The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (2024)

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Wilder Shaw

Wilder Shaw is a staff writer at Cheapism covering food, specializing in taste tests and fast food. He has over a decade of food-writing experience, and his work has appeared in Thrillist, The Washington Post, L.A. Taco, Time Out, and numerous other publications.

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The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (1)

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Chill Out

When it's hot, there's nothing on this planet like an ice cold popsicle to cool you down. What an absolutely perfect treat, the popsicle. Fruity, refreshing, and cold.

But what's the move when you're out grocery shopping? What pops are worth a buy? I hit my local grocery store and grabbed every brand I could find for a taste test. Here are eight popular grocery store popsicles, ranked.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (3)

Best: Whole Fruit Frozen Pops

Available on Instacart

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Perfection. No notes. These pops tastes like frozen juice, which (to me) is the ideal outcome of this type of treat. As a bonus, they're way fun in their push-up format, though you might need to excuse yourself to another room since the slurp-factor is pretty high.

These are far thicker than the other pops, too, and they don't have any of that weird squeak we all remember from the popsicles of our youth. As soon as the weather gets hot enough (or maybe even before), I'm buying another box of these.

The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (4)

2. 365 Whole Foods Market Fruit Bars

$3.49 from Whole Foods

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The good news is, this is exactly where I expect Whole Foods to shine. Since I didn't see a variety pack, I went with lime — because until this very day, Outshine had my favorite lime pop. Not anymore, baby!

Great flavor. Big ol' size. Not too drippy. More affordable than you'd expect. Aces.

The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (5)

3. PhillySwirl Swirl Stix

$3.12 fromWalmart

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Remember Big Sticks? Popsicle still makes them, but they don't really hit like they used to. PhillySwirl has sort of revived Big Sticks' essence here, and though I don't love all the flavors, I'm still into this. These have that soft, almost sherbet-like texture that Big Sticks used to have, and I'm here for it. I do need to close my eyes though, cause these things look radioactive.

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The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (6)

4. Minute Maid Juice Sticks

Available on Instacart

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When you were a young'un, did you pour juice into ice trays and make little homemade popsicles? I did that all the time, and Minute Maid just stuck me into a time machine. The orange flavor really brings me back. I feel like a kid again, laying some plastic wrap across the top of the ice tray and sticking little toothpicks into them, just like that episode of "Dexter's Lab"taught me to.

Related:Irresistible Ice Cream Flavors You Can Get at the Grocery Store

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5. Outshine Fruit Bars

$5.64 fromWalmart

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Outshine is reliable as it gets. I used to love them more than anybody else, but they've been dethroned by some recent discoveries; plus, Minute Maid has the nostalgia factor going on. That said, you're getting what you pay for here, and Outshine still retains my full recommendation.

Related:Best Soft Serve Ice Cream Shops in America

The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (8)

6. Goodpop Cherry n' Lemonade

$4.98 from Walmart

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I thought Goodpop would taste more like artificial sweetener, buttheseactually aren't horrible. They're weirdly tart, and I'm a big fan of the 3-flavors-in-1 situation. The problem is, if I want a popsicle, this isn't what I want. Real Bomb Popvibes. But in a pinch? Sure. They're fine.

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The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (11)

7. Mayfield Creamery Pop Stix

Available on Instacart

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Pop Stix, eh? These are a fractiondifferent than Popsicle's ice pops. The flavors are 5% better, and same for the texture. If your only two choices are between these and Popsicle, you're out of luck. Go to a different store.

The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (12)

8. Popsicle

$5.99 from Target

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Can you believe Popsicle locked this name down? The brand has been around for over 100 years, so I guess it makes sense — but still, nice work on that one. Anyways, these ruled when I was a child, but now I'm not a child. I'm an adult, and I don't have to settle for this mediocre flavor and that bone-chilling squeak on my teeth when I bite through it.

Popsicle has tons of other flavors, including collabs with big brands like Sour Patch Kids. Those might be better, but the classics aren't gonna do the trick anymore.

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The Absolute Best Popsicles To Buy From the Grocery Store (and the Ones To Skip) (2024)

FAQs

Why are store bought popsicles softer? ›

Sugar, dairy, cornstarch, gelatin, pectin, and alcohol all help keep ice crystal formation small, which makes for a softer texture.

