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Grab some oranges and make these amazing homemade orange popsicles! Made with just 3 simple ingredients, they’re super refreshing and bursting with the taste of real oranges – the perfect summer treat!
3 Reasons To Love These Orange Popsicles
- Made with real oranges: This orange popsicle recipe is all about that fresh orange flavor, made with real oranges and just two other simple ingredients.
- Easy to make: Only requires a few minutes of active prep time! The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze.
- Perfect for summer: These homemade orange popsicles are a healthy and refreshing summer treat that both kids and adults will love!
Why Not Just Freeze Orange Juice?
You might be wondering, “Why not just freeze orange juice in popsicle molds and call it a day?” Well, you certainly can do that, but trust me, the few extra minutes of prep to make these is absolutely worth it!
Using real fresh oranges not only makes these popsicles taste amazing but also creates a fantastic texture. If you’ve ever made popsicles from just orange juice, you’ll know that they tend to become solid like an ice cube. Using whole fruits and sweetener creates a popsicle with the perfect bitable texture instead of being rock hard like when only juice is used.
Ingredient Notes
These delicious orange popsicles are easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients:
- Oranges: Four seedless oranges like navel or cara cara oranges.
- Water (or coconut water): To help the mixture blend up.
- Sweetener: Organic cane sugar or honey.
Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.
Special Equipment
- Blender: A blender is needed to blend up the popsicle mixture. I use a Vitamix which is a high-powered blender but any blender should work just fine for this mixture.
- Popsicle Mold: A good popsicle mold is key when making homemade popsicles. It’s crazy frustrating when you have one that holds your popsicles hostage refusing to easily release them! Here are a few great popsicle molds to check out.
Looking for a popsicle mold?
My Favorite Popsicle Mold
I love this stainless steel popsicle mold. I have had it for many years and it is the one I always grab. It makes good looking popsicles that release easily (just a few seconds under warm water and they slide right out). I also love that the popsicles are individually frozen!
How To Make Orange Popsicles
Let’s make some amazing homemade orange popsicles! Simply…
- Peel the oranges: Use a knife to slice off the peel and pith. Cut into chunks and inspect for seeds, removing any that are found. (There shouldn’t be any seeds but sometimes you might find the odd one which would makes the popsicles bitter if blended). Add the orange chunks and remaining ingredients to a blender.
- Blend the popsicle mixture: Blend until smooth and sweetener is dissolved.
- Fill popsicle molds: Pour mixture into popsicle molds, leaving a bit of space at the top for them to expand. Note: This recipe makes 6 popsicles using this popsicle mold but quantity will vary depending on the size of the popsicle mold you use.
- Freeze: The popsicles usually take about 4 to 6 hours to freeze but the timing will depend on your freezer and the size of your popsicles. I usually just let them freeze overnight and enjoy the next day! To serve, run the popsicle mold under warm water for a few seconds until they easily release. Enjoy!
Helpful TIP
How To Peel & De-Pith Oranges
This recipe for orange popsicles uses whole oranges that first need to have the peel and pith removed. The pith is the white stuff between the peel and the fruit which can have a bitter taste. This is how I peel the oranges to make sure I remove the pith as well. Super easy!
- Slice off the top and bottom ends of the orange with a sharp knife.
- Stand the orange up on one of the flat cut ends. Position your knife at the top of the orange and cut downwards, following the natural curve of the orange to slice away the peel and the pith. Try to cut off as little of the flesh as possible.
- Continue this around the orange until all the peel and pith are removed.
A Few Flavor Variations
You can easily customize these orange popsicles. Here are a few ideas:
- Add some additional fruit: Make your own flavor blend by swapping one or two of the oranges with some other fruit like strawberries, mango or peaches.
- Use a blend of citrus: Love citrus flavors? Use a combination of citrus fruit instead of just orange like in these Orange Lemon Lime Popsicles.
- Make them creamy: For an orange creamsicle flavor, swap the water for heavy cream and add a touch of vanilla extract to the mixture.
FAQ
It usually takes about 4 to 6 hours for the popsicles to fully freeze. However, the timing can vary depending on the freezer, your popsicle mold and size of popsicles. I tend to just freeze them overnight to enjoy the next day.
