Smoothie freezer packs make getting your fruits and veggies super convenient. Instead of pulling out a bunch of bags every time you want a smoothie, you just grab a pack, add liquid, and blend. So easy!
Why I Started Making Smoothie Freezer Packs
When my daughter was younger, she went through a smoothie-for-breakfast phase, and I quickly realized that making one from scratch every morning took longer than it should have. To make things easier, I started prepping smoothie freezer packs every couple of weeks. I'd fill zip-top bags with different smoothie combinations, label them with the amount of liquid to add, and our smoothie process became a breeze!
Smoothie Freezer Pack Formula
Use this simple ratio to create your own freezer packs with whatever fruit you have on hand.
- 2 cups fruit
- 1 cup greens
- 1 creamy ingredient like banana, mango, avocado, or ½ cup yogurt (yogurt added when blending)
- 2 cups liquid (added when blending)
- Optional boosters: protein powder, chia seeds, flax, oats, or hemp hearts
How to Make Smoothie Freezer Packs
- Fill the freezer bags.
Add the fruit to each freezer bag first, then the spinach on top. Press out as much air as possible before sealing. - Label and freeze.
Write the flavor and how much liquid you'll need on the outside of the bag. Freeze the bags flat, then stand them upright like files once frozen to save freezer space. - Blend when ready.
Empty one smoothie freezer pack into a blender. Add about 2 cups of your favorite liquid and blend until smooth, adding more liquid as needed. - Enjoy.
Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately, or pour into a travel cup for breakfast on the go.
Don't freeze the liquid with your smoothie ingredients. I also leave out protein powder, chia seeds, flaxseed, and nut butter until blending because they stick to the freezer bag and blend better when added fresh.
Laura's Tips for Smoothie Freezer Packs
Yes. Fresh or frozen fruit both work well. If your fruit is already frozen, simply portion it into freezer bags so it's ready to grab and blend.
Yes. Frozen spinach is much more compact than fresh, so you'll need less. For one smoothie, a small handful is usually enough.
No. Always add the liquid when you're ready to blend. This keeps the freezer packs loose, easier to store, and easier to blend.
I leave out protein powder, chia seeds, flaxseed, oats, hemp hearts, yogurt, and nut butter. Add those directly to the blender when you're making the smoothie.
For the best flavor, use them within 3 months. Press out as much air as possible before freezing to help prevent freezer burn.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
If smoothies are your go-to, try my Green Smoothie, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, and Mango Smoothie.
Easy DIY Smoothie Freezer Packs
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 cup mango chunks
- 1 orange, peeled
- 2 handfuls spinach
- 1 banana, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups liquid
Instructions
Make the packs
- Divide the spinach, mango, pineapple, clementines, and banana between freezer bags.
- Press out the air, seal the bags, and label each one with the smoothie flavor and how much liquid to add.
- Freeze flat until ready to use.
Blend
- Empty one freezer pack into a blender.
- Add about 2 cups of your favorite liquid.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid as needed.
Notes
- 2 cups fruit
- 1 cup greens
- 1 creamy ingredient, like banana, mango, avocado, or ½ cup yogurt (added when blending)
- 2 cups liquid, added when blending
- Optional add-ins like protein powder, chia seeds, flaxseed, oats, or nut butter are best added when blending instead of freezing.
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Amber says
Never thought about premade bags with all ingredients together. This is great idea! Thank you for sharing.
Hashimotosvictim says
It’s not recommended to consume large quantities of some raw vegetables, including spinach. That could be the reason why it’s recommended to cook it before freezing. It’s an extra step I’m willing to take to protect my thyroid and kidneys 😉 Thank you so much for the great ideas!!!!!
MOMables says
Everyone breaks down foods differently. If you are dealing with an autoimmune disease, you definitely want to lightly cook green leafy vegetables. These freezer packs can also be made with frozen spinach, which tends to be blanched. the concept is to create fresh smoothie packs within reach to encourage vegetable consumption.
Stacie says
Thanks, this is great news. A few years ago, I read that spinach (or other greens) should never be frozen. After googling, I read the same thing on a few more sites, so I never froze it, and never looked further into it after that.
When I first started drinking green smoothies, I made them twice/day, which slipped to once/day, and the last year or 2, maybe a couple times a week. As quick as it is to put a smoothie together, it can be an expensive hassle making small amounts at a time (have an old Nutribullet), by having to have fresh ingredients in the house all the time (I live north in Alberta, Canada, so ‘fresh’ isn’t an affordable option year round).
I’m saving up for a Vitamix, but until then, it’s nice to know I can freeze my greens (love the ice cube tray idea), and get back on the smoothie train.
Thanks again!
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Someone was asking about blanching spinach first – I’ve seen a few websites on that as well. It seems if you’re prone to kidney stones, blanching spinach first would be recommended to reduce it’s oxalates, but by doing so (blanching), you’re eliminating (or significantly reducing) the nutritional benefits of the spinach. I’m actually JUST in the process of learning more about this (have about 20 open tabs regarding oxalates at this very moment LOL). I’d recommend that if you have a family history of kidney stones, you might want to do some Googling first (&/or talking to your doctor) :-).
MOMables says
I’m not sure why they said to not freeze spinach besides the obvious idea that it is no longer good for salad. I am glad you’ll be able to freeze it and make healthy smoothies more often! You are right about the oxalates – and just so you know, the amount of nutrients lost in blanching are minimal. Plus you can use that water for other things (like cook rice).
Cathy says
Despite what you say about freezing raw greens, I would insist on blanching or steaming them first. Your concern is that nutrients would be lost. The water used for steaming would have some of the nutrients leached into it despite the short cooking time. This could be frozen as well, maybe as ice blocks, and added to the prepared smoothie bag mix and coconut water when making the smoothie. That way no nutrients are lost and health is maintained.
Latisha says
I bought my smoothie maker from Walmart for $19.99. Not even on sale. That’s the regular price. I’ve been using it for about a year now and it works great. I make smoothies all of the time with it. I do this very similar thing, have all of my fruits and spinach cut up and in a quart size/freezer bag. I add three different seeds (chia, flax and hemp/already mixed together in a Tupperware in my fridge/I add about a tablespoon), some Greek yogurt for protein, skim milk or water to mine the morning I make it. It’s easy because each bag is the perfect amount for one smoothie.
MOMables says
I love prepping for smoothie ahead of time! That all sounds delicious. I’m glad you love smoothies as much as we do!
Nanci Rogers says
Why not just freeze baggies of pre-made smoothies, instead of the cut up veggies? Would that also work or not?
MOMables says
You could definitely do that! We just prefer to blend up the smoothies fresh.
Laura says
Hi, I actually blend up a bunch and then put into containers that are ready to drink out of and then freeze those. I pull them out to take for lunch at work. When I pack lunch I take it out of the freezer, it also acts like my ice box! It is dethawed by lunch and tastes great! Just another idea!
Sandy says
That’s a great idea.
Marybeth says
I just wanted to thank everyone for all of these great ideas! I kept having to toss old fruit because I wasn’t aware of how to freeze everything correctly and didn’t have the time each morning to make my smoothie. I now have some ready to go bags in my freezer and can’t wait to get back on the “smoothie train” to lose some weight and start feeling better each and every day!!