What’s the best thing to freeze smoothies in?

Smoothies make for a delicious and nutritious on-the-go breakfast or snack. The beauty of smoothies is that you can prep them in advance, which makes your mornings that much easier. But in order to enjoy smoothies throughout the week, you need to know the best vessel for freezing them.

Freezing smoothies allows you to batch prep multiple servings at once. This saves you time and lets you pull together customized smoothies using your frozen, pre-portioned ingredients. But not all containers are created equal when it comes to freezing smoothies.

The ideal smoothie freeze container should be airtight, freezer-safe, BPA-free, easy to stack, and portion-friendly. With the right freezer containers, you can whip up smoothie pops, cubes, and ready-to-blend bags so you can enjoy fresh, homemade smoothies whenever you want.

Plastic Containers

Plastic containers are a popular choice for freezing smoothies. However, not all plastics are created equal. You’ll want to choose plastic that is:

• BPA-free – BPA is a chemical found in some plastics that can leach into foods. Look for BPA-free plastic containers.
• Freezer-safe – Not all plastics can withstand freezing temps without cracking or warping. Opt for freezer-grade plastic.
• Airtight – A tight seal is crucial to prevent freezer burn and oxidation.
• Stackable – Stackable containers save freezer space.
• Portion-friendly – Look for pint, quart, or cup sizes that hold 1-2 servings.
• Durable – Choose thick, durable plastic that won’t easily crack when dropped.

Good Options

• Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers
• OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Containers
• Lock & Lock Easy Essentials Food Storage Containers

What to Avoid

• Cheap thin plastic that easily cracks
• Plastic containers not labeled as BPA-free
• Disposable plastic containers that aren’t reusable
• Containers with lids that aren’t airtight

Glass Containers

Glass is another great option for freezing smoothies. The pros of glass include:

• Non-porous surface won’t absorb stains and odors
• Naturally BPA-free
• Often clearer than plastic so you can easily see contents
• Long-lasting and durable if tempered/boro silicate glass

Good Options

• Ello Jane Glass Meal Prep Containers
• Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl Set
• Anchor Hocking Glass Storage Containers

What to Avoid

• Glass that is not labeled as tempered or boro silicate – this type of glass can shatter when frozen
• Glass containers with lids that don’t seal tightly
• Thin glass that easily cracks

Silicone Molds

Silicone molds are incredibly handy for freezing smoothies into fun shapes and individual portions. Here’s what to look for:

• Food-grade, BPA-free silicone
• Creative shapes like hearts, stars, cubes, etc.
• Small cavities for single serve smoothies
• Tight sealing when frozen
• Easy to pop out frozen smoothies

Good Options

• KitchInnovations Silicone Ice Cube Trays
• JOOVV Silicone Cupcake Molds
• Talisi silicone Ice Cube Trays

Reusable Pouches

Reusable pouches make it easy to freeze smoothies flat to save space. Look for:

• BPA-free and leakproof
• Dishwasher safe
• Clear view stripe to see contents
• Stand up pouch or zip top closure
• Portion-sized amounts

Good Options

• Ezeekiel E-Z Freeze Smoothie Pouches
• Helvetica Standard Smoothie Packs
• PlanetBox Reusable BPA-Free Pouches

Disposable Cups and Molds

You can also freeze smoothies in disposable paper cups or plastic molds. Pros include:

• Portable individual portions
• Grab and go ease
• No prep or cleanup

Good Options

• Dixie 12 oz Paper Cups
• Solo Plastic Souffle Cups
• Freeze Pop Plastic Molds

Downsides

• Not reusable or eco-friendly
• Can be messy when blending the frozen smoothie
• Plastic molds may contain BPAs

Reusable Stainless Steel Containers

Stainless steel is a pricier but durable option. Look for:

• Grade 304 food-grade stainless steel
• Leakproof lid with silicone seal
• Insulated to prevent freezer burn
• Stackable design

