Frozen smoothie packs make smoothies so easy when you already have everything portioned out and frozen. Just add almond milk and you're done! This smoothie recipe is the best make-ahead breakfast for the upcoming week!
Make-Ahead Freezer Smoothie Pack Breakfasts
I've ween working on this post for weeks and I can't wait for you to read it today. How to make freezer smoothie bags (the easiest smoothies ever!) is going to make your life just a little bit easier and just a little bit healthier. I started making these smoothie freezer bags a few months ago and they have totally changed my smoothie game!
Here are the details on freezer smoothie bags. You essentially put everything you need for your smoothie, minus the liquid, into a plastic baggie and you pop the whole things in the freezer. When you want to make a smoothie you just add the contents of one bag to your blender, add one cup of milk (I like Almond Breeze), and then blend until smooth. I'm working with Blue Diamond today, specifically their Almond Breeze almond milk, and I couldn't be more excited. It's a staple in my house and you can find all kinds of their products in my kitchen right now.
What you put into your freezer smoothie bags is up to you! You have a lot of wiggle room which means you can use what you have on hand, what is in season, what is on sale, or what you know you are going to love. I highly encourage adding greens to your smoothie bags because I'm all about eating more vegetables and I love green smoothies. If you aren't ready to try that yet, you don't have to though!
When the craving hits add the contents of one bag and one cup of almond milk to the jar of your blender and blend until smooth. Easy! Healthy meal prep makes reaching your goals just one step closer and this little trick is going to become a staple in your house!
What is the Formula to a Great Smoothie Bag?
1-2 cups greens: Swiss chard, kale, and spinach are my go-to greens. If you can get the small "baby" versions of these greens they'll be more tender and mild. Baby spinach is the mildest of them all and if you are new to the green smoothie game I'd start with a little of that first.
1-2 cups fruit: I put at least a half of banana in every smoothie bag because bananas are sweet and they add a really great creamy texture. I think every smoothie needs a banana! After that, you are free to use what you have, what is in season, and what is on sale.
Extras: Here are a few things that you might want to add to your smoothie freezer bags for added health and/or flavor benefits: Nut butter, chia seeds, hemp seed hearts, half an avocado, cacao nibs, flax seed, raw shelled nuts, spirulina, honey, greek yogurt, or maple syrup. I normally add a few tablespoons of assorted extras.
Milk for blending: I use Almond Breeze almond milk for blending and it's delicious. If you are new to smoothies I would get the vanilla flavored Almond Breeze because it is lightly sweetened and makes the smoothie sweeter. I enjoy the unsweetened Almond Breeze Almond Milk and at 60 calories per cup, its a vitamin and mineral-packed punch without adding too many calories. Just about any milk/liquid will work if needed.
How Can I Make the Smoothies Easier to Blend?
When chopping up fruits and veggies for the smoothie, smaller pieces are easier to blend. You can also leave out any thick stems, peels, skins, and anything else that may make it harder to blend together. The last way is to add more liquid to thin out the smoothie. A little more milk makes it much easier.
How Can Smoothie Packs Help With Meal Prep?
You can prep a whole bunch of smoothie freezer bags at once and the work is all done. I normally make 6-8 at a time. Make the mess once, enjoy for days. It's amazing how many more times I'll go for a smoothie for breakfast or a snack because the work is already done. Convenience is so powerful (and handy!)
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Frozen Smoothie Packs (the easiest smoothies ever!)
- Total Time: 6 min
- Yield: 1 smoothie 1x
Description
Freezer Smoothie Bags make smoothies so easy when you already have everything portioned out and frozen. Just add almond milk and you're done! This smoothie recipe is the best make-ahead breakfast for the upcoming week!
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups greens
- 1 cup fruit
- Extras (hemp seed hearts, chia seeds, cacoa nibs, flaxseed)
- 1 cup Almond Breeze almond milk
Instructions
- Add all of the smoothie ingredients to a bag, close, and freeze (see post for details, tips, and tricks).
- When you are ready to make a smoothie add the contents of one freezer smoothie bag plus 1 cup almond milk to the jar of you blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy right away.
Notes
- It's the perfect way to use up fruits or vegetables before they get old. Did you buy a big bag of greens and they are starting to get a little old? Normally half that bag would slowly turn to slime in the vegetable drawer, but this way you can use it! Make a whole bunch of freezer smoothie bags before your greens get old. The same thing goes for old bananas... the ones that are starting to get old taste extra sweet in a smoothie. I waste so much less now that I make these bags!
- The smoothies taste better because they are extra cold because everything is frozen.
