based milk and other fruit to make it into a dairy-free milkshake or smoothie.

How to Unmold Homemade Popsicles

While you may not have any issues when using flexible silicone molds, if you find it difficult to de-mold these banana ice cream popsicles, the trick is to gently heat the outside of the popsicles. There are a few ways you can do this:

1. Leave it at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften.
2. Carefully run warm water over the outside of the mold for just 20-30 seconds.
3. Dip the mold into a large container (or sink) of warm water for 20-30 seconds.

Storage Instructions

Homemade banana pops will store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. We prefer to individually wrap them with wax paper to avoid sticking, pop them in an airtight Ziplock/Stasher bag so we can re-use the popsicle mold as needed.

More Vegan Banana Recipes

• Easy Vegan Banana Bread (With Applesauce)
• Vegan Banana Cream Pie
• Banana Parfait
• Easy Vegan Blueberry Banana Muffins
• Banana Zucchini Cookies
• Banana Cheesecake

Photos by Alfonso Revilla