When the weather gets hot, the best thing on the menu is something cold. From ice cream to popsicles, it’s always nice to have a snack ready for you in the freezer.
With these recipes, however, you won’t have to worry about overdoing it on the sugar. Each one uses fruit as the base, giving you plenty of nutrients while saving some room for creativity.
Healthy snacks don’t have to be bland or flavorless. Just check out these five recipes–most of which contain 4 ingredients or less–and enjoy your chill-out sesh without the guilt.
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream (Nice Cream)
Ice cream is the classic go-to dessert for hot summer afternoons. A regular pint of it can definitely be tasty, but it’s even more fun to make your own!
Luckily, you don’t need an ice cream maker to join in on the fun. With this simple recipe from Fit Foodie Finds, all you need are a couple of frozen bananas, some almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. It takes only 10 minutes to make, so you can spend more time enjoying your cold treat in the hot sun!
Check out the recipe here.
Strawberry-Pineapple Salsa with Tortilla Chips
If you’re in the mood for something crunchy, or just need an idea for the perfect party snack, look no further than this fruit salsa from The Stay at Home Chef!
You may have heard of mango salsa, but there’s just something about strawberries and pineapple that spells summer. This recipe is a great way to stay cool while you hang out with friends and soak up the sun.
The only preparation needed is to dice up some strawberries, pineapple, and tomato. Then just add in some minced onion and jalapeno, and kick up the flavor with cilantro, lime juice, and salt. It only takes 10 minutes to make, so you’ll be enjoying it in no time!
Check out the recipe here.
Mango Coconut Popsicles
It’s the simple things in life that really matter. This recipe only has two ingredients, so it’s pretty much as simple as it gets!
Popsicles are a great way to stay refreshed, but these mango coconut pops from Simple Vegan Blog take it to the next level. Just blend together some diced mangos and a little coconut milk. Then, pour the mixture into a couple of popsicle molds and freeze for about 35 minutes.
It’s almost too easy!
Check out the recipe here.
Nutella Dipped Frozen Bananas
Frozen bananas by themselves are already an awesome snack, so imagine having them with Nutella! These treats from Kitchen Confidante are just as delicious as they look!
All you need for this recipe are some popsicle sticks, bananas, and Nutella. If you’re feeling creative, you can even add pecans or sprinkles!
Start by peeling and slicing your bananas crosswise. Insert a popsicle stick into each slice, and space them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. After freezing them for 20 minutes, roll each banana in a small bowl of Nutella. Stick them back on the baking sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes.
Once they’re done, you’ll have a nice chocolate-covered treat!
Check out the recipe here.
Dairy-Free Pineapple Whip
If you’ve been lucky enough to have tried one at Disneyland or the Dole plantation in Hawaii, you’ll know that pineapple whips are the real deal!
On a hot summer day, the chilly sweetness of a pineapple whip can be enough to put you in a tropical state of mind. The best part–aside from the fresh pineapple, of course–is that it’s dairy-free.
This recipe from Living Well Mom makes the best of frozen fruit with only 3 ingredients! Simply blend together 1 banana, some frozen pineapple chunks, and a few tablespoons of coconut milk. You can even try using a frozen banana instead for a thicker consistency.
With only 3 minutes needed for prep time, it’s the quickest and most delicious way to beat the heat!
Check out the recipe here.
Conclusion
In the summer, we’re all in the mood for something cold and sweet. While it might be easy to reach for the nearest quart of ice cream, there are plenty of other options that are just as refreshing and fun to make!
If you’re in the mood for ice cream, try making your own with some frozen bananas and a dash of chocolate. The two recipes listed above for chocolate nice cream and Nutella-dipped bananas are perfectly creamy and great for hot afternoons.
Fruit is also a fun summertime snack, but blending it together can really make a difference. Mango coconut popsicles and pineapple whips are just two possibilities, with both being incredibly delicious.
And if you need a creative idea with enough sweetness and crunch for your friends, strawberry-pineapple salsa will do just the trick!
Summer is all about relaxing and having a good time. With these five recipes, you’ll be refreshed and hydrated enough to keep the fun times rolling!
