Orange Popsicles

Refreshing and bright Orange Popsicles are easy to make from scratch using freshly squeezed orange juice and just three other simple ingredients.

If you made orange juice ice pops as a kid, you’ll be delighted with this recipe, which takes that simple treat to the next level with fresh citrus and just a hint of vanilla.

Homemade Orange popsicles have way less sugar than store-bought popsicles do, and they are gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and dye-free.

I can remember making popsicles in my childhood kitchen. I filled dixie cups with orange juice, added some popsicle sticks that I’d been saving, and popped them in the freezer!

I was so proud when I pulled them out later that day and peeled off the paper cups to reveal a frozen treat that I had made myself. This recipe for Orange Popsicles is just like that one, but better.

If you like making popsicles, you should check out our recipes for Mango Popsicles and Strawberry Popsicles next. These cherry pineapple popsicles are also super simple to make.

For more frozen orange treats, try this Orange Sherbet. Readers are also loving this orange ice cream.

Why You’re Going to Love this Orange Popsicle Recipe

Orange Popsicles are a perfect treat for a hot day. Each homemade popsicle has around 130 calories, so it’s a dessert or snack option that you can feel good about sharing with your family.

This popsicle recipe is easy. Just a few ingredients and a few simple steps are needed to make popsicles from orange juice. There’s no cooking involved, and you don’t even need a blender to make these!

It’s Fun to Make with Kids. Kids love making popsicles, so juicing up some oranges and creating their own popsicles is a great activity to do with yours.

Ingredients in Homemade Orange Popsicles

Oranges – You will need 3 cups of orange juice, which can be accomplished by juicing about 10 fresh oranges. These popsicles taste the best when made with freshly squeezed orange juice, but you can use bottled juice if you’d like. I have some tips about that that I’ll share below.

Sugar – I like to use granulated sugar in this recipe. The sugar helps to keep the orange juice from freezing completely rock-solid, and gives the fresh juice just enough added sweetness. If you prefer, use the same amount of honey or liquid agave nectar instead.

Lemon Juice – This part might sound odd to you, but we want the added tartness that lemon juice gives in this recipe. the lemon juice is balanced perfectly by the sugar and makes the flavor of these popsicles really pop.

Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract to give your orange popsicles the best flavor. The small amount in this popsicle recipe gives just a hint of creamsicle flavor without the need to add any milk or cream.

You’ll also need a popsicle mold and popsicle sticks if your mold requires them. See our best recommendations for popsicle molds toward the bottom of this post.

If you have any questions about making orange popsicles, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you!

How to Make Fresh Orange Popsicle from Scratch

1. Start by juicing the oranges to get 3 cups of orange juice.
2. Add the orange juice, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to a bowl or pitcher, and stir until the sugar has fully dissolved.
3. Pour the orange juice mixture into popsicle molds and insert popsicle sticks.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until frozen solid.
5. Remove the popsicles from the mold by running the outside of the mold until warm water for 10 seconds or so.
6. Serve and enjoy!

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.

How to Store Homemade Popsicles

Store these juicy Orange Popsicles in the freezer, in their mold until ready to enjoy. 

If you decide to remove them from the mold, wrap each popsicle individually with plastic wrap before storing them in a freezer-safe, airtight container. 

I find that homemade popsicles are best if enjoyed within 2-3 weeks, but often will stay fresh for much longer than that, up to 3 months

Tips for Making This Orange Popsicle Recipe

Use quality ingredients – When making homemade popsicles, you’ll want to make sure you are using high-quality ingredients for the best outcome.

Specifically, you want high-quality orange juice for this recipe. Fresh juice from good oranges is best, but if you can’t do that, purchase a good quality store-bought orange juice that has no added ingredients – The ingredient list should just say, “oranges”. Avoid orange juice from concentrate, and don’t use OJ with pulp.

Don’t skimp on the sugar – Sugar not only adds sweetness to popsicles, it also helps with the texture. Popsicles without enough sugar in them will be hard and icy. 

Stir until the sugar has dissolved – If you aren’t sure, rub the juice mixture in between two fingers. If you feel grit, keep stirring! Any sugar that isn’t dissolved will end up at the bottom of your ice pop molds, and we don’t want that.

Orange Popsicle Variations

Orange juice popsicles are easy to vary with other types of fruit juice or fruit purees mixed in!

Try making mango orange popsicles, strawberry orange popsicles, or pineapple orange popsicles.

Use 1 1/2 cup of fresh fruit plus 1 1/2 cups of fresh orange juice, add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth to create a delicious fruity popsicle mix.

Do Orange Popsicles Have Red Dye?

Many orange-colored products include red dye 40. You should definitely check the packaging on popsicles if you are trying to avoid food dyes.

Making popsicles at home allows you to control all of the ingredients that go into them, and this recipe doesn’t require any food dye at all.

What are the Orange Popsicles with Vanilla Ice Cream Inside?

Are you thinking of creamsicles, aka Dreamsicles? These tasty ice cream treats mix the best of two worlds together!

To make this orange popsicle recipe more like a creamsicle, whisk in up to 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and an extra 2 tablespoons of sugar. You’ll end up with a few extra popsicles that are creamy and orangey.

More Homemade Frozen Treats

• Banana Popsicles Dipped in Chocolate
• Colorful Superman Ice Cream
• Oreo Ice Cream Cake

You can also check out our post on fruit popsicles, which we will update when new recipes come out.

LET’S GET SOCIAL, you can follow us on Pinterest or leave a comment below if you have any questions.

Did you make this Homemade Orange Popsicle Recipe? Leave a Comment Below letting us know what you thought!