It’s safe to say smoothies are one of the easiest and tastiest breakfast options for busy mornings. They’re easy to customize, simple to prepare, and taste like dessert for breakfast! Plus, you can fill them full of good-for-you nutrients that will keep you feeling energized and satiated, all the while supporting your health and fitness goals. What’s not to love? On average, making a smoothie takes no more than 5-10 minutes. All you have to do is prep your fruit and veggies, toss in some superfoods or add-ins (like nut butter, protein powder, or chia seeds), and blend it up with ice and your favorite liquid. Simple! That said, we know you’re busy. So, we’re always looking for ways to support you and make your life even easier. Enter: make-ahead smoothie packs. The ultimate meal-prep trick that will save you time, money, and stress!
You’re probably most familiar with store-bought smoothie brands that offer subscriptions or in-store options. And while there are some (super) yummy (and incredibly healthy) options on the market, they’re also pretty pricey. Although the convenience factor and nutrient-dense ingredients can make it a worthwhile splurge, you can easily prep your own for a fraction of the cost! Plus, this will allow you to customize your blends with your favorite nutrients and ingredients. AND the whole process is so simple! Maybe 30 minutes (an hour at most), from start to finish!
We’ll walk you through the whole process — including what ingredients you’ll need, simple and tasty recipes, and how to store your blends. Read on for all you need to know!
How to Make a Smoothie Pack
Step #1: Gather Your Equipment
While the process is simple, you’ll need a few things to get started! Here’s some of the equipment we recommend:
Freezer-safe bags: Plain old Ziploc bags will do the trick! If you’re able to choose something more sustainable, even better! We recommend Stasher bags, but this could be any silicone bag.
High-speed blender: Such as a Vitamix or Ninja
Silicone ice cube tray: This silicone tray comes with a lid and holds about 2 tbsp per cube
Step #2: Prep Your Ingredients
Before you assemble your smoothie packs, there are a few ingredients that require a little extra prep work.
If you plan to use any liquids, purees, or nut butters, it’s best to pre-portion and freeze these ingredients using a silicone ice cube tray. This will prevent any spills or leakages and make for a mess-free experience when it comes time to blend!
Here are some things we recommend pre-portioning out and freezing into cubes:
- Coconut milk or cream
- Any non-dairy milk or liquids
- Greek or non-dairy yogurt
- Honey
- Pumpkin puree
- Any nut or seed butters
When it comes to produce, you can opt for fresh or frozen! If your produce is fresh, you’ll need to prep your ingredients by thoroughly washing, drying, and chopping. To prevent fresh fruits and vegetables from clumping together in the smoothie packs, you may want to slightly freeze them first. You can do this by laying the individual ingredients flat on a baking tray and freezing for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step #3: Portion Your Packs
It’s time to portion your packs! First, you’ll want to determine your portion size (i.e. will this be for one person or two). Based on that, you’ll simply add your ingredients into your freezer-safe bag, including everything but the blending liquid. Add any additional pre-frozen cubes (such as nut butter or coconut milk) before sealing.
Step #4: Label and Freeze
To avoid any unnecessary confusion, it’s best to label your bag and include the date, recipe, and serving size. Once your freezer bag is free of air and tightly sealed, it’s ready to be frozen! Your pack should last 3 months in the freezer.
Step #5: Blend & Enjoy
Ready to make your smoothie? Simply add the contents of your pre-prepped smoothie bag to a blender along with liquid to blend. If desired, you may add any additional fresh or dry add-ins, such as protein powder, yogurt, or fresh nut butter. Blend until smooth, adding enough liquid to achieve desired consistency. Serve and enjoy!
Make-Ahead Smoothie Base Recipe
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 – 1 ½ cups fruit of choice
- 1 ½ – 2 cups greens of choice
- ½ – 1 ½ cups liquid of choice (to blend)
Optional fresh or frozen add-ins:
- Such as yogurt, hemp or chia seeds, nut butter, protein powder, etc.
12 Easy-Prep Smoothie Packs for Busy Mornings
#1 Taste of the Tropics Smoothie
Everything you love about a pina colada made into a healthy, ‘ready-in-minutes’ smoothie. Loaded with vitamin C and anti-inflammatory bromelain for a belly-soothing blend.
Ingredients:
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 tbsp coconut flakes
- 1 almond butter or full-fat coconut milk ice cube
- 1 cup almond or coconut milk, to blend
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk as the base to blend.
#2 Green Dream Smoothie
The perfect combination of sweet, tart, and delicious! This light and refreshing make-ahead smoothie pack is perfect when you want something with greens but don’t want to taste them. Blend it up with coconut water for a sweeter, more hydrating option. Craving something creamy? Opt for unsweetened almond milk as your blending base!
Ingredients:
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen pineapple or mango
- 1-inch knob ginger
- 1 cup kale, chopped and de-stemmed
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup coconut water or unsweetened almond milk as the blending base.
