Creamy and naturally sweet, studded with chocolate chips, these mint chocolate chip popsicles are the perfect homemade treat on a hot day! Probiotic milk kefir and hidden veggies like spinach (and avocado… technically a fruit!) make them extra nutrient-dense!
Popsicles were accidentally invented when 11-year-old Frank Epperson forgot his soda outside one cold night.
Originally called Epsicles, these frozen treats are now a summertime staple for many. Unlike the first version made with frozen pop, this recipe is a creamy mint chocolate chip popsicle version (source.)
My kids love them. And I love that they have hidden veggies, probiotics, and no refined sugar.
How To Make Mint Chocolate Chip Popsicles
There are plenty of options, but these popsicles feature mint and chocolate chips.
For an extra dose of chocolate, they’re also dipped in a chocolate coating. This coating is the real food version of chocolate magic shell.
For more of a shamrock shake flavor, feel free to add a dash of vanilla extract.
Are Popsicles Healthy?
Pick up most popsicles in the grocery store, and it’s not hard to see they’re full of sugar, flavorings, and artificial color. Even the fruit-based ones have way too much sugar for my taste.
We’re not talking about regular, store-bought popsicles here, though.
Homemade popsicles are a different story. These mint chocolate chip popsicles feature probiotic-rich milk kefir for a healthier gut and better digestion.
Kefir can also help with blood pressure, cholesterol balance, and healthy blood sugar balance (source). The good for you ingredients don’t stop there!
Ingredients For Mint Chocolate Chip Popsicles
We’ve already covered kefir, but these mint chocolate chip popsicles also have hidden veggies.
Avocado (technically a fruit!) adds healthy fats and a creamy texture.
I’ve also included spinach in the form of spinach pucks — a super convenient, nutrient-dense way to add pre-steamed spinach to smoothies, popsicles, and more!
Learn how to make spinach pucks here, and why you should (hint: oxalic acid). If oxalates are not a concern for you, feel free to use fresh spinach instead.
Raw honey balances out the tart taste of the milk kefir.
And finally, we can’t have mint chocolate chip popsicles without mint!
There are a few different options for mint flavoring here. If you have fresh mint leaves, then you can use those, but I prefer to use a more concentrated version.
Mint’s volatile oils give it flavor, so I used peppermint essential oil in this recipe. You can also use peppermint extract.
If you look at the ingredients in natural mint extract, it’s just essential oil mixed with alcohol. Since we’re adding the essential oil into honey and healthy fats to dilute it anyway, the extra alcohol isn’t necessary.
Ingredient Substitutions
This recipe is already gluten-, grain-, and egg-free, and can be made dairy-free.
Milk kefir is easier to digest and generally okay for those with lactose intolerance. However, if you’re also sensitive to milk casein, there’s an easy fix.
Use coconut milk kefir instead of dairy kefir (learn how to make your own here!) and coconut milk instead of cow milk. Coconut is creamy, rich, and oh-so-heavenly in frozen treats… like these popsicles and also this Almond Joy ice cream!
If you don’t have milk kefir, then Greek yogurt or regular yogurt will work.
How To Make My Popsicles More Green
The avocado adds a mild green color (usually). If your avocado is on the verge of overripe, it can turn the popsicles a sickly yellow color.
To brighten these frozen treats up, I opted for spinach. This leafy green adds a fresh green color without overpowering the mint flavor.
If you don’t have spinach, then 1/8 teaspoon of spirulina powder will also do the trick. Don’t overdo the spirulina though, or the mint chocolate chip popsicles can taste fishy.
I tried matcha, but it made them a funky green color. Natural green food coloring is another option.
How To Store Popsicles
I leave my popsicles in their popsicle mold in the freezer. This way they stay fresh and keep their shape.
You can also put them in a lidded, parchment lined container.
How Long Will Popsicles Last?
Around my house, not very long. If you’re not popsicle fanatics like my kids, though, then these should last about 6 months in a sealed container in the freezer.
If the mint chocolate chip popsicles turn an off color or develop freezer burn, it’s time to pitch them.
Mint Chocolate Chip Popsicles
Creamy and naturally sweet, studded with chocolate chips, these mint chocolate chip popsicles are the perfect homemade treat on a hot day! Probiotic milk kefir and hidden veggies like spinach and avocado (technically a fruit!) make them extra nutrient-dense!
