My super simple, 4-ingredient creamy Mango Popsicles are the perfect way to cool down when the weather gets hot. This healthy mango popsicle recipe is great for kids & toddlers, but make sure to save some for yourself — adults love them too!
Summer is on the way, which means playing in the pool, backyard barbeques, and finding ways to keep cool when the weather is blistering hot. One of my favorite ways to bounce back after a hot summer day is by eating something cold and refreshing, like one of my brown sugar boba ice cream bars, a scoop of homemade coconut mint ice cream, or one of these easy mango popsicles!
These homemade popsicles are easy to make, perfectly sweet, and brightly fruit-forward, but also give off quasi-ice cream vibes from the coconut milk. Better yet, making these frosty treats is way easier than you might think — just blend, pour, and freeze!
I also love that my DIY mango pops are so much healthier than store-bought popsicles. My kiddos are always excited to eat them, and it feels like a win when I get them to eat fruit for dessert. But don’t be fooled by their nice nutritional profile — they taste every bit as good as your favorite frozen summer treat, just without all the artificial junk. 😉
Jump to:
- What are all-natural popsicles?
- What do these mango popsicles taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Mango Popsicle Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Mango Popsicles
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Creamy Mango Popsicle Nutrition
- Pricing Info
- Other Dessert Recipes
- Recipe
What are all-natural popsicles?
I feel like the word “popsicle” encapsulates a huge swath of frozen desserts, many of which are little more than high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavoring, and a hefty dose of food dye. That always bums me out, because making popsicles with real foods like fruit, milk, yogurt, and less-refined sugars is so freakin’ easy!
These all-natural, homemade beauties need nothing more than fresh fruit, coconut milk, maple syrup, and a splash of vanilla extract. And friends? They’re SO MUCH BETTER than the store-bought kind in every possible regard.
For starters, they are far less processed than their artificial cousins. For reference, one of the leading brands lists the following 17 (!!!) ingredients: Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Less Than 2% Of: Sugar, Beet Juice, Vegetable Juice, Turmeric Extract, Annatto Extract, Guar Gum, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Natural And Artificial Flavor, Cherry Juice Concentrate, Grape Juice Concentrate, Locust Bean Gum. Compare that with 4 in our homemade version.
More importantly, they taste like real fruit — because they ARE real fruit. The store-bought version above lists water and a whopping 3 types of sweeteners (HFCS, corn syrup, and white sugar) as the primary ingredients. All-natural popsicles, on the other hand, are primarily made with real fruit that has been sweetened by a touch of minimally refined sugars like maple syrup or honey.
What do these mango popsicles taste like?
These particular mango ice pops taste like a tropical vacation on a stick. They have the perfect blend of fresh mango so they’re bright and tangy and creamy coconut milk so they’re not too puckery. I also like to add a little maple syrup to make them sweeter, and vanilla extract for aromatic warmth.
Why You’ll Love This Mango Popsicle Recipe
- Quick & Easy – You only need 10 minutes of active prep time to whip up a batch, then let your freezer do all the heavy lifting. If you’re using frozen mango chunks, it’s even faster!
- Budget-Friendly – Making your own healthy frozen treats is much cheaper than buying them from the store. Depending on where you shop, the healthier “Outshine” brand mango popsicles range from $4-6 for a box of 4. My homemade version has half as many ingredients and costs me just $0.88 apiece to make.
- Toddler-Approved – If your kids love popsicles, I can guarantee they’ll love these homemade mango ones. My eldest – who is a picky eater and not much of a sweet tooth – goes absolutely bonkers for these.
Ingredients Needed
As promised, my all-natural healthy popsicle recipe requires just a handful of simple ingredients. Here’s what to grab:
- Mango – You can’t have mango popsicles without mango! (Unless you’re a Big Food company that uses fake mango flavor LOL.) Make sure to use fresh, ripe mangoes if you can because they have the best flavor. You can also use frozen mango chunks but they usually aren’t as sweet. If you end up using frozen mango, you may need to add a little bit more maple syrup to taste.
