Anyone freeze fruits for smoothies?

Mommy_Time
Mommy_Time Posts: 256 Member
edited December 18 in Food and Nutrition
I am a smoothie virgin if anyone can believe that :) I bought some almond milk, plain and vanilla yogurt, frozen strawberries and frozen raspberries and will be trying some recipes today that I found on allrecipes.com

My question is does anyone freeze your own fruits as they cost an arm and a leg buying them already frozen and having 5 kids I really need to budget things at times.

I know you can freeze them so I really want to know how to go about it. Do you wash, cut and just put them in a cookie sheet or something to freeze than bag or do you just bag and throw in the fridge?

Replies

  • Charlottejogs
    Charlottejogs Posts: 351 Member
    I do- I don't generally buy fruit to freeze it but freeze if I am not getting to it. Except bananas, I always buy extra bananas so that I can freeze some. Yummy smoothies!
  • jj3120
    jj3120 Posts: 358
    I freeze banana's when I have too many and they are getting too ripe, just peel, chop and freeze in an old ice-cream tub. (frozen bananas blended on their own have an amazing 'ice-cream' consistency and are delish!!)

    I have also frozen raspberries and strawberies when I've been able to get them cheap, I usually freeze them on a tray then put into a bag or container after - this keeps them from sticking together.
  • brk_1982
    brk_1982 Posts: 125 Member
    I wash, cut and put them in the freezer, then go back and shake the bag a fee times as it's freezing. I much prefer using frozen fruit and skipping ice cubes. Smoothies taste so much better this way. :)
  • Mommy_Time
    Mommy_Time Posts: 256 Member
    Great thanks for the replies :)
  • FitBunnyEm
    FitBunnyEm Posts: 320
    agree with the above...i also buy frozen mixed berries they are lovely for a smootie
  • loulou2006
    loulou2006 Posts: 32 Member
    Frozen bananas are the bomb and you don't even have to add much ice when you use them. I don't know if you are near a Costco but they have an awesome selection of frozen fruits and fruit mixes that are natural with nothing added. I get my strawberries and a 3 berry mix (marion, blue and rasberries) and also a mix of pineapple, mango and strawberries... so yummy and you get a lot for a little....big bags for around $10-$13. When you get brave try throwing some spinach or kale in your smoothies its so good and adds to the nutrient value of your smoothie. When i first started with my smoothies i watched a lot of youtube vids on making green smoothies and it was very helpful......good luck and happy smoothie drinking!!
  • Mommy_Time
    Mommy_Time Posts: 256 Member
    ty all :) I love spinach and don't need to add it in a smoothie. I eat spinach instead of lettuce for my salads and love cooked spinach as well. but kale might be one to add to one :)
  • flechero
    flechero Posts: 260 Member
    Every couple days... I only like bananas and strawberries at a certain "ripeness" so I eat a bunch of them fresh over the good 2 day period and cut the rest up and freeze for my smoothies before it turns. It's cheaper, assures me the good fruit is used and I cut it into smaller chunks for better blending. (I think pre frozen fruit is the beat up ones they couldn't use for other stuff.)


    The only frozen I buy is a berry medley, since I don't use enough to justify buying all the different berries and putting them up myself. I use the bananas and strawberries everyday.

    I also don't like using ice in my smoothies and the frozen fruit gets you to a good consistency w/o ice.
  • MariaMariaM
    MariaMariaM Posts: 1,322 Member
    Frozen bananas are the bomb and you don't even have to add much ice when you use them. I don't know if you are near a Costco but they have an awesome selection of frozen fruits and fruit mixes that are natural with nothing added. I get my strawberries and a 3 berry mix (marion, blue and rasberries) and also a mix of pineapple, mango and strawberries... so yummy and you get a lot for a little....big bags for around $10-$13. When you get brave try throwing some spinach or kale in your smoothies its so good and adds to the nutrient value of your smoothie. When i first started with my smoothies i watched a lot of youtube vids on making green smoothies and it was very helpful......good luck and happy smoothie drinking!!