Why are popsicles healthier than ice cream? ›

"If it's a pop made with fruit, it's probably lower in calories and saturated fat content than ice cream or sherbet, and it could offer a satisfying frosty treat in warm weather," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com, author of Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table.

How bad are sugar free popsicles? ›

Conclusion. Sugar-free popsicles can be a healthy snack option for individuals managing diabetes when incorporated as part of a balanced diet. These treats provide a diabetic-friendly alternative to traditional popsicles, which are often high in sugar.

Why do doctors recommend popsicles? ›

Cold, sweet treats such as popsicles, ice cream, and Jello can meet a few needs during the recovery process. They can help reduce body temperature as well as provide much-needed hydration. The ingredients also coat and soothe irritated tissue in the mouth and throat as well.

How unhealthy is a popsicle? ›

"Popsicles might seem like a healthy alternative to other summer treats that are much higher in calories. But many popsicles are loaded with sugar and additives that can negatively impact your health, especially if you're eating them on a regular basis," says Kim Yawitz, RD, a registered dietitian and gym owner in St.

How to avoid ice crystals in popsicles? ›

The key to creating smooth, non-crystallized fruity popsicles lies in adding a small amount of corn syrup. Corn syrup helps prevent large ice crystals from forming, resulting in a smoother texture. When making popsicles with ingredients like juice or fruit, add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of corn syrup per cup of liquid.

What causes popsicles to not freeze? ›

The liquid you're making pops with contains alcohol or if it's too high in fat, oil or sugar. The liquid you're making pops with is too soft or has too many solids. For example, if you made a chocolate pop from cocoa and used too high of a cocoa to water ratio, your pop may not freeze.

Can you eat popsicles everyday? ›

"Eating a popsicle daily, especially those high in added sugars, can contribute to excessive sugar intake, potentially affecting blood sugar levels and leading to energy spikes and crashes," says Dr. Chris Mohr, RD, Ph. D., a fitness and nutrition advisor at Fortune Recommends Health.

Can diabetics eat popsicles? ›

People with type 2 diabetes can have desserts, but they should be mindful of portion sizes and of how often they consume these foods. The following are some low calorie or low carbohydrate dessert options that have less of an impact on blood sugar levels than regular desserts: popsicles with no added sugar.

Is yogurt better for you than ice cream? ›

Overall, if you are looking for a cold, delicious dessert that won't be too fatty or high in calories, frozen yogurt can be a healthier option than ice cream and gelato. Because froyo can have probiotics and minerals, it offers numerous health benefits.

Are Outshine popsicles sugar free? ›

Healthy and delicious frozen treats

That's why I was so happy to discover Outshine - No Sugar Added Frozen Fruit Pops. They are made with real fruit juice and no added sugar, so they have a natural sweetness and a refreshing flavor.

Are zero sugar pops good for you? ›

co*ke Zero does not add nutritional value to your diet, and the long-term effects of drinking diet sodas are still unclear. If you want to reduce your sugar or regular soda intake, opt for healthier, low-sugar drinks like herbal tea, fruit-infused water, and black coffee — and leave co*ke Zero on the shelf.

Is aspartame bad for you? ›

Is aspartame harmful to the body? The FDA considers aspartame safe to eat or drink within recommended amounts.

Are ice pops a healthy snack? ›

Several store-bought popsicles are not healthy options. They often contain too much added sugar or other additives that are best avoided in a healthy diet. However, not all popsicles categorized as “avoid” are equal. Some popsicle brands are free of additives, but contain too much added sugar.

Are popsicles highly processed? ›

Although there are a variety of popsicles and summer treats conveniently available at the grocery store, many of these products are loaded with added sugar, are high in fat or are full of processed ingredients.

Are popsicles okay for weight loss? ›

Eating only popsicles is not healthy and you won't effectively lose weight by doing that. However, replacing some high calorie and high fat desserts and snacks with popsicles may help you consume fewer total calories.

What popsicles are good for diabetics? ›

Frozen Fruit Popsicles

For a diabetes-friendly option, blend together a variety of berries (think strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries) with a dash of lemon juice and a splash of unsweetened almond milk. These fruits are lower in sugar content and packed with healthy antioxidants.

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