Healthy Watermelon Papaya Yogurt Popsicles {vegan}

These Healthy Watermelon Papaya Yogurt Popsicles are creamy, sweet, and super fruity.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and vegan.  Crammed with papaya, watermelon, and coconut yogurt.  Each bite is a refreshing delight.  Easy to make, simple vegan ingredients, and no added sugar.

When I created these popsicles I was completely blown away by the harmony of papaya and watermelon together.  And offset by the tangy flavor dairy-free yogurt loaded with probiotics makes these healthy popsicles even tastier.  These popsicles were born from the creation of my blackberry watermelon popsicles.  Wanting something much sweeter for the Summer months ahead that would also soothe indigestion.

Eating papaya on its own was never a favorite of mine, but paired in a popsicle may be an entirely different story. I envisioned a subtly sweet popsicle that would have nutritional benefits.  In developing the recipe, I had no idea how complimentary watermelon, coconut yogurt, and papaya would taste.  It was such a pleasantly surprising experience to realize the magic of these fruits paired together.  

WHAT'S THE HYPE WITH PAPAYA?

• Papaya is known to coat the esophagus and aid in healing painful indigestion and acid reflux
• Also settles the stomach
• A great digestive enzyme to take before meals
• Helps you poop

NOT ALL DAIRY-FREE YOGURTS ARE CREATED EQUAL

• Dairy-Free and Vegan yogurts are made from a plant-based source rather than an animal source
• They are not flavored to be almond yogurt, or oat yogurt, or cashew yogurt, or soy, or coconut yogurt.  They are actually made from almonds, cashews, soy, oat, and coconut.  Plant source.
• Many of these plant yogurts contain additives to make them as thick as dairy yogurt plus sugar, colorings, gums, and other unnecessary ingredients.
• That's why I adore two tart and creamy brands.  Anita's and Coyo.  Both of these yogurts use minimal ingredients, no additives, and loads of probiotics.  I suggest using these or a coconut unsweetened yogurt.
• Dairy-free and vegan yogurts while are amazing in taste, are in fact slightly thinner than dairy yogurts and that is why they work wonders in popsicles.

HOW TO MAKE PAPAYA WATERMELON YOGURT POPSICLES

• Cut open the papaya like you would a melon.  Remove and discard the seeds.
• Chop into small chunks that will often look like a puree.  It's all good.
• Slice your watermelon into chunks and discard black pits.
• Break out your favorite coconut plant-based yogurt that is unsweetened or plain.
• Mix your yogurt with spring water.
• Drop or two of liquid stevia to bring out the flavor of the fruits.
• Add yogurt mixture along with fruit mixture into each popsicle mold by rotating between the yogurt and the fruit.
• Fill all most in a similar fashion, close the lid, and freeze overnight.  It's that easy.
• I suggest using a coconut yogurt that is unsweetened, tangy, and creamy.

I set them in popsicle mold overnight and when I woke up the next day it was like Christmas!  The excitement of tasting them the next day was top on my list.  Its taste reminded me of a healthy Jolly Rancher.  If you could ever call a dairy-free yogurt popsicle bliss - this would be the popsicle. Tastes like Summer.

MORE PAPAYA POPSICLE IDEAS

• tropical paleo papaya popsicles using only 3 ingredients if you count water!

Ready to gather your ingredients?

Print Recipe

Healthy Watermelon Papaya Yogurt Popsicles (dairy-free)

These Healthy Watermelon Papaya Yogurt Popsicles are a creamy, dairy-free, and healthy popsicle dream!  Loaded with papaya and watermelon, and just five fresh ingredients.  Easy to make, simple vegan ingredients, and no added sugar.

 

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time6 hrs

Total Time6 hrs 15 mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Dairy-Free, Egg-free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Sugar-Free, Vegan

Keyword: dairy-free yogurt, healthy, papaya, popsicles, watermelon

Servings: 10 popsicles

Author: Julie Rosenthal

Equipment

• blender
• Popsicle Mold and sticks

Ingredients

• 1 cup tart and unsweetened coconut yogurt
• 1 cup spring water
• 3-4 drops liquid stevia
• 1 whole small papaya, flesh only
• 1 ½ cups chopped watermelon

Instructions

• In a high speed blender combine the yogurt, water and stevia and blend well.
• Cut watermelon pieces into ⅛ inch thick and ¼ inch thick small chunky slices and set aside.
• Spoon papaya out of its rind and slice the papaya into thin chunky slices as the watermelon. Don’t worry if the papaya looks like puree, or it becomes mushy, you will still use it.
• Pour a very small amount of the coconut mixture into the popsicle molds, about ¼ cup full, then add the fruit, both watermelon and papaya.  Take your fingers and smoosh the fruit down so that it gets covered in the yogurt.  Then add a little more yogurt mixture.  Then add a little more fruit mixture.  Then push the fruit down with your fingers.  Then add a little more yogurt mixture.  Then add a little more fruit and push down with your fingers.  Keep repeating these steps until you have filled each popsicle mold.
• The popsicle mold that I like to use comes with a top where there are already slitted openings for the sticks.  It makes popsicle making SO much easier and faster.  Secure the popsicle mold with the top, add the sticks and put in the freezer for 56hours or even overnight.
• When you remove the popsicles from the freezer, you will need to run the top under hot water, as well as the bottom so you can remove the top and slide the popsicles out of the mold.
• Store in the freezer in a plastic bag for up to 6 months.

Notes

• If you choose to use a different coconut-based yogurt, or a different plant-based or dairy Greek yogurt know that it will change the taste of the base of this recipe.
• If you cannot find small papaya, use ½ of large papaya and wing it with the amount you need for the popsicles.

Love & Summer Days Forever!