Avocado Ice Candy are super creamy, decadent and slightly sweet. Gluten-free, dairy free and are the perfect healthy way to cool off this summer. Just 3 little ingredients and super easy to make! (Step by Steps and Video included)
Avocado Ice Candy
This recipe is the Philippines version of a delicious summertime popsicle but with a healthy twist. Traditionally, these little ice lollies can be made with sweetened condensed milk, lots more refined sugar and sometimes even thickeners. We chose to keep the star of this delicious ice candy “THE AVOCADO”. We have a higher ratio of avocado to almond milk to keep this frozen treat super creamy, delicious and dairy-free. In addition, we have made ours only delicately sweet with minimal amount of brown sugar and we did not add any sweetened condensed milk or thickeners.
Philippine Recipe
This post is all about a very beautiful lady, Shirley Vilan or sometimes-close friends call her Cherry Lyn. She bright and energetic and always has a smile on her face. Born and raised in the Philippines, Shirley wanted to share with us a very traditional avocado ice candy treat. If you like popsicles (ice lollies, ice candy, ice pops, etc.), be sure to try our Rainbow Berry Rooibos Ice Pops, Orange Coconut Cardamom Ice Lollies or our Berry Boozy Ice Pops too.
Street Food in Philippines
Avocado ice candy treats are sold on every street corner, especially in the summer months. Did you know that Philippine academic school year runs from June to March each year? Those poor kids have to be in school with their hot picky uniforms on during the hottest parts of the summer months. Bless the heart of the mom that must have invented this cool and refreshing treat.
Sari Sari Stores in the Philippines
Shirley’s parents used to own a Sari-Sari which is like a family store that sells a little bit of everything such as wine, vegetables, soy sauce and even avocado ice candy for the kids. After the kids get out of school, they are hungry, hot and ready for a refreshing treat. For about 5.0 pesos (0.12 cents US or about 0.90 cents HK) the kids in the Philippines can enjoy a delicious avocado ice candy.
How are Avocado Ice Candy sold in the Philippines?
The avocado ice candy would come in little long plastic bags with a twisty on top, which is perfect for transport to eat on the way home. However, these little popsicles do not have to be frozen in the little plastic bags. You can also use a standard popsicle or ice lolly mold like we did. Heck, you could even use little “Dixie Cups” with wooden sticks. No matter which vessel you decide to freeze your avocado treats, it will be delicious. Be sure to check out our Philippine Cuisine category for more delicious recipes from the Philippines.
Different Mix In’s
In the Philippines, they make ice candy many different ways. Sometimes they mix avocado with milk or milk powder and sugar. The street vendors sometimes add dried coconut flakes or peanuts to the ice candy. Sometimes they even add orange or chocolate flavorings in as well. However, the common denominator is that the kids and adults both like it sweet.
Feel free to have fun by adding some extra flavors such cocoa powder, vanilla bean, fruit or whatever your little heart desires right into the avocado mixture before freezing.
Healthy World Cuisine Test Kitchen
Shirley and I went to the Test Kitchen and made our idea of the best avocado ice candy. We made 2 versions.
- The first version we made with mostly avocado, just a splash of almond milk and a little bit of brown sugar and by far this was the creamier, perfectly sweet version of the two.
- The second version, even though it looks better under the camera, was not as nice. We used a higher proportion of almond milk and white granulated sugar. This one was not as creamy and lacked the depth of flavor that you get with brown sugar.
Avocados in my dessert?
We know what you are thinking. “Are you off your rocker?”
However, as you know avocados are really mild in flavor and really just pick up the flavors of the surrounding ingredients. The avocados really creamy texture makes it the perfect way to enjoy a look-alike healthy ice creamy treat. No ice cream maker required. No fancy equipment and only 3 ingredients.
Is Your Avocado ripe?
Avocados are actually a fruit. Of course, you already knew that.
In addition, it is the only fruit with healthy fats that keep you feeling full longer. We used two medium Hass Avocadoes in our recipe (or about 2.5 cups chopped).
To determine if an avocado is ripe or not, gently squeeze the fruit in the palm of your hand. If the avocado is Ripe, it will be firm but will yield to gentle pressure. If the avocado is really soft, it is probably overly ripe and the fruit inside will be bruised and brown. This effect is not desirable. According to the California Avocado Commission, the Hass avocado outer skin will turn dark green or black as it ripens. However, some other avocado varieties retain their light-green skin even when ripe.
