These healthy lemon popsicles are creamy and fresh, perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. Plus they're made with only 3 simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
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I've got a whole arsenal of healthy, delicious recipes to keep us cool and refreshed in the warm weather of summer, especially since we are trying to spend a few hours outside each day.
Some of my favorite are chocolate fudge popsicles, low sugar lemonade (which you could also freeze in popsicle molds to make lemon ice pops) and secret ingredient chocolate milkshake (there's a vegetable in that one!). Of course, having watermelon in the fridge and frozen grapes in the freezer is also essential.
There truly are so many guilt-free ways to enjoy a treat and cool down on a hot day!
These homemade lemon popsicles are a new favorite this summer. The tart citrus is so refreshing! I also love that the coconut milk makes this a creamy popsicle, not icy like a traditional lemonade popsicle recipe.
If you've got extra lemons hanging around, this is a great way to eat them up!
Why you'll love this recipe
Healthy - Made with wholefood ingredients you can feel good about eating! You also have complete control over what kind of sweetener and how much you use, so you can choose better options like honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar.
Simple - Mix together just 3 common ingredients and freeze in popsicle molds. Such an easy recipe!
Refreshing - Ice-cold citrus is the perfect way to cool down in the heat of summer. Plus it provides some electrolytes to keep you hydrated!
Ingredients
Coconut milk - Full-fat coconut milk is a rich, creamy substitute for dairy, but it's very enjoyable even if you can drink cow's milk! Normally it imparts a coconut flavor to whatever it's added to, but I don't notice that in this recipe. Coconut milk is high in fats and many vitamins and minerals, including copper, manganese, selenium, iron and folate. It may improve heart health, reduce inflammation and fight viruses!
Look for high quality coconut milk with minimal additives and without BPA (a chemical that can lead to cancer and reproductive issues) in the can lining. This is a good option. Hint: If it costs $0.88 for a can, it's probably not the best brand to buy...
Lemon juice - Lemons are a fantastic source of Vitamin C, a vitamin essential for heart health, preventing kidney stones and iron absorption.
Lemons are also high in fibre which can stabilize blood sugar and improve gut health. However, you only get these benefits if you eat the lemon pulp. It's your choice whether you want to strain it out or leave it in your lemon popsicles! Lemon juice is also a source of natural electrolytes.
Maple syrup - High in sugar, as we know, but I use the least amount possible to create a delicious end result! Maple syrup is natural and also contains a small number of vitamins and minerals. You definitely need a little more sweetener in lemon-flavored popsicles to create the perfect balance between tart and sweet. You could also use honey or coconut sugar.
Turmeric - Totally optional, it just makes these a yellow color so they look more like lemon popsicles! You could also add some lemon zest to add some bright yellow pops throughout the popsicles.
FAQ
Yes! They are made with 3 real food ingredients: fresh lemon juice, coconut milk and maple syrup. We use the least amount of sweetener necessary to still produce a delicious result. The best part is each popsicle contains only about 2 teaspoon of maple syrup, which is 9 grams of sugar. Store-bought popsicles can have up to 32 grams!
You can, but I highly recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best lemon flavor and nutritional value. However, if fresh lemons are not available, you can use bottled lemon juice instead.
Yes, you can use any sweetener you like. I prefer to use natural sweeteners, so another great option I would recommend is either date syrup or coconut sugar. White sugar is ultra-refined and devoid of any nutritional value, so I wouldn't recommend using it.
Yes, you can add any fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries to the mixture to make a fruity twist on the classic lemon popsicle. You can blend the fruit into the mixture or drop some whole (like fresh raspberries) or sliced (like strawberries) into the popsicle molds before filling them up.
You don't have to have an ice pop mold to make homemade lemonade popsicles! Here are some ideas for things to use that you may already have:
- Dixie cups (paper cups)
- Plastic cups (disposable)
- Empty and clean used single serving yogurt or applesauce cups
- Ice cube trays
- Muffins tins
Stored properly, these popsicles can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Yes, if you use maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener, this lemon popsicle recipe can be made vegan.
Tips
- You can taste-test your mixture before pouring and make adjustments if needed, just remember that the pops will taste a little sweeter once frozen!
- If using silicone molds, place them on a flat tray or dish for more stability when setting them down in the freezer.
- When ready to enjoy, run warm water over the popsicle mold for a few moments to help soften and release the popsicles.
Tools you may need
Popsicle molds (I have this silicone mold)
Wooden popsicle sticks (if your molds don't come with reusable handles)
Blender (I love this one!)
How to make healthy lemon popsicles
Ingredients:
- 1 can (400ml) full fat coconut milk
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric, optional for brighter yellow color
Instructions:
Add all ingredients into a high speed blender or food processor. If you don't have one, you could also whisk them together in a bowl, it just may be more difficult to smooth out all the coconut cream lumps.
If using a silicone mold, place it on a flat dish that you can fit in your freezer. Otherwise, you'll make quite a mess as you transport it!
Pour the lemon mixture into popsicle molds, all the way to the top of the mold, and place sticks into popsicles. If your mold doesn't come with reusable sticks, or if they are unavailable (mine are often in use holding other popsicles!), freeze the mixture in molds for about 40 minutes (set a timer so you don't forget). The popsicles will be frosty, but still soft enough to insert the popsicle sticks. Insert the popsicle sticks and freeze for a minimum of 4 more hours.
When ready to eat, run mold under warm water and wiggle popsicles to release them.
Popsicle storage
These lemon popsicles may be stored in the mold for up to 1 week. After that, they may start to take on freezer smells or become freezer burnt. Don't let that happen!
For longer storage (up to 2 weeks), remove all popsicles from mold and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
For the longest storage (up to 3 months), individually wrap popsicles in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. But come on, they won't last that long!
Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!
More healthy summer treats
- Chocolate Milkshake Without Ice Cream
- Cherry Popsicles
- Maple No Bake Cookies
- Creamy Lemon Bars
- Low Sugar Lemonade
- Sun Tea
📖 Recipe
Healthy Lemon Popsicles
These healthy lemon popsicles are creamy and fresh, perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. Plus they're made with only 3 simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 can (400ml) full fat coconut milk
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric, optional for brighter yellow color
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a high speed blender or food processor. If you don't have one, you could also whisk them together in a bowl, it just may be more difficult to smooth out all the coconut cream lumps.
- If using a silicone mold, place it on a flat dish that you can fit in your freezer. Otherwise, you'll make quite a mess as you transport it!
- Pour the lemon mixture into popsicle molds, all the way to the top of the mold, and place sticks into popsicles. If your mold doesn't come with reusable sticks, or if they are unavailable (mine are often in use holding other popsicles!), freeze the mixture in molds for about 40 minutes. The popsicles will be frosty, but still soft enough to insert the popsicle sticks. Insert the popsicle sticks and freeze for a minimum of 4 more hours.
- When ready to eat, run mold under warm water and wiggle popsicles to release them.
Notes
These lemon popsicles may be stored in the mold for up to 1 week. After that, they may start to take on freezer smells or become freezer burnt. Don't let that happen!
For longer storage (up to 2 weeks), remove all popsicles from mold and place in an airtight container or freezer bag.
For the longest storage (up to 3 months), individually wrap popsicles in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. But come on, they won't last that long!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 123Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g
This nutrient calculation is done by an automated calculator and may not be accurate.
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