Cool And Refreshing Pineapple Popsicles

Name: Pineapple Popsicle Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 h
Total time: 12 h 15 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Latin
Ingredients: One ripe pineapple, diced; 1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 quart water

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Packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, pineapple popsicles (or paletas de pina as they are known in Costa Rica) are a guilt-free summer treat that both parents and kids love!

About Pineapple Popsicles

Nothing says “summer” quite like a homemade popsicle! With its famously sunny climate and abundant tropical fruits, Costa Rica is a veritable popsicle paradise. Popsicles, or paletas as they are known in Costa Rica, are a year-round favorite and can be found in grocery stores, pulperías, and are even sold on the beach.

It’s hard to beat a homemade popsicle, and I especially love using pineapples because of the nutritional benefits. Not only are they naturally sweet and low-calorie, but pineapples are also excellent sources of vitamin C and antioxidants. Thought to boost immunity and aid in digestion as well, pineapples are a great addition to any diet!

This pineapple popsicles recipe is very simple- it uses raw pineapple, water, and a bit of sugar. It’s a fresh fruit popsicle that I have zero guilt about serving to my kids! This recipe is also a great way to consume extremely ripe pineapple– it’s sweeter, so the popsicles are even more delicious! Plus, you are reducing food waste. A win/win!

Pineapple Popsicles Recipe

Ingredients:

One ripe pineapple
1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 quart water
blender (does not have to be a high-powered blender)
popsicle molds (I’m obsessed with these!)

Instructions:

Slice and core your pineapple. Then cut the pieces so that they fit in your blender. It doesn’t really matter how you cut it since you are going to blend them up anyway.

Place pineapple chunks, sugar, and water into your blender and blend until smooth. You could also use a food processor here if you prefer.

Pour the pineapple mixture into your ice pop molds and place in the freezer.

If you are using popsicle molds, make sure to put the popsicle stick into each mold.

Freeze until pops are solid- for me, this takes about 24 hours.

Substitutions

About three cups of frozen pineapple cubes (or enough to fill 1/3 of your blender) can be substituted in place of fresh pineapple.

Stevia or brown sugar can also be swapped in for cane sugar.

Note- Depending on how ripe your pineapple is, you can think twice about adding sugar at all!

Variations

Pineapple and coconut are always a wonderful combination– try adding a 1/3 cup of coconut milk to the pineapple popsicles mix for some extra tropical flair!

For a spin-off on the classic pina colada, add four tablespoons of your favorite brand of rum and a splash of coconut liqueur to your blender or food processor along with the rest of the ingredients. Be careful not too add too much liquor or the popsicles will not freeze. I say no more than half a cup.

You can also pour the blended pineapple into an ice cube tray and then use the resulting cubes for your favorite fruit punch- or even in your rum punch!

Serving Suggestions

Once these pineapple popsicles have been frozen for 24 hours, remove the popsicle molds from the freezer and run them over with hot water to release the ice pops. Find yourself a beach (not a requirement, but always fun!), and enjoy your pineapple paleta, Costa Rica-style!

FAQ

What are the benefits of eating pineapple?

Pineapples are fantastic fruits– low in calories, trans fats, and full of natural sugars, they are perfect for weight loss diets. Pineapples also have anti-inflammatory properties and contain plenty of antioxidants.

How do you core a pineapple?

Pineapples can be a little intimidating to slice at first glance, but are so worth the extra effort! First, cut off the leaves and the tip of the pineapple so that you’re left with a cylinder. Cut the pineapple cylinder into two halves, exposing the core. On each half, make a V-shape with your knife to remove the core, and then slice up the remaining fruit. Voila!

How do I know if a pineapple is ripe?

Give her a nice sniff. If the pineapple has no odor, it’s not ready. If it smells sweet, it’s ready to go!

Printable Recipe

Yield: 12 Popsicles

Pineapple Popsicle Recipe

Packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, pineapple popsicles (or paletas de pina as they are known in Costa Rica) are a guilt-free frozen treat that both parents and kids love! These 3-ingredient pineapple ice pops are super easy to make and don't even require a high-powered blender.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 12 hours

Total Time 12 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

One ripe pineapple, diced
1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 quart water

Instructions

Slice and core your pineapple so that you have 1/2-inch cubes.
Place pineapple chunks, sugar, and water into your blender and blend until smooth. You could also use a food processor here if you prefer.
Pour the pineapple mixture into your ice pop molds and place in the freezer. If you are using popsicle molds, make sure to put the popsicle stick into each mold.
Freeze until pops are solid- for me, this takes about 24 hours.