When it’s summertime and 90+ degrees outside, the last thing you want is a hot bowl of soup. I mean, maybe you do and by all means, go for it. But why not make healthy easy homemade popsicles instead? And I may be biased, but these tasty little, chocolate-dipped treats are pure perfection and will quickly become a go-to dessert staple in your household.
In a world where instant gratification is at the fingertips and tongues of many, why would you want to make your own popsicles? And how long does it take to freeze popsicles anyway?
Great questions! Most popsicles you find at your local supermarket are full of sugar and harmful ingredients. Why would you want those when these easy homemade popsicles have only four ingredients and will be ready to eat in an hour?
Recipe Qualities
- Creamy
- Fudgey
- Nutty
- Delicious
Ingredients Used
- Banana
- Coconut milk
- Almond butter
3 Health Benefits of These Easy Homemade Popsicles
1. High in potassium
When we think of bananas, we think of potassium. Since most of us were little, we’ve heard people say, “Eat more bananas, they have a lot of potassium!” We didn’t know what potassium was at such a young age, but we knew bananas had it and we needed it.
It turns out our elders were right! Bananas do have a lot of potassium, and potassium has many health benefits. It acts as an electrolyte and helps manage hydration levels and blood flow within the body.
Potassium also helps lower elevated blood pressure, which lowers your risk for developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. [1]
If you’re active, then you’re already familiar with muscle cramps. Thank goodness for potassium! It helps prevent those pesky post-workout or post-game cramps while also helping repair and replenish your muscles. [2, 3]
So, instead of loading up on chips and candy bars at your next soccer game, pack a few bananas!
2. Contains lauric acid
Coconut milk contains lauric acid, which is a medium-chain fatty acid that is quickly absorbed by the body and instantly used for energy. [4]
Lauric acid is a powerhouse that can stand on its own, helping with everything from cognitive function to weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and fighting and ridding the body of unwanted cancer cells.
That’s right: Studies have shown that lauric acid gets cancer cells to initiate apoptosis (cellular death). [5]
Lauric acid for president, anyone? It has my vote! Give me all the coconut milk recipes!
3. Loaded with antioxidants
We are living in a time where oxidative stress is lurking around every corner, and we must equip ourselves with the proper foods to help fight against it.
But what is oxidative stress? Well, it’s an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. [6]
This imbalance leads to free radical damage, which leads to inflammation … and inflammation is the root cause of illness. [7,8]
Luckily, almonds are a fantastic source of antioxidants, which mostly can be found in the outer brown layer of the skin. [9]
Studies have shown that individuals who eat almonds along with their meal reduce specific markers of oxidative damage. [10]
Easy Homemade Popsicles
Only four ingredients stand between you and these easy homemade popsicles. These are great for those incredibly hot summer days when the thought of walking outside makes your hair frizz.
You can make a batch for yourself once the kids go to bed or you can make a batch together. Just be prepared and make sure you save yourself at LEAST one because they don’t last long.
Eat as a snack or after dinner because we all love a little something sweet before we hit the sheets.
Total Time: 1 hour
Yields: 8 popsicles
Serving Size: 1 popsicle
Ingredients
- 2–3 ripe bananas
- 1–2 cups coconut milk (or nut milk of choice)
- ¼ cup almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
Optional Topping
- 1 dark chocolate bar
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- Your favorite nuts, crushed (I used almonds.)
Instructions
1. Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender, blending on high until well-combined.
2. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. For an extra treat, melt chocolate and coconut oil together in a small pot over medium-low heat, remove from heat, dip the tip of the popsicle into the cooled but melted chocolate, and cover with nuts of choice!
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Easy Homemade Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2-3 ripe bananas
- 1-2 cups coconut milk (or nut milk of choice)
- 1/4 cup almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
Optional Toppings
- 1 dark chocolate bar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- Your favorite nuts, crushed (I used almonds.)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender, blending on high until well-combined.
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- For an extra treat, melt chocolate and coconut oil together in a small pot over medium-low heat, remove from heat, dip the tip of the popsicle into the cooled but melted chocolate, and cover with nuts of choice!
