Banana Push-Ups

Banana push-ups are the homemade answer to those orange creamsicle pops you remember from a corner store. Two ripe bananas blend with plain yogurt, frozen orange juice concentrate, and nonfat milk powder until foamy, then freeze in paper cups for a kid-friendly summer treat with real fruit, real protein, and zero added sugar.

The nonfat milk powder is the unexpected ingredient that makes these work. It dramatically increases the protein content without adding water that would otherwise dilute the flavor and turn the pops icy. The result is a creamier freeze with the structure of an ice cream pop instead of the harder texture of a fruit ice.

Frozen orange juice concentrate is doing double duty: providing concentrated citrus flavor that stands up to freezing temperatures (frozen foods always taste less sweet than they do at room temp), plus that signature creamsicle tang that pairs naturally with banana.

Plain yogurt brings a slight tartness and probiotic protein that yogurt-based frozen treats are known for. Use full-fat yogurt for the creamiest result; nonfat works but freezes harder.

Use paper cups with a popsicle stick frozen in halfway through, or buy reusable push-up molds for the full retro effect.

Kitchen Tips

• Blend until truly foamy, not just smooth. The aerated mixture freezes softer and scoops better.
• Insert sticks after 30 minutes of freezing, when the mixture is slushy. Sticks added too early float to the surface.
• Run a paper cup briefly under warm water to release the pop, then peel away the cup.
• Let pops thaw 2-3 minutes before eating. Straight from the freezer they’re too hard.

Variations

• Sub frozen pineapple juice concentrate for a banana-pineapple version.
• Add 1 cup frozen strawberries for a banana-berry pop.
• Drizzle the empty cups with chocolate syrup before pouring for a chocolate-banana sundae effect.