Time Saver Tip: How to Make and Freeze Smoothies Ahead of Time
Ever thought about how to make a smoothie ahead of time? Try this easy smoothie hack for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack!
If you love smoothies but don’t always have time to create them, then you’re going to love this simple kitchen hack! I’ve got the best way to make your favorite custom smoothies in batches and then freeze them for a quick and healthy meal or snack.
Although smoothies tend to separate and spoil quickly in the fridge, they do freeze wonderfully!
Make a smoothie with the fruit and veggies your family enjoys and then pour the mixture into ice cube trays (or silicone muffin trays) and freeze overnight. I am currently enjoying my no-spill ice cube tray, as it has a silicone cover that folds over to prevent messes in the freezer.
Once your smoothie ice cubes are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag, or reusable Stasher bag, to store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Whenever you’re in the mood for a smoothie, place a few frozen cubes in a cup on the counter, and in about an hour or so, you’ll have a delicious defrosted smoothie (you won’t even need to put it in the blender again)!
This prep-ahead method can be a lifesaver too if you’re an early riser and don’t want to wake up the household in the morning with a blender!
Plus I love the money-saving aspect of making smoothies at home more often rather than opting for pricey ones at the gym or smoothie places. My teens often think they can buy smoothies at our gym whenever they want one, and I sometimes have to reign that in. 😂
Tips for freezing smoothies:
- I usually opt for using frozen fruit in my smoothies. Instead of adding ice, this method yields a super creamy “smooth” texture that we love. Buying frozen fruit in bulk is smart and economical to just store in the freezer to always have on hand. Of course, if you intend to freeze ahead a smoothie, fresh fruit is perfect too!
- Also if I see fruit getting too ripe, it’s easy to store and freeze berries and bananas in the freezer. Check out the silicone Stasher bags our Hip2Save team loves for storing produce and more!
- You can also blend and then freeze smoothies in small mason jars so no ice cube trays are needed. Just thaw it on the counter or in a gym bag and it can be ready for after work out or when you are ready for a snack.
- Get creative with the smoothie add-ins! I will sometimes add in some chia seeds or ground flaxseed for extra nutrition. I have also added almond butter before, which is yummy with banana. I know many like to add a favorite protein powder as well.
- Eating keto? Here’s a yummy keto smoothie recipe to consider making from our sister site Hip2Keto.online!
Need some smoothie inspo? Here’s what’s in my smoothie!
Everyone makes smoothies differently and adds things according to taste and dietary needs. In my house, we enjoy trying out all various smoothies of ingredients already found in the fridge or pantry.
We do tend to use this frozen banana and berry onlinebination the most, and I try to sneak in some greens like kale or spinach that are not even really detectable once blended. I usually add Greek yogurt to make it creamy, and some juice to sweeten and thin it out a bit.
Spinach and Berry Smoothie
yield: 1 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
total time: 10 MINUTES
Refreshing smoothie filled with berries, spinach, and yogurt!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mixed berries such as strawberry, blueberry, and raspberries
- 1/2 a banana
- 1 large handful of spinach
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1/4 ice per your preference if desired
Directions
1
Blend all ingredients and serve.
2
Or pour into ice trays and freeze for another day. Store ice cubes in a covered container or baggie for up to 3 months.
Yum! This recipe is so berry cool and refreshing!
All puns intended, this is a great idea for kiddos, too, and it makes a refreshing drink on warm days as well. Try it for yourself and see what you think! I think you’re going to really enjoy this easy-to-make recipe.
Think it’s a pain to clean the blender after smoothies? Here’s a tip!
This may be old news to some, but the best way to clean your blender afterward is to pour in warm soapy water and give it a whirl with the lid on so it will basically clean itself. Then rinse it out and it’s clean! Of course, I picked up on this after watching a ton of the Vitamix blender demos at Costco, and finally buying a refurbished one on Amazon years ago!
Here’s what a couple of my Hip2Save sidekicks like to add to their smoothies:
“My kids love smoothies. I typically do Greek yogurt, milk, frozen fruit, raw honey, and that’s basically it! Coconut water or coconut milk are both also a great addition if you’re dairy-free instead of yogurt.” – Hip2Save teammate Sara
“I love adding kefir to my smoothies instead of yogurt, as flavored kefir is delish, and a good source of probiotics for gut health!” – Hip2Save teammate Emily
“For lower carbs and extra nutrition in smoothies, I like to use berries, unsweetened almond milk and add in collagen powder, protein powder, and MCT oil.” – Hip2Keto nutritionist Emily S.
Let us know what your favorite smoothie add-ins are in the onlinements so we can all get some smoothie inspiration!
Make these easy, grab-and-go gluten-free pancake bites!
