Strawberry Popsicles – A Couple Cooks

May 28, 2025

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This strawberry popsicles recipe is homemade with real strawberries and naturally sweetened with maple syrup! They’re tastier than store-bought versions and take just minutes to prepare.

Once you discover how simple it is to make popsicles at home using just real fruit, there’s no going back! So here’s master strawberry popsicle recipe that our entire family adores (both the kids and me and Alex).

These strawberry popsicles have a big fruity flavor that comes from using actual fruit and a little bit of creaminess from coconut milk. The secret ingredients are a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar and vanilla, which intensify the strawberry flavor! You can also dip them in dark chocolate (totally optional—they’re delicious both ways), which turns them into a sort of healthy Magnum bar. My kids especially are obsessed with these!

What makes these strawberry popsicles special

I’ve found that many strawberry popsicle recipes can come out too hard and icy, or don’t have great flavor. After testing countless variations, I’ve discovered what makes the perfect homemade strawberry popsicles:

Real fresh strawberries: Using fresh berries creates a vibrant, authentic taste that artificial versions simply can’t match.
Coconut milk magic: Full-fat coconut milk creates that perfect creamy texture without dairy. It adds richness while letting the strawberry flavor shine through.
Natural sweetening: Maple syrup provides sweetness with more complex flavor than regular sugar.
The balsamic secret: Just one teaspoon of balsamic vinegar brightens the strawberry flavor dramatically. It’s my secret ingredient that makes people ask “What makes these taste so good?”

A note about popsicle molds

Ale and I just got these new silicone popsicle molds that we love for two reasons. First, they’re very easy to pop the popsicles out (versus our other molds where you have to run warm water and tug on the stick to pull it out).

The other great thing is that they are very small: but they’re the perfect serving size! Each mold fits a little over 2 tablespoons mixture before freezing. It’s a great way to make a healthy treat! If you have larger molds, it will make approximately half the amount of popsicles.

How to make strawberry popsicles

These come together in just a few minutes of active time, then the freezer does all the work:

1. Blend.

Combine strawberries, coconut milk, maple syrup (start with 3 tablespoons and add more to taste), balsamic vinegar, and vanilla in a blender. Blend until completely smooth.

Sweetness tip: Remember that freezing dulls flavors, so your mixture should taste slightly sweeter than you want the final popsicles to be. I usually start with 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and adjust from there.

2. Fill and freeze.

Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, insert sticks, and freeze for 3-4 hours until completely solid. Don’t rush this step—partially frozen popsicles will fall apart when you try to remove them.

3. Optional chocolate coating.

For an extra special treat, melt dark chocolate chips with a tiny bit of olive oil (this keeps the chocolate from cracking when frozen). Dip the frozen popsicles quickly and place on parchment paper.

Chocolate success: Work fast when dipping! The cold popsicles will set the chocolate immediately, so have your parchment paper ready before you start dipping.

Dipping a strawberry popsicle into chocolate

A few tasty variations

Once you master the basic strawberry popsicles, try these variations I’ve developed:

Strawberry-banana: Add half a ripe banana to the blender and use half the coconut milk for extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
Strawberry-mint or basil: Add a few fresh herb leaves to the blender before blending. (As a note, my kids like these less—but I love the added element!)
Strawberry-coconut: Add 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut to the mixture for more tropical flavor and texture, or sprinkle chocolate over the chocolate before it sets.

Storage tips

These strawberry popsicles keep well in the freezer. Once fully frozen in the molds, transfer popsicles to an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. They’ll keep for up to 1 month.

Serving trick: Let chocolate-coated popsicles sit at room temperature for just a minute before eating—this prevents the chocolate from being too hard to bite.

Dietary notes

These strawberry popsicles are vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen strawberries?

This recipe is best with fresh berries. If you must, thaw the strawberries and slice them to measure. You may need to add extra maple syrup since frozen berries are generally not as sweet.

What if I don’t have coconut milk?

I suggest finding coconut milk for this recipe. If you don’t have it or have an allergy, you can try it with milk or yogurt.

How do I prevent ice crystals?

Using full-fat coconut milk helps create a smoother texture, and the natural sugars in the fruit and maple syrup also help. Blending thoroughly is key to preventing crystallization.

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