Paletas Mexicanas (Mexican Popsicles) – Truly outrageous spicy-sweet popsicles made with fresh cantaloupe and chiles! A spicy-sweet dessert you won’t want to miss out on this season.

Spicy-Sweet Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) | ASpicyPerspective.com

Paletas Mexicanas 

Recently I went to a small Latin market to shop for chiles. I knew our grocery store would have ancho chiles, but I wasn’t sure about the dried pasillas I needed for a recipe. Plus, I love these kinds of markets. They always have such wondrous diversity and great deals!

After wandering around for a while, dreaming of the infinite recipe possibilities with the unique ingredients piled high on shelves, I found exactly what I needed and headed to the register. 

In front of the counter was a freezer case filled with Paletas (Mexican Popsicles.) The kids looked up at me with pleading eyes.

It was a hot day after all, and there were so many paletas to choose from! I started reading the flavors to the kids… Coconut, pineapple, tamarind, lime, watermelon, banana, sour orange. Then I saw one simply labeled “Chile.”

Making Spicy-Sweet Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) | ASpicyPerspective.com

Sweet & Spicy Dessert

Now up to this point, I wasn’t craving a popsicle, but I had to know… What would a chile-flavored popsicle taste like?

I had that inkling it might be something special! We walked outside and unwrapped our Mexican popsicles.

The chile flavored Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) was unreal.

A delicate medley of cantaloupe, cucumber, and lime, with a strong dose of salt and lingering heat from the little flecks of jalapeño throughout the pop. This brilliant amalgamation of sweet, salty, tart, spicy, and cooling flavors was a complete revelation!

How to Make Spicy-Sweet Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) | ASpicyPerspective.com

Homemade Paletas

Clearly, I had to come home and recreate the chile Paletas (Mexican Popsicles.)

My son repeatedly stated they were, “Totally awesome!” My daughter said, “It’s so spicy, but I can’t stop eating it!” And my husband has been telling everyone in sight about them for the last 3 days. You could say the homemade chile Paletas were a hit.

I bet you’ll enjoy these sweet and spicy Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) just as much as we did.

Must-Make Spicy-Sweet Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) | ASpicyPerspective.com

Mexican Popsicles Ingredients 

  • Large Ripe Cantaloupe – This is the base of the popsicle juice and overall flavor.
  • Medium Cucumber – Offers a lovely cooling sensation and additional juice.
  • Limes – To balance the sweetness.
  • Kosher Salt – Salt helps bring vibrant flavors to the forefront. 
  • Granulated Sugar – To add sweetness. 
  • Jalapeño – Seeds removed. To add a little spiciness to this sweet treat!
  • Red Food Coloring – If you wanted to give this popsicle a little more color. This is an optional ingredient.

Get The Full (Printable) Recipe Below For How To Make Paletas Mexicanas.

Spicy-Sweet Chile Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) | ASpicyPerspective.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Mexican Paletas?

Paletas are a frozen popsicle treat that is usually made of pureed fruits but can also include a creamy substance like chocolate or heavy cream. This recipe is a fresh twist on the basic paleta.

Are Paletas Healthy?

Paletas are a dessert filled with sweet fruits and other sweet ingredients. They do contain a decent amount of sugar. Yet they are definitely lower in preservatives, fat, and artificial sweeteners than many other desserts. 

Why is my juice separating when putting into the mold?

Separation is normal with any fresh juice. To prevent this from happening, puree the ingredients immediately before pouring it into the popsicle mold. 

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Other Sweet Treats: 

Spicy-Sweet Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) | ASpicyPerspective.com
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Paletas (Mexican Popsicles)

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Easy spicy-sweet Paletas (Mexican Popsicles) made with fresh cantaloupe and chiles. The perfect way to spice things up while you cool off this summer!
Servings: 12 paletas

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Peel the cantaloupe and remove the seeds. Roughly chop the cantaloupe and cucumber. Place them in a blender with lime juice, salt and sugar. Puree until smooth. Check the flavor; it should be equally sweet and salty. Add a little more sugar or salt if needed.
  • Add half or all of the jalapeño to the blender. Pulse a few times.
  • Pour the mixture into popsicle holds. Freeze for one hour, then push popsicle sticks into the center of each cup and return to the freezer until solid. Usually 2-3 hours total.

Nutrition

Serving: 1paleta, Calories: 46kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 198mg, Potassium: 106mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 815IU, Vitamin C: 13.9mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Author: Sommer Collier
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