Healthy frozen treats kids will love

I discovered these Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops during a particularly hot summer when my kids were constantly begging for ice cream and popsicles. As a compromise between their sweet cravings and my desire to offer something at least somewhat nutritious, these frozen treats were born – and they've become our go-to summer snack ever since. With just three simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these pops deliver all the fun of a frozen treat with the benefit of actual fruit and protein-packed yogurt. The best part? My kids love making them almost as much as they love eating them!

Last summer, I set up a DIY banana pop station for my daughter's playdate – bowls of different yogurt flavors and an array of toppings from sprinkles to crushed cereal. Not only did it keep six energetic 7-year-olds happily occupied for a good half hour, but one mom texted me later saying her notoriously picky eater asked if they could make "those banana ice creams" at home. That's the kind of snack win that makes you feel like you've somehow cracked the parenting code!

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

• Bananas: The perfect natural base for these pops, bananas provide sweetness and a creamy texture when frozen. For the best results, choose bananas that are ripe (yellow with a few small brown spots) but not overripe.
• Yogurt: Creates a creamy, tangy coating that transforms a simple banana into something special. Vanilla yogurt provides a classic flavor, but don't be afraid to experiment with other flavors!
• Toppings: This is where the fun really happens! Colorful sprinkles are always a hit with kids, but consider other options like chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, granola, or shredded coconut.
• Popsicle Sticks: Essential for the "pop" experience, these make the frozen bananas easy to hold. In a pinch, you can use wooden chopsticks or plastic forks.

I've found that the ripeness of your bananas makes a big difference in these pops. Too green and they'll lack sweetness; too brown and they become harder to work with and can taste overly sweet when frozen. That perfect yellow with just a few spots makes the best frozen treat.

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Perfect Banana Base

Peel 4 medium ripe bananas and cut them in half crosswise rather than lengthwise for the ideal pop size. Insert a popsicle stick about halfway into the cut end of each banana half, being careful not to push too hard to avoid splitting the fruit. For even easier coating, place the banana halves on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Create The Creamy Coating

Pour 2 cups of your chosen yogurt into a wide, shallow bowl for easier access. Hold each banana over the bowl and use a spoon to coat it evenly with yogurt, rotating slowly to ensure complete coverage. Allow excess yogurt to drip off for a few seconds before moving to the next step. This spooning technique gives you much better control than dipping.

Step 3: Add Fun Toppings

Immediately after coating each banana with yogurt, roll or sprinkle it with your chosen toppings while the yogurt is still wet. Work with one banana at a time to ensure the yogurt doesn't set before adding toppings. Place each completed pop back on the parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they don't touch each other.

Step 4: Freeze To Perfection

Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer, keeping it flat to prevent the bananas from sliding. For extra stability, you can position the sticks between the rungs of a wire cooling rack. Freeze for at least 2 hours until the yogurt coating is firm. For fully frozen bananas that mimic ice cream texture, continue freezing for 3-4 hours total.

Step 5: Serve With Style

When ready to enjoy, remove pops from the freezer. If they're stuck to the parchment, let them sit at room temperature for 30 seconds before gently lifting. For a special presentation, stand them upright in a colorful cup filled with crushed ice, or wrap the bottoms in parchment paper secured with ribbon or twine for mess-free handling.

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My first attempt at these was a bit of a learning experience – I tried to dip the bananas directly into a narrow yogurt container, which resulted in yogurt everywhere except on the bananas! I've since refined the process to spooning the yogurt over the bananas, which gives much better control and coverage.

Creative Topping Combinations

The beauty of these banana pops lies in their versatility. Over the years, I've developed several topping combinations that have become family favorites. For a breakfast-inspired version, I coat the bananas in vanilla Greek yogurt and roll them in granola with a drizzle of honey. My chocolate-loving son prefers his rolled in crushed chocolate graham crackers with mini chocolate chips. For special occasions, I create a "unicorn" version with colorful sprinkles and edible glitter that never fails to impress at birthday parties. My personal favorite combines vanilla yogurt with crushed pistachios and a light dusting of cardamom for a sophisticated flavor that reminds me of Middle Eastern desserts. Last Christmas, we even made holiday-themed pops with red and green sprinkles that the kids enjoyed decorating almost as much as eating.

