How to Make a Smoothie with Frozen Fruit: A Step-by-Step Guide

To make a smoothie with frozen fruit, measure your liquid, add it to the blender with the frozen fruit (or the contents of a smoothie pack) and ice, then blend, starting slowly and increasing the speed, until it's smooth. If it's too thick, add a splash more liquid and blend again.

This guide covers the general method for frozen fruit and ready-to-blend packs. Where a pack has its own directions, follow those first: they're written for that specific mix.

What you need

• A blender that can handle frozen ingredients and ice (check the manufacturer's instructions)

• Frozen fruit, or a ready-to-blend smoothie pack

• A liquid: water, milk, almond milk or coconut water, for example

• Ice, if your recipe or pack calls for it

• A measuring jug

General guidance and pack directions

With loose frozen fruit, you decide how much liquid to use and adjust as you go. A ready-to-blend pack is different: the ingredients are already portioned, and the directions tell you which liquid to add and how much. Start with those directions, then adjust to taste.

There's no single liquid quantity that suits every pack. For example, Gulp's directions are:

• Berry Best: blend with 150 ml water and ice

• Peanut Oat: blend with 150 ml milk and ice

• Tropical Green: blend with 150 ml milk, ice and 1 tsp honey

• Citrus Fix: blend with 150 ml coconut water and ice

• Peanut N Berry: blend with 100 ml almond milk, 100 ml water and ice

Each product page lists the directions for that flavour, so check the page or the pack before you blend.

How to make a smoothie with frozen fruit, step by step

1. Read the directions. Check the pack or recipe for the liquid and any extras, and check your blender's instructions for frozen food and ice.

2. Measure the liquid. Use a measuring jug so you know your starting point. It makes adjusting easier next time.

3. Load the blender. Many blenders work best with the liquid in first, then the frozen ingredients, then ice. Some personal blenders are filled in a different order, so follow your manual.

4. Blend from frozen. Gulp's packs go straight from the freezer into the blender. There's no need to defrost them.

5. Start slowly. Begin on a low speed or with short pulses to break up the frozen pieces, then increase the speed.

6. Check the texture. If it isn't moving or is thicker than you like, see the troubleshooting tips below.

7. Drink it straight away. Smoothies are best enjoyed right after blending, as some ingredients can start to discolour if left to stand.

How to adjust the consistency

Change one thing at a time, in small amounts, and blend briefly after each change:

• Thinner: add a small splash of the same liquid.

• Thicker and colder: add a little more ice.

• Smoother: blend for a little longer.

Tip: once you've found the consistency you like, note how much extra liquid or ice you used for that flavour, so you can repeat it.

Troubleshooting

My frozen smoothie is too thick

• Check that you added all the liquid in the pack's directions.

• Add more liquid a splash at a time and blend again.

• Switch the blender off and stir, or use the tamper if your blender has one, to move frozen pieces towards the blades. Never put a spoon into a running blender.

My smoothie is too thin

• Add a little more ice and blend briefly.

• Next time, add the liquid gradually and stop when you reach the texture you like, while keeping above any minimum liquid level in your blender's manual.

The blender isn't blending properly

• Air pocket: if the blades spin but nothing moves, switch off, stir or give the jug a shake with the lid on, then start again on low.

• Too full: if the jug is very full, blend in two batches.

• Motor straining: if the motor sounds strained, stop and let it rest, following the manufacturer's guidance.

• Not made for ice: some blenders aren't designed for ice or frozen ingredients. Check your manual before trying again.

There are lumps of frozen fruit

Blend for a little longer, scraping down the sides between bursts. A small splash of liquid can help.

Ready to blend?

If you'd rather skip the chopping and portioning, Gulp's ready-to-blend smoothie packs are prepped and frozen: add the liquid and ice from the directions and blend. Questions about a particular flavour? Message us on WhatsApp.