There is nothing quite like a refreshing ice lolly on a warm summer’s day. These homemade fruit ice lollies are so simple to make and are a lovely way to enjoy fresh fruit when the weather is warm.
I’ve made two versions here: refreshing watermelon ice lollies and a mango and passion fruit combination. The mango and passion fruit is probably my favourite flavour – I love the contrast between the sweetness of the mango and the sharper taste of passion fruit.
You really don’t need much to make them. Just some fresh fruit, a blender and a few ice lolly moulds. There’s no need to add sugar either, as ripe fruit provides plenty of natural sweetness.
And don’t feel you have to stick to these combinations. Once you have your moulds, you can experiment with whatever fruit you have available. Strawberries, raspberries, peaches or pineapple would all work beautifully.
Why you’ll love these fruit ice lollies
- They’re really easy to make. You only need a blender, ice lolly moulds and a few simple ingredients.
- They’re made with fresh fruit. Watermelon, mango and passion fruit provide plenty of natural flavour, colour and sweetness.
- There’s no added sugar. The recipe relies on the sweetness of ripe fruit.
- They’re wonderfully refreshing. Watermelon has a very high water content – around 91% by weight – which is one of the reasons it is so enjoyable on a hot day.
- They’re easy to adapt. Use whatever ripe fruit you have to hand and create your own combinations.
- They suit a range of dietary preferences. As written, these lollies are naturally vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Nutritional benefits of these fruit ice lollies
These lollies are simply a delicious way of enjoying fruit as part of a varied, balanced diet.
Watermelon, mango and passion fruit all provide different nutrients, including vitamin C, fibre and other vitamins and minerals. The exact nutritional value will depend on the amount and type of fruit you use.
Watermelon
Watermelon is made up of around 91% water, which gives it its particularly juicy and refreshing quality. It also provides vitamin C and small amounts of potassium and other nutrients.
Mango
Mango is naturally sweet and gives these ice lollies a lovely smooth texture. It provides vitamin C, folate and carotenoids, including compounds that the body can convert into vitamin A.
Passion fruit
Passion fruit brings a lovely sharpness to the sweeter mango. If you use the whole pulp and seeds, it also contributes fibre and gives the lollies a little texture.
A note about fruit and sugar
Fruit contains naturally occurring sugars, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be avoided. Whole fruit can be an important part of a balanced diet and provides fibre, vitamins, minerals and other plant compounds.
I prefer to think about food in terms of the bigger picture rather than labelling individual foods as “good” or “bad”. These lollies are simply a homemade, fruit-based treat that you can enjoy as part of an overall balanced approach to eating.
Ingredients
For the watermelon ice lollies – makes 2
- 1–2 slices of watermelon, depending on the size of your moulds. Mine were quite small, so I only needed one slice.
For the mango and passion fruit ice lollies – makes 2
- ½ mango
- 1 passion fruit
- A small amount of filtered water, as needed
Ingredient substitutions
The beauty of homemade fruit ice lollies is that they are very easy to adapt.
Swap the watermelon
You could try:
- strawberries
- raspberries
- peaches
- pineapple
- kiwi
- other types of melon
Choose ripe fruit with plenty of flavour, particularly as there is no added sugar in this recipe.
Swap the mango
Ripe peach or nectarine would make a good alternative to mango and should give you a similarly soft, naturally sweet texture.
Don’t have passion fruit?
You can simply leave it out, or add a little fresh lime juice if you like a sharper flavour.
Can I use frozen fruit?
Yes. Let the fruit soften slightly before blending so that it is easier for your blender to process. You may need to add a little water to create a mixture that is easy to pour into the moulds.
How to make watermelon ice lollies
- Cut the watermelon into smaller pieces and blend until smooth. There is no need to add water because watermelon already contains a lot of water.
- Pour the blended watermelon into your ice lolly moulds, leaving a little space at the top for expansion as they freeze.
- Place the moulds in the freezer.
- After around 30–60 minutes, once the mixture has started to freeze, insert the sticks.
