How to freeze fruit for smoothies

In the early 2000s, going to the mall to pick up a 30-ounce Strawberry Surf Rider at Jamba Juice was *the* way to stave off the hot summer days.

Today, you can find endless smoothie recipes all over the internet for daily inspiration for making this refreshingly fruity beverage at home. But admit it: Those pricey smoothies from the local juice bar always hit different. They never fail to taste a little thicker, sweeter, and creamier than the ones you make yourself, no?

This is partially due to the fact that we (of course) need some sort of viable excuse for spending $11 on a beverage, but there is certainly something different about the texture of professionally-made smoothies. After all, making the perfect smoothie depends a lot on both how and what we’re using to make them. And no, we’re not referencing the fact that your local juice bar uses a super fancy high-performance blender or that they’re whirling in elusive locally-grown organic strawberries and spirulinasuperfoodcollagenCBDmagicfairydust. Rather, if you feel that homemade smoothies simply lack the velvety texture of their store-bought counterparts, the problem might be in the way that you’re freezing your fruit at home versus the more effective method that professionals in restaurants and juice bars use.

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Indeed, the texture of your frozen fruit can be *the* determining factor between a super vibrant and creamy, cohesive smoothie that tastes like summer in a cup versus a bland, icy, and mediocre-tasting drink. Follow these simple tips for prepping and freezing your fresh fruit the right way, and you’ll never have to shell out a ridiculous amount for a high-quality smoothie again.

How to freeze fruit for making smoothies at home

1. Freeze them when they’re super ripe

Overshot how much fruit you’ll need for the week and now you’re left with a heaping pile of berries that are on the brink of starting to spoil? No sweat. Catch them at their peak ripeness (read: after they’ve softened and sweetened but not before they’re begun to mold) and freeze them ASAP. This will maximize the natural sweetness of your smoothies.

2. Wash them thoroughly

It’s important to wash your fresh produce thoroughly to remove any dirt, bacteria, or harmful pesticides from its delicate skin, especially for fruits like strawberries and peaches. According to the FDA, you don’t need to use any soap or produce sprays to get the job done. Instead, rinsing fruits (and veggies) under cool running water can help remove excess dirt to help prevent any foodborne illnesses. Although, if you find that your strawberries look extremely dirty, you can soak them in a solution of water and vinegar for just a few minutes before rinsing them again.

3. Dry, dry, and dry them again

To prevent any unwanted freezer burn and icicles from forming on your frozen fruit, make sure to dry it extremely well. Gently pat the fruit with a paper towel or clean washcloth, and remove all moisture as best as possible before attempting to freeze.

4. Prep the fruits (or vegetables) for freezing

Once your produce is clean and dry, cut each piece of fruit into smaller pieces to make blending them into a uniform and creamy smoothie a breeze (it’ll also be easier on your equipment). Having the fruit already cut up makes portioning it out for individual smoothies all that faster, too.

5. Freeze fresh pieces of fruit on a baking sheet first

So, the time has come to freeze them, but how exactly do juice bars nail it every time? Using a baking sheet, of course. This TikTok video by @nutreats demonstrates how to freeze fruit in a few easy steps for smoothie perfection.

@nutreats Yes there’s a right way to freeze your fruit for smoothies #kitchentips #cookinghacks #thatshot #tiktoksa ♬ original sound – nutreats

They’re not just great for baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies: Baking sheets are the holy grail of restaurant kitchen tools and are an essential part of freezing fruit effectively at home. To do so, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a reusable, freezer-safe silicone mat. Then, place the clean and dry fruit in a single layer and pop it in the freezer for a few hours.

By freezing the pieces of fruit in a uniform layer on a baking sheet, you’ll prevent them from becoming one giant hunk of bananas or berries that makes it nearly impossible to blend or portion out. After a few hours of “flash freezing” them, they’ll be solid enough to consolidate into a freezer-safe reusable bag without sticking to one another. The result? Perfectly ripe, sweet, and freezer burn-free pieces of fruit that are just as good as the ones your juice bar blends.

6. Don’t freeze these fruits and veggies

Although this trick works wonders for strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, some produce is better left unfrozen. Frozen watermelon, citrus slices, cucumbers, and apples tend to become mushy or oxidize quickly. Thus, sticking to freezer-resistant ingredients will help ensure that your smoothies will always meet your creamy and dreamy expectations.

