Sure throwing a few ingredients in a blender to make a smoothie doesn’t take long, but on a busy weekday morning we all know…every minute counts! And after trying out this make ahead method of bagging (or bottling) up smoothie ingredients myself, I can attest that it really does make a difference.
Even in the afternoons when the girls get home from school, I might not always be into the idea of getting out all the different ingredients to make a smoothie, but if the fruits and veggies were already packaged up in the exact right proportions? Sure, we can have a smoothie snack any day! It’s amazing how sometimes a little advance preparation can go a long way.
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3 Ways to Freeze Smoothie Ingredients
- Canning Jars – No need to “can” or process jars in any way. Just put them directly into the freezer.
- Ziploc Bags – Yes, not the most eco-friendly, but handy and technically washable and reusable. :)
- Reusable Bags – For this application I love the pictured bag from “neat-os” because they are most like the Ziplocs I am used to (silky smooth on the inside and out).
For more smoothie recipe ideas (that could probably be frozen in advance as well) be sure to check out the Simple 7 from our friends and affiliate partners over at SimpleGreenSmoothies.com. It’s FREE and will give you 7 smoothie recipes, each with 7 ingredients, access to community support, and a guidebook to help you create your own custom smoothie blends. I’d love to hear your smoothie tips in the comments below.
Make Ahead Smoothies (2 Ways)
Ingredients
Version 1
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup mango, diced, and fresh or frozen
Version 2
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup peaches, diced or sliced, fresh or frozen
Both Versions
- 2 cups spinach, or other greens like kale or swiss chard - with tough stems discarded
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter or almond butter
- 2 bananas, the riper the sweeter. These do not get frozen with other ingredients
- 1 cup milk, any kind, this also does not get frozen with other ingredients
Instructions
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Combine the berries and fruit from one of the version options along with the spinach and peanut butter in a freezer-proof bag, jar, or other container. Freeze for later.
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When ready to make the smoothie, break up the frozen ingredients with your hand or a utensil (or by banging the bag against the counter) and add them to your blender along with 2 fresh bananas and 1 cup of milk or water (or a combination).
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Blend, serve and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
* For a dairy-free smoothie, sub water for the milk.
* For a nut-free smoothie, sub sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
School Lunch Photo Contest Results!
I’ve gotta say this article changed my life! I’ve been freezing my smoothie ingredients in bags ever since I read this and it has made my like so much easier! My husband and I drink smoothies every day so I package up 10-15 bags in the freezer, ready to go. Just add water. Thank you so much for the idea!!!!!!!!!
Hi, can you blend the smoothies up ahead of time and freeze as is without losing nutritional value?
Hi Margie. Freezing will not harm the nutrient value significantly. ~Amy
ANY RECIPES FOR USING NUTELLA IN SMOOTHIES. KATHY
Not specifically, though I often use nut butters in my smoothies.
I’m curious, is there a nutritional reason you don’t freeze the bananas?
Hi Traci. Nope, you can freeze bananas without effecting their nutrients in any significant way. Frozen bananas really thicken a smoothie so it depends on the consistency you care after. ~Amy
One of the reasons I like using ziploc bags for freezing is that I can write on them what is inside, which comes in handy when items look similar. Any thoughts on ways to write on the reusable neat-os?
Hi Kathy. You can use a piece of scotch tape on the clear area. It can be removed each time you change what you are freezing.
You can also write on the canvas with washable markers :)
Hi! These look great! I was wondering if you could freeze some greek yogurt along with the fruit and veggies?
Hello. I’ve never tried freezing yogurt for a smoothie. You do need to have some wet/unfrozen ingredients to get a drinkable smoothie consistency. :)
This is a great idea. I was wondering how long they would last just in the fridge. I was thinking of alternating these with my overnight oatmeals. Do you think I could make them on Sunday and they would still be good for wednesday and friday? Thank you!
Hi Leslie. I wouldn’t store them in the fridge. They are best enjoyed freshly blended otherwise the texture can become unpleasant.
Hi
work 2jobs looking to change my eating habits and eat healthier .need more energy. …