- Coconut Milk – I use full-fat canned coconut milk to get the creamiest, dreamiest texture. You could also use light coconut milk, but the popsicles will end up a bit more icy and a bit less creamy if you do.
- Vanilla Extract – This is technically optional but I like to use it because of the extra warmth and dessert-like flavor it adds to the mango popsicles. Make sure to use 100% pure vanilla syrup to avoid preservatives and unnecessary additives.
- Maple Syrup – I chose maple syrup over other sweeteners because it’s less processed than other sugars and has a mild flavor, especially compared to honey. Make sure to use 100% pure maple syrup (not the dyed HFCS that masquerades as maple syrup) to keep these healthy and free of overly processed sugar.
How To Choose Good Fresh Mangoes
Choosing a mango at the store isn’t as difficult as it may seem, even for beginners! Here are some tips on choosing the perfect fruit for your creamy mango popsicles:
- Don’t worry about color. Some mangoes are more green while others are a yellow-red blend. The color doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to ripeness and flavor.
- Smell the mango. I know it sounds crazy, but the sweeter, riper mangoes smell especially sweet and fragrant near their stems.
- Feel the mango. Gently squeeze the mango, and get a feel for how soft it is. If it’s hard as a rock, it’s not ripe and may take several days to ripen. Generally, the softer and squishier the mango is, the more ripe it is.
- Go for wrinkle-free. As an aging millennial mom, I’ve got nothing against a few wrinkles. 😂 That said, stick with mangoes that have smooth skin and no punctures. If they’ve started to wrinkle and sag, they may be a little past their flavor prime.
Substitutions
When you make your own popsicles, you’re in the proverbial driver’s seat! Feel free to make them your own by swapping in any of the following:
- Mango – This homemade fruit popsicle recipe will work with virtually any fresh or frozen fruit that you have on hand. Don’t like mango? Try berries, pineapple, or peaches instead!
- Coconut Milk – If you don’t like the coconut flavor from coconut milk, you can also use whole milk, full-fat oat milk, or even yogurt instead! You could also just use 100% fruit juice, water, or even coconut water to make your mango popsicles juicier and less creamy.
- Vanilla Extract – You can simply leave this ingredient out, or use another extract, like orange or coconut extract. If you choose to use another extract, start with ½ teaspoon and go up from there. Some extracts can be overpowering and you may not need as much!
- Maple Syrup – I like using liquid sweetener for popsicles because I don’t have to worry about getting it to dissolve like sugar. If you don’t mind the taste of honey, it tastes delicious with mango. You could also use agave nectar, or make a simple syrup out of coconut sugar or organic cane sugar. Alternatively, feel free to swap in the sugar-free alternative of your choice.
How To Make Mango Popsicles
This mango popsicle recipe couldn’t be simpler if it tried. Here’s how to pull it off:
Step 1: Prep. Peel and slice your fresh mangoes. If using frozen mango chunks, skip this step!
Step 2: Add All Ingredients (mango flesh, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract) to a food processor or blender.
Step 3: Blend until smooth and no chunks of mango remain.
Step 4: Pour the mixture into 6 popsicle molds as evenly as possible. Insert popsicle sticks in the center of each mold, leaving about 2 inches sticking out so you can hold them easily when they’re frozen.
Step 5: Freeze for at least 4 hours if using a metal popsicle mold, and at least 6 hours if using a plastic or silicone popsicle mold. Once frozen, remove each popsicle by running them under warm water for a few seconds, then gently pulling them out of their molds.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
The great thing about scratch-cooking (or, not-cooking, in this case) is that you can make recipes to your exact specifications. Here are just a few ideas of ways to customize these mango treats to your liking:
- Mango Tajin Popsicles – Jazzing up your mango popsicles with Tajin, the beloved Hispanic chili-lime-salt blend, is a one-way ticket to Flavor Town. Feel free to just dip your frozen popsicle in the spice blend if you’re not sure if you want a whole batch of mango chili popsicles, or add it directly in the blender if you’re going whole hog.
