Cool Down: Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Pops

Things are heating up and summer will be here soon! Chill out with these homemade frozen yogurt pops from Amy Palanjian of Yummy Toddler Food — no molds needed! The sweet snack uses simple ingredients for a refreshing treat the whole family will love.

It warmed up quickly this spring where we live in the Midwest, so we’ve already been eating our fair share of popsicles as afternoon snacks. These Strawberry Greek Frozen Yogurt Pops are one of our very favorite recipes because they taste like a treat, but they are also a nicely balanced snack for the whole family. And they are particularly delicious when eaten outside.

They are made with a really simple combination of ingredients that you might already have in the house. Here’s a look at what’s inside:

• Plain Greek Yogurt: Thick and tangy, this type of yogurt is trendy, sure, but it also boasts more protein than regular yogurt and the super creamy texture works well in these freezer pops.
• Strawberries: With Vitamin C-rich strawberries coming into season in most parts of the country, it’s a perfect time to use them in more recipes. The better tasting your berries, the better the pops will be.
• Honey: We like to add a little honey to our pop mixture to add a bit of extra sweetness. If your strawberries are super sweet, you can probably skip it, but taste the mixture before you freeze it before you decide.
• Vanilla: Including a bit of pure vanilla extract rounds out the flavors and makes it taste a little more treat-like.
• Lemon Juice: A bit of tartness goes a long way in frozen yogurt and using it here adds a refreshing and bright note.

All of these ingredients combine to create freezer pops that offer a variety of nutrients in one delicious package. Kids and parents alike will love them!

Strawberry Greek Frozen Yogurt Pops

Makes 4 pops

This basic recipe is easy and delicious, though you can up the nutrition by adding some greens to the mix if you like. Check out my Blueberry Spinach version of these pops here.

Ingredients

6 ounces plain Greek frozen yogurt (2% or 4% if you can find it)

1 cup hulled and diced strawberries, plus 2 more berries, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and grind until well combined, about 10 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
2. Place four 3-ounce plastic cups onto a plate or a small baking dish and divide the yogurt mixture evenly among them. (You can also use your favorite reusable freezer pop molds.) Place a popsicle stick into the center and surround with sliced strawberries, if desired.
3. Place plate or dish into the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. To store overnight, let freeze for at least 4 hours, then place into a zip top freezer bag or cover individually with plastic wrap. To serve, snip the cup with scissors and peel away the cup.

Variations

• Use blueberries instead of strawberries.
• Try maple syrup instead of honey.
• Stir together the ingredients instead of using the food processor for pops with bigger berry pieces.

Amy Palanjian is a writer, editor, recipe developer, and crafter for magazines, books, and websites. She’s also mama to a very energetic toddler who inspires her to share wholesome, yet realistic recipes and feeding tips with other parents of little ones at her site Yummy Toddler Food. For more inspiration, check out her website and Instagram.

What are your favorite treats to enjoy during warmer weather? Share with us below!