Creamy Keto Strawberry Popsicles are the best way to beat the heat. With fresh summer berries and no added sugar, they might be the only thing standing between you and the ice cream truck. And they have only 3g net carbs per pop!
Have I ever mentioned how much I love making my own sugar free popsicles? We cannot get enough of them in my house. And there are so many delicious options, like Sugar Free Fudge Pops and Keto Peanut Butter Popsicles.
I first made these Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles way back in 2013, as a way to battle the ice cream truck that ensnared my young kids’ imaginations. They were a huge hit back then and they remain so to this day.
We make multiple batches every summer!
Why make your own popsicles?
One of the advantages to making your own popsicles at home is that it’s remarkably easy. It often takes a few short minutes to whip up the mixture. The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze properly!
Another advantage is that you can make them to suit your own tastes. You can switch up the flavors and sweeten them to your liking. And you can adapt them for various dietary restrictions as well. If you need some inspiration, I have multiple recipes for keto popsicles that you can play with.
You can also add a boost of nutrition in the form of protein powder, collagen peptides, or electrolyte powders. I am trying to increase my protein these days, so I added some whey protein isolate, and they were just as good as ever.
If you don’t own a popsicle mold, I suggest you hightail it to your nearest cookware store. At this time of year, good popsicle molds are widely available and inexpensive, so there is simply no excuse not to have one. I really like this popsicle mold on Amazon.
Once you have the mold, the rest is easy peasy. It’s an inexpensive way to make delicious treats all summer long.
Reader reviews
“I’ve made this a number of times, using different fruits. It’s so good! Grandson loves helping Nana make these treats. The only problem is telling him he has to wait for them to freeze! I appease him with whatever doesn’t fit into the molds 🙂” — Maureen
“Love these! Great substituting blackberries and adding the juice from one medium lemon. Thanks for this!” — Sean
“Came across this on pinterest a couple days ago and made today. SO GOOD! Definitely going to be a favorite treat from here on out.” — Elizabeth
Ingredient Notes
- Strawberries: I prefer fresh berries for these popsicles but you can use frozen berries too. Just make sure to thaw them completely before adding them to the blender.
- Cream cheese: Soften the cream cheese properly so it blends in well.
- Heavy cream: This gives the popsicles a texture that resembles ice cream.
- Sweetener: I like to use Swerve Confectioners but almost any powdered sweetener will work.
- Lemon: A little lemon zest and lemon juice give the popsicles a delightful tanginess.
- Protein powder: This is entirely optional and simply boosts the nutrition of these keto popsicles.
Step by Step Directions
1. Combine ¾ cup of the strawberries, the cream cheese, heavy cream, sweetener, protein powder, lemon zest, and lemon juice into a large blender. Blend until smooth, then taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
2. By hand, stir in the remaining chopped strawberries. Divide the mixture evenly among 6 popsicles molds.
3. Push wooden sticks about ⅔ of the way into each popsicle. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
4. To un-mold, heat water in the kettle and run it over the outside of the mold for 5 to 10 seconds, and then tug gently on the stick to release.
Expert Tips
Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened so that it blends up well. Cold cream cheese will leave unblended chunks in the popsicles. And be sure to chop up your strawberries before measuring them out. Whole strawberries don’t fit well into a cup and you will mis-measure the amount.
I always recommend wooden popsicles sticks when making any kind of keto popsicles. Plastic sticks often come with cheap molds but they also tend to slide out of the popsicles too easily. The rough surface of the wooden sticks helps them stay in the popsicles as you un-mold them.
Sweetener Options
This recipe is extremely forgiving so you can use any sweetener you like best. However, you should choose powdered or liquid sweeteners to avoid grittiness in the cheesecake popsicles.
How to release popsicles from the molds
I get this question frequently. Here’s the best way I’ve found to release homemade popsicles:
- Heat water in a kettle to almost a boil.
- Stand over the sink with the popsicle mold.
- Run hot water up and down the outside of the popsicle you want to release for a few seconds.
- Be sure not to allow any water into the popsicle itself.
- Gently tug the stick, twisting slightly.
- If it doesn’t release, run a little more hot water over it.
I like using my kettle so that I don’t waste water waiting for the faucet to heat up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most popsicles are not keto-friendly, even if they say they are sugar free. But making your own keto popsicles is easy, delicious, and cost effective. These Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles are very low in carbs and completely appropriate for the keto diet.
This recipe for keto strawberry popsicles has 3.6g carbs and 0.6g fiber per serving. So each popsicle has 3g net carbs.
You can store the popsicles in the molds in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also remove them from the molds and store in an airtight container.
More delicious keto cheesecake recipes
New York Style Keto Cheesecake
This is the best keto cheesecake recipe! So rich and creamy, it will make you swoon at the first bite. With only 3g of carbs per slice, you can dig in with gusto!
Keto Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars
These creamy keto cheesecake bars feature the decadent combination of salted caramel sauce and toasted pecans. So heavenly, you’d never know it’s healthy and sugar free!
Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake
Keto Instant Pot Cheesecake is extra creamy and delicious! And this low carb lemon cheesecake is so smooth and rich. It’s the perfect sugar-free dessert for lemon lovers. Oven instructions included.
Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries divided
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener (or other sweetener to taste)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup protein powder (optional) Can use any unflavored protein, as desired
Instructions
- Combine a three-quarter cup of the strawberries, the cream cheese, heavy cream, sweetener, protein powder, lemon zest, and lemon juice into a large blender. Blend until smooth, then taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
- By hand, stir in the remaining chopped strawberries. Divide the mixture evenly among 6 popsicles molds.
- Push wooden sticks about ⅔ of the way into each popsicle. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
- To unmold, heat water in the kettle and run it over the outside of the mold for 5 to 10 seconds, and then tug gently on the stick to release.
Tammy says
Hi,
When you refer to “cream” in your recipe, is that heavy whipping cream? Thank you.
Carolyn says
Always, yes. Heavy cream, unless I specify otherwise. Thanks.
Tammy says
Thank you, going to make these today!
Tammy says
Eating one now. They are delicious! So creamy and yummy!
Pat says
That’s my question, is it heavy whipping cream, or half and half?
Carolyn says
Whipping cream
Nicki says
Ok I must be dumb didn’t see where any one asked but what is swerve? Never heard of it before can you make them without it?
Carolyn says
Swerve is a low carb sweetener. It should be linked in the recipe, I will fix that now.
Beth says
I made these Strawberry Cheesecake pops a few days ago. I love them. They are really creamy and taste so good! You came up with such a great idea, adding the cream cheese. The consistency is wonderful. Great recipe, I’m going to try the chocolate ones next. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes.
Christine says
I made these with raspberries tonight. I can’t wait until they freeze up! The mix tastes amazing already!!
Shaina says
Gorgeous. I love the cream cheese in there for a cheesecake flavor.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I’m sweating my you know what off and could TOTALLY use these popsicles in my life. Phew. I’m gross. I’m gonna go put my head in the freezer.
Carolyn says
Ruh roh…no central AC in Southie? Come visit me up in Wakefield! 🙂
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
I bet these creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles were a hit at your house! Love, love this recipe. Mmm. Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
Wow! Brilliant idea to use cream cheese in a pop. I love this idea and the shape of your molds is great too.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
When it’s this pretty, low card and gluten free — what’s not to love? 😀
Donna says
Gorgeous frozen manna from the Gods!…Texture..color…its ALL there! Question…could I possibly freeze the mixture…put it in ice cube trays and whir it in the food processor to make a “soft-serve” version instead of popsicles?
Carolyn says
Sure, I can’t see why not.
mellissa @ ibreatheimhungry says
It’s been years since I’ve seen or heard an ice cream truck, but your post brought back fond memories of when we were kids, chasing them down – waving our fistfuls of coins in the air! So. Much. SUGAR! WHEEEE! No wonder my mom rolled her eyes whenever she heard it coming! ha ha! I just bought some of the rocket shaped molds to make some homemade healthier popsicles for my son – he loves strawberries so I’m going to try these ASAP! Then your chocolate mint ones for me! Yum!
Andre Chimene says
I love your recipes and I pass them on to everyone in the diabetes tribe. First, I try them out, get my kids in the mix and we open up our palates for pleasure. Thank you for all the beautiful work you do. It gives fellow diabetics a tasty path to walk away from the non fiber carbs that are bad for us. Bon Appetit!
Carolyn says
Thank you, Andre! Getting your kids in the kitchen is such a great way to teach them how to eat healthfully, too!
Eat Good 4 Life says
These must be heaven!! I like any strawberry popsicle and these look awesome. Where did you get the amazing looking molds? I need to get some!! My kids would love them.
Meghan says
I’m on a total strawberry kick right and I’m loving these, Carolyn! They look so good!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I love creamy popsicles. Perfect after a hot sweaty run! 🙂
Ruthy @ Omeletta says
I Am ALL ABOUT the popsicles this summer! Although now I’m thinking about what liver and onions in a popsicle would actually taste like…. (maybe the heat is getting to my brain?)
Carolyn says
I am glad somebody actually read that part! 🙂
Susan says
Hmmmm. I was staring at a pitcher of Thai iced tea that I just brewed, thinking it would be a terrific flavor for a Popsicle. I may just have to get some forms and do some experimenting. Thanks for the inspiration!
Brenda @Sugar-Free Mom says
Yep. These look amazing. My kids would love them! Heck I would love them too!
Jeanette says
What a fun treat Carolyn!
Christiane - Taking On Magazines says
I don’t think I even need the molds. Or the freezer for that matter. Just pour the cheesecake stuff directly in my mouth. It sounds amazing.
Carolyn says
Haha, yep, I could do that too!
Lisa says
I might just not be seeing it but what is the serving size? The nutrition facts say one gram=1 serving but that can’t be right? I’m trying to log my carbs and can figure out how much a serving is!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I second that!
julie says
HAHA, I did that a little bit, too! It IS yummy. Also, I seemed to have a lot left over after I made them – I could have used two sets of molds, but I only had one. So I divided the rest up into little ramekins – I froze them, and then broke them up with a fork to eat. They were YUMMMMMMMMY!! It’s just like strawberry ice cream without all the syrupy sugar taste!
Gloria says
You’re so right sounds absolutely delicious.