Ingredients
- 1/2 avocado
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil or 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup milk kefir coconut milk kefir, Greek yogurt, or regular plain yogurt
- 1 cup raw whole milk or coconut milk
- 6 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 spinach puck or 1/2 cup fresh spinach
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Chocolate Coating
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup
Instructions
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In a blender, combine all of the ingredients except the kefir and chocolate chips.
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Blend until smooth.
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Add kefir.
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Blend just until combined.
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Stir in the chocolate chips.
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Pour the mint chocolate chip mixture into the molds.
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Put the popsicle sticks in the top.
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Freeze until firm.
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To get the popsicles out of the mold, run a little warm water over the outside until they slip out.
For the chocolate coating...
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Gently heat the coconut oil over low heat just until melted.
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Turn the heat off.
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Whisk in the cocoa and honey or maple syrup.
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Use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate coating over the popsicles. You can lay them on a parchment lined baking sheet and drizzle the side. Or hold them by the popsicle stick and drizzle the coating over the top and side.
Recipe Notes
*To store the popsicles, lay them on a parchment lined tray or container in the freezer.
*For the chocolate coating, you can also use melted chocolate chips for a thicker version. Just melt 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon coconut oil together over low heat.
Other Healthy Snack Recipes
In the mood for some more healthy sweet treats? Here’s a few to get you started:
- 3-Ingredient Mixed Berry Kefir Popsicles
- No-Churn Mango Turmeric Ice Cream (Dairy-Free & Paleo)
- Raw Cacao Mint Shake With Avocado
- Dairy-Free No-Churn Blackberry Ice Cream
- Raspberry-Kissed Frozen Yogurt Bites
- Frozen Mocha Chicoccino
- Blackberry Mojitos (Summer Mocktail)
- Healthy Probiotic Pomegranate Mousse
- 40 Deliciously Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes
This post was originally published and written by Wardee Harmon. It was updated and republished on 7/10/20.
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How many beautiful children do you have?
These kefir popsicles look delish! I really need to get some more kefir grains! Mine died when I took a break and didn’t feed them enough milk. Also, the kefir started to taste alcoholic, but I think it was because I was not taking enough kefir grains out when I started a new batch – since they grow.
Thanks for the great idea!
Sarah
.-= Sarah Schatz – menu planners for limited diets´s last blog post… Why soaking flours can help you digest your baked goods =-.
I love the serving size and simplicity of the ice cube popsicles!
.-= Sustainable Eats´s last blog post… Tuesday Twister =-.
Sarah – I have three children. But the one pictured is not mine, directly anyway. She’s my sister’s daughter, Aila. My niece. She was visiting us this week, but sadly is gone now. I miss her – she’s a real sweetheart!
I loooooooooove simple recipes! 🙂
.-= Kelly the Kitchen Kop´s last blog post… Join in on Real Food Wednesday – 8/19/09 =-.
Loved this! Am linking to it in my next Pennywise Platter today!
.-= Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet´s last blog post… Pennywise Platter Thursday 8/26 =-.
Hi Wardee,
These look great, but I noticed that chocolate chips were not in the ingredients list; how many do you use? Also, approximately how many popsicles does this recipe make?
Thanks!
Hi, Kathy,
We have updated the recipe. You need 1/3 cup of miniature chocolate chips and it will make 8 popsicles. 🙂
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
Sounds delicious, but I don’t see chocolate chips in the ingredients list. How much do we add?
Hi Debbie, thanks for catching that! The recipe will be updated soon, but in the meantime, I used 1/3 cup of miniature chocolate chips here.
Am I missing something? I don’t see how many chocolate chips to add?
Hi Jessica, thanks for catching that! The recipe will be updated soon, but in the meantime, I used 1/3 cup of miniature chocolate chips here.
How many mint leaves would you use in lieu of peppermint essential oil? I’m so excited to try these but can’t have essential oils. Also, may I add double milk kefir and omit the milk? Thank you.
Hi Christina, Mint leaves (and any aromatic plant) contain essential oils in small amounts so either way you would be getting some essential oil. It would be less concentrated though. I didn’t use mint leaves because although they have a mint taste, too much can taste a little grassy. The other option is to use mint extract (which also has mint essential oil in it). If you want to use the leaves I would add some to the blender along with the spinach and then taste it, adding a little more until you get the flavor you want.
As for the milk kefir I wouldn’t double it because then they’re very tart and don’t have that sweet mint chocolate taste. I found that even 1 and 1/2 cups of milk kefir was too much here. But again, you could try it if that’s not something you don’t mind and let us know how it goes!
Has anyone tried making this as ice cream yet?