Banana popsicles are a creamy, sweet, and refreshing frozen treat made from simple, natural ingredients like ripe bananas, pure maple syrup, and milk.
These homemade banana popsicles are naturally gluten-free, free of refined sugar, and can easily be made dairy-free by using plant-based milk.
Bananas are a wonderful base for frozen desserts because, when blended and frozen, they recreate the sweet, creamy texture of ice cream. Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness so only a little maple syrup is needed to balance the flavor.
Serve these popsicles plain for a simple, wholesome snack, or dress them up by dipping the tops in melted chocolate and sprinkling with chopped nuts for an elegant finish.
Why You’re Going to Love This Banana Popsicle Recipe
A simple, wholesome treat – Each popsicle is about 100 calories and made with natural ingredients, without refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, or food dyes.
Fast to prepare – The blender work takes under five minutes; then it’s just a matter of freezing.
Easy to customize – This base recipe adapts well to additions like nut butter, cocoa, or other fruits.
Ingredients in Banana Popsicles
Bananas: Use 3 medium, very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and creaminess. Look for bananas with brown spots rather than green skins.
Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and helps keep the texture from becoming too icy.
Milk: Regular or non-dairy milk both work; milk adds moisture and a smooth mouthfeel.
Vanilla extract: A small amount enhances the banana flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
Optional toppings: Melted chocolate (dark, semisweet, or milk) and chopped walnuts or pecans make a delicious coating.
If you have questions about the recipe, leave a comment and the author will respond.
How to Make Homemade Banana Popsicles
Making banana popsicles is similar to making a banana smoothie—blend, pour, and freeze.
- Add ripe bananas, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick to pour, add a splash more milk.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, insert sticks if needed, and freeze for 4–8 hours or overnight until solid.
- Release the popsicles from the molds and enjoy as-is or dip the tops in melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
These steps correspond to the photos above. See the recipe card below for exact measurements and details.
How to Unmold Homemade Popsicles Easily
The key to unmolding is gently warming the outer surface so the popsicle releases without melting.
Method 1: Warm water dip. Briefly dip the mold in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 20–30 seconds, then pull out the popsicles.
Method 2: Running water. Hold the mold under warm running water and move it around until the pops come free.
Method 3: Brief room-temperature rest. Set the mold on the counter for a minute or two until the edges loosen—use a timer to avoid forgetting them.
Silicone molds: Flexible silicone often lets you peel the mold away without any warming needed.
How to Store Popsicles
Keep popsicles frozen in their molds until ready to serve. If they are dipped in chocolate, remove them from the molds and wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap before placing in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
Homemade popsicles taste best within 2–3 weeks, though they can remain acceptable for up to 3 months if well wrapped.
Tips for Making Banana Popsicles
Choose quality ingredients – Better bananas and pure maple syrup improve flavor and texture.
Don’t skip the sweetener – Sweeteners like maple syrup help keep the texture soft; without enough sugar, popsicles can freeze too hard.
Use ripe bananas – Overripe bananas blend smoothly and provide the most natural sweetness.
Blend to your preference – For a smooth popsicle, blend thoroughly; leave a bit of banana texture if you prefer bite-sized pieces.
If the mix is too thick – Add more milk a tablespoon at a time until it pours easily into the molds.
Are Banana Popsicles Good for Kids?
These popsicles use simple, natural ingredients. For infants and toddlers, consider omitting added sweetener—many recipes for young children skip the syrup entirely. Each popsicle is roughly 100 calories and can be made gluten-free and dairy-free.
Banana Popsicle Variations
Swap the sweetener: Honey, agave, or regular sugar can replace maple syrup in the same ratio.
Add flavor: Try a pinch of cinnamon, a spoonful of peanut or almond butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, or a swirl of chocolate syrup.
Mix in other fruit: Add berries, mango, or other fruit for strawberry-banana or tropical variations.
How to Keep Popsicle Sticks Straight
Use molds with built-in stick holders for the most reliable result. If your mold is open, cover it with foil and poke holes where the sticks should go to keep them upright while freezing.
How Long Do Homemade Popsicles Take to Freeze?
Freezing time depends on your freezer and mold size, but expect 4–8 hours for fully solid popsicles. Overnight freezing is a simple option to ensure they’re firm.
More Homemade Frozen Treats
If you enjoy making frozen desserts at home, try other no-machine options and fruit-based popsicles for variety and seasonal flavors.
- Mango Popsicles
- Pineapple Cherry Popsicles
- Banana Split
- Ice Cream Cake
Share your results or questions in the comments—the author welcomes feedback and photos.
Banana Popsicles
6 popsicles
5 minutes
6 hours
6 hours 5 minutes
Banana popsicles are a creamy, sweet, and refreshing frozen treat made with natural ingredients like bananas, maple syrup, and milk.
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup milk (6 oz.) (use dairy-free milk to make it dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: melted chocolate and chopped walnuts or pecans for dipping
Instructions
- Place all ingredients (bananas, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract) in a blender.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for 4–8 hours, or overnight.
- Release popsicles by running the outside of the mold under warm water for a few seconds.
- Optional: Melt chocolate, dip the top of each popsicle into the chocolate, and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 6 popsicles; actual yield depends on mold size.
- Use plant-based milk to make the recipe dairy-free and vegan.
- Be sure to use ripe bananas for best flavor and texture.
- Store homemade popsicles in the freezer up to 2–3 weeks; wrap individually if removed from molds.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 Popsicle
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 95
Total Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 1mg
Sodium: 9mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 1g