Pineapple Paleta

RECIPE: PINEAPPLE PALETA
Pineapple Paleta is a delicious, cooling, refreshing summer time treat. And the best part is that it is made without refined sugar, is vegan and super easy to make.
WHAT IS A PALETA?
Though Paleta or Paletas may look like what we usually know as ice lollies or popsicles, they are so different. Usually commercially available ice lollies or popsicles are loaded with sugar, artificial colouring and flavours. However, Paletas are mostly made with fresh ingredients. That is, real fresh fruit juices are used. Sometimes fresh fruit bits are added. Usually a milk product like milk, cream, yogurt, condensed milk, etc is added. Even coconut milk or cream is used.
In short, paleta is the name given to Mexican Ice lollies. Fresh juice is mixed with dairy or coconut milk/cream and frozen in molds with a stick.
Memories
My Son Is Home
My son Niku had come home for vacation. Working at The Hilton The Walk, Dubai, he was all ready to impart the tricks and tips he learned from managing the restaurants there. And it was a way for us to spend time together working together in kitchen. During our grocery shopping, he picked up a fresh pineapple. We came home and cut it. Of course we were excited as we both love pineapple. In fact the pineapple was really juicy, had a lovely yellow hue. However, one bite and it was so sour! Niku took another chunk and then gave up..’it is too sour.” Finally, put the cut pineapple in the fridge and he went away to watch telly.
Gift
One of the gifts he brought back from Dubai for me was an ice lolly mould. Actually, I was impatient to try it out. Next day, sour pineapple and mould kept running in my mind. Maybe I could pair it mango but we didn’t have any. Anyway, I blended the pineapple chunks and kept it in the fridge.
Shows Me How To Make Paletas
Niku comes into the kitchen and asks me what I am planning to do with the pineapple. I told him ice lollies. He goes “mum lets make paleta”. “What is a paleta?” I asked. And he told me to watch.
So into the blender went the thick fresh pineapple juice, ripe banana, coconut cream, maple syrup and a bit of salt. And a quick whisk and the thick luscious liquid was ready to be frozen.
Since then I have made pineapple paletas several times as that is the way hubby enjoys fresh pineapple and also a good frozen treat to share with my neighbours. As Mombasa is usually hot, I sometimes keep them ready before Diwali. Guests who come to visit us get treated to fresh fruit paletas.
OTHER PINEAPPLE RECIPES ON MY BLOG:




Pineapple Coconut Muffins are so flavourful and perfect for any tea party.
CAN I REPLACE COCONUT CREAM?
Yes you can with fresh whipping cream, thick yogurt or condensed milk. If you use condensed milk then you don’t need to add any sweetener.
WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF MAPLE SYRUP?
You can use honey, add sugar.
CAN I USE TINNED/CANNED PINEAPPLE?
Yes you can. Taste before you add sweetener of your choice as sometimes canned pineapples are sweet.
WHAT TO USE IF YOU DON’T HAVE ICE LOLLY MOULDS
Use small disposable cups, small steel bowls, silicon cake cups. Cover with a foil. Make a small cut in the foil using a knife and insert the wooden stick in it. For really small paletas, can use an ice tray. Cover with foil and make cuts. Insert the stick.
INGREDIENTS REQUIRED FOR PINEAPPLE PALETA
- Fresh Pineapple – peel and cut into chunks. Can replace it with canned or tinned pineapple.
- Coconut Cream – or use good quality thick coconut milk. Can replace it with thick yogurt, fresh whipping cream or condensed milk.
- Maple Syrup – can replace it with a sweetener of your choice. Use honey, sugar, jaggery powder, cocontu sugar, etc.
- Salt – I add a bit of salt to balance the flavours.
- Ripe Banana – helps to make the paletas softer. Can replace it with mango if you wish.

