Hi friends! Do you like to be organized and ready to jump in when a need-for-smoothie situation occurs? With two little ones at my legs, I am always in need of a quick-fix to avoid drama (because they are hungry, tired or both). Smoothies are always a good idea and always the solution to problems like this. These make-ahead freezer smoothie packs are simply the best!
Grab a prepared bag from the freezer – turn on the blender – pour a smoothie – satisfied kid(s) (or hubby)! Make-ahead freezer smoothie packs are so versatile! Just fruits, fruit and veggies or fruit and herbs; there are endless combo possibilities! Let’s prepare some freezer bags!
The why’s and how’s on these make-ahead freezer smoothie packs
Why?
- So you are prepared and ready for emergency smoothie needs;
- You’ll also have exactly the right amount of frozen fruit and veggies for 1 person (or 1 family) to make a smoothie for;
- To not waste fruits and veggies that are about to go bad.
How to do it?
Measure quantities
I start by cutting up fruit and vegetables in cubes. I make my smoothies in my Ninja bullet. So I use the bullet as a measuring cup to see how much fruit/vegetables/herbs I need for 1 smoothie. When I want to freeze a bag for smoothies for all 4 of us, I use the blender bowl as a measuring cup. You might have to play with the amounts a bit in the beginning, but you’ll get the hang of it soon. The idea is to freeze the exact amount you need. #zerowaste
Freeze liquids as well
I combine solids and liquids. Say what? I don’t like my smoothies runny and watery, so I freeze liquids as well. You can go 2 routes here; first freeze liquids (like coconut water, yogurt, citrus juice etc) in an ice cube tray. When they are solid, I add them to the freezer bag filled with fruits and veggies. Or I fill a separate freezer bag with the frozen liquid cubes to add to the blender together with the bag of frozen fruits and veggies.
What liquids are we talking about? Well, lemon, lime, orange or other citrus juice, coconut water or milk, other (plant based) milk, or (plant based) yogurt. Or just plain water. Like I said above, freeze this in an ice cube tray and either divide over the fruit/veggie freezer bags or have separate ice cube bags (don’t forget to label them so you know what is in them!).
Which freezer bags to use?
I use reusables (see photo) or zippable bags (I reuse those as well #zerowaste. Make sure they are freezer bags!). I write on it what is in there, for example: ‘green machine’, piña colada or just the fruits that are in it (strawberry, kale, coconut milk f.e.). This way I know what I am grabbing from the freezer when I want to make a smoothie.
If your blender is not powerful enough, just add a little bit of water to get it going. Not too much otherwise your smoothie will be watery. Just keep that in mind!
5 of my favorite smoothies to make ahead-of-time freezer packs for:
- Green machine; kale, mint, avocado, pineapple, lime juice, drop of honey
- Strawberry, banana, oat milk, a bit of maple syrup
- Watermelon, basil, mint, lemon juice
- Mango, banana, yogurt, spinach
- Piña colada; pineapple, coconut milk, coconut water
I like to be well prepared; nobody likes a smoothie drama. LOL. I hope this will help you avoid it as well. These make-ahead freezer smoothie packs are
easy to make – a life saver – easily adjustable – versatile – & so delicious!
Need some more smoothie inspo? Check out my green smoothies, purple smoothies and avocado smoothies.
Make-ahead freezer smoothie packs
Equipment
- (reusable) freezer bags
- High speed blender
Ingredients
- fruit, vegetables, herbs and frozen liquid cubes (enough for 1 pers or 1 family)(fruit and veggies cut into cubes)
Instructions
- Use reusable freezer bags or zippable bags (like Ziplock bags. I reuse those as well ). Write on it what the content is; this way you still know what is in there after a while.
- Fill the freezer bags. Either personal/1 person portions or large bags that contain enough for your whole family. Use your blender cup or bowl to measure. You might have to play with the amounts a bit in the beginning, but you'll get the hang of it soon. The idea is to freeze the exact amount you need. #zerowaste
- Freeze liquids (like coconut water, yogurt, citrus juice etc) in an ice cube tray. When the cubes are solid, add them to the freezer bag filled with fruits and veggies. Or fill a separate freezer bag with the frozen liquid cubes (so when you want to make a smoothie, grab a bag of frozen fruit/veggies from your freezer and add cubes of frozen liquid at the same time to the blender bowl).
- When you want to make a smoothie, take a smoothie freezer bag out of the freezer, add the content to the blender bowl and blend until smooth. If your blender is not powerful enough or the smoothie is too thick to drink, add a little bit of water to get it going. Not too much though otherwise your smoothie will be watery.
- Divide over glass(es) and enjoy your cold smoothie!
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
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Want to start making pre-made smoothies. It makes so much sense and saves alot of time each morning. Looking at incorporating chia seeds and flaxseeds as well.
Hi Paul, yes it saves so much time! You can easily add chia and flaxseeds to the freezer packs.