Fantastic Frozen Fruit Smoothies

Nothing says summer like fruit smoothies. But what’s better than a fruit smoothie? A frozen fruit smoothie. When it’s too hot to cook a meal, and sandwiches or salads aren’t appealing, try one of these delicious recipes. Not only will they cool you down, but you’ll get plenty of nutrients, too!

The following is an excerpt from The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook by Leah Webb. It has been adapted for the web.

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Smoothies don’t take an exorbitant amount of prep time, but the process can be streamlined by batch prepping and freezing. Start by preparing a double batch of whichever smoothie you prefer (your blender won’t likely hold more). Pour the contents into freezer-safe Mason jars. Look on the side of the jar and you’ll see a line that states, “for freezing.” Only fill the jar to this line, allowing headspace for expansion. Overfilling will cause the jars to break. You can stop after just one batch or continue prepping consecutive batches since the blender is already dirty. Smoothies can be stored in the freezer for up to one month, so prep as many smoothies in one session as you’d like, keeping in mind that freezer space will likely be limited.

Transfer the smoothie to the refrigerator 12 to 24 hours before you want to drink it. It may still be slightly frozen, but it should be ready for drinking after about an hour of sitting at room temperature. If you drink smoothies for breakfast, this would mean transferring the smoothie to the countertop immediately upon waking and drinking it after you’ve gotten ready for the day. Give it a good shake before drinking. The smoothie will be slightly more watery than before it was frozen, but the flavor still will be excellent and the convenience may be worth the trade-off.

You could also try freezing smoothies in kid-sized portions using reusable baby food pouches to send in packed lunches, but you’ll have to experiment to see if the smoothie thaws by lunchtime. It can even act as the ice pack to keep foods cool, but the quality of your insulated lunch bag will influence the rate at which the smoothie thaws.

Tropical Paradise Smoothie

This is a perfectly beautiful green smoothie that captures the bright flavors of a tropical island. Sweet tropical fruits are nicely complemented with tart limes and creamy bananas. Enjoy this smoothie on a hot day when a large, hot meal just doesn’t feel appetizing or when you want something cool and refreshing to curb your appetite.

• 2 small handfuls spinach
• 4 kale leaves
• 1 cup (120 g) frozen diced mango
• 1 cup (170 g) frozen diced pineapple
• 1 banana 2 cups (475 ml) coconut water
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Enjoy within 2 hours.

Batch Cooking and Leftovers: Best if consumed immediately or freeze for later.

My Favorite Mango Smoothie

I absolutely love the flavor of mango combined with just the right amount of sweetness from banana. While I enjoy all of the smoothie recipes in this book, this recipe is by far my favorite. I have even prepared it for a group of preschoolers whose parents were shocked that their child would ever drink such a thing! It’s a truly delicious green smoothie.

• 2 large handfuls spinach
• 2 cups (240 g) frozen diced mango
• 1 banana
• 6 tablespoons hemp hearts
• 2 cups (470 ml) Homemade Almond Milk

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Enjoy immediately.

Batch Cooking and Leftovers: Best if consumed immediately or freeze for later.

I most often buy frozen diced mangoes, but you can freeze your own by spreading the diced mango on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and freezing.

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

This simple smoothie is a great entry-level green drink for kids. The strong, familiar flavors of banana and peanut butter easily mask the flavor of spinach, making it nearly undetectable.

• 2 large handfuls spinach
• 2 bananas, sliced and frozen
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1¹⁄₂ cups (355 ml) Homemade Almond Milk

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Enjoy immediately.

Batch Cooking and Leftovers: Best consumed immediately or freeze for later.

Be sure to dice and freeze the bananas in advance. (I always have frozen bananas on hand.)

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