These homemade coconut popsicles are rich, creamy, and super simple to make! They’re the perfect summertime refresher.
Easy Coconut Popsicles
I am mildly obsessed with coconut. The smell, the taste, in drinks, desserts or frozen! Although I love coconut year round (as you can see from my coconut curry butternut squash soup and coconut macaroons), summer makes me crave it even more! When I was younger, I spent many summers in Puerto Rico with cousins and I remember enjoying delicious coconut paletas to cool off in the heat. These coconut popsicles are a lightened up version that’s every bit as delicious as the popsicles I remember from my childhood.
Why You’ll Love These Coconut Popsicles
- Easy to make. These popsicles have a short ingredient list and the prep is as easy as stirring all the ingredients together. The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze!
- Creamy and refreshing. I love that these aren’t like other fruit popsicles—they have some substance to them! They’re cool and refreshing, but the creaminess and shredded coconut make them feel more satisfying.
- Lightened up. With a few simple ingredient swaps, you can still get that rich, creamy texture without having to use full-fat coconut milk.
What You’ll Need
I love that this recipe uses full cans of evaporated milk and coconut milk. That means you don’t need to find ways to use the extras! Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Fat–free evaporated milk – Not condensed milk! Evaporated milk is unsweetened.
- Lite coconut milk – For coconut goodness without all the coconut fat.
- Powdered sugar – This dissolves right into the coconut popsicle mixture so you don’t need to start by making a simple syrup.
- Coconut extract – The extract is important here—it really brings home that coconut flavor!
- Cinnamon – Just a bit adds some warmth.
- Shredded sweetened coconut – If you’re not a fan of the texture of shredded coconut, you can leave this out.
How to Make Coconut Popsicles
See the recipe card below for printable instructions.
- Combine. Add the ingredients to a bowl and stir until incorporated.
- Assemble. Pour the coconut mixture into popsicle molds and insert the sticks.
- Freeze. Place the popsicle molds in the freezer and freeze until solid. (The time needed will depend on the size and shape of the molds.)
Tips and Variations
- Stir the popsicle mixture a few times. You don’t want the shredded coconut to settle at the bottom of the mixing bowl, so give it a stir after pouring it into 2 or 3 ice pop molds to re-distribute it.
- Use popsicle molds. There are workarounds for making popsicles without molds, like using disposable cups, but popsicle molds really work best. Here are my favorite popsicle molds.
- Know how to loosen stuck popsicles. If you’re having trouble getting the pops out of the molds, you can set the molds in a bowl of hot water for a few seconds or run them under the tap. This will loosen the popsicles so they’re easier to remove.
- Make them chocolatey. Drizzle the coconut popsicles with Magic Shell before serving if you like chocolate with your coconut.
Proper Storage
It’s best to store homemade coconut popsicles in the molds to keep them fresh. If you need to use the molds again, you can remove the frozen pops and wrap each of them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
More Popsicle Recipes
Coconut Popsicles
Ingredients
- 12 ounce can fat-free evaporated milk
- 14 ounce can light coconut milk
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons coconut extract
- cinnamon, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Pour into freezer molds.
- Freeze and Enjoy!!
I don’t have popsicle molds could you put into an ice cream maker?
I love coconut pops! These came out delicious! I never thought making coconut pops would be so simple. Definitely a great summer treat.
I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I'm dying to! 🙂 However, I bought the popsicle molds you used, and I've been trying to successfully make a double-chocolate swirl pop. My question is this–have you had a hard time getting the pops out of this mold? I've used it three times, and the first time they only half came out (the rest of the frozen mixture was left in the tubes), the second time I just couldn't get them out period, no matter what, and the third time all that would come out was the sticks. Help! LOL. What am I doing wrong? Or what secret tip is there to it that I'm not aware of?
Thanks!
Paula Deen likes your blog too!
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/creamy_coconut_pops/
HAHA, great catch. All Paula Deen did was omit the cinnamon. Gina must be on to something if the food network pros are copying you.
