Cottage Cheese Dragon Fruit Protein Popsicles

Creamy, tangy, and rich in protein, these Cottage Cheese Dragon Fruit Protein Popsicles are an ideal treat to beat the summer heat.

When the hot weather hits there’s nothing more refreshing than a fruit popsicle; sweet, tart, tangy and cooling. Unfortunately, most store bought popsicles are loaded with artificial ingredients, food coloring and sugar so they aren’t the healthiest way to cool down.

Enter these cottage cheese dragon fruit protein popsicles. Not only do they look amazing with their bright pink color but they are loaded with protein from the creamy cottage cheese, the milk, and the vanilla protein powder so they’ll actually help keep you feeling full. Note some plant-based milks like almond and oat are not good sources of protein so choose your milk accordingly.

Combining cottage cheese, vanilla flavored protein powder and frozen dragon fruit pulp with a touch of maple syrup creates mouthwatering frozen fruit popsicles so you can enjoy guilt-free indulgence at its best. Made with real food ingredients they are a great alternative to store bought.

Though optional, the chocolate and pistachio topping really takes the flavor and texture of these dragon fruit protein popsicles up a notch. If you’re making this recipe, be sure to have these ingredients on hand as well. You won’t be disappointed!

What is dragon fruit?

If you aren’t familiar with dragon fruit, it is also known as pitaya fruit. Native to Mexico, Central and South America and some Southeast Asian countries, you can most likely find it at your local grocery store these days. If not fresh, it may be available in the frozen fruit section.

There are several different types of dragon fruit with different flavor profiles; some sweet and some sour. You will also find dragon fruit wears different colors like red, white or yellow.

If you are interested in trying another recipe featuring dragon fruit, this dragon fruit smoothie tastes great.

Ingredients

For the popsicles:

• Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese adds creaminess and protein to these popsicles. For a richer flavor use full fat as opposed to low fat.
• Dragon fruit: Use frozen dragon fruit pulp for the easiest prep.
• Maple syrup: A touch of maple syrup adds some sweetness to the popsicles.
• Milk: Use the milk of your choice to help thin out the popsicle mixture.
• Protein powder: Vanilla protein powder adds some sweetness and staying power to these popsicles.

Chocolate Pistachio Topping – optional

• Chocolate chips: Use any type of chocolate chips; semi-sweet, dark or milk chocolate for drizzling over the popsicles.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil helps thin out the melted chocolate.
• Pistachios: Crushed pistachios add some crunch to the popsicles, salted or unsalted are both good.

How To Make Dragon Fruit Popsicles

1. Place all the ingredients into the cup of a blender.
2. Pulse until the mixture turns creamy and smooth.
3. Pour the cottage cheese protein smoothie mixture into a popsicle mold.
4. Insert popsicles sticks and place the mold in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours.

For The Chocolate Pistachio Topping

1. When you are ready to eat the protein popsicles, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave until fully melted and creamy.
2. Transfer the melted chocolate to a small Ziplock bag. Make a small cut in one of the corners of the Ziplock bag or use a pastry bag with a very small hole to drizzle chocolate over the popsicles.
3. Remove the protein popsicles from the popsicle mold and lay them on a flat surface. Drizzle with the melted chocolate and then sprinkle the crushed pistachios over the chocolate. Serve immediately.

Storage Instructions

Uneaten dragon fruit popsicles will keep in the freezer for a up to 6 months but it is best to eat them within 3 months for the best flavor and texture.

Once you drizzle these cottage cheese popsicles with the chocolate and sprinkle with the pistachios, they won’t fit back into the mold. You can then store them in individual popsicle bags or store the popsicles in a freezer bag until ready to eat.