- You don't have to have a high-powered blender to enjoy these (though they are wonderful...). Just cut your smoothie ingredients into smaller pieces for easier blending! I'd keep most pieces under an inch square in size if using a traditional blender.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 1 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: smoothie recipes, green smoothie recipes, frozen smoothie recipe, vegetable smoothie recipe, fruit smoothie recipe, healthy smoothie recipe, make ahead breakfast recipe
Some Possible Smoothie Combinations
More Smoothie Recipes to Try:
- Orange Pineapple Banana Smoothie
- Workout Recovery Smoothie
- 8 Simple Smoothie Recipes to Liven Up Your Day
- Healthy Pumpkin Protein Smoothie
- Healthy Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie
- Postpartum Recovery Smoothie
- Healthy Key Lime Pie Smoothie
- Cold Killer Smoothie
- Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie (no weird powder needed)
- Sour Cherry and Pomegranate Detox Smoothie
- Clean and Healthy Tropical Smoothie
This post was originally published in 2016 and has been updated in July 2019.
Make yourself a week's worth of Frozen Smoothie Packs for the easiest and most convenient way to have a cold drink with vegetables hidden inside. Add almond milk and you're done!
Tea
Melissa ...thank you for such a great idea about making smoothie bags. I've recently frozen fruit in large bags then picked out what i want in the smoothie. But your way sounds so much better. I try maing my smoothie for lunch ...so i wont be tempted to eat to much bread. It seems to help keep me satisfied till dinner. Thank you for your smoothie recipe book...can't wait to try some of them!
Lauren Deegan
At first the whole thing looked too daunting but I loved how it turned out. Not only was the work way easier, I knew what was in it and knowing how much healthy stuff I was drinking just made me happier. Thank you for this.
Carly Kay
I blend a big batch of smoothies and pour into Ball brand re-washable freezer "jars and stack them in the freezer. Get them out of the freezer in the morning and by mid morning or lunch - they are ready to drink! Grab and go and no wasted baggies...a bit more "green".
Beka
I'm going to do this! I always seem to have half a bag of spinach leftover and it gets wasted. Plus I hate taking the time to put together a smoothie every time the kids ask for one. Thanks! Is that your hand in the video? If so, I NEED to know what color that nail polish is 😀
Melissa
Indeed friend! I'll be honest friend, that nail polish was one I wouldn't have picked. My 4 year old gave it to me for my birthday and insisted on painting my nails that day. I actually really like it now though. It's from our store! I should send you a bottle 🙂
Amy
Yummy! What great ideas thanks! ? ?
L
I have thought about doing this before, but I was wondering if it was safe to put uncooked greens in the freezer. Any idea where to look this up?
Melissa
Ok, I did some digging and most people don't recommend it because of texture changes (aka it turns to green slime when you thaw it). I think if it's safe to eat it raw then it would be safe to eat it frozen, I can't think of any risk associated with it at all.
L
Ok, thanks for taking the time to look it up for me!
AnnaBanana
I LOVE green smoothies, although I've been too chicken to add anything but spinach. I was assured romaine would work once and tried it, and it just DID NOT agree with me.
This is a great idea, but I have a question. I tried adding frozen spinach to my smoothie once and it tasted nasty unpleasant, whereas I have never had that problem with fresh spinach. Do you think this is because I didn't freeze my own spinach and just used the prebagged store spinach? I already add everything to my smoothie freezer bags EXCEPT the liquid and spinach...having the frozen spinach be as palatable as fresh would take out that extra step...would be nice.
Melissa
Did you add just normal frozen spinach (that comes in the block from the store?) or fresh spinach that you froze? The frozen spinach from the store has been blanched and that cooking process does make it yucky in smoothies. I think you should try this method because I promise you'll love it! I just used the prebagged raw store spinach for these smoothies and it's great. Let me know if you try it!
deb c
I really dislike pulling out my blender often, making my smoothie, then having to wash the said blender. What has helped me...... I make up a bunch of smoothies, pour them into wide mouth pint jars, leaving an inch of headroom. I place the jars in the freezer with the band fairly loose just in case there is any excess expansion from freezing. The next day, I will tighten the bands down. I usually have two previously frozen smoothies in the fridge at all times. Most of the time, I add a wee bit more milk or water before drinking and give it a good shaking. A cold smoothie at my finger tips, although not slushy. Drink one, pull one from the freezer. I have read they are good for approx 3 days in the fridge. Now, when I don't have enough stuff for a batch session, I will baggy up...thanks for the idea!
Melissa
That's such a great idea! I want to try this for quick mornings on the run! When it comes to my blender I just add a little water to the bottom of the jar once I pour out my smoothie, pop it back on the base and let it blend for a little bit. It swishes the water around really well then I give it all a quick rinse and let it dry. I rarely wash it with soap and water because it just doesn't need it! If I wait and let my smoothie dry on the edges though it horrible to clean!
Colleen Flanigan
I make these frequently -freeze the banana but never thought of freezing the whole thing--so much easier, Thank you so much for this!
Laina Turner
I love smoothies and for the last few months have been making at least 1 a day. Thanks for sharing. I now have some new ideas.