How to Make Popsicles (Ultimate Guide)

Use this guide to make popsicles in all the best flavor options and styles, including ice pops and creamy freezer pops. Plus, the best popsicle molds. You’ll be totally set for warm weather treats with this post.

How to Make Popsicles

We love homemade popsicles for snack, dessert, and even breakfast, and once you know a few basic tips, you can make them in so many delicious flavors.

I will share a method for making freezer pops with a base of either yogurt or fruit juice in a few flavors, plus tips on how to store, how to reduce iciness, and how to add just enough sweetness.

The beauty of this approach is that you can easily customize popsicles for your kids with the ingredients you want to use—and often for less than you’d spend buying them at the store!

Best Popsicle Molds

To start, you’ll need a set of popsicle molds so you can easily freeze your popsicle base. I have a full post with all of my favorite ones—that are super durable and make it easy to release the popsicles. I also include full-size and mini popsicles so you can pick the size you prefer.

Read about my favorite popsicle molds and know you can also use popsicle sticks and mini bathroom-type paper or plastic cups if you prefer. You’ll just need to put the stick in about 1 hour after you put them into the freezer so it stays upright. (If you put it in right away, they will lean to the side since the mixture is too liquidy.)

You can also use ice pop sleeves.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at what you’ll need to make popsicles at home so you know what you’ll need to have on hand:

• Yogurt or fruit juice: You can choose a creamy base (where you’d use yogurt, either Greek or regular), or an ice-pop style of freezer pop, where you’d use fruit juice. Both are easy options.
• Fruit: You can use fresh or frozen fruit to make popsicles. In many cases, you can also use canned fruit. I’ll share options using strawberries, mango, oranges, bananas, and more.
• Honey or maple syrup: Depending on the sweetness of your fruit, you can add a little of either of these to enhance the flavor. Avoid honey for babies under age 1.)
• Vanilla extract: You can add a little vanilla extract (regular or alcohol-free) if you’d like to add even more flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at how to make popsicles. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full recipe with amounts and specifics.

1. Add the ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend very smooth, starting on low and working up to high.
3. Pour into popsicle molds.
4. Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.

TIP: To release popsicles from their molds, either pop out of a silicone mold or run a plastic one under warm water for 15-30 seconds.

Favorite Popsicle Recipes to Try

Below are some of my favorite popsicles to make for the kids—and enjoy with them! These are all super easy to make and freeze, so you don’t have to worry about anything taking a lot of time or energy.

You can serve them once they’re firm, or you can save them for a future day. Up to you.

Strawberry Popsicles

These popsicles are one of our all-time favorites, and they work really well with fresh or frozen strawberries so you can make them all year long.

Homemade Creamsicles

The fresh citrus in these pops is bright and refreshing—which makes them perfect for warm weather or to soothe a sore throat.

Banana Popsicles

My kids are obsessed with eating these for breakfast. Whatever works! (They’re seriously creamy, too.)

Grape Pops

With fresh grapes and grape juice, these popsicles are so refreshing for days when we need a little more hydration.

Fudge Pops

Made with a base of a simple chocolate pudding, these fudge pops are super creamy and delicious.

Green Smoothie Pop

Freeze leftover smoothie or make a batch on purpose to freeze as popsicles. Such a fun way to offer up greens!

Mango Popsicles

Mango and yogurt (or coconut milk) are super creamy when blended together and are so delicious that you don’t need to add any other ingredients!

Blueberry Popsicles

Blend up blueberries with spinach and yogurt for a satisfying, produce-packed popsicle to share with the kids.

Watermelon Popsicles

Blending fresh watermelon into ice pops is a really refreshing snack—and a great way to use up leftover watermelon.

Chocolate-Covered Bananas

This old-school treat is as good as always and in this version, the bananas are topped with the most delicious chocolate pudding.

Rocket Pops

Whether for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or just any day, these homemade rocket pops are so fun and colorful!

All-Fruit Ice Pops

We are super fans of all frozen treats over here and it seemed time to make one entirely from fruit. These Ice Pops are the delicious result. They take about 10 minutes to make and are so versatile that you can make them with almost any fruit you have. Win!

Sore Throat Popsicles

With a simple fruit base that’s extra creamy and helps to soothe and coat the throat, these pops are a favorite way to soothe kids when they’re sick.

Pineapple Popsicles

These are amazingly creamy and just need a few simple ingredients.

Peach Popsicles

These are terrific made with fresh local peaches in season or with thawed frozen peaches any other time of the year.

Fruit Popsicles

Use this method to make refreshing homemade popsicles from any fruit you have on hand—or the kids love most.

How to Store

Once the popsicles are frozen solid, transfer to a zip-top storage bag. Remove as much air from the bag as you can and seal. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Best Tips for Success

• Blend the popsicle mixture until very smooth.

• Use a base of yogurt, coconut milk, or fruit juice, depending on the flavor you’re wanting to make.
• Taste the blended mixture and sweeten to taste with honey (for kids over age 1) or maple syrup.
• Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
• Run a plastic popsicle mold under warm water for 15-30 seconds to help release the popsicle as needed.
• Let yogurt-based popsicles sit at room temperature for 10 minutes so they soften and are a little creamy before serving.
• Find the best popsicle mold for your family to use season after season.

Related Recipes

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This post was first published July 2022.