Frozen strawberries, orange juice concentrate, crushed pineapple, and bananas all mixed together and frozen into individual serving size dixie cups for the perfect snack that’s ready anytime! Fruit freeze ups is a cool treat that’s family-friendly and kid-approved!
This recipe was given to me by a friend when we were discussing the need for easy lunches during our busy summer schedules. Since then we always have a stash in our freezer!
Basically a yummy smoothie for on the go, fruit freeze ups are snacks that everyone can enjoy! They are great for a quick lunch side, afternoon snacks, and a treat for your last-minute gatherings. Soon you will too be making sure you are never without fruit freeze ups too! They are also an amazing camping treat on those hot summer days. Take a couple in a cooler for a nice poolside break as well. Either way, fruit freeze ups are a healthy side option for you and your kids!
How to make Fruit Freeze Ups
Part One: Mix the Fruits into a Large Smoothie!
First, dissolve the sugar into the boiling water. Stirring the sugar in the water until the water turns clear. Now you can boil your water on the stove but I have found it’s quite easy to microwave the water for about 5 minutes to bring it to a boil. During this time, I gather the rest of the ingredients.
Next, in a large bowl mash the bananas. This is the perfect time to use up any bananas about to go bad! Add in the orange juice concentrate and half of the crushed pineapple.
Now, this step is optional but it creates a less chunky and more smooth fruit freeze up. In a blender add the other half of the crushed pineapple, most or all of the strawberries, and the sugar water mixture, puree, and pour it into the bowl with the bananas. Also, add any strawberries you didn’t puree. We started to blend up the other whole frozen strawberries just so there are no whole pieces in the end and no choking hazards.
Stir the fruits until combined! This is a great job for the little helpers in your life!
Part Two: Fill the individual Cups and Freeze!
Next, on a jelly roll pan line your dixie cups in even rows and columns. Now fill each cup until about 1/2 inch from the top. I have found that a large spoon works great here.
Once you are done filling the cups, transfer the tray to your freezer. Be careful to keep the tray level in the freezer.
Lastly, after they are done freezing, portion them into gallon freezer bags to keep them from freezer burn. When you are ready eat them, take as many as you need out of your freezer, and enjoy these sweet and refreshing fruit freeze ups!
PRO TIP: For easier eating set them out a few minutes before eating to thaw or microwave them for about 15-20 seconds.
Other Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas
A yummy hot dog wrapped in crescent roll baked until golden brown is perfect for little hands to dunk in their favorite sauces! Mummies in a blanket are kid-friendly and FUN! Plus, a main dish for lunch or a light dinner in less than 15 minutes, perfect!
Traditional spaghetti with a hearty meat sauce piled high on top of crunchy garlic bread is spaghetti boats. Spaghetti boats are all your favorite parts of spaghetti night neatly stacked up so every bite is the cheese, noodles, meat sauce, and garlic bread. Compact and perfect for all eaters of all ages!
Try these too! Ham, cheese, and ranch rolled up like pinwheels in crescent roll or pizza dough and glazed with brown sugar and poppy seeds makes the best party food or easy family meal! Warm Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups with creamy ranch look so good!
Fruit Freeze Ups
Ingredients
- 30 5 ounce Dixie cups
- 2 cups boiling water
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 24 ounce frozen strawberries
- 6 ounce orange juice concentrate thawed
- 1 cup can crushed pineapple and juice
- 5 ripe bananas
Instructions
- Boil the two cups of water and stir in the ⅔ cups of sugar. Dissolve until the water is clear.
- Peel and mash the bananas in a large bowl. Then add in the orange juice concentrate and ½ cup of the crushed pineapple.
- In a blender, puree the most to all of the strawberries, ½ crushed pineapple, and the sugar water mixture. Pour into the bowl with bananas. Blend to just crush the rest of the strawberries. Add to fruit mixture and stir to combine everything.
- Line a jelly roll pan with dixie cups. Fill each cup to 1/2 inch the from the top. A large spoon works great for this!
- Once all the cups are filled, freeze them. Keep the pan level until the fruit freeze ups are frozen. Then bag them into gallon freezer bag to prevent frost burn. Take out the desired amount when needed and enjoy!
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