how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (2024)

By: AutumnUpdated: 2/19/18

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In today’s post: Learn the easiest way to freeze oranges for smoothies plus two great healthy orange smoothie recipes.

how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (1)

You may have noticed by now that most of the recipes I share aren’t exactly healthy. There’s chocolate cookies with caramel cream and Oreo Madness and let’s not forgot the chocolate peanut butter brownie mousse. Of course, I have a few bread recipes and some main dish recipes mixed up in there, but my recipe section is fairly dominated by the tasty and fattening. So I’m sure you’re all shocked that today I’m sharing a tasty and healthy recipe or two. One of them even has spinach in it! I know, crazy times.

We’ve recently purchased a Blendtec blender and have made our foray into the land of green smoothies. I was skeptical, as I always am about anything that’s either 1) very healthy, or 2) supposed to change my life. And I’m not sure my life has actually changed, but I do have to say that my own special green smoothie, complete with a few secret ingrediets, is very, very good. I don’t feel like I’m forcing myself to eat vegetables, and I’m fairly impressed with the amount of spinach I’ve consumed in the past week. And I like being impressed with myself.

how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (2)

Above is my green smoothie, which I’ve dubbed the Popeye Orange Dream Smoothie, because it tastes a lot like a Dreamsicle. Really. It’s suprisingly rich due to the addition of a small amount of fat free half&half and a dash of vanilla extract. Yummy. And did I mention healthy? That’s right.

Below you’ll see my Paradise Orange Dream Smoothie, which is a more decadent smoothie (no spinach and some extra creaminess from more FF half&half and a little cream of coconut). Yes, I said decadent because it’s not as screaming healthy as Popeye’s version, but it’s still much healthier than brownie ice cream or any of my other normal desserts, and it’s really, really good.

how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (3)

Printable recipe card for both smoothies (click here):

These are my “secret” ingredients, and believe me, they make a HUGE difference in the taste of the smoothies. Green smoothies can be a bit bland, but a little bit of FF half+half and vanilla really pumps up the flavor. If you don’t like using FF half+half you can use the real thing (a few more calories) or you can substitute milk (but it won’t be quite as good). And the cream of coconut gives the Paradise smoothie a tropical I’m-sipping-this-by-the-side-of-the-pool feel. Worth the extra calories now and then.

how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (5)

Sorry – I forgot to put the yield on the cards. Popeye’s smoothe makes about 2.5 cups which the Paradise comes in at about 2 cups. The ingredient measurements for both smoothies are completely customizeable – just experiment with what you have and see what you like best. You’ll want to plan on two medium oranges for the Popeye smoothing and one to two for the Paradise smoothie, depending on how much pineapple you want to put in.

How to freeze oranges for smoothies

I like to start with frozen fruit because you end up with a much slushier drink, which tricks my mind into thinking it’s higher calorie and therefore even more fun to eat. Plus it’s just easy to cube up a bunch of fruit, freeze it, and use as needed. In fact, since we’re getting to the end of orange season, it’s a fantastic time to find a great deal on oranges (I scored 40 lbs for $14 last week!) and freeze them for months worth or smoothies. (NOTE: Navel oranges will start to get bitter after 2-3 months in the freezer, so if you want to keep them longer than that you’ll want to use a different variety).

Here’s what you’ll do:

how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (6)

Happy blending!

how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (7)

Meet Autumn

Hello there! I’m a busy mom of five who loves to make things. Crafts, recipes, sewing, holiday projects: I’ve tried them all, and you can too! I love EASY projects anyone can make.

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  1. Trudy says

    Thank You so much for how to freeze oranges I just purchased the slim fast orange cream sicle I have done the frozen pineapple that I happened to see at walmart already in chunks. and have some sherdded coconut left from a birthday cake and holiday cookies that is wonderful in my smoothie I use the lowest calorie almond milk i believe it is the best for smoothies and since that is a full meal replacement I do add just a small amount of the shredded coconut. But those frozen. oranges are realy going to be wonderful . Thank you so much. I will also make the green spinach smoothie sounds very yummy.8

    Reply

  2. Lynna Karanutsos says

    I’m going to whip me up a CAFE BORGIA smoothie!
    With:
    Frozen Orange
    Raw Coconut
    Raw Cacao Powder
    Water
    Orange Zest on top!!