#3 PB&J Smoothie
Who needs a PB&J sandwich when you can have a PB&J smoothie? Made with frozen strawberries, spinach, banana, and peanut butter, this satiating blend will satisfy both your sweet and savory cravings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 cup strawberries
- ¼ cup raspberries
- ½ banana
- 2 frozen peanut butter cubes (or 2 tbsp peanut butter)
- 1 Medjool date, pitted (optional, if you enjoy a sweeter blend)
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk or oat milk as the blending base.
#4 Peaches & Cream Smoothie
Summer peaches were made for this smoothie. Made with protein-rich Greek yogurt, cinnamon, oats, and juicy peaches, it’s irresistibly creamy and tastes like dessert for breakfast. Looking for a dairy-free alternative? Swap the Greek yogurt for a full-fat non-dairy alternative like coconut or cashew!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 cup frozen peaches
- ¼ cup rolled oats (or frozen banana)
- 1 tsp honey (added fresh) or ½ frozen honey ice cube
- ¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base.
#5 Blueberry Oatmeal Pie Smoothie
Think: Grandma’s blueberry pie, made into a refreshing, melt-in-your-mouth smoothie. This delicious make-ahead smoothie pack is loaded with antioxidants, full of fiber, and low in sugar! Swap Greek yogurt for a plant-based alternative or sub it out for extra nut butter cubes (like creamy cashew butter).
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- 3 Greek yogurt smoothie cubes
- 1 cashew butter smoothie cube
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 cup spinach (optional)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base.
#6 Berries & Greens Smoothie
Berries + Greens is a classic blend that’s packed with good-for-you nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, and potassium. Blend it up with your favorite non-dairy liquid and feel free to add in any dry ingredients when blending, such as protein powder or superfoods!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups mixed berries
- 1 ½ cups chopped spinach
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 tbsp almond butter (optional)
- 1 tbsp flax, chia, or hemp seeds
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base.
#7 Cookie Dough Delight Smoothie
Craving ice cream but want to keep it healthy? This make-ahead smoothie pack is just what you need! Ready in minutes, curb your sweet tooth without splurging on calories and sugar. Rich in protein and full of healthy fats, stay satiated and satisfied!
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 2 frozen cashew butter cubes (or two tbsp cashew butter)
- ¼ cup oats
- 1-2 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 tbsp dairy-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- Sprinkle of sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional (added when blending)
To blend: follow the above directions, using ½ – 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base. Hint: the creamier your liquid, the better! For a thicker consistency, blend with less liquid.
#8 Spinach & Mint Chip Smoothie
This cooling mint chip smoothie – loaded with potassium, magnesium, and iron – features sneaky greens in the form of tasteless spinach. Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dessert as a lightened-up alternative to mint chip ice cream or froyo!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 ½ cups frozen banana
- 1 tbsp cashew butter
- 1 pitted Medjool date or ¼ ripe avocado
- ¼ tsp mint extract or 1-2 mint leaves
- 2-4 tbsp cacao nibs or dairy-free chocolate chips
To blend: follow the above directions, using ½ – 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk as the blending base.
#9 Almond Acai Smoothie
Berries + acai + greens combine for a nutrient-dense power-house blend. For a smoothie bowl-like consistency, blend with less liquid! Top it with granola or a handful of nuts and seeds for an added crunch.
- 1 packet of unsweetened acai puree
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup berries of choice
- 1-2 almond butter ice cubes or 1-2 tbsp fresh almond butter
- 1 cup frozen spinach or kale
- 1 tbsp flax, hemp, or chia
To blend: follow the above directions, using ½ – 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base.
#10 Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Packed with magnesium, plant-based protein, and healthy carbs, this make-ahead healthy smoothie is the perfect post-workout recovery blend!
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1-2 tbsp cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 frozen peanut butter cube (or 1 tbsp peanut butter)
- 1 cup chopped spinach, optional
- 1 pitted date (or 1 additional tbsp of peanut butter)
To blend: follow the above directions, using ½ – 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base.
#11 Mango & Greens Smoothie
Simple, but oh so satisfying! This 4-ingredient Mango & Greens smoothie is light and refreshing, plus it’s loaded with nutrients. Blend it up with coconut water for a tropical twist or non-dairy milk for a creamier indulgence!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mango
- 1 ½ cups spinach
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp hemp or chia seeds
To blend: follow the above directions, using 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk as the blending base.
#12 Carrot Cake Smoothie
Made with carrots, banana, pineapple, and loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals for a guilt-free summer indulgence. Enjoy it as a tasty dessert, nourishing breakfast, or nutrient-dense post-workout treat!
Ingredients:
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup pineapple
- 1-2 Greek yogurt cubes (or ¼ cup fresh Greek yogurt)
- 1 almond or cashew butter cube (or 1 tbsp almond or cashew butter)
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- Dash of cinnamon
- Dash nutmeg
To blend: follow the above directions, using ½ – 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond, cashew milk, or oat milk as the blending base.
Prep, Blend, Sip, & Enjoy!
With a little prep work, you can have endless blends of smoothies ready to be enjoyed within minutes! Whether you’re craving a dessert-like blend, a post-workout refuel, or something light and fruity, these yummy make-ahead smoothie packs will satisfy all your needs. Feel free to customize with any additional add-ins (during the freezing process or blending process), and of course, enjoy with any toppings of your choosing! Happy blending.
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