Life can get hectic. We all have those weeks when the only way to make it through the day is with a drink in hand. (No…not that kind of drink!) I’m talking about cool, quick, refreshing smoothie recipes. Smoothies are an easy way to pack in a speedy and nutritious breakfast before you take on the day. And when you really want to put your morning routine into hyperdrive, a little prep work in advance can make this easy meal even easier.
Can you make smoothies ahead of time?
Yes! And it’s super simple. You’ll only need to set aside about 30 minutes to meal prep smoothies for the entire week. Before you begin, stock up on fruit and all of your favorite smoothie toppings. (Looking at you, chia seeds!)
How to Meal Prep Smoothies
Step 1: Grab a few zip-top bags
Set aside time on a Sunday afternoon to make individual smoothie packs. To get started, grab a pack of sandwich-sized resealable plastic bags that are freezer-safe.
Editor’s Tip: I like to label each with the type of fruit and date. This keeps the freezer organized and, more importantly, keeps me from playing the guessing game with food expiration dates. Psst! Here’s how long fresh produce really lasts.
Step 2: Load in fresh produce
Next, load in your favorite fruits and vegetables. Berries, bananas and stone fruit are freezer-friendly and taste great in smoothies, but don’t be afraid to experiment with greens like spinach, too. (Here’s a complete list of summer produce you can freeze.) I like to measure a cup of each fruit and place in the freezer bags. Of course, you can buy already-frozen fruit and use that in your individual bags, too.
Step 3: Freeze
Place each carefully labeled bag in the freezer and give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve got breakfast (or a healthy snack) for the entire week! Looking for more breakfast inspiration? Explore our most surprising smoothie add-ins.
Step 4: Add liquid and blend
When ready to enjoy your smoothie, just grab a fruity freezer pack and dump it in the blender. Add a cup or so of your favorite juice, yogurt or milk, and blend. Simply pour your finished smoothie into a travel mug or mason jar—and go!
Editor’s Tip: Control the consistency of your smoothie by adding more or less liquid. Extra juice or milk will give your drink a straw-friendly consistency.
5 Make-Ahead Smoothie Recipes
Need some recipe ideas? Try one of these tasty smoothie blends!
1. Berry Smoothie
Place in a make-ahead freezer bag:
- 1 cup unsweetened strawberries
- 1 cup unsweetened raspberries
Add to the blender to prepare:
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup ice
2. Nutty Banana
Place in a make-ahead freezer bag:
- 1 banana
Add to the blender to prepare:
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup coconut water
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
3. Peaches & Cream
Place in a make-ahead freezer bag:
- 2 cups peaches
Add to the blender to prepare:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- a splash of vanilla extract
- dash of cinnamon
4. Orange Cooler
Place in a make-ahead freezer bag:
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 banana
Add to the blender to prepare:
- 1 cup orange juice
Editor’s Tip: For an extra kick of flavor add a dash of turmeric.
5. Cafe Frappe
Place in a make-ahead freezer bag:
- 4-6 cubes frozen coffee
Add to the blender to prepare:
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk or your favorite flavored coffee creamer
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
- Splash of vanilla
Editor’s Tip: For frozen coffee, I like to pour my leftover, room temperature coffee into ice cube trays and freeze for later use.
