The 9 Best Frozen Fruits For Smoothies
When it comes to making smoothies, there are so many different things that you can do to make a delicious smoothie. Some people like to use juice or milk and then pair it with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Other people like to keep it simple and use frozen items because it’s just easy and often cheaper to do so.
Some frozen fruits definitely work better than others for making smoothies. The flavors, shape, texture, and nutritional value of the fruit all make a difference.
So, what is the best frozen fruit for smoothies? The best frozen fruit for smoothies are strawberries and bananas, as they keep most of their flavor and nutritional value during the freezing process. Other frozen fruits that work well in smoothies are blueberries, acai berries, dragon fruit, pineapples. mangoes, and mixed berries.
In this guide, we will share with you the 9 best frozen fruits for smoothies.
We will talk about different flavor options and maybe even some combinations for you. We’ve made these decisions based on flavors but also on nutrition content as well.
Stick with us to learn about the 9 best frozen fruits for smoothies and more!
1. Strawberry
Frozen strawberries are perhaps one of the easiest frozen fruits to find and certainly a fan favorite too.
The nice thing about frozen strawberries is that they are healthy so as long as you choose a brand or option that doesn’t add extra sugar, you should be good to go.
In general, frozen strawberries served in 1-cup contain approximately 77 calories. There is no fat in strawberries.
They do contain some natural sugars but it is not an excessive amount. Strawberries, including frozen strawberries, are a great source of Vitamin K as well as folate and manganese.
When it comes to sugar, strawberries do contain natural sugars. There is a big difference between natural sugars and added sweeteners so keep that in mind.
Unsweetened frozen strawberries will contain about 10 grams of sugars per cup (natural sugars, that is).
Frozen strawberries are flavorful and bold. They tend to be frozen right after harvesting so they are fresh and delicious.
2. Blueberry
Blueberries are another popular option for frozen fruits for smoothies. Frozen blueberries are a perfectly sweet treat and they are also really good for you.
Blueberries have a lot of health benefits and frozen blueberries preserve those benefits.
Again, you will want to look for options that are not sweetened as this only adds sugar to the mix that you don’t really need.
A full serving of blueberries is 1 cup. 1 cup of blueberries contains approximately 79 calories and about 1 gram of fat as well.
When you use unsweetened blueberries, they do not have any added sugar to them. They may contain a small amount of natural sugars but blueberries are low in this regard.
Frozen blueberries will also be loaded with Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6. They also have some fiber and manganese as well.
If you were not aware, blueberries are known antioxidants. This means they aid in digestive health.
3. Banana
Frozen bananas are usually pretty easy to find as well. In fact, you may be better off with frozen bananas than you are with fresh bananas because freezing them helps to preserve their nutrients.
Bananas tend to have a pretty short life span so freezing them can get you the most benefits.
As with any other fruit, be sure to look for unsweetened bananas if you decide to use these. Frozen bananas tend to taste sweeter than fresh bananas. This is related to the thawing or defrosting process that takes place.
It actually causes some of the starches to convert to sugars, leading to a sweeter flavor after bananas have been frozen.
Bananas tend to be lower in calories than a lot of other fruits. They are also high in antioxidants.
One thing we want to point out about bananas is that their natural sugars are on the higher side but as long as there is no added sugar, you should be fine.
4. Acai Berry
If you really want something known for its health benefits, try using frozen acai berries in your smoothies. Acai berries are a common health and nutrition food. It’s commonly recommended for weight loss benefits.
Acai berries are loaded with healthy fats as well as fiber. They are naturally sweet and contain their own natural sugars.
These are considered to be a superfood and a natural antioxidant as well. Watch out for any added sugars and be sure to choose an unsweetened acai berry.
5. Dragon Fruit
If you can find frozen dragon fruit, you should definitely give it a try! Dragon fruit is very sweet, almost like a combination of a strawberry and a pear put together and the health benefits of dragon fruit are phenomenal!
A lot of people are scared away by dragon fruit just because of how it looks and they really don’t know what to expect.
We’re here to tell you that deliciousness is what you can expect. This may not be as easy to find in every freezer section of every store but it is becoming more and more popular.
A serving of dragon fruit is slightly higher in calories but still not bad. You should also keep in mind they are healthier calories than something like potato chips.
A serving has 136 calories. They have about 3 grams of protein and 29 grams of carbs. They also are a good source of fiber, iron, Vitamin C & E, and magnesium.
6. Pineapple
Make your smoothie tropical! If you love the sweet flavors of tropical fruits, pineapple is a really great choice. Frozen pineapple is super sweet and not quite as acidic as fresh pineapple either.
Pineapple often gets overlooked. There are many who don’t care for the sweet and acidic flavor but pineapple has some really awesome benefits.
If you’re feeling like you’re catching cold or maybe have a scratchy throat, pineapple juice can help to clear the mucus causing those issues.
Pineapples are antioxidants as well and really good for your digestion. They have a high fiber and water content, with a single serving containing about 2.3 grams of fiber.
Pineapple has also been said to be beneficial for your immune system (which we covered above) as well as your joints.
Pineapple is also very low in calories while still being nutrient dense so you really can’t beat this option. If the sweet flavors of pineapple are too much for you, try mixing it with another fruit.
7. Mango
Mangoes are another tropical option for you and a little less sweet than pineapple. If you want the perfect tropical pair, try a pineapple mango smoothie. You won’t regret it!
Mangoes are known to be beneficial for maintaining blood sugar. They do contain their own natural sugars but they are very low. They can help to reduce blood sugar levels, leading them to be a sweet, healthy option.
Mangoes are high in Vitamin C, which means they are good for your immune system but also for your nervous system. Mangoes can aid in circulation as well as keeping things like your bones, blood vessels, and even skin strong.
8. Strawberry Banana
If you like to combine fruits to get the perfect combination, you cannot go wrong with the classic blend of strawberries and bananas.
This mixture has always been a popular choice in the smoothie industry so why not use frozen fruit to make yourself a delicious smoothie!
As long as your frozen variety is unsweetened, these are great for health benefits. Strawberries and bananas both offer different health benefits from each other so they can work together for health benefits in a smoothie.
The subtle sweetness of bananas helps to tone down strawberries slightly. You get smooth and sweet and plenty of nutrition with this choice.
9. Mixed Berries
Another popular option among frozen fruits is mixed berries. These packages usually contain a mixture of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries in some capacity.
The mixture is sweet and nutritious and gives you multiple flavors in one.
You can easily use frozen mixed berries to make yourself a mixed berry smoothie and the flavors are phenomenal. All berries have great nutritional benefits.
They do contain some of their own natural sugars but as long as you get an unsweetened mixture, you should be fine.
Conclusion
You can use just about any frozen fruit and end up with a delicious smoothie. You can also mix and match fruits and create your own flavors to your liking.
The important thing to remember about purchasing frozen fruits is that you just want to be sure you always buy the unsweetened option to avoid added sugars.