Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (2024)

Running low on kefir recipes? Get the recipe for these refreshing, easy, and gut-healthy popsicles made with probiotic rich kefir, frozen berries, and honey; perfect for summer!

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Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (1)

The days are getting hotter and longer and we are fighting the heat with our new favorite summertime treat: kefir, berry popsicles!

My son and I have been sharing a popsicle every morning or afternoon while we sit on the front porch. He LOVES them! This is a wonderful popsicle recipe for toddlers because its packed full of nutrients and probiotics, and has no artificial junk.

Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (2)

If you’ve been looking for some new kefir recipes to try, put this one on your list! Sometimes kefir smoothies or just plain kefir can get a little boring. This recipe is actually just our favorite kefir smoothie recipe, frozen in popsicle molds to make kefir popsicles.

These kefir popsciles are SO simple and easy to make, with just three ingredients. Obviously, be warned they can get a little messy with kiddos because of the berry colors! We eat ours outside and I help a lot;)

Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (3)

Also, if you’ve never tried kefir before you might be a little taken aback by the flavor. Its a bit sour! We are used to it and enjoy it. This recipe is very versatile so if you can’t handle the sour taste, add more berries or more honey until its what you like. Just taste-test the mixture before pouring it into your popsicle molds.

What is kefir?

If you are not familiar yet with kefir, you should be! Its basically fermented milk and is similar to yogurt. Kefir is made when specific grains (which contain good bacteria and yeast) are combined with milk and allowed to ferment.

As the kefir grains work their magic on the milk, it produces a probiotic and nutrient rich drink. Its a little thinner than yogurt in texture, but thicker than milk. Kefir has been around for thousands of years and different cultures have praised it for its healing benefits.

If you’d like to know a little more about kefir including some more specific benefits and nutrition facts, check out this post HERE by Dr. Axe.

We drink kefir in our house nearly everyday. Our favorite way to have it is in a smoothie, but we are now enjoying these kefir popsicles every day!

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How to make kefir

If you don’t already have kefir, don’t worry, Kefir is SO simple to make! First, you need to acquire some kefir grains. You can purchase kefir grains in some health foods stores and even online.

My favorite way to get kefir grains is by asking friends and family. Chances are, you already know someone who is drinking kefir and they would probably love to share their extra grains with you.

We make our kefir by combing a few tablespoons of the grains with a cup or two of milk.

I place a breathable lid on top (just a coffee filter secured with a canning ring), and leave it to ferment for about a day or so. I can usually tell when its fermented enough to our preference.

Then we strain the kefir, use it in our favorite kefir recipes, and repeat the process with the leftover grains.

If you’d like to see the process of making kefir in video form, check out this video HERE by Lisa at Farmhouse on Boone.

Other kefir recipes you might LOVE

If you love this kefir and berry popsicle recipe, then be sure to try out some other kefir recipes. We usually stick to our kefir smoothies, but these are some other kefir recipes that I’ve been eyeing!

Kefir Ice Cream Recipe

Kefir Ranch Salad Dressing

Banana Kefir Smoothie

Chocolate Kefir Bread

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Kefir Berry Popsicles Ingredients

Kefir Berry Popsicles Process

  • Combine the chilled kefir, berries, and honey in a blender or food processor.
  • Now, blend until smooth.
  • Pour into popsicle molds and freeze over night.
  • Enjoy on a hot summer day!

NOTE: To initially get the popsciles out of the molds, run the molds under warm water for a few minutes. I take all of ours out of the molds once they’re frozen and transfer them to a freezer bag. This just makes them easier to store in the freezer and they take up less room!

For the printable recipe, see below.

Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (6)

Kefir Berry Popsicles

Enjoy these nutrient and probiotic rich kefir, berry popsicles on a hot summer day, made with just a few simple ingredients!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

freezing time 12 hours hrs

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 popsicles

Equipment

  • blender

  • popsicle molds & popsicle sticks

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups chilled kefir
  • 2 cups frozen berries (or more if preferred)
  • 2-3 tbsp raw, local honey (or more of preferred)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze over night or up to 24 hours.

  • Run the molds under warm water for a few minutes to remove the popsicles. Transfer popsicles to a freezer bag for easier storage.

  • Enjoy on a hot summer day!

Pin it for later!

Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (7)

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Kefir Recipes: Homemade Kefir Berry Popsicles for Summer (2024)

FAQs

What should you not mix with kefir? ›

We do not recommend mixing maple syrup, agave, or honey with your kefir. Maple syrup and agave have a high GI rating, which disrupts your microbiome. Honey is a natural antibiotic, which interferes with the good probiotics in the kefir.