Try making this brain-boosting smoothie with all of your freshly frozen fruit:

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Last Updated on July 1, 2022

Freezing smoothies is an easy way to enjoy a delicious breakfast all week long. Perfect for people who love meal planning and enjoy frozen fruit smoothies to start the day!

freezing smoothies

I’m about to change your life. You may be wondering “Can you freeze smoothies?” and I am thrilled to tell you YES! Yes, you can make easy frozen smoothies!

Do you know what that means? You only have to clean the blender once. And, the motto of my life – “Why dirty another dish?” 

So, that’s not really my life motto. But, I think it’s a pretty good rule to live by. Less time doing dishes and more time drinking frozen fruit smoothies. It’s like a constant tropical vacation.

why make frozen smoothies

There’s one thing all health officials agree on: we don’t get enough greens. I like to start my day off with a spinach salad in liquid form…aka…smoothie in a jar.  

What can be better than sneaking extra greens into your diet that don’t actually taste like greens? It’s the ultimate form of sorcery. 

Since making daily green smoothies, I have definitely seen an improvement in my skin coupled with my lotion and facemasks. 

I am always looking for a way to hack my mornings. Because I don’t live alone, I can’t wake up my husband by the jet engine of a blender going off every morning at 7:30.

And, I cannot abide by doing that many dishes. That’s at least a 15-minute setback every morning. 

So my ultimate solution is freezing smoothies…. a breakfast dream!

Since starting my weekly meal prep posts, I’ve been asked a lot about my frozen smoothies. So, I figured it was time to let you in on the secret. 

Blend once. Wash once. Drink all week long. 

can you freeze smoothies?

Yes!!!!!!! Let’s dive in so I can explain how!

step one: 

Pull out your favorite smoothie recipe. My go-to summer frozen fruit smoothies recipe is below. 

summer frozen smoothies recipe: 

• 8 Cups of Spinach
• 2 Cups of Strawberries
• 4 Bananas
• 8 Almond Milk Ice Cubes
• Splash of Water

This makes about a week’s worth of smoothies. 

step two:

Get the right jars. After doing this a whole bunch, my favorites to use are wide mouth 16 oz mason jars. You can use larger jars if you want a larger smoothie, but 16oz is perfect for my breakfast. 

the shoulder debate

When freezing, opt for non-shouldered jars. If you only have shoulders, do not fill up to the curve. This will prevent cracking. 

For more information on freezing food without plastic read this blog post.  

step three: 

Pour the smoothie in a jar. Make sure to leave 2-3 inches at the top or 2-3 inches before the shoulder. Liquid expands when frozen. If you fill your jar to the top it will break! It will be unpleasant, and you will be sad.

I only freeze in glass and I have only had two jars break (back when I was young, inexperienced, and filled my shouldered jars to the brim). Learn from my mistakes! 

step four:

Place the smoothie in a jar in the freezer. 

step five: 

This is the hardest step. Before going to bed, move one of the frozen fruit smoothies from the freezer to the fridge. 

step six:

Wake up to a perfectly thawed fruit smoothie! It will have defrosted overnight and be pretty much the perfect consistency.  Grab a reusable straw and head out the door.

It’s that simple!

frequently asked questions

Won’t you lose nutritional value making frozen fruit smoothies?

Yes, you’ll lose a little nutritional value. However, it’s negligible. And, I’d lose the most nutritional value by not having one at all. If you have the willpower to make a smoothie every morning, do it! But, if you don’t, this is a great way to start your day off with nutrient-rich greens. 

Isn’t freezing in glass scary? 

Not if you leave enough space in the jar. Don’t be scared. Just don’t overfill the smoothie in a jar and you will be fine. Besides even if it does break in the freezer, it’s almost always a clean break. It’s not shattered glass. 

Will the smoothies separate when defrosted? 

After 8 hours, no. If you leave it to defrost for over 24, it might. Justin once left one in the fridge for two days. It separated. But, it still tasted fine. Just give it a good shake. 

Let me know if you have any more questions about freezing smoothies in the comment section below. Share this morning hack if you think it’d help smooth out someone’s morning. 

Have you ever frozen a smoothie? 

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