Pineapple Cough-sicles (Immune boosting popsicles)

These pineapple cough-sicles are the perfect treat & remedy for your kids cough or sore throat! They also contain ginger, turmeric, and honey which may help boost the immune system and calm coughs. Kids love the sweet, fruity flavor of these soothing cold pops!

Make your child’s sick day a little more fun

When your child is sick with a cough or sore throat, all you want is to relieve the pain and help them feel a little better. Kids have a tendency to eat and drink less when they don’t feel well, so it’s healthy popsicles to the rescue!

Popsicles are the perfect healthy treat that kids always love, and the cold is very soothing for a sore throat. Plus, they’re great way to sneak in extra fluids and nourishing ingredients.

When I learned how good pineapple is for helping calm coughs (many use it as a natural alternative to cough syrups), I thought it would be a great idea to create a pineapple cough-sicle for kids!

Star ingredients of these pineapple cough-sicles

There are several healthy ingredients you will need for this recipe:

• Fresh or frozen pineapple – You will need around 2 cups, or around half of a fresh pineapple. I used fresh, but frozen also works great.
• Pineapple juice (or other liquid) – Using some extra liquid helps these popsicles freeze and come out of their molds better. Pineapple juice is a great idea, or you can use coconut water for extra electrolytes. Herbal tea is another great option, or simply use water!
• Turmeric – You just need a little bit for health benefits and a pop of color. I love using fresh turmeric but you can also use powdered.
• Ginger – Again, just a small amount is needed. Fresh is more beneficial and tastes better.
• Lemons – The juice of 2 lemons perfectly balances the sweetness and adds extra benefits.
• Yogurt or coconut milk – You only need one tablespoon for this recipe, and it’s optional. I know many like to avoid dairy with sickness, so you can use coconut milk or cream instead. The small amount of fat and protein helps the popsicles blend smooth and creamy and pop out of the molds easier.
• Honey – I love using local honey or manuka honey for added benefits. *

*Important note: Do not serve honey to infants under 1 year of age.

Benefits of pineapple for cough & sore throat

Did you know pineapple is specifically beneficial for helping calm a cough? It’s a home remedy that has been commonly used for many years.

Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that is anti-inflammatory and is thought to help with respiratory issues. It can also help break up mucus and reduce congestion. Pineapple also has anti-viral properties! (1)

Other immune-boosting ingredients

There are several other ingredients in these cough-sicles that make them especially good for warding off sickness:

• Turmeric – Rich in curcumin which is anti-inflammatory and provides mild pain relief. It also helps to boost the immune system and is antimicrobial and antiviral (2).
• Ginger – Not only does ginger have natural antiviral and antimicrobial properties, it also helps soothe nausea which is another common sick day complaint. It’s also anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants (3).
• Lemons – Rich in vitamin C, which is great for the immune system.
• Honey – Helps coat and soothe the throat and diminish coughs naturally. In fact, using a spoonful of honey as a cough suppressant has been shown to be effective in studies (4). It also has anti-bacterial properties and may boost the immune system.

You may also like:

• Turmeric Tea Golden Milk
• Elderberry Syrup
• Elderberry Gummies
• Super Tonic Cold Remedy

Pineapple cough-sicles recipe tips

Here are a few tips & tricks to make sure your immune boosting popsicles come out just right!

• Freeze pops fully for 4-8 hours before trying to remove from molds. Overnight is best. It’s a great idea to make a batch of these in autumn before colds and coughs start hitting your house. They freeze well for up to 6 months, so will be ready to use all throughout cold and flu season.
• Make sure to add some liquid to the mixture, even if your pineapple is juicy and seems like it doesn’t need extra liquid. I made this mistake the first time, and had trouble removing my pops from the molds. Because pineapple contains a lot of fiber, it needs extra liquid to blend fully and create a smooth consistency that releases easily from the popsicle molds.
• Using a high-speed blender, or blending for longer than usual, is important to make sure your mix is super smooth and freezes well.
• If you’re having trouble removing the pops from molds, run the popsicle mold under warm water for 10 seconds or so before releasing. This will help the popsicle come out more easily.
• This popsicle mold set is super popular and has great reviews (I plan to upgrade mine one day).
• Leftover popsicles can be stored in a zip-top bag in the freezer for 3-6 months. After removing from molds, freeze in a single layer or wrap each pop in parchment paper or plastic wrap before placing in a freezer bag.