How to Freeze Fruit for Smoothies and Desserts

Nothing beats the taste of summer strawberries or ripe peaches, but their window of freshness is short. Learning to freeze fruit properly not only saves you money on expensive grocery store bags but also lets you lock in nutrients at peak ripeness.

If you have ever frozen a bag of berries and ended up with a solid, unbreakable block of ice, you skipped the most important step: Flash Freezing.

The Secret: Flash Freezing

This is the single most important technique for freezing produce.

1. Wash and Dry: Rinse your fruit and, this is crucial, dry it completely. Water creates ice crystals and clumps.
2. Spread: Lay the fruit in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Do not let the pieces touch.
3. Freeze: Place the tray in the freezer for 2-3 hours until the fruit is solid hard.
4. Transfer: Now that they are individually frozen, you can dump them all into a ziplock bag or container. They will remain loose, allowing you to grab just a handful when needed.

Prep Tips by Fruit Type

Different fruits need different prep before they hit the cold.

• Berries: Leave whole. Hull strawberries if you want.
• Bananas: Peel them first! You cannot peel a frozen banana easily. Freeze them whole for baking or sliced coins for freezer smoothie prep.
• Stone Fruit (Peaches, Mangoes): Peel (optional for peaches), pit, and slice.
• Apples/Pears: These tend to brown. Toss slices in a little lemon water before drying and freezing.

Smoothie Prep Packs

Streamline your mornings by building "ready-to-blend" packs.

• Take a freezer bag/jar.
• Add your serving of pre-frozen fruit.
• Add greens (spinach/kale).
• Add protein powder or seeds.
• Freeze the whole kit. When you wake up, just dump it in the blender, add liquid, and blend.

How Long Does It Last?

Frozen fruit is best used within 8 to 12 months. After that, it is still safe to eat but might develop ice crystals (freezer burn) which can affect the taste.

Whether you are making a January smoothie or a mid-winter cobbler, your freezer is the best way to preserve nature's candy.