These Lava Flow Popsicles are basically summer vacation in popsicle form! With layers of sweet pineapple and coconut followed by bright, fruity strawberry and orange, these homemade popsicles are as fun to look at as they are to eat.
If you love a classic Lava Flow cocktail, you are going to love this frozen version. No fancy cocktail shaker required—just a blender, a popsicle mold, some fruit, and a little patience while everything freezes!
And let’s be honest, anything served on a stick automatically feels more fun.
Why You’ll Love These Lava Flow Popsicles
There are a few things that make these popsicles especially fun.
First, they are made with real fruit. Frozen pineapple and frozen strawberries do all the heavy lifting here, so there is no need for a long list of ingredients.
The pineapple layer gets a little tropical boost from pineapple juice and cream of coconut, while the strawberry layer uses orange juice to add a little citrusy brightness.
And then there are those layers!
You get beautiful ribbons of pineapple and strawberry throughout each popsicle. They don’t have to be perfectly even, either. In fact, I think the popsicles look even more fun when the layers are a little imperfect.
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Ingredients
For the pineapple layer, you’ll need:
- Frozen pineapple chunks
- Pineapple juice
- Cream of coconut
For the strawberry layer:
- Frozen strawberries
- Orange juice
That’s it! The complete recipe makes about 10 popsicles.
A Note About Cream of Coconut
Make sure you are using cream of coconut, not canned coconut milk or coconut cream. Cream of coconut is sweetened and gives the pineapple layer that creamy, tropical flavor we are looking for.
How to Make Lava Flow Popsicles
Make the Pineapple Mixture
Start by adding the frozen pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut to a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Because frozen fruit can be a little stubborn in the blender, you may need to add a splash or two of additional pineapple juice. You want the mixture to be thick but still pourable.
Don’t go overboard with the juice, though. We want a popsicle mixture, not pineapple soup!
Once blended, transfer the pineapple mixture to a container and pop it into the freezer while you prepare the strawberry mixture.
Make the Strawberry Mixture
Give your blender a quick rinse, then add the frozen strawberries and orange juice.
Blend until smooth, adding a little more orange juice if needed to help everything blend.
Again, you’re looking for a consistency that is smooth and spoonable/pourable without being overly thin.
Layer the Popsicles
Now comes the fun part!
Grab your popsicle molds and spoon in a layer of the pineapple mixture followed by a layer of the strawberry mixture. Continue alternating until your molds are filled.
We did two layers of each, but this is one of those recipes where you can absolutely make it your own.
Want thinner layers? Go for it.
Want big, bold stripes of fruit? Absolutely.
Want to swirl the layers together a little? Also fun!
There really isn’t a wrong way to make these.
Tips for Making Perfect Layered Popsicles
Keep the Mixtures Thick Enough
This is probably the biggest tip for getting distinct layers.
If your fruit mixtures are too thin, they will blend together when you add the next layer. You want them smooth and easy to spoon into the molds, but not watery.
Add the juice a little at a time while blending rather than adding all of it at once.
Don’t Stress About Perfect Layers
These are Lava Flow Popsicles, not popsicle geometry class.
The layers can be uneven, wavy, or slightly swirled. That’s part of the charm! The finished popsicles will still have those pretty tropical colors.
Use Frozen Fruit
Frozen fruit makes this recipe super convenient because you don’t have to worry about washing, chopping, and freezing fresh fruit ahead of time.
It also helps give the blended mixtures a thick consistency that works well for layering.
Have Your Mold Ready
Once your fruit mixtures are blended, you want to get them into the molds while they’re still nice and thick.
Have your popsicle mold, sticks, and a place in the freezer ready to go before you start layering.
How Long Do Popsicles Take to Freeze?
These popsicles need about 10 hours in the freezer, so I recommend making them the night before you plan to serve them. Overnight works perfectly.
I know, waiting is the hardest part.
But trust me, you don’t want to pull them out too early and discover that the center is still soft.
How to Get Popsicles Out of the Mold
When you’re ready to enjoy your Lava Flow Popsicles, don’t immediately start yanking on the sticks.
If they are stuck, run the outside of the popsicle mold under warm water for a few seconds. The slight warmth should help loosen the popsicle enough to release it.
Just don’t use hot water for too long—we’re trying to release the popsicle, not turn it into a smoothie!
Can I Change the Layers?
Absolutely!
The recipe calls for alternating the pineapple and strawberry mixtures, with two layers of each.
But you can experiment with the pattern.
Try:
- Two thick layers for a bold look
- Several thin layers for a striped effect
- Uneven spoonfuls for a more natural lava-flow look
- A gentle swirl for a marbled appearance
The fun thing about homemade popsicles is that they don’t have to look identical. Every one can be a little different.
When to Serve Lava Flow Popsicles
These are perfect for hot summer afternoons, pool parties, backyard BBQs, or anytime you need a cold and fruity treat.
They would also be a super fun addition to a tropical-themed party. The colors are so pretty that they feel a little fancy, even though the recipe is incredibly simple.
And because you make them ahead of time, they’re an easy dessert to have waiting in the freezer when everyone gets hungry.
Lava Flow Pops
Ingredients
- 2 cups Pineapple Chunks, frozen
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice, plus more if needed
- 1/4 cup cream of coconut
- 2 cups strawberries, frozen
- 3/4 cup orange juice, plus more if needed
Instructions
- In your blender, combine the pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. Blend until smooth, adding splashes of pineapple juice, as needed, to thin out the mixture. It should be pourable, for the most part.
- Pour this mixture into a container and place in the freezer while you make the strawberry mixture.
- Rinse out the blender, and then combine the frozen strawberries and orange juice.
- Blend until smooth, adding more orange juice, as needed.
- Take the pineapple mixture and strawberry mixture, and spoon it into the popsicle mold, in layers, alternating the pineapple and strawberry mixture.
- We did two layers of each, but feel free to divide the mixture however you like.
- Freeze for 10 hours, or overnight, until the popsicles are frozen solid.
Nutrition Estimate
More Summer Treats
If your freezer is about to become the official home of homemade popsicles, I completely understand.
Once you start making them, it’s hard to stop!
These Lava Flow Popsicles are fruity, creamy, tropical, and just plain fun. The combination of pineapple, coconut, strawberry, and orange makes every bite taste like a little vacation—and I am definitely not complaining about that.
So grab your popsicle molds and get layering. Summer is better on a stick!
Check out this great collection of Fruit Popsicles!
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