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Even for the most persnickety of kids these Green Ice Pops are a super-sweet, bright green treat!
A complaint I frequently hear from moms is that they can’t get their kids to eat their greens — especially leafy greens. I totally get it. I’ve got one kid who will happily eat steamed beet greens or sautéed spinach and another one who has recently begun saying “BLECH!” right to my face when I offer it to her (I wonder who that little three year-old could be?!). And while Chloe can occasionally act persnickety about certain foods, I’ve discovered ways to encourage her to eat her greens without resorting to trickery.
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Cooked greens can be a challenging sell, but maybe it’s a texture thing — not a color thing — because I have surprisingly found raw to be much less of an issue with both of my kids. Whether tossed in a kale salad, blended into a green smoothie, green juice or frozen in these green ice pops, my kids love raw greens. And I let Kenya and Chloe make these pops with me so they know exactly what’s going in them. I want them to know that green food can be scrumptious and getting them involved in the preparation is one of the best ways to do that.
On warm summer afternoons when my kids need a pick me up, these ice pops are the way to go. Made with coconut water which has dehydration-fighting electrolytes, pineapple with all it’s digestive enzymes, and of course tons of nutrient-rich kale, you know your little whippersnapper is going to get their greens and then some. There’s no better way to “lick” a greens aversion than through these pops!
Green Ice Pops, Yes Green
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed kale leaves
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pineapple
- 1 small banana
- 1 cup coconut water
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree. The kale will remain in tiny pieces -- that is okay.
- Pour the mixture into ice pop molds and freeze for at least 6 hours and up to 4 months.
- Unmold and serve.
Notes
- This also makes a great smoothie if you have any puree leftover. Just pour in a glass and drink up!
- Collard green, spinach or other leafy greens work as well
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[…] Green Ice Pops (makes 8 ice pops, depending on the size of your mold) […]
Also, 1 more comment. I have some pop molds, but my little guy (2.5) never finsihes one, too much for him. We made watermelon pops (googled & found a yummy recipe that turned out great…WM, OJ, little sugar) last week & I tried dixie cups. Poured in, froze for about an hour, then inserted craft/popcicle stick. Once frozen, just peeled off the cup. It’s the perfect size for my toddler. I assume dixie cups will work ok for this too? Pre-ordered your book today & got an extra for a gift. Can’t wait! I’m *always* singing your praises Catherine, telling other mom friends about your website. Keep up the great work, You rock! Kim
Hi Catherine. In your daily email recipe, sent 7/17, it said this: ” Here’s the plan: head to your local market and grab and handful of kale — a really big handful. Wash it, stuff it in the blender with some lemon juice and honey, purée, and then pour into ice pop molds”
I’m sorry, but I don’t see what you’re talking about. There is not honey or lemon juice in these pops!
Hi catherine! In the body of the message you mention honey and lemon juice which is different from the posted recipe?? Is that a different recipe? Thx!
Yes!
Can I use frozen pineapple ?
Made these with my son today. He loved making and eating them. We also had them as smoothies this morning, which I really loved.
[…] Pour mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for about four hours. (Thanks to the Muy Bueno website.) Green popsicles: 1 cup packed kale leaves (or collard, spinach or other leafy greens), 11/2 cups chopped pineapple, […]
[…] Green Ice Pops | Weelicious […]
Hi Kim,
We live in Israel as well, TLV. There are a few organic markets which sell coconut water. Neroli and Eden. I’ve also seen it at “corner markets”. We don’t go to the big chains, supersol and mega, so I’m not sure if you’d find them there.
Great idea….but I am not sure I can get my hands on coconut water (I’m in Israel). Can I replace it with any other liquid?
Made this into smoothies with coconut milk for skinny guy who needs the fat. Super picky toddler loved them.
Smar-art! Greta will eat any green right out of the garden, but put it on her plate and at 19-months she’s already quite skilled at working her way around it. A shake, or better yet a popsicle, that’s an easy sell. Project green pops, begin!
Awesome to hear that Chloe is into these — we have some adults in our house who aren’t into greens that I may try these on!