About This Recipe
These watermelon paletas (paletas de sandía) are the taste of summer — icy, naturally sweet, and so refreshing. Made with just ripe watermelon, sugar, and a splash of lime juice, they’re the easiest frozen treat you can make at home.
If you want to give them a Mexican street-style twist, turn them into paletas de sandía con chile by adding a sprinkle of Tajín or chile powder before freezing, or dusting them right before serving. Sweet, tangy, and spicy all in one bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Kid- and crowd-friendly – Perfect for summer gatherings.
- 3 ingredients – Ripe watermelon, lime, and sugar.
- Customizable – Add chile powder, fresh mint, or fruit chunks.
- No special equipment is required; any popsicle mold will work, including paper cups with sticks.
Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon: ripe, sweet watermelon for the best flavor. One that feels heavy, has a creamy texture, and makes a deep, hollow sound when tapped. Seedless watermelon makes prep easier.
- Sugar. You can also use agave syrup or honey (for a non-vegan version).
- Lime juice
- Tajín or chile powder (optional)
How to Make Watermelon Paletas
- Blend – Add watermelon, sugar, and lime juice to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Freeze – Pour into popsicle molds, insert sticks, and freeze for at least 4–6 hours.
- Serve – Run molds under warm water for a few seconds to release.
- Add chili (optional) – Stir Tajín or chili powder into the mixture, or sprinkle a bit into each mold before pouring in the liquid.
Variations & Serving Ideas
- Chunky style – Add diced watermelon to the mold before freezing.
- Minty fresh – Blend in fresh mint leaves with the watermelon.
- Spicy finish- Sprinkle with Tajin when done.
- Serve with tequila- In Mexico, tequila is sometimes served with a popsicle as a chaser, particularly at weddings and parties.
Home Cook to Home Cook Tips
- Use very ripe watermelon for the sweetest popsicles.
- If your watermelon is already sweet, skip the sugar.
- Store in a sealed freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
Paletas de Sandía (Mexican Watermelon Popsicles)
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed ripe watermelon seedless if possible
- 2 –3 tablespoons sugar adjust to taste
- Juice of ½ lime
- Optional: 1–2 teaspoons Tajín or chile powder
Instructions
- Blend – Add watermelon, sugar, and lime juice to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Taste & adjust – Check sweetness and add more sugar if needed.
- Strain (optional) – For a smoother texture, strain through a fine mesh sieve.
- Add chile (optional) – Stir in Tajín or chile powder, or sprinkle some into the popsicle molds before pouring the mixture.
- Freeze – Pour mixture into popsicle molds, insert sticks, and freeze for 4–6 hours or until solid.
- Serve – Run molds under warm water for a few seconds to release the paletas.
Notes
- For a chunky texture, add diced watermelon pieces to the molds before freezing.
- Use very ripe watermelon for the sweetest paletas — you might not need sugar.
- Store in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- About the Author
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I’m Ale Graf, a Mexican living in Texas and the creator of AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla. I share easy, family-friendly recipes—some Mexican, mostly plant-based—that can be enjoyed all day, every day. My focus is on recipes that bring people together around the table, making mealtime simple, delicious and meaningful. I’m also the co-author of Yo Cocino Latino, and my recipes have been featured in numerous online magazines and publications.
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