- Mangonada Popsicles – If you’ve tried the blended Mexican mango drink known as a “mangonada” or “chamoyada,” you know what a yummy flavor bomb it is! Dip your frozen ice pops in a bowl of chamoy (a salty-spicy-sweet-sour fruit sauce) and sprinkle with Tajin for a seriously tropical treat. Mango chamoy popsicles FTW!
- Layered Popsicles – Who says you have to choose just one fruit? Try making mango pineapple popsicles or mango strawberry popsicles by replacing up to half of the mango with your chosen fruit. OR, make a half-sized batch with mango and a half-sized batch with another fruit, then alternate pouring them for a pretty layered, swirly effect.
- Yogurt Mango Popsicles – For a tangier, Indian lassi-inspired take on these frozen treats, swap in plain whole milk yogurt in place of the coconut milk. Feel free to add a splash of fresh lime juice or lemon juice for extra tartness.
- Baby Teething Popsicles – Nowadays you can find baby popsicle molds, which are tiny and have sticks that your tiny humans can’t swallow. If you don’t want to buy an extra popsicle mold, use small Dixie cups or ice cube molds with wide popsicle sticks.
Serving Suggestions
- Tropical Luau: Create a festive atmosphere with tiki torches, Hawaiian music, and colorful decorations. Serve the kids mango pops alongside bowls of fresh pineapple chunks. For an adults-only treat, make a shortcut tiki cocktail. Plop one of these frosty mango coconut popsicles in a cup with your favorite hard seltzer or some rum and sparkling water. Using the ice pop as your ice cube isn’t just festive looking, it’s also delicious.
- Backyard BBQ: These popsicles are a refreshing alternative to sugary desserts after a hot day of grilling. Offer them alongside grilled fruit skewers, a platter of fresh berries, or mini fruit tarts.
- Summer Treat Stand: Set up a mini popsicle stand with a tablecloth and colorful paper cups. Serve the popsicles on a platter of ice to keep them chilled, then set up a toppings station with bowls of sprinkles, chopped fruit, and Magic Shell so everyone can customize to their liking.
- Dipped Delights: Add flavor and texture by dipping the top half of the popsicle in melted dark chocolate then rolling it in crushed nuts like pistachios or almonds, or a mixture of shredded coconut and chopped dried fruit.
- Outdoor Movie Marathon: Ditch the popcorn for a colorful summertime movie snack. Tommy and I like to create an outdoor “movie theater” with comfy blankets, dimmed lights, and a projector. That way, the kids can run around when they get bored, then come back to the movie (and the snacks!) when they’re ready.
Recipe Success Tips
- The best way to store these mango popsicles is to remove them from their popsicle molds, and then place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer-safe ziplock bag. I wouldn’t recommend storing them in their molds for more than about a day, as it may damage the popsicle mold if it is left in the freezer for too long.
- Give them the deep freeze. I like to store homemade popsicles in my deep freezer to help them stay frozen longer while we eat them!
- Wait until they’re super ripe. The flavor of these mango popsicles will change depending on how ripe your mangoes are. I like to wait until the very last minute to make these when the mangoes are almost squishy because the flavor at that point is just amazing!
FAQs
It depends on the recipe or the brand, but my mango popsicles are made with just mango, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla.
I personally think homemade popsicles are better than store-bought, so maybe you’re barking up the wrong tree LOL.
That said, if you’re talking about flavor, many store-bought popsicles add lots of sugar and corn syrup so they’re often sweeter than homemade. If you’re talking about texture, the amount of added sugar is also the likely suspect. Corn syrup (including HFCS) and sugar both decrease the freezing point of liquid, so more sugar means softer, chewier popsicles.
I like my fruit popsicles to stay extra frosty so they don’t drip everywhere when we’re eating them, so I keep mine in the deep freezer. If you prefer a softer texture, I recommend letting them sit out on a plate for 5 or so minutes before digging in. If they’re slightly warmer, they’ll be softer.
Adding creamy, fatty ingredients like full-fat coconut milk or adding extra sugar/sweetener will also help to decrease the freezing temperature, leading to a softer consistency. Alternatively, adding a bit of alcohol (e.g. vodka, though coconut rum would be delicious!) can also decrease the freezing point of the popsicle mixture.