    Love Costco. I get the 3 berry mix, the kirkland frozen straweberries, the blueberries, and not long ago they had the anti-oxidant blend that had pomegranate in oit.
    I also freeze any fruit that is getting too ripe so that I don't waste it. Frozen fruit = less or no ice.
  • listabit
    listabit Posts: 28 Member
    I freeze bananas, and I buy other fruit frozen. Aldi's has the best prices for frozen fruit.
  • Fresh fruit is very expensive here so buying it frozen usually comes out better for me. However, I do buy bananas and spinach and freeze both of them.
  • SirBen81
    SirBen81 Posts: 396 Member
    I wash, cut and put them in the freezer, then go back and shake the bag a fee times as it's freezing. I much prefer using frozen fruit and skipping ice cubes. Smoothies taste so much better this way. :)

    Well said. This is how it is done. Frozen fruit is best for smoothies since you don't have to water the smoothie down with more ice to make it cold.
  • volleypc
    volleypc Posts: 134 Member
    I usually keep blueberries and strawberries in the freezer. After a long run I will grab a few strawberries and put them in my mouth just as I would ice cubes to cool down.
  • Hmm everywhere I've been frozen fruit is always cheaper then fresh but you can freeze any fruit you want. Chop them up and but them in single serving freezer bags. Also add some veggies like spinach or cucumber for more nutriance!
  • Mommy_Time
    Mommy_Time Posts: 256 Member
    thanks all. the frozen was about 3.30 a bag for just 12oz and most here or at a farmers market are less than that and I can cut them smaller like suggested to blend better :)
  • arykh24
    arykh24 Posts: 64
    bump
  • SafireBleu
    SafireBleu Posts: 881 Member
    I freeze my own. I wash and cut them put pre-measured servings in little snack bags I get at the dollar store and put all the snack bags in a freezer bag. This way I can just pull out a baggie and I already know how much is in it and I don't have to worry about it all freezing together in a clump. It is much cheaper than buying it frozen.
  • modernmom70
    modernmom70 Posts: 373 Member
    Yes, every season I buy 100lbs of blueberries direct from the farm and freeze them costs about $1 a pound and they are organic. I don't do smoothies but I put them in my yogurt every day. I also freeze alot of veggies in season.
  • Seminolegirl97
    Seminolegirl97 Posts: 306 Member
    BUMP

    Love this thread, I just starting making smoothies myself. Never ever considered freezing my own fresh fruit! Thanks everyone for your posts!! Awesome!
  • Seminolegirl97
    Seminolegirl97 Posts: 306 Member
    I freeze my own. I wash and cut them put pre-measured servings in little snack bags I get at the dollar store and put all the snack bags in a freezer bag. This way I can just pull out a baggie and I already know how much is in it and I don't have to worry about it all freezing together in a clump. It is much cheaper than buying it frozen.

    OMG super great idea!!!
  • raige123
    raige123 Posts: 352
    YES!!! This girl! :) I buy strawberries and bananas and cut them up and store them in freezer bags ... 2 large strawberries and 1/2 a banana cut up per bag. My recipe is super good too and very filling. I also freeze my yogurt in 1/2 cup serving containers ... more cost effective and better for you then buying frozen yogurt plus thickens up the smoothie to a more milkshake consistency. :)
  • WaxMama
    WaxMama Posts: 369 Member
    Fruit that I cut and freeze in freezer bags makes waaay better smoothies than fruit you buy frozen at the store, in my opinion! I do keep fresh bananas on hand to add in when I make my smoothies (they blend better than frozen). Don't be afraid to add to it! A handful of spinach will give a fiber/calcium boost and go completely unnoticed... I often add honey, vanilla or a few almonds. Yum!
  • shbretired
    shbretired Posts: 320 Member
    I buy Costco's Wawona Tropical Fruit; mango, papaya, pineapple & strawberries; in the freezer section.
    Just because fresh fruit spoils so fast.

    I like mine with yogurt, but have been told people make smoothies / slush with them.
  • Mommy_Time
    Mommy_Time Posts: 256 Member
    YES!!! This girl! :) I buy strawberries and bananas and cut them up and store them in freezer bags ... 2 large strawberries and 1/2 a banana cut up per bag. My recipe is super good too and very filling. I also freeze my yogurt in 1/2 cup serving containers ... more cost effective and better for you then buying frozen yogurt plus thickens up the smoothie to a more milkshake consistency. :)

    I would love your recipe if you don't mind to share with us all :)
  • jnhu72
    jnhu72 Posts: 558 Member
    I have froze clementines and bananas before. I just peeled them, cut them and laid them out on a plate to freeze.
  • jnhu72
    jnhu72 Posts: 558 Member
    If you have an Aldis where you leave they have a great selection of frozen fruit that is priced good.
  • mangobadango
    mangobadango Posts: 294 Member
    Thank you for posting this question. I didn't even think of freezing my own fruit! Definitely saving this idea as smoothies have been my breakfast every morning.
  • PHLLLY
    PHLLLY Posts: 160 Member
    I freeze all my fruits! To prevent them from drying out or getting freezer burn I put it in the juice that I'm going to make it with so all I have to do is blend and serve.
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