Gluten free watermelon popsicles with a layer of creamy coconut anyone? Yes, please! These fun, refreshing summer treats are simple to make. Plus, they're free from refined sugar, which means they're a healthy treat!
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What says summer more than a watermelon popsicles? Check out my mango popsicles for another gluten free popsicle option. I also just tried these super simple watermelon coconut ice blocks by Kidgredients, and they were fab!
Remember those hot summer days of your childhood, running around under the sun, and suddenly you heard the tinkling of the ice cream van? Popsicles are truly nostalgic food at it's finest.
Here we're going to make a more grown up version of this classic childhood treat, but not so grown up that kids won't love them too. The top layer of is made up of sweet watermelon, strawberries and zesty lime. The bottom layer is a playful polka dot stripe of creamy coconut milk and healthy chia seeds.
Top Tip: You might also enjoy my watermelon water recipe.
Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
✅These watermelon popsicles are dairy free and gluten free!
✅They're vegan
✅There's no refined sugar in this recipe.
✅They're super easy to make.
Are Popsicles Gluten Free?
You would think that most store bought popsicles would be gluten free, wouldn't you? The answer turns out to be not so simple.
The Popsicle brand says that they are working hards toward earning gluten free certification, but at this time they recommend always checking the allergens portion of the ingredients label. For instance, Fudgsicles contain malted barley extract, which is not gluten free.
Always the the label carefully for hidden gluten in any popsicle you're considering buying.
Having said that, the easiest way to get the deliciousness of a popsicle without gluten, is to make your own. These gluten free watermelon popsicles are just the ticket!
Ingredients
- Watermelon: Try to get a seedless watermelon. If you can't find one, no worries, it only takes a few minutes to pick the seeds out. How can you tell if a watermelon is ripe? The best indicator is the spot on the bottom of the melon. This spot is called the field spot; it's where the watermelon made contact with the ground in the the field. If the spot is yellow, it's a good indicator that the watermelon is sweet, and wasn't picked too early. If the spot is white, take a pass - it was probably harvested too early and won't be sweet enough.
- Strawberries: Sweet and slightly jammy, ripe strawberries are the perfect partner to watermelon. Plus, the lend their bright red color to the contrasting stripes in this watermelon ice lolly.
- Agave Nectar: This is optional. If your fruit is really ripe, go ahead and leave it out. You could also use maple syrup here.
- Coconut Milk: Buy coconut milk in a carton, not a can.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are powerhouses of nutrition! They contain large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, and fiber. Plus, they add a fun polka dot effect to your ice lolly!
Let's Make Gluten Free Watermelon Popsicles
- Pour the coconut milk into a small cup and add your chia seeds.
- Put the cup in the fridge while you get on with preparing the watermelon layer of your popsicles.
- Deseed your watermelon and cut it into 1 inch pieces.
- Wash the strawberries and cut them in half.
- Transfer the watermelon and strawberries to a blender or food processor along with the agave nectar and lime zest.
- Blend until the mixture is liquefied.
- Pour your watermelon and strawberry puree into the mold, filling it only slightly above the halfway point.
- Put the sticks in the mold, and freeze your popsicles for 2 hours.
- Now, add your coconut and chia seed mixture to the mold, filling it to the top.
- Freeze for an additional hour.
- To release your popsicles from the mold, run warm water over the outside of the mold.
Pro Tips
- Silicon ice lolly molds are really useful. They're not that expensive, and you'll find yourself using them again and again. This is a great ice lolly mould. ***Please note that the amount of ingredients you'll need will obviously vary according to which mold you use. The proportions here are quite generous as I'm using a ten cavity mold that's quite deep. If you end up with more filling than you need, you can refrigerate it until your mold is free.
- To remove the ice lollies from the mold, take them out of the freezer and allow them to sit on the counter for five minutes. Jiggle the stick back and forth until you feel it give. Another way is to run them under warm tap water for a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no gluten listed in the ingredients of Jolly Rancher popsicles, but it appears that they are processed on a line with potential allergens. Check the package carefully if cross contamination is a concern.
Most brands are made using water, sweetener and color, so most brands of freeze pops will be gluten free. As always, check the label.
Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
Simple Chocolate Raspberry Cups
The Best Vegan Raspberry Cheesecake
Dairy Free Chocolate Chickpea Ice Cream
Tiple Berry Smoothie - No Bananas
Island Green Tropical Smoothie
Dehydrated Pineapple - How To Dry Pineapple
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Watermelon Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups watermelon, seeds removed and diced
- 1½ cups strawberries, cut in half
- 1 lime zest only
- 2 tablespoon agave nectar *optional
- 1½ cups coconut milk
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Pour the coconut milk into a cup and add the chia seeds. Put it in the fridge while you make the watermelon puree.
- Cut the watermelon into bite size pieces, removing any black seeds (the white seeds are fine.) Wash the strawberries, remove the stem and cut them in half.
- In a blender or food processor, puree the watermelon, strawberries, lime zest and agave nectar (if using.)
- Fill the mould slightly over half way full. Insert the sticks and freeze for two hours.
- Take the ice lollies from the freezer and pour the coconut milk and chia seed mixture into the mould. Freeze for an additional hour.
Notes
- If you're having trouble removing the popsicles from the mold, run a bit of warm water over the mold, or leave them to rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
jessie burns
awesome recipe, looks easy to do wil try this, been meaning to make ice lollies for the kids for a while now too !!
Mahy
These are life savers at this time of the year. Fantastic recipe and my favorite treat!
Keri Bevan
Thank you Mahy! I love having a batch of these in the freezer too!
Eliza Cross
Thank you for another winning recipe. It's sooo hot this week, and your watermelon ice lollies are going to save us! Love how you made such a refreshing, healthy treat. YUM!
Keri Bevan
Thanks so much for your feedback! Ice lollies are definitely the perfect summer treat! x
Dannii
These look super refreshing. I am definitely trying them at the weekend.
Keri Bevan
Hi Danni, thanks so much! Let me know how they come out!
Jill
I haven't made popsicles in a long time. I want to make these!!
Keri Bevan
They really make you feel like a kid again! Hope you really like them!
Beth
I live in AZ which is hot almost year-round there fore these lollies are going to come in handy year-round!! Great mash-up of flavors that are going to be a hit in my home!
Keri Bevan
My family live in AZ, and wow, it does get hot out that way. Hope they're a hit with your family. Stay cool!
Liz
I can't think of a better way to cool off on a hot summer day than with these watermelon ice lollies!
Keri Bevan
Thanks so much for your feedback! Aren't ice lollies the best on a hot summer's day?:)