Having a few DIY freezer smoothie packs on hand helps make these Floridian summers a bit more tolerable. Not only are these smoothie packs super convenient, they’re extremely inexpensive and allow you to make a smoothie in under two minutes. How’s that for a triple threat?
Just dump the contents of the smoothie pack into your magic bullet, add water (or milk) and you’re good to go!
Update: I make these even cheaper by making my own yogurt! I show you how I easily make my own homemade crockpot yogurt in this post.
These smoothie packets are low in calories as well, so they make a great breakfast or lunch for those of us that are trying to have a healthier early meal. When using these freezer smoothie packets to stand in for a meal, I like to pulse some oats in the Magic Bullet for a few seconds and use coconut milk rather than water just to make it more satisfying.
I was able to create 14 smoothie packets and only spend about $8.25 for all of the ingredients. I’ll admit, the packets are on the small side, but I find them perfectly satisfying as-is or with the addition of ground oats to thicken them up (or just use more fruit!).
I added peanut butter to a few of the packets but chose to omit that from the cost since I only added it to a few packets and this was experimental. Verdict = I like the PB with Strawberry/Banana. My husband? Not so much. So if you decide to try it, YMMV.
Ingredients:
Note: This is just what I chose to go with. Use whichever fruits you’d like!
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Vanilla Yogurt (Big Tub)
Tools:
- Ziploc snack bags
- Quart size freezer bags
- Parchment paper/wax paper/aluminum foil (choose whichever you’d like)
- Ice cube trays
Step 1:
Slice and Dice your fruit.
Step 2:
Line your freezer with parchment paper (or foil/wax paper) and place your fruit in an even layer. I simply lined my freezer since it was large enough to do this. If yours is smaller you may want to use a baking sheet or several smaller plates. Let them freeze for at least 2 to 3 hours.
Step 3:
Spoon the yogurt into ice cube trays and place in the freezer along with the fruit. I recommend leaving them in there for at least four hours; I only left them in for two and it made things pretty messy.
Step 4:
Put it all together! Place the frozen fruit and yogurt cubes into the snack bags. Each bag contained banana + yogurt, but I varied the strawberries and peaches per pack to create different flavors.
I placed the smoothie packs into a quart sized freezer bag in order to avoid freezer burn. You’ll be able to fit four smoothie packs in one quart sized bag.
I love making these freezer smoothie packs! They’re simple, smart, frugal and save so much money over time! Please let me know if you make them. I’d love to hear what flavors you try!
Need more freezer cooking ideas? Once a Month Meals has lots of ready-to-go freezer menu plans (Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Paleo, Instant Pot and more) and lets you customize your own menu plan.
Jazmin,
Great tutorial! I had to laugh when I read how long to freeze the fruit! I pinned it.
LOL Thanks! It’s a fabulous method of making sure it’s properly frozen. 😉 Thanks for visiting and pinning, Jann!
What an inspiration, I love frozen fruit, esp. smoothies. Looks perfect. Kathy
Thanks for stopping by, Kathy!
What a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Thanks, Cindy! Love the party!
Great idea! We make smoothies all the time, but typically I am out of an ingredient or 2 to make exactly what I want. It would be great to have it all on hand.
Thanks for sharing.
Sarah
http://www.creativeramblingsblog.com
It really does make having smoothies a painless process. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Hey! Love, love, love this idea! Thanks! And by the way, we are featuring this link up on the On Display Monday Link Party! Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Danielle!!!
Great idea! I really need to do this because I want to include more smoothies in my world but never get around to it. Thanks for sharing at I Made It! Monday. Can’t wait to see what you link up this week.
Thanks for stopping by, Amanda. Doing it all in one shot definitely makes smoothie making a lot easier!
Found this on the Frugally Sustainable blog hop. This is such a smart idea – my bananas always get overripe by the end of the week. I also hate making one huge smoothie and then leaving it in a pitcher in the fridge. The ingredients always separate by the end of the week. This is so much smarter!
Thanks for stopping by, Jill!
love this what a great idea for busy families on the go
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Thank so much, Angie!
Love this idea!!! So convenient to have everything ready!
Great tips and tutorial! I’m a smoothie junkie myself and this will save tons of time and money. I do add spinach to my smoothies for the extra nutrients.
Katie @thecasualcraftlete.com
These are great little treats to have around-I could probably eat about 10 myself! love it… (Sharon)
Just wanted to give a big thank you for sharing at the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT.
Sharon and Denise ♥
Fashion | Food | Beauty | Out & About and Morning Coffee articles
Great idea! I haven’t really gotten into smoothies yet, but I bet I would do it if I was this prepared!
We’d love for you to share this at Tips and Tricks Tuesday with us! It’s a place for people to share and seek out advice related to healthy living and weight loss. Love to see you there!
Kristin
Exploringdomesticity.blogspot.com
Quick question, do you think I could use vanilla pudding??? lol My husband “knows” it has yogurt in it and is freaking out without giving it a try… lol thanks!!!
Love it, I have made them individual , this is quick and easy. To add more protein, try non fat dry milk, flax seed.
For reference, how much did each of your packs make?
Each packet makes one serving (I make it in the single-serve magic bullet cups). The ounces will depend on how much milk/ice you add.
food for thought make it even easier and skip the ice trays put 1 icecream scoops of yogurt in the corner of each ziplock bag . freeze and re open to place your fruit in the empy side
I love this idea…no fruit goes to waste!! I also add blueberries to some of the packets, and am going to experiment by adding orange juice cubes to the strawberry/banana packets.
Oh adding orange juice sounds like a great idea!!
I’m new to the smoothies so I was wondering if you could tell me how much fruit and liquid you use for each package. Thanks :0)
How did you use the left over whey from the yogurt? I see you use the actual yogurt you made but what do you use the whey for? Slightly confused but excited to make my own yogurt. Thanks!
Whey can be added to bread to make it taste good and add nutrients, my step dad puts it in his breakfast oats, and you could add it to a smoothie for extra nutrients.
Thanks for the tips! 🙂
I love smoothie packs! We started doing this about a year ago. If we leave the blender right on the counter and wash it out right away so it’s ready to go for the next day it makes such an easy breakfast!
This is pure genius! I can’t wait to do this. Expecially because my husband is starting collage and a new job this week and I need some fast, easy breakfasts. Thanks a ton!
Thanks! 🙂
Blueberry peach and strawberry peach are also great flavors. I also add oatmeal and ground flaxseed. Seems to keep me full longer. And homade vanilla and/or almond extract for flavor,
I was looking for breakfast on the run a while ago, but I was having a problem with smoothies causing me to have to pee more. Not good on a long commute. I solved that problem, when I started adding protein powder. I usually use non-whey and non-soy protein as directed on the package and more of whatever liquid you’re using, usually almond or coconut milk
I haven’t tried making packets, yet, but I’m looking forward to it when the weather gets warmer.
Thank you very much 🙂
Hi- can you explain why the ingredients have to be frozen individually before assembling the packets?
Otherwise you open the bag to blend it and its just one frozen block of ingredients that won’t blend well. With them frozen separately they stay easy to break apart if they get stuck together and can be blended with more ease.