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Make-Ahead Magic

These banana pops have saved me countless times when unexpected guests arrive or when I need a quick dessert option. I now keep a stash of them in my freezer almost year-round. For easy storage, I freeze them initially on a baking sheet until solid, then individually wrap each pop in parchment paper before placing them all in a large freezer bag. This way, we can grab just one or two at a time without them sticking together. I've found they maintain their best quality for about 5-7 days in the freezer, though the bananas may darken slightly over time. For busy weeks, I sometimes prep a large batch on Sunday afternoon, and we enjoy them as after-school snacks throughout the week. The minimal effort-to-reward ratio makes them one of my favorite make-ahead treats.

Perfect For Picky Eaters

As a mom of two children with very different taste preferences, I've found these banana pops to be one of the few snacks they both consistently enjoy. My daughter, who typically avoids fruit, will happily devour a banana when it's transformed into this "dessert." My son, who tends to skip breakfast, will actually eat these protein-packed pops first thing in the morning without complaint. I've spoken with other parents at school who've had similar experiences - something about the presentation and the involvement in the creation process seems to bypass children's usual food resistance. One friend who works as a pediatric nutritionist even recommends these to parents of selective eaters as a gateway to introducing more fruits, as the familiar yogurt coating and fun toppings make the fruit more approachable.

Party-Perfect Presentation

These banana pops have become my signature contribution to summer gatherings and children's parties. For my niece's outdoor birthday celebration last July, I created a "banana pop bar" that was the hit of the party. I pre-coated several bananas in different yogurt flavors (vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate) and set out bowls of various toppings – sprinkles, crushed cookies, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, and mini chocolate chips. The kids loved creating their own custom pops, and it provided a fun activity as well as a refreshing treat on a hot day. To keep everything cold during the party, I filled a colorful plastic tub with ice and stuck the completed pops upright in the ice, creating an eye-catching display that kept the treats perfectly chilled throughout the afternoon.

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These Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops have become such a staple in our home that my children now ask to make them even in winter. There's something wonderfully satisfying about creating a treat that brings so much joy while still containing actual nutritional value. The simplicity of the recipe, combined with the endless customization options, makes it a perfect project to return to again and again. Whether you're a parent looking for healthier dessert alternatives, a busy person wanting quick snack options, or simply someone who enjoys creative food projects, these banana pops deliver big on flavor, fun, and satisfaction with minimal effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt?

Yes, Greek yogurt works well for these banana pops and adds extra protein. Because it's thicker than regular yogurt, you might need to thin it slightly with a tablespoon or two of milk to achieve a good dipping consistency. The thicker coating will create a more substantial yogurt layer on the bananas, which many people enjoy.

→ How ripe should the bananas be?

Medium-ripe bananas work best for these pops. They should be yellow with just a few brown spots - firm enough to hold their shape when handled but ripe enough to be sweet. Avoid very ripe, soft bananas as they'll be difficult to coat with yogurt and may break apart. Under-ripe green bananas won't be as sweet when frozen and may have a starchy taste.

→ How long do these banana pops last in the freezer?

When stored properly in airtight containers or individually wrapped in plastic wrap, these banana yogurt pops will keep for up to 2 weeks in the freezer. After that, they're still safe to eat but the quality may decline as the bananas can start to develop freezer burn or change texture.

→ What are some good topping ideas beyond sprinkles?

There are many creative options for toppings! Try mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, crushed graham crackers, crushed cereal, crushed freeze-dried strawberries or other fruits, chocolate or caramel drizzle, or a mix of cinnamon and sugar. For a healthier version, try chia seeds, hemp seeds, or finely chopped dried fruits.

→ Can I make these dairy-free or vegan?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the dairy yogurt with any plant-based yogurt like coconut, almond, soy, or oat milk yogurt. Make sure your toppings are also dairy-free if needed. The process remains exactly the same, and the pops will freeze beautifully with non-dairy yogurt alternatives.

→ My kids want to help make these. What parts can children assist with?

This is a great recipe for kids to help with! Younger children can help push the popsicle sticks into the bananas, choose toppings, and sprinkle them onto the yogurt-dipped bananas. Older children can help with dipping the bananas in yogurt (with supervision). The waiting time while the pops freeze is also a good opportunity to teach children about patience and anticipation in cooking.