Mango Popsicles
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This easy mango popsicle recipe is your ticket to a refreshing escape. Perfect for summer days, these popsicles are not only delicious but also incredibly simple to make. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a homemade treat that both kids and adults will love.
Pair these popsicles with a chilled beverage like fruit punch or a light dessert like a fruit salad with coconut whipped cream to keep cool all summer.
Why You’ll Love These Mango Popsicles
- Simple and Quick: With minimal ingredients and steps, this recipe is incredibly easy to whip up, even on a busy day.
- Cooling Refreshment: Perfect for hot weather, mango popsicles provide a delicious way to stay cool and hydrated.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love the sweet, fruity flavor of mangoes, making these popsicles a family-friendly option that’s also fun to make together.
I live of off frozen treats to help keep cool during the summer and these mango ice popsicles are top of my list. We started making them last summer and the recipe has only gotten better with each test batch. It’s slightly sweet yet bold and tangy. The perfect mix of flavors.
Think of sweet ripe mango mixed with a little citrus kick of lime. It’s incredibly refreshing, easy to customize, and an icy pop we always have on hand.
Ingredient You’ll Need
This recipe is a delicate balance of flavors using minimal ingredients. Each one plays a unique role. Here is what you will need:
- Mango: Fresh mangoes are excellent if they’re ripe and sweet. Frozen mangoes are a convenient and consistent option. Ultimately, the choice depends on availability, convenience, and personal preference. If you have access to ripe, flavorful fresh mangoes, they can enhance the freshness of your popsicles. If you’re looking for ease and consistency, frozen mangoes are a fantastic choice.
- Water: Water helps with consistency and texture while balancing the sweet intense mango flavor. If you’re looking to switch things up try substituting this with coconut water or other fruit juices like pineapple or orange (making sure to adjust the sweetener).
- Sugar: Sugar lowers the freezing point of the mixture, which helps prevent the formation of large ice crystals. This results in a smoother, more enjoyable texture that’s easier to eat. It can, and should, be adjusted if you’re substituting the water for a juice.
- Lime Juice: Lime juice provides a tart contrast to the sweetness of the mango and is super important in balancing flavors.
- Vanilla: Optional. I like it better without, my teenage insists we add it.
Mango Ice Pops Recipe
- Prepare the Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves. This creates a simple syrup. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the cooled simple syrup, frozen mango chunks, lime juice, and vanilla extract (if using). Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your mixture. If it’s too tart, you can add a little more sugar. If it’s too sweet, a bit more lime juice can balance it out. Adjust according to your preference.
- Pour and Freeze: Pour the blended mixture into popsicle molds. If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use small cups or an ice cube tray as an alternative. Insert popsicle sticks into each mold. If using cups or an ice cube tray, let the pops freeze for about an hour before inserting the sticks to ensure they stand upright.
- Freeze: Place the molds in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until the popsicles are firm.
- Unmold and Enjoy: To unmold the popsicles, run the outside of the molds under warm water for a few seconds. Gently pull on the sticks to release the popsicles. Enjoy your homemade mango popsicles as a refreshing treat!
Recipe Variations:
If you’re looking to spice up your mango popsicle recipe or add a twist, here are some tasty variations you can try:
- Coconut Mango Popsicles: Substitute the water with coconut milk for a creamier texture and tropical flavor.
- Spicy Mango Popsicles: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the mixture before freezing. The heat contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the mango and the tang of the lime.
- Mango Yogurt Popsicles: Mix equal parts of yogurt with the mango blend before freezing. This will give your popsicles a creamy texture and a tangy flavor, perfect for a richer treat.
- Mango Mojito Popsicles: Add fresh mint leaves and a splash of rum (optional) into your blend. This variation is great for adult gatherings and adds a refreshing mojito twist to your popsicles.
- Mango Pineapple Popsicles: Blend equal parts of mango and pineapple for a tropical flavor explosion. The acidity of the pineapple complements the sweetness of the mango beautifully.
These variations can help keep your popsicle-making adventures exciting, offering different flavors and textures to enjoy throughout the summer or any warm day!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, fresh mango can be used in place of frozen. Ensure it’s ripe and sweet for the best flavor. You might need to add a bit more ice or freeze the mango chunks before blending to achieve a similar texture.
You can substitute the sugar with a sweetener like honey, agave syrup, or use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia. Adjust the quantity to taste, as these sweeteners vary in sweetness.
To prevent icy popsicles, ensure you have the right balance of sugar and liquid. Sugar helps lower the freezing point, which creates a smoother texture. Adding a little bit of fat, like coconut milk, can also help.
Popsicles typically need to freeze for at least 4-6 hours. Freezing them overnight is often easiest, ensuring they are completely solid.
If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use small cups, ice cube trays, or even silicone molds. Just be sure to insert sticks once the mixture is partially frozen.
Helpful Tools
Having the right tools can make the process of making mango popsicles easier and more enjoyable. Here are some helpful tools to consider:
- Blender or Food Processor: (affiliate) Essential for pureeing the mango into a smooth consistency. A good quality blender will handle frozen fruit more efficiently.
- Popsicle Molds: (affiliate) These molds come in various shapes and sizes and are crucial for forming your popsicles. If you don’t have popsicle molds, small cups or an ice cube tray can also work.
- Popsicle Sticks: (affiliate) Necessary for traditional popsicle molds. If you’re using an alternative like cups, these sticks will still be needed.
- Saucepan: (affiliate) Needed for making the simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water), which is a component of many popsicle recipes.
More Frozen Treats to Try
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Mango Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1½ cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (16oz) container frozen mango
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.
- In a blender, combine the cooled simple syrup, frozen mango chunks, lime juice, and vanilla extract (if using). Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into popsicle molds. If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use small cups or an ice cube tray as an alternative. Insert popsicle sticks into each mold. If using cups or an ice cube tray, let the pops freeze for about an hour before inserting the sticks to ensure they stand upright.
- Place the molds in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until the popsicles are firm.
Notes
- Coconut Mango Popsicles: Substitute the water with coconut milk for a creamier texture and tropical flavor.
- Spicy Mango Popsicles: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the mixture before freezing. The heat contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the mango and the tang of the lime.
- Mango Yogurt Popsicles: Mix equal parts of yogurt with the mango blend before freezing. This will give your popsicles a creamy texture and a tangy flavor, perfect for a richer treat.
- Mango Mojito Popsicles: Add fresh mint leaves and a splash of rum (optional) into your blend. This variation is great for adult gatherings and adds a refreshing mojito twist to your popsicles.
- Mango Pineapple Popsicles: Blend equal parts of mango and pineapple for a tropical flavor explosion. The acidity of the pineapple complements the sweetness of the mango beautifully.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
One of our new summer favorites!