I Asked 4 Experts To Name the Best Popsicles—They All Said the Same Brand

Nothing screams summer quite like a popsicle—a frozen, sweet (and sometimes tangy) bar of fruit-flavored ice. Whether you lean towards mango, strawberry, lime, or another flavor, few things are more refreshing.

If you have a family of popsicle fans, then you’re aware that the ice cream truck just doesn’t come around often enough to quench the cravings. This means keeping some stored in your freezer all summer long is key. However, choosing which ones to buy can be a little tricky. With so many brands out there, I often find myself standing in the freezer aisle wondering just which one to buy. 

After chatting with four popsicle-loving culinary experts, I was happy to find out that they all have the same favorite brand.

The 4 Culinary Experts I Asked

• Nicole Johnson: Writer, photographer, and recipe developer 
• Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner: Recipe developer, writer, and editor
• Carissa Erzen: Recipe developer and food photographer  
• Myo Quinn: Editor, writer, and trained chef

The Best Store-Bought Popsicles, According to Experts 

Hands down, the No. 1 popsicle pick among our experts was Outshine. “It’s the brand I reach for most often because it’s easy to find, consistent, and made with fruit you can taste,” Johnson says. Hoeffner agrees with Johnson about the brand’s accessibility and taste. “The fruit bars taste like, well, fruit because they’re made with actual fruit. Plus, they’re not overly sweet or sticky.” 

Unlike many popsicle brands, Outshine fruit bars are made without artificial flavors or dyes. Quinn says her family loves the brand’s offerings. “My kids are obsessed with ice pops, and for too long, I bought them whatever looked the most fun. That’s until I realized I was feeding them flavored chemicals, including artificial food colors,” she admits. “So, I read the ingredient list on all of the popsicles available at my local grocery store and landed on Outshine. I love that they have real fruit ingredients and taste like them, too.”

Erzen’s favorite Outshine flavor is strawberry and notes that she loves the big pieces of fruit: “When I get a large piece to chew on, it makes it feel like a super healthy, cooling treat. The flavor really tastes like eating straight-up frozen strawberries—almost as if it was homemade.”

Strawberry is also a top flavor in Johnson’s house, in addition to lime and what she calls the sleeper hit, coconut. “It’s super creamy and tastes like summer,” she explains, adding that Outshine also features seasonal blends with pineapple and peach. Hoeffner prefers the blended bars, including mango and tajin and piña colada.

Whichever flavor floats your boat, these experts agree that a freezer full of Outshine ice pops will keep you happy and hydrated during the steamy summer months.