Homemade Ice Pops

Try these 1 ingredient homemade ice pops with no sugar added for a refreshing sweet treat this summer!  

What is it about ice pops that make kids go crazy?

At soccer games, all the kids get a free ice pop after their game and, often times, it's more exciting for the kids to enjoy the popsicles than it is to play their games.

While Dustin and I let the kiddos enjoy those types of sweets in moderation, it's hard watching them eat something that's clearly not good for their little bodies.

I can even remember, as a kid, loving Otter Pops at parties and wishing my parents would buy them so we could have them in our house.

A quick look at the label, however, leaves you never wanting you or your kids to eat them again.  The second ingredient is high fructose corn syrup, followed by concentrated fruit juices, preservatives, and food coloring.  Umm...pass.

Instead, I decided to make my own homemade ice pops using some delicious summer melons from H-E-B.  If you're a Texan, you know the amazingness of H-E-B grocery stores already. The Primo Picks Sugar Kiss Melons are in season right now and are so sweet and delicious, they're perfect for making your own ice pops.

How To Make Easy Ice Pops With Fruit

Making your own homemade ice pops with fruit is so easy, especially if you have ripe, sweet, and juicy fruit.  If it can be pureed, it can become an ice pop.

If your fruit isn't very juicy, you may need to add a little liquid to help it along.  You can add water to keep it simple and not change the flavor too much or you can add other liquids, like lime or lemon juice to add a little extra flavor boost.  Then, just add everything to a blender and puree until completely liquid. It's so easy to do and the result is so awesome.

Here are some ideas for fruits that would make great homemade ice pops:

• watermelon
• orange
• pineapple
• mango (here's how to slice a mango, too!)
• raspberry
• honeydew
• cantaloupe
• strawberry

How To Make Ice Pops Without Sugar

Some fruits, like these Sugar Kiss Melons, don't require any additional liquid or sweeteners, which is awesome.  However, if you're using less sweet fruit, you may need to add a little raw honey to help sweeten them.  Remember that foods don't taste quite as sweet when they're frozen so, if it doesn't taste sweet when it's in liquid form, it will definitely not be sweet when frozen.

The best bet for making your own ice pops without sugar is to pick the sweetest, most in season fruits you can find.  That will make them naturally sweet and allow you to avoid adding any additional sweeteners.  If you do want to add a little sweetener, try to pick a less refined option, like pure maple syrup, raw honey, or coconut sugar.  More on sugar here, if you're interested.

These homemade ice pops are for the kid in all of us.  They're sweet, fun, and a great way to take advantage of fresh, naturally sweet fruits, like the yummy Sugar Kiss Melons.

Stay cool, friends!