Good Options

• Healthy Human Stein Steel Smoothie Freezer Containers
• PlanetBox Stainless Steel Freezer Containers

Smoothie Cubes

For grab-and-go smoothies, freezing ingredients in ice cube trays produces smoothie cubes you can pop into the blender. Pros:

• Portion control
• Just grab a few cubes from the freezer
• Easy to blend

Try making smoothie cubes with:

• Chopped fruit
• Leafy greens
• Ground flax or chia seeds
• Nut butters
• Yogurt
• Juices

Smoothie Pops

For a fun twist, fill silicone molds or paper cups with smoothie ingredients then add popsicle sticks. Pros:

• Portable smoothie you can eat on-the-go
• Appealing to kids
• Helpful for portion control

Delicious mixes for smoothie pops include:

• Banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder
• Strawberry, yogurt, honey
• Pineapple, coconut milk, lime
• Blends with leafy greens like spinach or kale

Bagged Smoothie Mixes

For an extra easy morning routine, combine your smoothie ingredients into quart sized freezer bags. Pros:

• Saves prep time in the morning
• Grab and dump contents into the blender
• Customize each bag
• Portion control

Pre-portion your favorite mix-ins:

• Frozen fruit
• Greens
• Nut butter
• Protein powder
• Chia seeds
• Flax meal
• Yogurt cubes
• Juice

Ideal Freezer Temps for Smoothies

To maintain quality, smoothies should be frozen at a steady 0°F. Temperature fluctuations can cause icy crystals to develop. Here are some tips for proper freezing:

• Set your freezer to 0°F if possible
• Avoid opening the freezer frequently
• Fill any empty space in your freezer with bags of ice to maintain consistent temps
• Don’t overstuff your freezer, air needs to circulate
• Position smoothies towards the back of the freezer where temps are most stable

How Long Do Smoothies Last in the Freezer?

When frozen properly at 0°F, smoothies can last 6-12 months in the freezer before quality decreases. Here are some signs your frozen smoothie has expired:

• Ice crystals, freezer burn spots, or dried out texture
• Separation when thawed with water leaching out
• Off odors, usually from oxidation
• Change in color, especially greens becoming brown
• Mold spots on fruit

For best quality and nutrition retention, aim to consume frozen smoothies within 6 months.

Smoothie Containers Comparison

Here is a helpful comparison of the most common smoothie freezer containers:

Container	Pros	Cons
Plastic	Affordable Airtight options Stackable Portion-friendly sizes	Can crack when freezing Can absorb stains and smells Not as durable as glass or steel
Glass	Naturally BPA-free Long-lasting if tempered Easy to see contents Washable and reusable	Heavier than plastic Can shatter if non-tempered Prone to breaking if dropped
Silicone Molds	Fun shapes and portions Food-grade material Easy to pop out frozen smoothies Inexpensive	Take up space when storing Freeze into small portions Repeated freezing can misshape
Reusable Pouches	Flat for space savings Portable for on the go BPA-free Washable and reusable	Must fully thaw and cut to pour Potential to leak if seal breaks
Disposable Cups/Molds	Cheap Individually portioned No cleanup	Not reusable or eco-friendly Can be messy to blend Plastic versions may contain BPAs
Stainless Steel	Durable and long-lasting Insulated against freezer burn Airtight lids Withstands frequent use	More expensive initially Heavier than plastic or glass Can dent if dropped

Conclusion

When freezing smoothies, the container you choose makes all the difference. The best vessels are airtight, leakproof, durable, and designed for freezer use. Opt for BPA-free plastic, tempered glass, or stainless steel over cheap plastic containers.

Match the container to your lifestyle needs. Silicone molds and disposable cups are great for portable portions. Reusable pouches save space for freezing larger batches. And plastic or glass storage containers allow for grab-and-blend convenience while keeping smoothies fresher for longer in the freezer.

With the right freezer-safe containers, you can enjoy nutritious homemade smoothies no matter how busy your schedule gets!