Watermelon popsicles are incredibly hydrating and bursting with antioxidants, potassium and hard-to-find amino acids that boost heart health and muscle repair. My popsicles also have lime juice and immune-boosting baobab powder making them a super power quintessential summer treat!
Immunity Booster Watermelon Popsicles
Watermelon popsicles are the essence of a wonderful happy summer. But getting sick is not so fun. I like to make sure even my light treats are full of immunity-boosting potential.
Enter my watermelon popsicles! They are super high in so many nutrients thanks to watermelon, lime, coconut and baobab powder, a root vegetable sky high in vitamin C.
And of course they taste delicious. Watermelon goes so well with so many fruits, but my favorite pairing is citrus, as in lime juice. And that’s a perfect match with baobab because that powder has a citrus flavor.
How Do These Popsicles Boost Immunity?
They are boosted with the natural immunity power of watermelon, so high in vitamins C, A and B6, as well as antioxidants and amino acids.
I popped in lime of course because everyone knows that citrus (also a top immunity booster) is a favorite fresh pairing with watermelon.
What really pushes the immunity button in this recipe however is baobab powder, that special superfood made from the bark of baobab trees that is so high in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and more cold-busters.
How Healthy Are Watermelon Popsicles?
Watermelon is surprisingly nutritious. For a while, it had the reputation of too much sugar. And it’s GI is a bit high, but it’s still fine in moderate amounts for those watching their sugar.
And best of all, it abounds with nutrition that you might not know about.
1. It’s super high in antioxidants especially lycopene, linked to heart support, skin support and some disease prevention.
2. It’s high in electrolytes – perfect for those sweating in hot weather – and potassium, an essential that is missing in many diets.
3. And it has a substance citrulline, an amino acid gaining popularity lately for links it supports healthy blood pressure and fast muscle recovery.
What Fruit Mixes Well With Watermelon?
Lots of fruits work well from berries, to cherries, to herbs and citrus, but I decided to build the immunity power of my popsicles with lime juice and baobab.
And watermelon is not known to be filling, to to round out the pops’ overall nutrition, I embedded fresh coconut shavings.
It’s important to buy super fresh coconut flakes so the nutritional panel stays intact. In fact, super fresh flakes are so fresh, you could actually blend them into a smooth and creamy coconut butter.
I didn’t do that here, though. I took an easy route and just popped them into the top layer, just before the popsicle mixture froze solid.
Fresh unsweetened coconut flakes are awesome because they hold healthy fats, carbs, protein and iron and phosphorus which support teeth and bone.
So they actually help you feel more full after eating these pops.
I actually have a few watermelon recipes on my blog..
More Watermelon Recipes You Might Like
Watermelon Slush
Cilantro Watermelon Sorbet
I hope you like these festive and healthy pops!
Are you on pinterest? Perhaps share this image..
I invite you to keep up with me on: Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Food Gawker | Twitter
Don’t miss a thing, subscribe here to get recipes delivered to your inbox!
Immunity Booster Watermelon Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon seeded and chopped
- 3 limes
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp baobab powder
- 1/2 cup fresh coconut flakes
Instructions
Prep
- Juice 2 limes, you'll get about 2 tbsp of juice per lime. Leave one unjuiced, and slice it into thin slices.Chop up a watermelon and scoop out 2 cups. Freeze the rest in ice cube trays to be added to smoothies or to make more popsicles.
Make Popsicles
- Blend up the watermelon, lime juice and baobab, but only until combined. You want the watermelon flesh to have some substance as it freezes.
- Pour into molds leaving about 1/2 inch at the top for the flakes.
- Slide a lime slice into each and press against the side with the handle of a spoon.
- Freeze for one hour, then insert sticks and top with coconut flakes.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours before eating.
- Remove popsicles by submerging mold (not getting popsicles wet) in a tub of hot water. Pull out a popsicle, put it in the freezer immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Dee Dine is founder of Green Smoothie Gourmet, a plant based recipe blog, and author of the recent cookbook, Crazy Healthy with 4 Ingredients . On this blog you’ll find incredibly easy recipes with hidden veggies for anyone wanting to eat healthier, regardless of diet. Dee has graduate degrees in sciences and journalism. More about Dee Dine here.
Bianca Zapatka
Watermelon is my absolute favorite kind of summer fruit 😍
These popsicles look so fresh and delicious! A perfect summer treat!
Lots of love,
Bianca ❤️
Debbie
Awww Bianca, thank you so much! That is really sweet to say, Dee xx