Can You Freeze Smoothies? (Find Out How Here)
People love smoothies! Whether it’s part of a health kick, a weight loss program, or they just enjoy the delicious taste, smoothies are one of the most popular drinks around. They can, however, be time-consuming and messy to make.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could make a bunch of smoothies all at one time and keep them in the freezer to pull out when you’re ready? Guess what? You can!
Smoothies can easily be prepared and kept in the freezer. All types of smoothies can be frozen. You can freeze a fully prepared smoothie or just freeze a ready-made packet of smoothie ingredients to grab out of the freezer and blend up on the spot.
Nothing beats a cold, fresh smoothie when you need it. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about freezing smoothies.
Why Freeze Smoothies?
Let’s face it, mixing up smoothies on a regular basis will certainly take up some of your valuable time. If you enjoy smoothies regularly, it is more convenient to make a big batch, freeze it, and enjoy the sweet taste for days to come.
Alternatively, let’s say you need to make smoothies for a party or gathering and don’t want to prepare them all at the last minute. It is much easier to make them in advance and freeze them until they are needed.
Alternatively, you might end up with too much and want to save your leftover smoothie for another time.
Do Smoothies Freeze Well?
Yes, smoothies are freezer-safe and can last for a long time.
Most fruits hold up pretty well when frozen: berries of all kinds, cherries, apples, bananas, pears, grapes, oranges, and many other fruits are freezer-friendly.
Milk also freezes well, although not as well as fruit. However, provided the proper freezing conditions are met, smoothies can last for quite some time. While dairy products like cow milk, whipped cream, and greek yogurt generally freeze okay, vegan milk such as almond milk and coconut milk freeze somewhat better.
Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, also freeze very well when blended. That makes green smoothies freezer-friendly as well.
You can freeze almost any type of smoothie, regardless of your smoothie ingredients, without worrying about a loss of quality.
How Does Freezing Smoothies Work?
Now that we know how well a smoothie does in the freezer, the question is: how exactly do you freeze smoothies?
Freezing Smoothies
The best way to freeze a smoothie is pretty simple. After you make a batch of smoothies, drink the quantity you want immediately and prepare to freeze the rest.
You must first divide the drink into single portions. This way, you can take out only what you need without thawing the rest.
Next, place the portions in freezer-safe containers. Mason jars work best for smoothies, but you can also use freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible from each bag if you’re using the latter. If you’re using jars, fill them up almost to the top (leave an inch or so of space), so there is room to expand as the smoothie freezes.
Once the containers are tightly sealed, label them and put them in the freezer.
Alternatively, you can freeze smoothies by pouring them into an ice cube tray or popsicle molds and then placing them in the freezer. This way, you can enjoy cool smoothie ice cubes, although they won’t stay fresh for as long as they will in mason jars.
Freezing Smoothie Packs
As an alternative, instead of freezing fully prepared smoothies, you can freeze smoothie ingredient packs. This method will ensure a longer shelf-life and a fresher tasting smoothie.
You should prepare the smoothie ingredients according to your favorite smoothie recipes. Take all the fruits you’ll be using and wash them thoroughly.
Next, spread the pieces of fruit out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, so they are not touching. Flash-freeze them for a few hours.
Next, take out the frozen fruit and divide it into smoothie-sized portions. Place them in adequate airtight containers and into the freezer.
When you’re ready for a smoothie, simply grab a pack of ingredients and toss it into a blender with the fresh milk of your preference and blend. This is a great way to freeze the parts of a smoothie that freeze well while adding the milk, yogurt, and other ingredients that don’t freeze as well later.
If you have a couple of favorite smoothie recipes to try, prepare the ingredients needed, and freeze them separately, so you can enjoy a different smoothie recipe each time.
How To Thaw Frozen Smoothies
The defrosting process is easy if you’re planning to fully prep smoothies ahead of time and freeze them. Simply take the smoothie containers out of the freezer and leave them in the fridge overnight.
You can also defrost smoothies quickly by placing the mason jar or freezer bag under cool water. However, quick defrosting may slightly compromise the flavor and texture of your smoothie.
Frozen smoothies take about half a day to defrost in the fridge. So, if you take them out of the freezer early in the day, they should be completely thawed by the evening, or you can defrost them overnight to use in the morning.
If you choose to freeze smoothie packs, there’s no point in defrosting them. Just take your desired number of frozen smoothie packs and put them in the blender immediately to make your smoothie recipe.
Do Frozen Smoothies Lose Their Freshness?
When properly frozen, smoothies can keep their freshness and flavor for a long time, although they can gradually lose some of the texture and creamy consistency.
Following the freezing process outlined above, that’s not something you will have to worry about.
How Long Can A Frozen Fruit Smoothie Last?
Frozen smoothies can maintain their quality for up to 3 months in the freezer and should remain safe to consume for much longer than that.
Airtight containers and glass containers such as mason jars are best for maintaining your smoothies’ freshness, while other containers such as freezer bags will do the job, but not quite as well. Plus, there is always the chance that a bag will leak.
Can You Refreeze Smoothies?
You can technically freeze smoothies again after you defrost them, but it’s not a great idea. I recommend that you always divide them into manageable portions. That way, you’ll be able to take out the right amount of smoothie each time you need some.
Nothing prevents you from refreezing any extra smoothies you may have left. Just expect the flavor and texture to be less consistent.
Does A Frozen Smoothie Keep Its Nutritional Value?
Frozen food does tend to lose a little nutrition, but it can compensate for that with a richer taste. Frozen food often tastes better when the moisture content has crystalized and defrosted.
The nutritional loss of a frozen smoothie is not significant. You can still enjoy the healthful benefits of smoothies after freezing them.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Smoothies?
The specific nutritional value of your smoothie will naturally depend on the ingredients you use.
Generally speaking, a smoothie is a very healthy drink if you do not add sugars or sweeteners. They increase your consumption of vegetables and fruits, which provide many health benefits.
They are also a great source of fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
Can You Freeze Smoothies – Final Thoughts
Freezing smoothies is a great way to preserve your leftover or pre-made smoothies. They can remain fresh and tasty for a long time if properly frozen. We’ve also seen how you can extend their shelf life by freezing the ingredients instead.
Regardless of your preferred method, your frozen smoothie will be as good as fresh.