Another way to check to ripeness is to pop off the little end knob off the avocado. If it is still green inside, it is probably not ripe. However, if the end has turned a more golden color, it may be closer to ripe.
How to ripen an avocado?
- First, do not place your avocados in the refrigerator unless they are already ripe as that will stop the ripening process.
- Place avocados in a bowl at room temperature with other fruit and let it ripen naturally.
- Put them in a brown paper bag at room temperature and it will speed up the ripening process. If you put on other fruit in the bag as well, the ripening process will happen more quickly.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ's)
The secret is creamy decadent avocado ice candy is to bump up the ratio of avocado to your non-dairy or dairy of choice. Using less liquid to avocado makes the avocado mixture very thick. The desired texture is equivalent to creamy yogurt. We used two medium avocados or about 2.5 cups chopped. We added 1 cup of non-dairy unsweetened almond milk for the perfect texture. Ratio is about 2.5 cups of avocados to 1 cup non-dairy or dairy of choice. Avocados come in all sizes and different breeds or types. Therefore, you will need to either reduce or increase your liquid to achieve a creamy base depending on the size of your avocados. Last but not least, make sure to use ripe avocados for a smooth and creamy texture.
We used unsweetened almond milk in ours to keep it dairy free but by all means use what you have on hand such as regular milk, soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk or half and half.
We decided to use a little sprinkle of brown sugar in ours as it really gives it a nice flavor but feel free to substitute with your favorite sugar alternative of choice if watching those calories or are diabetic. As you know, we do not like our desserts super sweet so you will have to adjust the amount of sugar to your taste palate before you freeze them.
This is our kind of dessert as it is super easy with only 3 little ingredients and no ice cream makers are needed to make this heavenly creamy dessert.
Thank you very Shirley for introducing us to this very delicious Philippine fun summer dessert and healthy snack. Sarap! Our Avocado Ice Candy recipe was originally posted in July of 2014 and updated to answer FAQ, video and new photos.
If you are looking for refreshing summer treats, be sure to try our…
No-Churn Dairy Free Mango Swirl Ice Cream
Honey Cardamom Cantaloupe Sorbet
Rainbow Fruit and Yogurt Layered Ice Cream
Rainbow Berry Rooibos Ice Pops
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Avocado Ice Candy
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 2 medium avocado ripe
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened or dairy of choice
- ⅓ cup brown sugar or a sugar alternative of choice
Instructions
- Cut avocados in half remove the pit and scoop the flesh from inside the skin of the avocado.
- You can either do this in a bowl by hand with a fork and strong muscles or in a blender like we did. Place the avocado, almond milk and sugar in a blender and process until smooth and creamy. The texture goal is a yogurt consistency. Taste and adjust sugar amount as desired. If you want your ice candy more like icy, then add more almond milk. Please note that depending on the size of your avocados, you will need to adjust the amount of non-dairy or dairy liquid of choice. If your avocados are small, you will needless non-dairy liquid. If the avocados are large, you will need more non-dairy liquid. You can always start with less non-dairy then you think you will need and then add more to get to your achieved yogurt consistency. Depending on how powerful your blender is, you will need to brush down the sides of your blender a few times.
- Place the avocado, brown sugar and almond milk mixture in a pastry bag (or just a plastic bag and cut a hole off the end). Pipe the ingredients into ice lolly (popsicle) containers or small skinny baggies and tie with tie string.
- Freeze avocado ice candies overnight.
- Enjoy!
Go good and healthy
Thank you Becky. Avocado ice candy is really creamy and refreshing. Might even make a mung bean ice lolly to keep cool this week too.
Great idea for a healthy summer treat.
Thank you Jake. Avocado ice candy are so refreshing on a hot summer day.
We get these at the Philippine market in Dallas -- great in the heat after a long ride
Never would have thought you can use avocado this way.
Very common dessert recipe in the Philippines. Avocado has this delicious creaminess from the healthy fats. It really only takes on any other flavors in the recipe so you might have seen people making chocolate mousse, ice cream and other treats with the little humble avocado. Take Care
I've never heard of avocado ice candy before, but this looks delicious! I can't wait to try! Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful summertime treat!
