How do you blend frozen fruit in a Vitamix?

Blending frozen fruit into delicious smoothies, ice creams, and other frozen treats is easy with a powerful Vitamix blender. Vitamix blenders are designed to handle frozen ingredients without any problems. Their strong, hardened stainless steel blades can crush through ice and frozen fruit with ease. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to blend frozen fruit in your Vitamix like a pro.

Benefits of Blending Frozen Fruit

Blending frozen fruit has many advantages over using fresh fruit:

  • Convenience – Frozen fruit lasts much longer than fresh. Keep a stash of frozen berries, bananas, mangos and more on hand for whenever a smoothie craving strikes.
  • Consistency – Frozen ingredients thicken up blended drinks for a creamy, frosty texture.
  • Chilling effect – Using frozen fruit makes drinks extra cold and refreshing without having to add ice.
  • Flavor – Freezing can intensify fruit flavor, making smoothies, ice creams, etc. more tasty.
  • Nutrition – Frozen fruit maintains most nutrients as it was frozen at peak ripeness. The cold also slows vitamin and antioxidant breakdown.

Tips for Blending Frozen Fruit

Here are some tips to follow for best results when using frozen fruit in your Vitamix:

1. Use Fruit that is Fully Frozen

For the smoothest texture, be sure your fruit is solidly frozen before adding it to the Vitamix. Fruit that is even partially thawed will throw off the consistency and lead to a chunkier blend. Spread fruit pieces in a single layer on a tray and freeze overnight or for at least 12 hours before using.

2. Cut Large Fruit into Smaller Pieces

When freezing bananas, mangos, peaches, and other large fruits, cut them into 1-2 inch pieces first. Blending smaller frozen fruit pieces will help them puree more smoothly. Leaving fruit in large chunks can risk damaging your blender.

3. Add Liquid to Aid Blending

Adding some liquid helpsfrozen ingredients blend more easily in a Vitamix. Good options include fruit juice, plant-based milk, coconut water, or even just water. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 cup liquid and add more as needed.

4. Use the Tamper to Push Ingredients Down

Vitamix blenders come with a tamper for a reason – use it! The tamper helps press frozen fruit against the blades. This prevents cavitation, where ingredients circle around the jar instead of blending.

5. Blend on High Speed

Don’t be afraid to crank up the dial when blending frozen ingredients! The Vitamix blades can handle high speeds even with frozen fruits and veggies. Start on variable 1 and gradually increase to variable 10 for the smoothest texture.

6. Blend in Stages

For really tough frozen mixtures, blend in stages. First blend the frozen items with some liquid on high until finely chopped. Then add any other ingredients and continue blending until fully smooth.

7. Soak Dried Fruit Before Freezing

If using dried fruit, like dates, soak it in water for 30 minutes before freezing. This prevents it from turning into rock-hard chunks that can damage the Vitamix blades.

How to Freeze Fruit for Blending

Now that we’ve covered tips for blending, let’s discuss the best ways to freeze fruit to set yourself up for success:

Bananas

Peel bananas and cut into 1-2 inch slices. Place pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Once frozen solid, transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. Bananas are now ready to blend into smoothies, ice cream, and more.

Berries

Spread berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in one layer on a sheet tray. Freeze until firm, then transfer to freezer bags. For larger berries like strawberries, hull and slice them before freezing.

Mangos

Peel and cut mangos into 1-inch cubes or slices. Place on a parchment-lined tray in a single layer and freeze. Once frozen, you can store mango pieces in a freezer bag.

Pineapple

Cut pineapple into 1-2 inch chunks. Spread on a baking sheet and freeze. For easy blending, do not freeze pineapple chunks on a skewer. Store frozen pineapple pieces in a freezer bag.

Peaches

Peel peaches and cut into wedges or slices about 1 inch thick. Arrange in one layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Transfer frozen peaches to a freezer bag once solidly frozen.