What kind of coconut milk?
I’ve now made four flavors of the popsicles/pops; I wanted a variety. They are all excellent but this may be my favorite. It’s creamy like ice cream when you want that decadent feeling. Yum! Tomorrow I think I will make the avocado ones – I may even experiment and do half with chocolate. I love your recipes; they are usually very forgiving and flexible.
Yesterday I was looking for a recipe for some sort of low fat, low calorie, tasty ice milk, and so I tried this one. I used truvia instead of the powdered sugar, and because I don't have any "popsicle molds" I made it in my ice cream maker. After I mixed all the ingredients, I put the bowl in the freezer for several hours, but it really just cooled. Then I added it to my ice cream freezer, and let it run for about 35-40 minutes, checking the ice and salt often. IT IS INCREDIBLE STUFF!! I am a committed weight watcher, and since January of 2011 have lost 82+ pounds, and do not intend on finding any of them again. Thank you for all your recipes and ideas.
Valerie Koutek
I am a huge fan of your site and many of your recipes but this one, not so much. I made it verbatim and even my kids thought it was too sweet. It also seemed heavy even with the lite products. I still love you!
YUM! I've been on a major coconut trip lately. Trader Joe's makes delicious coconut water Fruit Flo's. They are heaven. They're 4 Points + though, so I'll have to give these a try!
Could you put this mixture in an ice cream maker? dying for coconut ice cram or sorbet recipe!! 🙂
These came out so so good!! My kids loved them as much as I did, lol…
Also: do you have a recipe for cocunut ice cream? I would love some… (to use with my new ice cream maker!!)
I will say, as a Puerto Rican, that I would love to have Coquito (or something of the likes…)
Also: in Puerto Rico, these are made in plastic cups!!!! : )
Coquito would be tough! The rum alone makes it high in points.
Gina, as another puertorican (NY Rican) I must say it reminds me of my childhood on the streets of NY. I didn't add coconut extract or cinnamon, and I used regular sweetened condensed milk (I had on hand) and I must say I'm in love! I will try again as per your recipe.
What about coquito?
I would say the evaporated milk.
I know this is an old one, but I love it!!! If I wanted to turn them into non-alcoholic pina colada popsicles, what should I minimize to make room for the pineapple?
This is just a guess, but since pineapple is sweet on its own, you could try cutting back on the sweetener or eliminate it completely depending on your preference.
These were good! I used vanilla extract because I didn't have coconut, but I will pick some up next time because I bet that would make them even better. My husband and my one year old also liked them a lot. And I finally got to use those popsicle molds I got at ikea a year ago.
Used regular coconut milk since that was what I had in the cupboard, so made 12 smaller pops but they work out to 4 P+ each due to the higher fat. Next time I'll make them properly with lite coconut milk and I'm sure they will still be delicious. Another winner with the Husband too.
These are amazing…. point blank.. i love your website, the food is amazing..
I cannot wait to make these! My mother is Puerto Rican and I remember her making these (not the skinny ones!) when I was a child. Haven't seen this recipe around for years and am so excited to see that I can make it weight watchers style. Thanks so much Gina!!
Hi Gina,
Is there any way you could calculate the points+ for these. My family loves these and we are looking forward to having them as the weather is warming up here in FL.
How big is the can of milk?
I*m definetly making these but adding a little pineapple juice to make a mock Pina Colada pop-=D
What are the points plus value of these? Thanks so much!
Agave nectar would be perfect.
I love coconut pops also!!!!!!! I'm trying to eat all natural. Is there another sugar besides the powder sugar that I may substitute that will not take away from the taste? Like aguave nectar?
What are the Points Plus on these?
try putting crushed pineapple in it. i bet it will be super delish. like… a pina colada!
Sure, but I'm not sure how pronounced the coconut flavor would be. Maybe you can add a few drops of coconut extract.
Do you think these would work without the actual coconut in them? I absolutely love the taste of coconut, but for some reason I hate the texture of it. Thanks for all the great WW recipes!
