Purple sweet potato — what a revelation! I can’t remember the last time a vegetable excited me this much. When I first heard about purple sweet potatoes I assumed it was an urban legend, but discovering one in person opened up a whole new world of flavour and colour. The texture and hue are unique, and they pair beautifully with summer fruits like blueberries.

A few weeks ago a generous foodie friend handed me a brown paper bag with a single purple sweet potato tucked inside. I’d never seen one in real life — they’re still quite rare where I live — so I was genuinely thrilled. I promised I’d make something special with it, and with summer arriving, popsicles immediately came to mind.

There’s something magical about a popsicle on a hot day. They’re nostalgic, simple, and indulgent all at once. I’d been admiring colourful popsicle photos everywhere, so I bought moulds and set out to create a vegan, creamy treat that celebrated the purple sweet potato’s colour and mild sweetness.

I drew inspiration from a purple sweet potato ice cream recipe and decided to blend the potato with fresh blueberries and coconut cream. The combination produced a smooth, creamy texture and an astonishingly beautiful purple colour. These popsicles are vegan, subtly sweet, and refreshingly fruity — perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or a simple cooling treat at home.

To my delight, I later found purple sweet potatoes being sold at a nearby garden centre. I may have done a little victory dance at the checkout. It felt like unlocking access to a new ingredient I can now use whenever I want. If you can find them, give these popsicles a try — they’re as delicious as they are pretty.
Recipe
Blueberry Popsicles with Purple Sweet Potato
Summary: Creamy vegan popsicles made with purple sweet potato, blueberries, and coconut cream. A refreshing, colourful dessert for warm days.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time / Chill Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Servings: 8 popsicles
Calories: 143 kcal
Author: Anna Banana
Ingredients
- 1 cup purple sweet potato, boiled and cooled
- 1 cup blueberries
- 400 ml coconut milk, refrigerated overnight (use the thickened cream)
- ½ cup cashew milk
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (optional)
Instructions
- Scoop the thick coconut cream that has solidified at the top of the can into a blender.
- Add the cooked and cooled purple sweet potato, blueberries, cashew milk, maple syrup, and vanilla (if using).
- Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds, tap gently to remove air bubbles, then freeze for about 2–3 hours or until firm.
- To release the popsicles, run the mould briefly under warm water and gently pull them free. Enjoy immediately.
Please note: my recipes are developed and tested using metric measurements. I recommend using digital scales for the most accurate results. Conversions to US customary units may be provided elsewhere, but they have not been tested as thoroughly.
Nutrition
Calories per popsicle: 143 kcal
Did you make this? I’d love to know how it turned out. Share a photo or leave a comment and tag @anna_wierzbinska on Instagram so I can see your version of these popsicles.
