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One of the best things we can do as we age is consistently eat foods rich in antioxidants. I know “forever young” isn’t realistic—but supporting our bodies as we move through life absolutely is. Antioxidant-rich foods help fight oxidative stress, which plays a role in things like premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and overall cellular wear and tear.
That’s why I love these Antioxidant Smoothie Cubes so much. If tossing a few frozen cubes into my daily smoothie can help protect my skin, support long-term health, and keep me feeling vibrant, you better believe I’m stocking my freezer. It’s a small habit, but one that adds up in the best way.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
These antioxidant smoothie cubes are made with some of the most vibrant, antioxidant-rich foods you can find:
- Pomegranate juice: Deep red and slightly tangy, this juice ties everything together while delivering powerful polyphenols.
- Cherries: Sweet or tart, cherries add deep flavor and antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress.
- Strawberries: Bright and juicy, they bring natural sweetness and vitamin C.
- Beet: Earthy and vibrant, beets add color and plant compounds that support circulation and cellular health.
- Cranberries: Tart and bold, cranberries are packed with antioxidants that support immune and urinary health.
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How to Use Antioxidant Smoothie Cubes
These cubes are designed to make smoothies easier, not more complicated. Add 4 cubes to any of my smoothie recipes in place of ½ to 1 cup of fruit. They pair especially well with leafy greens, banana, citrus, and non-dairy milk or water.
Because they’re frozen, they also help create a thick, frosty texture—no extra ice needed.
Ingredient Swaps
This smoothie cube recipe is flexible and forgiving. Use what you have and adjust to taste:
- Swap cherries for blueberries or blackberries.
- Replace strawberries with raspberries if preferred.
- Use beet powder in place of fresh beet if needed.
- Substitute pomegranate juice with unsweetened cranberry juice or cherry juice.
The goal is progress over perfection—any combination of colorful plants still delivers antioxidant benefits.
While these are a great starting point to boosting your health, I’ve gone even deeper to bring you some supercharged smoothie cubes that are loaded with antioxidant foods.
More Smoothie Cube Recipes
Once you get the hang of smoothie cubes, it’s easy to use them strategically based on what your body needs most. I keep a variety in my freezer so I can boost things like:
- Fiber cubes for digestion
- Frozen immunity cubes for immune support
- Healthy fats cubes for staying power
- Electrolyte cubes for hydration
- Anti-inflammatory blender bombs for recovery
If you make this antioxidant smoothie cubes recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Antioxidant Smoothie Cubes
Jen HansardIngredients
- 1 cup cherries sweet or tart
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 beet peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup cranberries
- 8 ounce pomegranate juice
Instructions
- Place ingredients into blender in order listed. Puree until smooth.
- Pour liquid into two standard 16-well ice cube trays. (Each well holds about 2 tablespoons liquid.)
- Freeze until solid. Remove from trays and store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to several months.
- To use add 4 cubes to replace 1/2-1 cup of fruit in your favorite smoothie recipe.
Recipe Notes
- Can swap pomegranate juice with 1/2 cup 100% unsweetened cranberry juice.
- You can use frozen or fresh fruit, just thaw the frozen fruit slightly before blending to make it easier on your blender.
- The beet doesn’t have to be cooked before adding, raw works great!
Nutrition
Equipment
Foods highest in antioxidants are typically colorful, plant-based foods like berries, cherries, pomegranate, beets, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and brightly colored vegetables. These foods contain compounds such as anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C that help protect cells from oxidative stress and support healthy aging. Blending a variety of these foods into smoothies is an easy way to consistently increase antioxidant intake.
Drinks high in antioxidants are usually made from deeply colored plants, teas, or minimally processed fruits. Some of the best options include berry smoothies (especially with blueberries, cherries, cranberries, or elderberries), pomegranate juice, and tart cherry juice, all rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins. Green tea and matcha are standout choices thanks to their catechins, while herbal teas like hibiscus and rooibos also deliver antioxidants without caffeine. Cacao drinks made with unsweetened cacao powder and vegetable-forward smoothies with greens, beets, and citrus round out the list. Rotating these drinks helps you get a wider range of antioxidant compounds with very little effort.
Antioxidant smoothie cubes help fight oxidative stress, support skin health, and make it easier to consistently enjoy antioxidant-rich foods. Because they’re prepped and frozen, you can boost the nutrient density of any smoothie without extra effort, helping protect cells and support healthy aging with a simple daily habit.
These sound great.
Have you done anything with dehydrated contents? I’m always having to throw out my spinach, because my good intentions don’t get acted on. Last night I dehydrated a bag of spinach and ground it up in the Vitamix. Made a nice looking powder which I hope will last longer than the fresh spinach.
Hey David- I haven’t done anything with dehydrated contents but think you may be on to something! Can’t wait to hear more on how it turned out!
These are a staple in my freezer! I play around with ingredients depending on what’s in season, just trying to stick to the ‘red’ theme.
I love that this recipe is so easy and makes smoothie blending so fast! Delish!
I love the idea of these cubes. Sometimes I buy fresh fruit and something happens and I forget to eat it and it goes bad. This is a great idea to just make a batch at one point and have it frozen. Can you whiz up frozen berries as well? And what about fresh spinach?
Sure thing, Jo! Frozen berries work just fine in this recipe. And for spinach, we’d recommend our Alkaline Veggie Smoothie Cubes or our how-to on freezing greens.
Oh how I lurve lurve lurve this brilliant idea.
My biggest obstacle is gathering all the ingredients daily. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Chronic Fatigue is such a drag.
So far I have made a medium sized jar of the organic powder supplements I like to add. Such as Kakadu plum, kale, beetroot, spirulina, maca, turmeric, matcha and hemp seeds. One rounded
teaspoon adds it all.
This one and your Vit C cubes really take it up a notch. BIG THANK YOU.
So glad they’re able to make your smoothie making easier, Sally!