Again, it all depends on the popsicle. These homemade mango popsicles are made with real fruit and natural sweetener (maple syrup), no corn syrup, no artificial ingredients or colors, and no preservatives, so I’d consider them pretty dang healthy.
If you make the recipe as instructed, each popsicle has about 17 carbohydrates, most of which come from sugar — BUT, remember that fruit has naturally occurring sugar, so it’s not the same kind of sugar as a popsicle made with primarily water, corn syrup, and sugar.
I hate to be a broken record here, but again — it depends! If you make the recipe below, it will be vegan. If you swap in honey for the maple syrup, it will not. Some popsicles also contain dairy or other products that aren’t vegan-friendly, so just make sure to read your labels.
Generally, it takes at least 4-6 hours to completely freeze your popsicles. Using a metal popsicle mold helps them freeze faster than if you use a plastic mold.
Most store-bought popsicles contain a lot of added sugars, juices, additives, food coloring, and other unhealthy ingredients that we just shouldn’t consume on a regular basis. I definitely prefer whole, natural foods made with healthy ingredients!
I personally love my stainless steel popsicle mold (affiliate link), which holds 6 popsicles at a time and freezes so quickly! It’s also really easy to clean, is BPA-free, and comes with 50 of the classic wooden popsicle sticks that we all love!
The best way to ripen a mango quickly is to set it near a bunch of bananas. Bananas put off a gas called ethene, which helps to break down cell walls of fruits and vegetables around it, making them ripen much more quickly!
Homemade Creamy Mango Popsicle Nutrition
Summer heat turning your little one into a sticky, sunshine-fueled whirlwind? These mango popsicles are about to become your new BFF! Made with 100% real, whole food ingredients, they clock in at under 130 calories, which is amazing for a creamy treat.
Plus, they’re surprisingly low in carbs compared to those store-bought sugary pops. Translation: no afternoon meltdown from a sugar rush, just a happy, cool kiddo who can keep their playtime going strong.
They’re also a sneaky way to get some extra fruit into your little one’s diet – a win, win, win for parents everywhere!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 128 calories
- Total Fat: 6 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Sodium: 14 mg
- Carbohydrates: 17 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Pricing Info
This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:
- 3 fresh mangoes: $3.78
- 1 cup canned coconut milk: $1.33
- 1 tbsp maple syrup: $0.12
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract: $0.04
Total for all 6 mango popsicles came out to be $5.27 or roughly $0.88 per popsicle!
Other Dessert Recipes
Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments below! I would really appreciate your feedback!
Recipe
Creamy Homemade Mango Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups fresh mango cut into pieces
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel and slice your fresh mangoes. If using frozen mango chunks, skip this step!
- Add mango flesh, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and no chunks of mango remain.
- Pour evenly into 6 popsicle molds. Insert popsicle sticks in the center of each mold, leaving about 2 inches sticking out so you can hold them easily when they're frozen.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours if using a metal popsicle mold, 6-8 hours if using a plastic popsicle mold.
- Once frozen, remove each popsicle by running them under warm water for a few seconds, then gently pulling them out of their molds. Store in a freezer safe container or ziplock!
Video
Nutrition
Pin me for later!
If you end up making this and loving it, take a photo and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your versions of my recipes! And feel free to rate it down below in the comment section. I would really appreciate it!
Creamy mango popsicles make a healthy and sweet summertime treat on a hot day! Made with only 4 simple and healthy ingredients, you can feel good about feeding these to your family all summer long!
xoxo Megan
Matej says
Great timing! I just found this recipe and the summer is finally starting in my part of the world. And I think I just saw some really great looking ripe Mangos in the store yesterday… my kids are up for a treat this coming weekend 🙂
Kris says
We loved how easy and delicious these were! Thank you for another winner! 🙂
Anjali says
These popsicles were so fun to make with my kids!! They were the perfect summer treat!
Tara says
Such a fun and easy treat for summer! I especially love the minimal prep and the flavors sound fantastic.
Tavo says
I loved how creamy the popsicles came out; the full-fat coconut milk made a big difference from a version I made with light coconut milk.