Thanks so much Lauren. Avocado Ice candy is a super popular Philippine popsicle recipe. You can find this street treat on every street corner. We hope you give this healthish dessert a try. Take Care
Bobbi, I totally remember eating avocado ice candy, It was from a street vendor and it was frozen in a plastic tube. I also remember it was a bit sweet for my taste, so your reduced sugar recipe makes me want to give it a try. Now if I could only find avocados like the ones you have in your images. By the time they make it here, they're not in great shape. What about using frozen avocadoes?
Hiya Ron! In Asia they commonly add sweetened condensed milk and all kinds of sugar to this recipe. That is way too sweet for us too. Frozen avocados would be even better as you would have to wait less time to eat this treat. With frozen avocado, you might have to add a dash more dairy or non-dairy of choice to get your blender moving. Wishing you a super weekend ahead. Take Care
This recipe is simply amazing dear 🙂 I am going to try this Today 🙂 will let you know for sure.
Thanks so much Priya. It sure it is a hot and steamy one out today so these really hit the spot. Have a lovely weekend. Take Care
This is a great idea and I am sure my kids would love it. It looks super creamy and that colour is beautiful! I put avocado into smoothies and desserts regularly so don't think this is strange at all, much better than some of the ingredients you find in supermarket ice creams! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you Katerina. So glad you know how delicious this is. Everyone always thinks it will taste like avocados but all you taste is the sweetness and the creaminess. It does not taste like avocados.
These look so good and simple to make too. I have coconut milk And avocados to give this a whirl!
Thank you Sandra. To keep this no-refined sugar, please feel to use monk fruit sweeteners or other sugar alternatives of choice. Wishing you a super day. Take Care
It's SO hot out that I need all the cooling I can get. This would be wonderful to chill with. 🙂 Fun dish -- thanks.
Thank you John. A delicious but healthy way to stay cool this hot and steamy summer. Wishing you a super week ahead.
I love it, brings a lot of childhood memories
Thanks Raymund. I bet! Wish you lived closer as we would bring you over a batch. Take Care
Oh YUM! Frozen + avocado + candy? Put it all together and this sounds like a treat tailor-made for me. Love the fact that the recipe is so simple, too. I actually have everything on hand right now. Guess what my afternoon plans involve? 😉
Thanks Hannah. It really is so simple and a fun plant based cool way to stay cool this summer. Take care
What a great post and recipe! I never would have imagined a avocado popsicle but now I am very curious. Thanks!
Thanks MJ, glad we could introduce you to something new and delicious. Take Care
What a simple and healthy snack!!
ICE CANDY! I love it! LOVE IT! And I am sooooo making these, but I am going to use Stevia instead of Brown Sugar! Wish me LUCK 🙂
Love this ice candy! So simple and tasty. Yes - I did think you crazy for using avocados for popsicles, but they look yummy! Love the idea of sprinkling brown sugar on them.
I have made avocado cupcakes so definitely dont think you are bonkers! This sounds great and healthier than most desserts. Great recipe BAM!
Avocado cupcakes sound sublime. I will have to head on over to your website and check that recipe out. Have a super weekend.
Mmmm I must try these avocado ice candies - they look so delicious! I wonder if I could use coconut milk and coconut sugar instead, I made popsicles using coconut milk & coconut sugar before and they worked fine. I went to Manila twice and vegan Filipino cuisine was pretty tasty including the champorado! Thank you Shirley for sharing this!
Absolutely, coconut milk and coconut sugar would be delicious in the avocado ice candies. You can really mix with anything your little heart desires, I just used what I had around the house. Champorado, the sweet chocolate rice dessert is also really delicious and maybe we will have to have Shirley come back and show us how to make that. I will pass on your sweet comments to Shirley. Have a super weekend.
I love avocado with sugar...actually I was puzzled when we just moved from Brazil to US where avocado is not treated as a fruit...hehehe!
This is such a simple and refreshing popsicle, love the creaminess of this treat...thanks for this awesome post Bobbi.
Enjoy your weekend 😀
How awesome that you're from Brasil! 🙂
I know avocados are one of those fruits that sometimes fall in the veggie category. Maybe, it is because in the US they are often used in savoury dishes instead of sweet. I really do not know but they are so good is this sweet avocado ice candy. Take Care, BAM
Ooh such a healthy and delicious treat! Perfect on warm days!
I have not tried avocado in a sweet...I usually eat it savoury but this sounds interesting..
What a nice treat and Shirley seems pretty sweet, too! I've heard of avocado pie and other various things so why not this? Good post, Bam!