Favorite Frozen Fruit Blend Recipes

Now for the fun part – here are some delicious frozen fruit blend recipes to try in your Vitamix!

Triple Berry Smoothie Bowl

This vibrant smoothie bowl is bursting with mixed berries. Top with your favorite crunchy granola, coconut, nuts, or seeds for texture.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1 banana, frozen
  • 1 cup almond milk

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to Vitamix container in order listed.
  2. Secure lid and set dial to variable 1.
  3. Turn Vitamix on and slowly increase speed to variable 10.
  4. Blend for 60-90 seconds, until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour into a bowl and top with desired crunchy toppings.

Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Escape to the tropics with this fruity mango pineapple smoothie. It’s super refreshing!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup coconut water

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to the Vitamix in the order listed.
  2. Lock the lid in place and set variable to 1.
  3. Turn on Vitamix, slowly increasing dial to variable 10.
  4. Blend for 75-90 seconds until smooth.
  5. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Mixed Berry Vegan Soft Serve

This dairy-free soft serve is unbelievably creamy thanks to frozen bananas. Top with fresh berries for a pop of color.

Ingredients:

  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup plant-based milk
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in Vitamix container in order listed.
  2. Secure lid tightly and set variable speed to 1.
  3. Turn Vitamix on and slowly ramp up dial to 10.
  4. Blend for 60-90 seconds until mixture is smooth and creamy.
  5. Enjoy immediately as soft serve, adding fresh berries if desired.

Blueberry Peach Pear Smoothie

The combination of blueberries, peaches, and pears makes this smoothie a stone fruit lover’s dream. It’s naturally sweetened too.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup frozen peach slices
  • 1 frozen pear, sliced
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to Vitamix in order listed.
  2. Lock lid in place and turn dial to variable 1.
  3. Gradually increase speed to variable 10 as machine runs.
  4. Blend for 75-90 seconds until consistency is smooth.
  5. Enjoy chilled or over ice if desired.

Potential Problems and Troubleshooting

While Vitamix blenders are excellent for handling frozen ingredients, you may occasionally run into an issue. Here’s how to troubleshoot problems:

Frozen Mixture Won’t Turn Over

If ingredients are stuck on the sides and not blending, try adding more liquid. The additional liquid gives the frozen fruits and veg more room to move around for even blending.

Overheating Motor

Blending thick frozen mixtures causes friction that can heat up and strain the motor. Avoid overheating by not running the Vitamix for more than 2-3 minutes at a time. Let it rest for a few minutes before resuming blending.

Chunky or Icy Texture

If drinks and bowls end up chunky or icy, try re-blending with smaller frozen pieces. Also gradually increase speed from low to high over 60-90 seconds for the best consistency.

Fruit Gets Stuck Under Blades

Use the tamper to push frozen fruit against the blades if pieces get stuck underneath. Adding more liquid will also help ingredients circulate. Avoid packing the container too full.

Maintenance Tips for Blending Frozen

Blending frozen items does put some extra wear and tear on your machine. Keep your Vitamix running smoothly with proper cleaning and maintenance:

  • Rinse blade assembly and container with hot water after each frozen blend to wash away residue.
  • Occasionally sanitize the container by blending a cleaning mixture on high speed for 60 seconds: 1 cup hot water + 1-2 drops dish soap.
  • Check blade assembly regularly for nicks or dullness. Sharpen or replace blades as needed.
  • Lubricate gasket with food-grade silicon grease to prevent leaks.
  • Tighten container base regularly to ensure a tight seal.

Following these tips will help keep your Vitamix in top shape for frozen blending!

Conclusion

Thanks to their aircraft-grade stainless steel blades and powerful motors, Vitamix blenders make quick work of frozen fruit, turning it into refreshing smoothies, creamy soft serve, and more. Use fully frozen fruit in smaller pieces and add liquid to aid blending. Don’t be afraid to crank up the speed and employ the tamper when needed. With the proper techniques, you’ll be whipping up all kinds of delicious frozen fruit creations in your Vitamix.

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