- Continue freezing for around 5 hours, or until completely frozen. For convenience, you can also leave them overnight.
- When you’re ready to eat them, remove the lollies from the moulds and enjoy.
How to make mango and passion fruit ice lollies
- Peel the mango and cut it into chunks.
- Scoop the passion fruit pulp into your blender.
- Add the mango and a small amount of filtered water. Start with just a little – you can always add more if needed.
- Blend until smooth and pourable.
- Pour the mixture into your ice lolly moulds, leaving a little room at the top.
- Place in the freezer and, after around 30–60 minutes, insert the sticks once the mixture has started to firm up.
- Freeze for around 5 hours, or until completely frozen.
Expert tips for making fruit ice lollies
Use ripe fruit.
This makes a big difference to the finished flavour. Ripe watermelon and mango will give you a naturally sweeter and more flavoursome lolly without needing any added sugar.
Go easy on the water.
You don’t need any water for the watermelon. For the mango and passion fruit mixture, add just enough to help everything blend smoothly. Too much water can make the finished lollies more icy.
Taste the mixture before freezing.
If your mango isn’t quite ripe, the mixture may be more tart than you expect. This is a good opportunity to adjust the flavour with a little more ripe fruit or a squeeze of lime if you prefer.
Don’t overfill the moulds.
Leave a little space at the top because the mixture will expand as it freezes.
Don’t worry if your freezing time is slightly different.
Small moulds may freeze in around five hours, while larger ones can take considerably longer. If you’re making them for a particular occasion, I would simply make them the day before.
Having trouble getting them out of the mould?
Run the outside of the mould briefly under warm water. The lolly should loosen without you having to pull hard on the stick.
How to store homemade ice lollies
Once completely frozen, keep the ice lollies in the freezer until you’re ready to eat them.
For the best texture and flavour, I recommend enjoying them within 1–2 weeks. If you make a larger batch, you can remove the frozen lollies from their moulds and transfer them to an airtight freezer container or freezer bag.
If you’re storing several together, place a little baking parchment between them to prevent them from sticking together.
FAQ
Are watermelon ice lollies healthy?
These watermelon ice lollies are made simply from fruit, with no added sugar. They can be enjoyed as part of a varied, balanced diet, but I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to label individual foods as simply “healthy” or “unhealthy”. What matters most is your overall eating pattern.
Can I make ice lollies without added sugar?
Yes. Ripe fruit can provide plenty of natural sweetness, so you don’t need to add sugar to this recipe. The sweeter and more flavoursome your fruit, the better the finished lollies will taste.
Can I use other fruit?
Absolutely. Strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pineapple, kiwi and other types of melon can all work well. It’s a great way to use up ripe fruit that you already have at home.
How long do homemade ice lollies take to freeze?
Small ice lollies can take around five hours to freeze completely, although the exact time depends on the size of your moulds and the temperature of your freezer. If you’re unsure, leaving them overnight is the easiest option.
Why are my homemade ice lollies icy?
Fruit contains a lot of water, so homemade fruit lollies will naturally have a more icy texture than some shop-bought versions. Using ripe fruit and avoiding unnecessary extra water can help give you a better texture.
Can I make these ice lollies with frozen fruit?
Yes. Allow frozen fruit to soften slightly before blending, and add a little water if needed. This can also be a useful option when certain fresh fruits aren’t in season.
Are these ice lollies vegan and dairy-free?
Yes. The recipe contains fruit and water and is naturally vegan and dairy-free.
Are these ice lollies gluten-free?
Yes. All of the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, remember to check the ingredients and labels of any additional products you add.
Want support with your everyday nutrition?
Healthy eating doesn’t need to mean following strict rules or trying to eat perfectly. It’s about finding realistic habits that work for you and fit around your work, family and everyday life.
If you’d like personalised support with your nutrition, weight management, digestive health or healthier daily routines, take a look at my health coaching packages.
Get in touch if you’d like to find out how I can support you.