This post was created in partnership with AE Dairy.
Looking for a healthy frozen treat your kids will actually get excited for this summer? These Banana Popsicles are the answer. Made with just a couple of ingredients in the base – including AE Dairy’s 2% milk, ripe bananas, and a little protein powder if you want – these banana milk popsicles are naturally sweet, packed with protein, and could not be easier to make. There is no refined sugar, no crazy ingredients, no food coloring, and no complaints from the kids when you hand them one of these.
Whether you are meal prepping for the week or looking for a quick after-school snack, this banana popsicle recipe is about to become your summer go-to!
What is a Banana Popsicle?
A banana popsicle is a frozen treat made with real bananas and milk as the base. Unlike store-bought popsicles loaded with syrups, artificial flavors, and food coloring, homemade banana popsicles use the natural sweetness of the ripe bananas to make them irresistible. They have a creamy, ice cream-like texture when frozen, but do not require an ice cream maker to make them.
Our version of the banana popsicle takes it up a notch by blending the bananas with AE Dairy’s 2% milk for extra creaminess, protein, and the perfect milky flavor. If you want to finish the banana popsicles with a chocolate coating, it adds a richer finish and a little crunch, but you can certainly leave this off if you want. The result of mixing all these delicious ingredients is a banana popsicle you can feel good about handing to your kids over and over this summer.
Why You’ll Love These Banana Popsicles
Your kids will approve of the flavors in these Banana Popsicles. The ripe bananas, fresh milk, white chocolate in the protein powder, and the optional chocolate coating are a flavor combo that is an absolute crowd pleaser for both young ones and adults!
You can make these banana popsicles with real food. These are very clean popsicles you can feed your family all summer long! There is no corn syrup, no artificial dyes, no unfamiliar ingredients. Just bananas, AE Dairy 2% milk, a little protein powder, vanilla, and some chocolate.
You can help get your protein needs met by eating these banana popsicles, too. Each popsicle has protein from the AE Dairy 2% milk and a bit from the protein powder, making these more than just a treat; it is a snack that will help keep your kids feeling full and growing.
There is nothing in a banana popsicle that you do not want in your day. They are naturally sweetened with ripe bananas; the key is to use a banana that has a few brown spots on it. This is when they have reached optimal sweetness, and they blend really well when they are a little softer like this.
Another reason to love making a banana popsicle is that you can whip up a batch of these in just a few minutes. All you have to do is pop your bananas, AE Dairy Milk, vanilla, and protein powder into a blender and hit go! Then pour into your favorite molds and freeze. This can all be done in about 5 to 10 minutes.
The milk in the banana popsicle will keep it creamy, protein-filled, and silky smooth. You can use different fat content in the milk to change how creamy your banana popsicles will be.
Tips for the Best Banana Popsicle
Use the ripest bananas you can find, or let yours get a little more ripe on your counter. The more spots the banana has, the sweeter and creamier the banana popsicle will be. Underripe bananas will be more starchy and have less flavor.
Don’t skip on the AE Dairy Milk; using whole or 2% milk is what will provide just the right amount of fat to make these popsicles smooth and not icy when you freeze them.
To keep your chocolate coating smooth, use refined coconut oil. Using refined coconut oil will keep the flavor neutral, and it doesn’t take a lot. 1 teaspoon is all you really need to keep it, so you can get a thin layer and still have a satisfying snap when you bite into it.
If you want a thicker chocolate shell, don’t be afraid to double-dip. This will add a touch more snap when you bite into it.
Working fast when dipping a banana popsicle is key. Your chocolate can’t cool off too much, and your popsicles can’t warm up too much, otherwise the chocolate will slide right off.
Before dipping your banana popsicle into the chocolate, let the chocolate cool for just a minute or two. This will keep it from seizing when you dip the cold popsicle in.
Meal Prep Tips for Banana Popsicles
A Banana Popsicle is a meal prep dream. Here’s how to make them work for your weekly or summer meal prep:
- Make a big batch. You can easily double or triple this recipe if your blender can handle it and you have enough molds.
- Store in a freezer bag. Once the chocolate shells have fully set, transfer the banana popsicle to a freezer bag or an airtight container. You can put a piece of parchment paper between them so they do not stick.
- Freeze bananas ahead of time. Save some grocery money by freezing your ripe bananas, especially if you do not have time to make these before they get too ripe. Frozen bananas blend into this recipe just as easily as unfrozen ones do.
What to Serve with Your Banana Popsicle
These are a delicious and healthy summer treat on their own, but here are some fun ways to serve them:
- Make an after-school snack board. Pair these with sliced fruit, granola, and a cold glass of AE Dairy milk.
- Summer birthday parties. Set out a tray of the banana popsicles alongside a fruit platter for a healthy dessert all the kids will love!
- Poolside snacking. Pack a few in a cooler for the pool or the park. Give your kids a fun yet healthy snack option. Use wooden popsicle sticks for easy clean up.
- Breakfast on the go. Pair one of these with a hard-boiled egg and a piece of fruit for a super quick, protein-packed breakfast for busy mornings.
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Ingredients
Method
- Peel bananas and place in a blender.
- Add milk, protein powder, and vanilla. Blend until smooth
- Pour into popsicle molds and add sticks or handles.
- Place in freezer until frozen solid, which could take 4 – 5 hours depending on the size of the mold.
- When they are frozen solid, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave and add coconut oil, stirring to combine.
- Dip frozen popsicles into the chocolate mix and let them harden. Enjoy right away or place back in the freezer until you are ready to enjoy!