By Mark Bittman
- Total Time
- 10 minutes, plus freezing
- Rating
- 5(262)
- Notes
- Read community notes
Throughout Mexico, paletas are made with fresh fruit and not much sugar, pretty much the opposite of commercial sorbets and sherbets sold here. Like sorbet or sherbet, these frozen snacks are easily made at home; all you need is a set of plastic molds, sold in many supermarkets, toy stores and online. For a lower-tech solution, you can use small paper cups and insert wooden sticks in them once the mixture freezes hard enough to support them. The dairy is optional. Adding it produces a paleta de leche, which has a more distinctive texture than the dairy-free paleta de agua, which is icier.
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Ingredients
Yield:4 to 6 servings
- 2medium bananas, about ¾ cup
- 1cup whole milk
- 1teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼cup sugar
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
94 calories; 1 gram fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 19 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 15 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 18 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
Purée all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Pour into 4 to 6 molds and freeze until solid.
Step
2
Unmold by first running a little cold water over outside of molds, then gently pulling the sticks.
Ratings
5
out of 5
262
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Cooking Notes
Susan
Good flavor and simple without needing a run to the grocery store. Treats like this keep me away from the ice cream too. Bonus.
PJ
Using what I had on hand, used half unsweetened almond milk, half cream, half almond extract and half vanilla extract and 2Tbs brown sugar. Delicious!B: try using cream instead of milk to make creamier
morinoko
I tried with 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream too. Gave them a creamier, slightly smoother texture!
Ruth in Rego Park, Queens
I've been making popsicles for years, learning over time what works best. I choose to make them vegan, easily done by substituting "extra firm silken tofu" for any dairy ingredient... and then thinning that with either soymilk, almond milk, or coconut. The best silken tofu that I've found is Mori-Nu. When making banana popsicles, I add one box of shelf-stable "Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, Extra firm" For creaminess, I add 1 or 2 tb of tahini. Plus vanilla extract, & sweetener.
MM
To make paletas de agua, sub water for the milk? Or just leave the milk out? Instructions say dairy is optional, but I assume it must be replaced with SOME liquid.
Jenny
Pleasant texture and sweetness. The vanilla came through a bit too strong. I will half it next time.
Elizabeth G
This is a delicious treat for a hot summer night! I used homemade cashew milk and coconut sugar to make it Paleo friendly.
Rebecca
Great use for overripe bananas!
Mary
I didn't have whole milk, so I used 1/2 cup 2% milk and 1/2 cup half-and-half. I used Swerve artificial sweetener (little less than 1/4 c) and then a few dashes of monkfruit sweetener. I added a small pinch of salt and a spoonful of whipped cream cheese. I don't even like banana flavored things, but this was delicious!
Sandy
I used half and half with a bit less sugar. Still plenty sweet for me and my husband. Simple and delicious for summer dessert.
delish!
Good use for ripe bananas when you don’t feel like another banana bread. Use what you have on hand. I subbed milk for half heavy whipping cream and half plain yogurt.
sd
Was quick and easy summer treat to make with my 2 year old but perhaps the bananas were too ripe as these treats were overly sweet. I had cut back on the sugar in the recipe but would withhold even more next time.
PJ
Using what I had on hand, used half unsweetened almond milk, half cream, half almond extract and half vanilla extract and 2Tbs brown sugar. Delicious!B: try using cream instead of milk to make creamier
cnoggs
Using what I had on hand, used half unsweetened almond milk, half cream, half almond extract and half vanilla extract and 2Tbs brown sugar. Delicious!
Wes
Do you think this could be made using coconut milk or cream instead of milk?
Richard
really enjoyable and refreshing. if they could be creamier that would be awesome if anyone knows how to?
esther
try using cream instead of milk.
Ruth in Rego Park, Queens
Add 1 or 2 Tb of tahini. The taste of tahini does NOT come through... just the creaminess.
acmadigan726
I couldn't get the paletas to unmold and become popsicles. So, we suffered ;) by simply eating them like ice cream. I cut back on sugar and still thought they were quite sweet, but all in all, very tasty.
morinoko
I tried with 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream too. Gave them a creamier, slightly smoother texture!
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