Green Smoothie Popsicles are the ultimate summer treat that’s equal parts playful, healthy, and refreshingly sweet! With layers of real fruit and vibrant spinach, these popsicles feel indulgent but are packed with nourishing ingredients—perfect for cooling off and sneaking in some extra greens, whether you’re making them for kids or the kid-at-heart.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweet Without Added Sugar: Ripe banana and pineapple supply all the natural sweetness—no added sugar necessary, but maximum satisfaction in every bite!
- Gorgeous Layered Look: The two-tone effect makes these Green Smoothie Popsicles look as joyful as they taste, ideal for impressing friends, kids, or even just yourself.
- Sneaky Greens for All Ages: Spinach blends seamlessly into the mix, letting you add nutrition even for the pickiest eaters while keeping that vibrant pop of color.
- Super Simple, Fast Prep: With only a handful of ingredients and just a blender, you can whip up a batch in under ten minutes—and the freezer does the rest of the work!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Only four simple ingredients stand between you and your own batch of Green Smoothie Popsicles. Each one brings just the right element—whether that’s natural sweetness, silky texture, or a blast of tropical freshness—to make this frozen treat both wholesome and utterly irresistible.
- Banana: The secret to creamy popsicles, banana acts as a natural sweetener and brings that mellow, melt-in-your-mouth smoothness.
- Pineapple: Bursting with juicy, tart flavor, pineapple adds a splash of tropical sunshine and a touch of tang.
- Orange Juice: This brings a hint of brightness and ties everything together, creating a refreshing citrus note while keeping things dairy-free.
- Spinach: Don’t worry—you’ll hardly taste it, but spinach adds a vibrant green hue and sneaks in a healthy boost of vitamins and fiber.
Variations
The best part about homemade Green Smoothie Popsicles? You get to play! Tweak the flavor, color, or sweetness based on whatever’s in your fridge or whatever makes your tastebuds happy—they’re nearly impossible to mess up.
- Berry Burst: Swap pineapple for mixed berries for a deep magenta pop and a dose of antioxidants—this is especially great if you have a bag of frozen berries to use up!
- Coconut Cream Dream: Blend in a few tablespoons of coconut yogurt or canned coconut milk for extra creaminess and a mild tropical flavor.
- Supreme Green: If you want to up the veggie factor, add a few leaves of kale or fresh mint for a refreshing herbal twist.
- Kid-Friendly Swirl: Omit the spinach from half the batch and gently swirl the two mixtures together for a fun, marbled freezer pop.
How to Make Green Smoothie Popsicles
Step 1: Blend the Fruit Layer
Start by pureeing your banana, pineapple, and orange juice in a food processor or with a hand blender. Blend until you have a smooth, sunshine-hued mixture—this will form a deliciously sweet first layer for your popsicles.
Step 2: Create the Layers
Pour the fruity mix into your popsicle molds, filling each one about halfway. This helps anchor the finished popsicles with a naturally-sweet, creamy base—and creates an eye-catching split of color in the finished treat!
Step 3: Add Spinach and Blend Again
Pop the remaining fruit mixture back into the blender, toss in the spinach, and blend again until it’s completely smooth and brilliantly green. Don’t worry, the sweetness of the fruit will still shine through, and you’ll love the visual wow-factor.
Step 4: Pour, Freeze, and Enjoy!
Top off your molds with the green smoothie mix, cover, add popsicle sticks, and transfer to the freezer. Freeze for at least five hours or overnight, then run the molds under warm water for a few seconds to release your Green Smoothie Popsicles. Now, dig in and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Green Smoothie Popsicles
- Blender Power Matters: For the smoothest popsicles, use a high-speed blender to completely puree spinach so your pops are vibrantly green and entirely creamy, not chunky.
- Layer Like a Pro: To get crisp, distinct layers, let the first fruit pour settle for a minute in the freezer before gently adding the green layer on top.
- Customizable Sweetness: If you love an extra touch of sweetness, add a splash of maple syrup or a drizzle of agave without sacrificing the popsicle’s wholesome vibe.
- The Quick Release Trick: Run the molds briefly under warm water to effortlessly slide out your Green Smoothie Popsicles—no wrestling required!
How to Serve Green Smoothie Popsicles
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, try rolling the just-unmolded pops in shredded coconut, chia seeds, or even a sprinkle of colorful freeze-dried fruit crumbs. They’ll look extra festive and deliver a little texture with every lick or bite!
Side Dishes
Green Smoothie Popsicles are perfectly refreshing on their own, but they also make a fun, vibrant snack plate alongside a colorful fruit salad, homemade trail mix, or a few graham crackers for dipping and nibbling.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these popsicles nested into a bowl of crushed ice with edible flowers and citrus slices for a backyard party, or turn them into “mini pop” bites in silicone ice cube trays for a kid-friendly twist on classic Green Smoothie Popsicles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Green Smoothie Popsicles stored right in their molds or transfer them to an airtight container or zip-top bag once they’re fully frozen; they’ll stay fresh and delicious for weeks in the freezer!
Freezing
For the best texture, freeze your popsicles for at least 5 hours (or ideally overnight). If you’re making a big batch, separate layers of popsicles with parchment paper to prevent any sticking when storing long term.
Reheating
You won’t need to reheat these popsicles—just run your mold quickly under warm water and they’ll slide out in seconds, ready to enjoy at the perfect frosty temperature!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen fruit to make Green Smoothie Popsicles?
Yes! Either fresh or frozen (and thawed) fruit works beautifully. Frozen fruit actually gives your popsicles a thicker texture, and is extra convenient if you want to make these year-round.
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Will I taste the spinach in the finished popsicles?
Not at all! The banana, pineapple, and orange juice completely mask the flavor of spinach. You get the vibrant color and nutrition, but the smoothie taste stays fruity and sweet.
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How do I make these Green Smoothie Popsicles vegan or dairy-free?
These popsicles are naturally vegan and dairy-free since they use fruit and juice as the base. If you want extra creaminess, add coconut milk or plant-based yogurt—just double-check your mix-ins are also plant-based.
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Can I add protein or other supplements to this recipe?
Absolutely! Protein powder, chia seeds, or a spoonful of nut butter blend in smoothly. Just keep in mind that extra powders may slightly change the popsicle’s texture, so add a bit more juice if needed.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a snack that’s fun, wholesome, and irresistibly icy, Green Smoothie Popsicles seriously deliver. Give them a try—the combination of natural sweetness, playful colors, and nutrient-packed goodness just might make them your new favorite treat. Happy freezing!
Print
Green Smoothie Popsicles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 5 popsicles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending, Freezing
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Green Smoothie Popsicles are a refreshing and healthy treat perfect for hot summer days. Made with a blend of banana, pineapple, orange juice, and spinach, these popsicles are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
Ingredients
Fruit Mix:
- 1 large banana
- 1 cup (5oz/142g) pineapple
- 1/2 cup (4floz/115g) orange juice
Spinach Layer:
- 2 handfuls of spinach
Instructions
- Blend Fruit Mix: In a food processor or hand blender, puree the banana, pineapple, and orange juice until smooth.
- Fill Mold: Fill the mold halfway with the fruit mix.
- Add Spinach: Return the remaining fruit mix to the blender, add spinach, and blend until smooth.
- Create Layers: Fill the popsicle mold with the spinach mix to create colorful layers.
- Freeze: Cover the mold, insert sticks, and freeze for at least 5 hours or overnight.
- Serve: To release the popsicles, run the molds under warm water.
Notes
- No added sugar needed because they are naturally sweet.
- Use fresh or frozen fruit that has been defrosted.
- Feel free to omit or add fruit.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popsicle
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