Can you freeze kefir without killing the bacteria? ›

Can you freeze kefir? Yes, Kefir can be frozen, but due to the activity of the bacteria it should not be frozen for more than a few weeks. It should be thawed in the fridge, not at room temperature or with any kind of heat, and once defrosted should be consumed within 24 hours.

How to make fruit flavoured kefir? ›

For a slightly less sweet fruity milk kefir , puree 1 cup milk kefir with ¼ cup frozen fruit. I am yet to find a frozen fruit that does not work well for this. You can either freeze fresh fruit that you have frozen yourself (a good way to use up slightly soft banana's) or buy the ready frozen fruit.

What is the best sweetener for kefir? ›

We believe that organic white sugar combined with rapadura or other minimally processed sugar is the best option for water kefir. Supplementing with Rapadura or unsulphured molasses keeps our water kefir grains happier, healthier, and more productive because they contain the nutrients and minerals that the grains love.

Why shouldn't you mix kefir with honey? ›

I used these surgical honey dressings on Rich's wound when he had MRSA, and I always keep a few spare in my farmhouse first aid kit – they're brilliant. Honey should not be mixed with kefir, because its naturally antibiotic action will kill off the good kefir probiotics that you're trying to get into your system.

Is kefir hard on the liver? ›

Is kefir good for your liver? Yes. Kefir can significantly improve your liver health by combating fatty liver syndrome. This medical condition usually arises when there is increased fat accumulation inside and around your liver.

Can you freeze kefir and eat it like ice cream? ›

I usually have a bowl of kefir ice cream for lunch with a cup of chai tea. It is a ritual that I enjoy on many days of the week. It only takes about five minutes to make a smoothie and thirty to forty minutes to freeze the ice cream, and then I save the leftovers for the next day.

How do you know if you killed your kefir? ›

To know if your water kefir grains are dead, use them to ferment a new batch and repeat this cycle at least 4 times. If the grains are dead, the water will remain sweet, and there wouldn't be a sign of fermentation. Another way to know is the appearance of mold on the surface.

How do you know if homemade kefir is bad? ›

You should also notice that the kefir smells a little sour/vinegary and possibly cheesy/yeasty. The milk will have thickened and it will no longer look like milk.

What fruits are best for kefir? ›

The best fruit to use is dried figs. It provides the essential minerals needed for the kefir grains to develop properly. Dried fruit such as dates, raisins, and cranberries can also be used. However, they provide fewer nutrients than figs.

Is blueberry kefir healthy? ›

It's important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.

Can I add vanilla to kefir? ›

FLAVOR EXTRACTS

Be sure to remove the grains before adding a flavor extract. Whole vanilla beans or cinnamon sticks can be used as well. Vanilla Approx. 1/4- 1/3 tsp pure vanilla extract to 1 cup finished milk kefir.

Can I add honey to homemade kefir? ›

Water kefir: Making up a batch of water kefir with honey is quite a treat. The honey doesn't kill the grains due to antimicrobial action, though it will eventually kill the grains. The real reason is two-fold: Honey is fructose and water kefir grains must have glucose. It's also high in minerals.

Is Lifeway kefir real kefir? ›

All Lifeway Kefir products contain 25 – 30 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) of live and active kefir cultures per cup. The kefir cultures include: Lactobacillus Lactis.

Can I put maple syrup in kefir? ›

A fizzy, slightly tangy, and uniquely flavored beverage. Ingredients You'll Need: 1/4 cup water kefir grains. 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (adjust to taste)

What can I mix with kefir to taste better? ›

Stir, shake, or blend any of the below ingredients with your already fermented milk kefir:
  1. honey or agave.
  2. fruit purees.
  3. fresh pressed juices.
  4. fresh or frozen berries.
  5. chopped fruit (mangoes, stone fruits, pears)
  6. fresh ground spices (vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric)
  7. Or try our Golden Milk Kefir Recipe!

Does kefir have any negative side effects? ›

For most people, fermented foods like kefir are considered safe. But when you first take probiotics, you may experience digestive issues like increased gas, bloating, or diarrhea. These usually settle down after a few days as your body adjusts.

When should you not drink kefir? ›

When Should You Avoid Kefir? You don't necessarily have to drink kefir in the morning, but you should avoid drinking it before you go to bed at night. Since kefir has an impact on your digestive system, it can keep you from getting a peaceful night of sleep.

What happens to your body when you drink kefir everyday? ›

Drinking kefir water every day increases antioxidants, boosts immunity, regulates blood sugar, and confers other benefits. Drinking kefir water daily can add good bacteria to your digestive system, fight inflammation, and boost your overall health.

References

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