    Reply

  3. Marcela says

    Why do you spray them with cooking spray?

    Reply

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how to freeze oranges for smoothies + orange smoothie recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze oranges for smoothies? ›

Use an orange peeled to peel orange completely. Take apart orange into segments. Add orange slices into reusable and sealable freezer safe storage bags or containers. Freeze overnight and enjoy in smoothies!

How do you prepare oranges for freezing? ›

Peel the orange and separate the segments or remove all the skin and pith with a knife and chop the orange in chunks. Place all the orange pieces in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet. Freeze until the pieces are solid. That usually takes a couple of hours, or can be done overnight.

Can you freeze cuties oranges? ›

Yes, you can peel them before you freeze.

Can you blend frozen oranges? ›

Yes. Just like you can put ice in a blender to make smoothies or mixed drinks, the blender will blend the fruit just fine even though it's frozen.

Do you peel oranges before freezing? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. Do I have to peel oranges before freezing them? Absolutely not. You'll want to at least slice them in half, preferably in quarters, but you can leave the peel on.

Does freezing oranges destroy vitamin C? ›

However, freezing produce can alter the nutritional content. Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C and B may leach during the initial blanching process. Additionally, storing produce in the freezer for too long may cause freezer burn during which cell walls rupture.

Why do you boil oranges for smoothies? ›

The boiling process releases the essential oils from the orange peels, creating a refreshing and fragrant drink. You can enhance the experience by adding other ingredients like cinnamon or cloves for extra warmth and depth of flavor.

Can you freeze whole fresh oranges? ›

Yes, you can freeze oranges and other produce like bell peppers, cucumbers, ginger, pineapple, strawberries, and more for use in your favorite recipes year-round! I personally like to stock up and freeze a big batch of oranges whenever they're in season or on sale.

How do you freeze lemons and oranges? ›

To freeze slices or wedges, lay them out on a cookie sheet and set them in the freezer for a few hours. Once they're solid, collect them into a zip-top storage bag. Use them directly from the freezer to add flavor to drinks.

Can you freeze cuties for smoothies? ›

Can you freeze clementines to use later for smoothies? You bet you can!

Are oranges good frozen? ›

Oranges are a perfect candidate for the freezer. They're a frequently used ingredient that is great to have in your freezer stash. How long do oranges last in the freezer? You can store whole or sliced oranges for up to 12 months in the freezer.

What can I do with lots of oranges? ›

Orange recipes
  1. Mozzarella & orange salad with coriander seed dressing. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  2. Mary Berry's orange cake. ...
  3. Clementine & honey couscous. ...
  4. Orange & pomegranate cheesecake. ...
  5. Chocolate-orange French toast. ...
  6. Tender roast duck with citrus & carrots. ...
  7. Orange & oregano pulled pork. ...
  8. Giant jaffa orange cake.

Can I blend oranges in a blender? ›

You can make orange juice without the help of a citrus press when you have a blender on hand. To make this breakfast staple, peel your oranges and remove any seeds before slicing your orange into halves or quarters. Then, add water to your blender pitcher before adding in your citrus.

Can you put frozen fruit in a smoothie? ›

Pros: Frozen fruit is convenient and easy to use. Not only does it last for several months in the freezer, but you don't need to wash, peel or chop the fruit before adding it to your blender. It also helps create a thicker and creamier texture for your smoothies without adding ice or dairy products.

What happens to an orange when frozen? ›

Freeze-damaged citrus fruits form white ice crystals inside the fruit (Tan et al., 2005). The formation of ice crystals destroys the cells in the flesh of the frozen fruit, creating a pathway for the juice to leave the fruit and eventually dehydrating freeze-damaged citrus fruits.

What fruits can you freeze for smoothies? ›

I've seen quite a few recipes that call for frozen blueberries, peaches, bananas, etc, in smoothies. Typically, you want to prepare them so that you don't have to deal with trying to cut up frozen things when you want to use them ... so hull strawberries, core and cut up apples, peel and segment oranges, etc.

How do you store fruit for smoothies in the freezer? ›

The best way to freeze fruits and vegetables for smoothies is to first wash and dry them thoroughly. Then, cut them into small, uniform pieces and place them on a baking sheet or tray in a single layer. Place the tray in the freezer and let the fruits and vegetables freeze completely.

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