These 4th of July Bomb Pops were so much fun. We made them for the first time last 4th and I plan to make them again this year.
BTW, did you know there’s an actual national Bomb Pop day? Add it to the list of your favorite Instagram holidays. It’s the last Thursday in June, which, believe it or not, is this week.
Now, let me first say I’m not here to bash one of America’s most iconic summer treats. One Bomb Pop a year on National Bomb Pop day or the 4th or whenever has likely never killed anyone.
I think most would agree though, a Bomb Pop isn’t exactly a source of nutrition.
The drawback with most popsicles is their ingredients aren’t so great.
Artificial dyes like red 40 and blue 1 in Bomb Pops have been linked to allergies, ADHD and cancers, and high fructose corn syrup with fatty liver and diabetes.
And the rest is mostly just sugar and water.
I know what you may be thinking, it’s just a popsicle, Megan.
I know, I know, and every once in awhile it’s so much fun to get one as a treat at the store or from the ice cream truck or at a party.
On just a Tuesday… or any other day of the week when you want a popsicle (which is about every day in Texas in the summer) I don’t want that junk.
BTW, did you know this?… In Europe a product that contains artificial food dyes has to carry a warning saying the coloring agents “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
This is why many of the same products here are colored with beet juice in other countries.
Why not use beet juice here too?
We’re used to the bright colors at this point (the natural stuff isn’t near as vibrant) plus the fake stuff is cheaper.
Anyway, my point here is, once in awhile, fine OK, we can deal.
The majority of the time though I want the good stuff.
With a homemade pop you get it all: sweet, cool and nutritious.
I keep a stash of homemade pops in the freezer for afternoon snacks.
Usually I make the recipe simple, like this one.
All I do is blend about 2 cups fruit, add a squeeze of orange, lemon or lime; a squirt of honey and water.
Blend it up and pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
You can make them in 5 minutes, they’re that easy.
These Bomb Pops are a bit more complicated with the three colors.
That’s why I haven’t made them since last year….
They are really fun though for the holiday – the kids think they’re extra special and love them too.
I keep a box of store bought pops in the freezer too.
We break em out for a treat or when the stash runs low.
Our favorite is Good Pop because they use real fruit, are lower in sugar (and made with cane sugar (ie. non-GMO). And they’re local to Austin, too!
There are a lot of upgraded popsicle options these days in the freezer at the store, which is awesome.
More Popsicle + Frozen Treat Recipes
My FREE recipe ebook: 40+ Kids’ Snacks has a few more of my favorite popsicle recipes and ice cream made entirely out of fruit too… like this ice cream we sometimes eat for dinner.
Download the FREE snacks recipe ebook here.
Note: Of course it’s the three colors together that make these 4th of July Bomb Pops but you could always keep it simple and just do one flavor pops using just one of any of the three layers: red, white, or blue.
4th of July Bomb Pops
- Red layer
- couple handfuls strawberries*
- ½ lemon, juiced
- squirt honey
- White Layer
- ½-3/4 cup coconut milk
- ½ lemon, juiced
- squirt honey
- Blue (purple) layer
- 1 cup wild blueberries
- ¼ lemon, juiced
- a few basil leaves, torn (optional)
- ½ lemon, juiced
- squirt of honey
- Blend the ingredients for each layer starting with red. Pour red layer into popsicle mild to fill ⅓ then place in freezer for about 2 hours to partially freeze before doing the next layer.
- Do white layer next and pour to fill next ⅓. Freeze 1-2 hours until partially frozen.
- Do blue layer and fill rest of the molds. Add popsicle sticks or mold sticks and freeze at least 6 hours.
*Strawberries are one of the fruits I always make sure to buy organic because they consistently top the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list of produce items with the highest amount of pesticides. Here are all my thoughts on organic, including when it’s worth it and when it’s not.
Shop the recipe
What do you think?
Is this something you would want to make or does it sound like too much? I’d love to know if you do give them a try. Come back and let us know how they turn out, will you?
I hope you have a happy and fun 4th! And happy national bomb pop day, too! 😉
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