You can store them in the freezer for 1 to 2 months. They won’t go bad if stored longer but the texture may change and become frosty. The popsicles can be stored by leaving them in the popsicle mold or by wrapping each popsicle up in plastic wrap or reusable beeswax food wrap and storing in a freezer bag or airtight container. Package quickly so they don’t melt!
If you don’t like things too sweet or lucked out with incredibly sweet oranges, you can definitely reduce the amount of sweetener. However, I wouldn’t recommend reducing it by more than half since the sugar or honey helps the orange popsicles stay soft with a bitable texture.
This is the popsicle mold that I used. It’s my favorite! I’ve had it for many years and love it. Solid construction, makes cute popsicles that release easily and they are individually frozen.
More Popsicle Recipes To Try
Love making homemade popsicles? Here are a few more to try!
Looking for some more homemade frozen treat ideas? You might also enjoy these recipes for Easy Blender Ice Cream, German Spaghetti-Eis or Strawberry Slushies!
I hope you love these orange popsicles! Please leave me a comment below if you give them a try.
Orange Popsicles
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 min (plus freeze time)
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Freeze
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Grab some oranges and make these amazing homemade orange popsicles! Made with just 3 simple ingredients, they’re super refreshing and bursting with the taste of real oranges – the perfect summer treat!
Ingredients
- 4 seedless oranges
- 1/3 cup water (or coconut water)
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar or honey
Instructions
- Peel and de-pith the oranges: Use a knife to slice off the peel and pith from the oranges (see notes). Cut into chunks and inspect for seeds, removing any that are found. (There shouldn’t be any seeds but sometimes you might find the odd one which would make the popsicles bitter if blended).
- Blend: Add the orange chunks and remaining ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth and sweetener is dissolved.
- Fill popsicle molds: Pour mixture into popsicle molds, leaving a bit of space at the top for them to expand.
- Freeze: Freeze for at least 4-6 hours or until solid (preferably overnight) and enjoy!
Notes
- My favorite popsicle mold: I love this stainless steel popsicle mold. I have had it for many years and it’s still like new. It makes beautiful popsicles that release easily (just a few seconds under warm water and they slide right out). I also love that the popsicles are individually frozen! This recipe makes 6 popsicles using this mold but quantity will vary depending on the size of popsicle mold you use.
- How to peel and de-pith oranges: The pith is the white stuff between the peel and the fruit which can have a bitter taste. To remove both the peel and pith easily, start by slicing off the top and bottom ends of the orange with a sharp knife. Stand the orange up on one of the flat cut ends. Position your knife at the top of the orange and cut downwards, following the natural curve of the orange to slice away the peel and the pith. Try to cut off as little of the flesh as possible. Continue doing this around the orange until all the peel and pith are removed.
- Why not just use orange juice? Using whole fresh oranges not only makes these popsicles taste absolutely amazing but also creates a fantastic texture. If you’ve ever made popsicles from just orange juice, you’ll know that they tend to become solid like an ice cube. Using whole fruits and sweetener creates a popsicle with the perfect bitable texture instead of being rock hard like when only juice is used.
These popsicles are so fresh and yummy! Made them for my grand baby and he’s a HUGE fan! Perfect for summer (in Arizona). 🙂
This makes me so happy!
These orange popsicles were the perfect summer treat. Both of my kiddos loved them!
These orange popsicles are healthy, refreshing and delicious. A perfect summertime treat.
So refreshing! Made a double batch!
These popsicles are better than store bought because they are made with real oranges and look so pro, and perfect for summer. Thanks for sharing Vanessa.
You’re welcome! Enjoy them!
I found these pops so refreshing and especially with the extreme heat we are experiencing in Spain.
Such a simple recipe, yet so tasty and refreshing! Love that I can use fruit and still feel like I am having a treat.
Such a great treat for a hot day – I’m happy you enjoyed them!
These are a “must” for the little ones on a hot summer day. They are a new favourite for freshening up by the pool!
I’m so happy the kiddos enjoyed them!