These refreshingly delicious Paletas de Piña y Coco, or Pineapple and Coconut Popsicles, are a perfect way to kick off the hot summer months. Made with homemade condensed coconut milk and fresh pineapple, these frozen treats are dairy-free and oh-so-creamy. Scroll down for the full recipe and recipe card to make and enjoy these all summer long!
Wholesome Homemade Pineapple & Coconut Popsicles
When popsicle season arrives, making these popsicles with my family has become our new favorite seasonal tradition to enjoy during a hot summer day. These popsicles are also a special nod to my childhood. I remember those hot summer days when the ring of a bell signaled the Paletero walking down the street with the pushcart full of frozen fruit bars. My sisters and I would run out, my dad usually following behind with the cash to pay, ready to choose our frozen treat post pool time. Piña, or pineapple in English, was always my favorite. The blend of fresh pineapple and creamy coconut, a quintessential summertime flavor.
Many will describe the flavor as similar to piña colada coming from the Spanish phrase meaning “strained pineapple.” Piña Colada is the refreshing and delicious mixed drink, originating in Puerto Rico, consisting of pineapple juice, cream of coconut or coconut milk, and rum. This recipe brings the flavors of the famed drink in non-alcoholic popsicle form using fresh fruit and a homemade condensed coconut milk that both adults and kids will love.
These homemade popsicles use popsicle molds made from silicone and come in handy to make these in batches. I used this mold from Target but if you can’t find them in your area I offer a couple options here and here.
Ingredient List for the Paletas de Piña y Coco (Pineapple & Coconut Popsicles)
To make these deliciously homemade piña colada esque popsicle treats we’ll need:
- Fresh Pineapple: You can use a fresh whole ripe pineapple or purchase pre-cut pineapple chunks to save you a step. Either way, we need 2 cups of fresh pineapple chunks with the pineapple juice.
- Unsweetened full fat coconut milk: We’re going to work on condensing this down to create that creamy texture so you’re going to want full fat coconut milk here.
- Granulated Sugar: We’re using granulated cane sugar to help add sweetness to the coconut milk in the process of condensing it down for our popsicles.
- Shredded Coconut: I love a good texture story and the addition of shredded coconut is very reminiscent of the popsicles of my childhood. Truly, some of my favorite summertime flavors. While you can leave this out, it does add a bit more coconut flavor that I personally love in this delicious treat.
- Vanilla: We need both pod and extract. The vanilla bean pod is going to steep and add flavor to the coconut milk after we cook it down. The extract during blending add just a hint of that vanilla sweetness that gets us to mimic the delicious drink.
Popsicle Making Tools We Need
We will also use a few special tools to help us:
- Silicone popsicle molds: This goes without saying as we’re making popsicles. Silicone molds will help add ease in removing the popsicles though we’ll want to run the bottom of the popsicle mold under cool or just slightly warm water as we prepare to remove them from the ice pop molds and place them in a storage bag or bags.
- Popsicle sticks: You can use a popsicle mold with reusable sticks or purchase the wooden craft sticks.
- High Speed Blender: A high speed blender will definitely help in creating that smooth and creamy texture for our popsicles. I love my Vitamix for this reason.
How to Make Paletas de Piña y Coco (Pineapple & Coconut Popsicles)
Making this refreshing summer treat is as easy as:
- First, we’ll make the condensed milk by combining one 13.5 ounce can of unsweetened coconut milk and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce it by half, stirring frequently, for about 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat to cool for 10 minutes.
- Add vanilla bean to the cooling condensed coconut milk and allow to steep while mixture cools during that time. Once the condensed coconut milk is cooled, remove vanilla bean pod.
- Dice pineapple chunks and add to blender along with shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the cooled condensed coconut milk and blend until smooth.
Pour mixture into your ice pop molds. Cover with lid and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for a minimum of 5 to 6 hours or until fully frozen.
To remove popsicles: Run cool to lukewarm water around the bottom of the popsicle mold for about 30 seconds. Remove lid and the popsicles should slide out a bit more easily. Store frozen popsicles in a freezer bag or in individual, sealable bags in the freezer. Frozen popsicles will keep for up to 6 weeks though these are guaranteed not to last that long. They’re so good!
Tips & Substitutions
- If you want to use maple syrup instead of granulated sugar, use 1/4 cup of maple syrup instead of a 1/2 cup of sugar.
- Don’t have fresh pineapple? Frozen pineapple chunks can work here too. I would recommend thawing them in a medium bowl in the refrigerator overnight. Use the defrosted pineapple chunks, and the fruit juice, as you would fresh pineapple chunks.
FAQs
- Could I add maple syrup instead of granulated sugar? You can though I’d recommend cutting it back to about 1/4 cup of maple syrup. The mixture may turn out a little darker than if using granulated organic cane sugar, but this is okay.
- Can I add fresh fruit chunks too? Absolutely! Chopping up smaller pineapple chunks are a fun way to add more texture to this creamy popsicle.
- If I wanted, could I still add rum? For sure! You can add some white or dark rum to the mixture before blending. This makes for a great way to spice up your piña colada ice pops for summer dinner parties. I’d recommend a tablespoon or two if using and add it just before blending.
More Desserts to Love
These homemade Paletas de Piña y Coco, or homemade Pineapple and Coconut Popsicles, incorporate our favorite flavors for summer and is such an easy recipe to make. They really are the perfect treat to beat the summer heat. You’re sure to enjoy this sweet treat with the whole family during your summer cookouts and gatherings. And for more desserts and sweets for the summer months, might I also suggest making:
- Orange and Almond Olive Oil Snack Cake
- Easy Cast-Iron Skillet Cherry and Berry Crumble
Let me know if you make this recipe by tagging me on Instagram or share how it went in the comments below. I can’t wait to see what you make!
In the meantime, cheers to the next nourishing meal. ❤️
Paletas de Piña y Coco (Pineapple and Coconut Popsicles)
Equipment
- 1 silicone popsicle mold
- 8 popsicle sticks
- 1 large saucepan
- 1 high-performance blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced fresh pineapple chunks
- 13.5 ounces unsweetened coconut milk from one 13.5 ounce can
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large vanilla bean pod cut in half
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
- Pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- First, make the condensed milk by combining one 13.5 ounce can of unsweetened coconut milk and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce it by half, stirring frequently, for about 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat to cool for 10 minutes.
- Add vanilla bean to the cooling condensed coconut milk and allow to steep while mixture cools during that time.Once the condensed coconut milk is cooled, remove vanilla bean pod.
- Dice pineapple chunks and add to blender along with shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Add the cooled condensed coconut milk and blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into popsicle mold cavities. Cover with lid and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for a minimum of 5 to 6 hours or until fully frozen.
- To remove popsicles: Run cool to lukewarm water around the bottom of the popsicle mold for about 30 seconds. Remove lid and the popsicles should slide out a bit more easily. Store frozen popsicles in a freezer bag or in individual, sealable bags in the freezer. Frozen popsicles will keep for up to 6 weeks though these are guaranteed not to last that long. They’re so good!
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