PINEAPPLE PALETA
Ingredients
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 1 medium banana peeled and cut into chunks
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup coconut cream
- ⅛ tsp salt
Instructions
- Put the pineapple, maple syrup, salt and banana in a liquidizer or a food processor.
- Whizz the whole thing till you get a nice smooth consistency.
- Strain the liquid if you feel that there are pineapple fibers.
- Add the coconut cream and mix it well.
- Pour the mixture into the molds cover it, insert the sticks and put it in the freezer.
- The paletas will be ready in 3 to 4 hours time.
- Run warm water over the molds.
- Remove the paleta from the mold and serve.
Notes
- Add honey or any sweetener of your choice instead of maple syrup.
- Taste the mixture, if need be add a bit of sugar. We didn't add any as we got the
- sweetness from the syrup and banana.
- Instead of coconut cream add fresh cream, thick yogurt or condensed milk. If you use condensed milk, do not add any sweetener.
- If you use tinned pineapples for this recipe then you may need less sweetener. Taste before adding the required amount as tinned pineapples tend to be sweet.
PIN FOR LATER:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
21 Comments
Priya Vj
April 16, 2022 at 1:14 am
What a lovely way to enjoy pineapples . Liked the name paleta… ice lollies are very refreshing and tasty as the flavor of fresh fruits is very prominent.
mayurisjikoni
April 18, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Thanks Priya. We just love pineapple paleta…combined flavour of fresh fruit and coconut.
Chef Mireille
April 18, 2022 at 11:53 pm
I grew up in a neighborhood with a lot of South Americans. Paletas are popular throughout the region and I would often have paletas in the summertime when we would hang out at each other’s homes, however I don’t think I ever had with pineapple and can’t wait to try this flavor!
mayurisjikoni
April 19, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Thanks Mireille, do give it a try if you’re a big fan of pineapple and coconut like me.
Seema Sriram
April 19, 2022 at 6:30 am
What a lovely recipe with pineapples and banana. I will love to have these in summer months. The fragrance from the maple will be tasty and lovely too.
mayurisjikoni
April 19, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Thank you so much Seema, depending whether you use dark or light maple syrup. But yes the flavour comes through.
Sujata Roy
April 19, 2022 at 9:52 pm
Paleta is new to me. What a wonderful way to use sour pineapple. Its also looks so beautiful and tempting. Loved the use of coconut cream. I will definitely try it when I can get pineapple.
mayurisjikoni
April 20, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Thank you so much Sujata. Very easy to make and delicious. To make it even more diabetic friendly can add stevia, date sugar, etc as I know it is difficult to get maple syrup in India. Only the colour will change.
Kalyani
April 20, 2022 at 2:00 am
we love pineapple too at home, and I know what I will make with the next batch that come home – these inviting vegan paletas.. looks very creamy n delish !
mayurisjikoni
April 20, 2022 at 9:26 pm
Thank you so much Kalyani, enjoy when you make them.
hem lata srivastava
April 20, 2022 at 11:52 am
Completely new for me never heard about this dish sounds interesting. Will try to make it hope I will make it perfectly.
Well explained
mayurisjikoni
April 20, 2022 at 9:24 pm
Thank you Hem Lata, it is like any fresh fruit ice cream, only thing is that it is known as paleta in some South American Countries.
Uma
April 21, 2022 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for this amazing and delicious vegan treat! I agree Pineapple Paleta is a delicious, cooling, refreshing summer treat.
mayurisjikoni
April 21, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Thank you so much Uma, I totally agree with you.
Hayley Dhanecha
April 29, 2022 at 4:46 am
I had something similar or maybe same stuff when I went to Barcelona for holiday loved it so much. I had half pineapple and coconut milk left after making pineapple rice and wanted to make something delicious, glad found your recipe. It turned out delicious!!
mayurisjikoni
April 29, 2022 at 8:25 pm
Thank you so much, am so glad you enjoyed the pineapple paleta. Am sure what you had in Barcelona must be a paleta as they uusually are made from actual fruit.
Anshika Juneja
May 12, 2022 at 1:45 am
These pineapple popsicles look so delicious. It is such a refreshing and cooling treat for summers. I am definitely making these for my family.
mayurisjikoni
May 13, 2022 at 9:27 pm
Thank you so much Anshika. Enjoy when you make the pineapple paleta.
Vandana
May 12, 2022 at 8:58 am
I didn’t know anything about paleta but pineapple is one of my favorite fruits so I had to try this recipe. Made it yesterday and everyone in the family loved it. Thanks for introducing this delicious recipe to us, will make it again.
mayurisjikoni
May 13, 2022 at 9:26 pm
Thank you so much Vandana am so glad the family enjoyed pineapple paleta.
Arel
September 29, 2022 at 7:24 am
I tried the recipe, it’s really good.