When a heat wave hits you will definitely want to eat something chilly. Frozen fruits are a versatile, nutritious option that has a delicious taste and helps to cool you down.
Whether you’re adding fruit to your meal, find a refreshing summer treat, or simply want to make the most of frozen fruit stash, you need to know about frozen fruit and fun ways to use it.
Frozen fruit nutrition facts
To set the record straight, Frozen fruits are fresh and nutritious. It has been stable for about 6-9 months. “Fruits freeze at peak freshness, so they usually have nutrient content similar to fresh, frozen fruits,” says Joanna Gregg, a nutritionist at MyFitnessspal. She says that in some cases it may contain a higher vitamin content than fresh (1).
Some frozen fruits contain added sugar and other preservatives, so check the nutritional facts of the packaging and avoid those with these additives. Ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C, is commonly found in frozen fruits to prevent spoilage and may improve nutrients (2).
6 Fun Ways to Eat Frozen Fruits
Frozen fruits are a common ingredient in smoothies, but there are other creative ways to use them. If you’re looking for ways to eat more fruit while staying cool during the summer, courtesy of a registered dietitian at Myfitnesspal, here’s a list of ways to eat frozen fruits.
#1: Popsicle
If smoothies are your go-to, popsicles are the underrated MVPs. It is also perfect for running out of fresh fruits that are about to spin. All you need is:
- fruit
- Yogurt or juice
- Popsicle-shaped or paper cup
Mix the ingredients until smooth and pour into popsicle molds. If you don’t have a ready-made popsicle mold, you can use a paper cup covered in Saran Wrap and then drill a popsicle stick into the Saran Wrap.
#2: Water was injected
Do you like flavorful water? “On hot days, pop into a water bottle,” says Greg. Chill the drink, adding a subtle burst of flavor. Chopped strawberries work well, but you can use your favorite fruit to swell up plain water.
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#3: Breakfast topping
Frozen fruits make the perfect topping for a creamy, spoonable breakfast. Try it:
- grain
- Overnight oats
- yogurt
- Chirapin
If you’re adding iced strawberries or blueberries to your breakfast you’re planning on eating a little later, Greg suggests enjoy it before thawing completely to minimize spoilage and keep the flavor.
About the experts
Joanna Greg, MS, RD I am the food data curator for MyFitnessPal. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition from Georgia State University and a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska. Her focus is to help people find the right balance of food, fitness and healthy lives to reach their optimal health.
#4: Frozen fruit bites and bark
Turn frozen fruit into snackable sweets with just yogurt or chocolate.
For bites:
Soak frozen or fresh fruit chunks in yogurt or melted chocolate, remove any excess IV and place them on a plate lined up on a back of parchment paper. Freeze until solid for a cool, crispy snack.
For bark:
Mix the chopped fruits with yogurt or melted chocolate, spread thinly on a parchment-lined tray and freeze. Once firmly in place, it becomes a piece for a simple and satisfying treat.
#5: Ice shaving
Mix frozen fruits alone in a food processor or high speed blender gives you a surprisingly shaved ice texture. There is no need to add any liquid. Make sure the equipment is completely dry to keep the mixture fluffy and easy to scoop. It’s an easy way to turn frozen fruit into a refreshing, slimy style snack.
Try this with a variety of fruits, like this:
- strawberry
- blueberry
- pineapple
- Dragon Fruit/Pitaya
- Banana (creates more textures like ice cream)
You can use one fruit or create your own flavor combinations.
#6: Salsas
For more delicious uses, try adding it to Salsas. Salsa, alongside the tortilla chips, is a mouth-watering (and potentially spicy) way to use frozen fruits. Greg recommends trying tropical fruits such as mangoes and pineapple.
Additional Tips
If you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen, here are some simple frozen fruit tips to remember.
- Frozen bananas create a creamy consistency, making them the best texture in smoothies.
- Frozen grapes and chopped watermelon are a great bite-sized snack.
- Freeze the tangerine, cut vertically, turn the skin over and make a crisp, icy snack.
Conclusion
There are great options for both nutritious and delicious snacks, and both frozen fruits. Whether you want to explore the freezer at your local grocery store or whether you’re lying around with extra fresh fruit, you can easily turn simple ingredients into exciting treats.
Six fun ways to use frozen fruit this summer first appeared on the MyFitnessPal blog.
