I’ve always adored ice pops, but not necessarily the sugar and flavor enhancers you get with store-bought sweets. Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from us every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Hurry the Food Up. So I thought, why not make my own popsicles with simple and clean ingredients? And if I can get some extra protein into them, it’s going to be a blast. Let me show you the recipes that sprang from this idea!
Are protein popsicles healthy?
Yes, healthy protein popsicles with protein are the real thing! I’ve often associated popsicles with a sugar crash, and it’s true that they can be a stage for sneaking in extra sugar and harmful additives. However, the protein popsicles I’m about to present to you are made with wholesome ingredients and sweetened with honey which you can replace with agave or maple syrup if you like. They’re high in protein and low in calories—a perfect healthy snack that’s even good for weight loss.If weight loss piqued your interest, check out our FREE 7-day weight loss meal plan for more info.
Ingredients & substitutions
Let’s see what ingredients you need to round up for these healthy popsicles with protein: Fruits I find homemade popsicles with fruits are just superior! You can make them with any type of fruit but these recipes specifically call for strawberries, peaches and bananas. Yogurt/milk To make creamy cool treats, yogurt or milk are a must. I’m using low-fat Greek yogurt for fruity protein popsicles and milk for chocolate popsicles. These components also add extra protein, especially Greek yogurt. Sweetener You can achieve the right sweetness with honey, agave or maple syrup. If you don’t have any of that, sugar can also work as a last resort. Cacao powder You’ll need cacao powder if you decide to make chocolate banana pops. Additions Other ingredients depend on your taste and specific recipe requirements. These can include toppings, like chocolate, freeze-dried fruits, sprinkles, nuts or seeds; or protein powder as an alternative choice for a boost of protein.
Equipment needed
Measuring cups/spoons Using measuring cups and spoons is very practical when you want to get all the proportions right.You can check out this guide to ounce/cup conversions for more insight into ingredient measurements. Blender or food processor You can blend ingredients easily with a blender or food processor. It’ll provide a smooth and creamy texture. I found this was the easiest way to do it. If you don’t have this sort of equipment, you can still mash or cut up your fruits and stir everything together. But you’ll get chunks of fruits between bites. Popsicle mold You can use both plastic and silicone molds for your popsicles.
How to make protein popsicles
I had the best experience with silicone popsicle molds but plastic ones are usually less expensive and work just fine. The very first time I made popsicles I used plastic molds and it was a bit difficult to get them out. So I dipped the bottom in hot water and it worked like a charm. Now that you know the general instructions, let me show you what inspired this post. Protein ice pops designed on a hot summer day in Southern Germany!
Let’s see how much protein we can get with these delicious protein popsicles!
Bonus: no refined sugar and additives Frozen popsicles with fresh strawberries are a decadent summer treat for fruit lovers. They’re very light and refreshing but also packed with 5 grams of protein per popsicle. Bonus: the goodness of ripe peaches Another delicious snack made with just 3 simple ingredients and boasting 6 grams of protein. These peach popsicles taste like a summer dream to me! Bonus: extra sweetness Chocolate banana popsicles are a healthy and very kid-friendly idea. Unlike peach and strawberry popsicles, these use milk instead of low-fat Greek yogurt. So if you like something on the sweeter side without tanginess, this chocolate protein popsicle recipe is for you. For more chocolatey richness, you can also sway away from the popsicle theme and try this ice cream recipe with silken tofu! Bonus: extra protein from tofu Several scoops of this silken tofu vegan ice cream make a refreshing treat full of healthy ingredients. It’s cooling, sweet and perfectly creamy! Try this recipe out right away:
Protein popsicle toppings
If you’re feeling creative, you can adorn your fruit pops with various toppings like chopped nuts, seeds, coconut flakes and sprinkles. Another fun thing I love doing if there’s extra time is to dip my frozen pops into some melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Just don’t hesitate with the sprinkles because chocolate sets very fast!
Change it up!
Feel free to explore other flavor combinations to find your perfect summer treat. If you don’t like strawberries or peaches, I suggest trying blueberries, kiwis or mango. You can even blend your favorite smoothie ingredients and pour the mixture into popsicle molds.If you’re not a fan of Greek yogurt, use any type of milk you like. Just remember that Greek yoghurt is superior in terms of protein content. If you have some leftover fruits you can try this yoghurt ice cream. It’s super easy to make. Bonus: very adaptable Leftover fruit yoghurt ice cream is a fun snack you can make with any fruit you find in the fridge. Mixed berries, ripe bananas, peaches—give them a shot! It’s also a nice way to use up some frozen fruits. If you need tips on freezing fruits properly, check out this blog post on freezing kiwi and this one about freezing pineapple.
Variations
Protein freeze pops are easy to transform to your taste and dietary needs. If you want to make vegan or dairy-free popsicles, you can use vegan Greek yogurt or dairy-free milk as a base. I’d go for coconut milk or almond milk but you can choose any you like. A scoop of protein powder is an alternative for an extra boost of protein. You can make whey protein popsicles or apply other types of protein powder, including vegan protein powder. It comes in different flavors, like strawberry, vanilla, chocolate protein powder and more. Check out this compilation of protein powder recipes to add more ideas to your culinary repertoire.
Is protein powder safe for kids?
Protein powder can be safe for kids if it’s been prescribed by a paediatrician. In certain cases, it may be a helpful supplement for children with specific dietary needs and restrictions. Protein is an essential macronutrient for people of all ages, and protein powder can help regulate its intake. However, it’s generally possible to get your recommended daily amounts from eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds. So random protein powder snacks and meals aren’t recommended for kids without consulting a doctor.Check out this article for a more extensive list of vegetarian protein sources.
Storage
It’s safe to store protein pops in the freezer for 2-3 months. I recommend removing your frozen treats from the molds and encasing each in plastic wrap or parchment paper. After this, you can slide them into a big airtight container or freezer-safe bag. After your mixture has partially frozen in these containers, you can insert popsicle sticks.I hope you have fun making these tasty popsicles! Share your favorite one in the comments below!
