How to Freeze Fruit for Smoothies

Strawberries freeze well.

A homemade smoothie is a nutritious and cost-effective breakfast or snack. Some are made with yogurt, others are made with juice or protein powders. The common denominator in any smoothie is fruit. Making one is even easier when fruit is ready for the blender. Some fruits freeze better than others; strawberries, blueberries and peaches are especially cooperative, while bananas tend to discolor.

Things You'll Need

• Large baking sheet

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the fruit. Whether you purchase the fruit at a farmer's market, grocer or fruit stand or pick it from your own backyard, it needs to be rinsed with cold water and allowed to dry. The less water that remains on the fruit when it goes into the freezer, the less ice will form on its surface.

2. Prepare fruit the way you like it in your smoothie. Peaches need to be peeled and sliced; pineapple needs to be diced, sliced or cut into chunks; and cherries should be pitted.

3. Spread the prepared fruit on the baking sheet in a single layer and place it in the freezer. When the fruit is frozen, remove it from the freezer and place the pieces in plastic freezer bags or plastic storage containers. Return the fruit to the freezer to be used as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Some fruits, such as bananas, apples and pears, tend to discolor when frozen, but the flavor remains the same. Tossing prepared fruit with lemon juice may prevent browning.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: How to Prepare Fruits for Freezing
• Help With Cooking: Dry-freezing