Paletas Mexicanas (Mexican Popsicles)
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.
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.”
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!
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.
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.
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.
Other Sweet Treats:
- Vodka Gummy Bears Popsicles Recipe
- Mexican Fried Ice Cream Cake Recipe
- Mexican Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe
- Cereal Milk Popsicle Recipe
- Strawberry Pina Colada Popsicle Recipe
- Mexican Rice Pudding Pops Recipe
- Mexican Brownies Recipe
- Mexican Burnt Milk Candy (Leche Quemada) Recipe
Paletas (Mexican Popsicles)
Ingredients
- 1/2 large ripe cantaloupe
- 1 medium peeled cucumber
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 jalapeño seeds removed and diced
- 2 drops red food coloring to enhance the color, optional
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.
I will definitely have to take a course with you on chile cooking !! I know NOTHING about this….
Inspiring pictures !!!
I'm in looooove.
This is fabulous.
PS. I needed to see that smiling face ;-)
Dear Sommer – Chile pops are marvelous and rivaled only by the delicious summer salad. What wonderful flavors!
You are such a joy in the kitchen – no wonder the kids were looking at you with goo goo eyes :)
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
I love the combination of cool and spicy in the chile pops. I'm sure they were fantastic. Great photos too!
What a fantastic discovery. These really look like something I have to try. The salad looks wonderful as well. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
That sounds so cooling on a hot day. I love that they're a bit spicy, and the seven year old couldn't get enough of them. Did they get watery at all? My only hesitation with making homemade popcicles is that when I made them as a kid, they often tasted a bit watery.
These popsicles rock. What a creative use of ingredients!
what a great idea – now if I only had room in my freezer…….
This is so original and scrumptious. Grand use of the melon and all those flavors combined. I have some canteloupe sitting here waiting to be used. Mexican pops,anyone? Or a salad. Cannot decide.
I love making homemade pops. You've put a real twist to making them. So cool!
Love the combination of cantaloupe and cucumbers, sounds absolutely delicious.
Genius! Love the sweet,sour, salty and spicy combination! Both the salad and pops are absolute winners in my book and tailor made for summer!
Uuu Aaaa… Yes the salt. I get it.
Fresh latino flavours in sweet, tart, spicy and slight salty concoction.
Definitely one of the greatest exotic (for some "homely") treat of the summer. (Ouch! Brainfreeze ;p)
Wow this does sound like a revelation! Obviously I need to try these so my world can be officially rocked. :D Thanks so much for sharing, this is really a unique idea!!!
This looks great! I love chile on anything and this is so tempting.
We have been eating cantaloupe like crazy here. Love the salad and the popsickles are such a wonderful idea. I am a big fan of good Mexican food and like the sweet, salty and spicy combo.
I love it! I am Mexican and grew up with chile powder on everything from candy to fruit. This is my first visit to your blog and I love it! I will be a regular from now on :)
OMG! Chili pops? It sounds divine. I also love those kind of Markets, the ingredients are so amazing…I found a place called Samosa House here in LA that is a Indian vegetarian restaurant and on the side a market. Oh Boy! It's awesome, so much to choose. The pops are adorable, I loved that you used those cups. Looks great.