Hi Gina!
I've been looking for low fat snack recipes and I'm so glad I found your site, SO many gorgeous looking new recipes to try! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I'm in Australia, and our evaporated milk comes in a few different sized cans. Can you please tell me how many oz is in the can you use for this recipe?
Thanks!
What a great idea! Looks delish! What if we put a little crushed pineapple in there an made them Pina Colada Pops?! Mmmmmm…
Welcome!
Wow iv just found your site……….. Where have you been all my slimming life ha ha, fab recipes
oh and congrats on your new arrival 🙂
T x
I love Limber de Crema!!
Just found your website! The Limber de Coco is an all time favorite back in Puerto Rico. Glad I found your website! I love your recipes! 🙂
Here you have a puertorican friend!
oh boy oh boy i can't wait to try this!!
Hi Gina! I love this site! Thanks. Your pics are awesome and the recipes, so far are amazing! I will try this recipe since I too am a coconut fan. My mom used to make some like these and put them in the metal ice trays (with the levers)Real ghetto style ! I love it! Thanks for the memories!
OMG I made these today and wow, sooooo goood! dd even liked it and now I have to make another batch asap..thank you so much 🙂
First of all, those look delicious. Secondly, I was going through my sitemeter and checking all the blogs of the people who have been to my site lately, and I adore your site! I'm going to facebook my WW friends about it 🙂
As a WWing coconut lover, I think I owe you at least one day's uninterrupted admiration for this recipe. I think I'll have to make it this week or next…
We have been making do with ice cube trays and toothpicks for our "popsicle" experiments. Thank you for the link to something a little more…user friendly! Whether it's coconut cream pops or just straight lemonade, I know we'll be making a lot this summer.
Anyway, I found you on TasteSpotting and am writing to say that if you have any photos that aren’t accepted there, I’d love to publish them. Visit my new site (below), it’s a lot of fun! I hope you will consider it.
Best,
Casey
Editor
www.tastestopping.wordpress.com
Thats what this reminds me of, limber de coco! I made this but with the coco lopez and it was delish! Thanks for posting.
@K Wallace – Thanks 🙂 Nutmeg I'm sure would taste good. If you don't have coconut extract you can use vanilla.
Goya cream of coconut is already sweetened so if you use that, I wouldn't probably add sugar. But you should check the points, it might change. I'm sure it would be good!
I'm slightly obsessed with coconut (and your recipes). I'll probably swap nutmeg for cinnamon. I'll be pulling these yummies out on the 4th of July.
Thanks!
I would purchase the molds just to make these, too!!
Hi! I have Goya cream of coconut, would that work in place of the coconut milk? Is it sort of the saame thing?
Thanks!
what light coconut milk do you recommend?
Creamy popsicles are the faves. We have molds on hand!
The link should work now.
Hi, could you check the link for the freezer pop molds 'cuz there's nothing there when I click and I've been looking all over for them.
I think these are the same as what my mom used to make years ago but she used to put them in ice cube trays (ghetto style). We used to love them! I am going to try them (and since I don't have pop molds, will use ice cube trays! lol)
Thanks!
Yum! I hope the calories are lower and not the points higher!!!
@Heather – Thanks for the compliment! I have a digital Canon Rebel XTI and I used a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. I usually shoot with natural light, but when I can't, I have the Lowel EGO Digital Tabletop Fluorescent Light Unit. I always adjust my white balance before I shoot, and I take lots of pictures at different angles.
Must. have. now. Fantastic!
Hey I just found my way here from A Dash of Flavour. What a great blog, I am going to follow along. I looove coconut and I think my kids and I will enjoy these.
I have been following you for awhile and I finally need to tell you that I love your site. The recipies are wonderful and I love your photography. Can you tell me a little about how you take your pictures?
I love coconut too and these sound amazing! Time to dig out those ice pop molds…
do you think fresh shredded coconut would work? I just picked one up this weekend!