Whip up this delicious and easy Acai Bowl recipe in 10 minutes flat! Fully customizable, packed with healing polyphenols and probiotics, vegan and gluten-free!
You’re going to love this acai bowl. It’s not only a joy for the taste buds but it is also wonderfully versatile- a comforting snack, a nourishing breakfast, or a naturally sweetened, guilt-free dessert.
What makes this acai bowl so special is its ability to be personalized just for you! Blend up the smoothie base and add all your favorite toppings. So easy! In this recipe, we use freeze-dried acai powder, which offers a more intense burst of flavor and an impressive array of nutrients. The recipe card provides alternatives, whether you have dried acai at hand or you prefer the lushness of frozen acai puree.
Why You’ll Love This
Fast and Easy! Make this in a high-powered blender in 5-10 minutes flat!
Totally customizable. Once you have the base, get creative and add your favorite toppings!
Highly nutritious. Acai berries are bursting with polyphenols, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber! Paired with probiotic yogurt, it is a gut-healing elixer!
What is Acai?
Acai(ah-sigh-ee) berries originate in Central and South America. They can be found in the Amazon rainforest. These dark, purple fruits grow on the acai palm and are celebrated for their high concentration of antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Acai berries have a unique earthy flavor that resembles a blend of wild berries and a hint of cacao and is available in frozen packets or freeze-dried.
What are Acai Bowls?
Acai bowls are a deliciously thick smoothie bowl made with acai berry superfood. The base is made with highly nutritious and concentrated freeze-dried acai powder (or frozen acai puree), a frozen banana and berries, milk (or liquid) of choice, and yogurt. Then acai bowls are topped with nutritious and delicious toppings!
Acai Bowl Base Ingredients
Acai Berries: We use organic acai powder, or feel free to use unsweetened frozen acai puree.
Plant-Based Milk: Coconut, oat, almond milk, coconut water or juice.
Yogurt: Plain, unsweetened. Dairy-free if you want! Or sub with more milk or liquid of choice. Kefir works well here too!
Frozen banana: Or sub avocado or silken tofu + ice cubes, or other frozen fruit.
Frozen berries: Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries ( or a mix), or use frozen mango or pineapple.
Medjool dates: Use pitted dates (or be sure to remove the pit). Sweetener is optional (other options include honey, coconut sugar, or maple syrup).
Salt: Just a pinch, optional.
*See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Drizzle with sweetener: Maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar.
Protein boost: Add nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter, coconut butter), protein powder, collagen powder, hemp hearts or chia seeds. Sprinkle on top or add to the smoothie base while blending.
Nutrition boost: Spinach, broccoli sprouts, chlorella powder, or spirulina powder. Blend into the smoothie base.
FreshBerries or fresh fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, any berry you like! Other delicious fruits like mangos, kiwi, banana, and pineapple.
Build your Smoothie Bowl
Step 1: Blend the smoothie bowl base. Add acai (powder or frozen packets), frozen banana and berries, yogurt, milk (liquid of choice,) dates (optional), and vanilla extract.
Tip: Add a protein boost to the smoothie bowl base by adding protein powder or collagen powder to the blender.
Tip: Add a nutrition boost by adding spinach or sprouts to the base!
Step 2: Top with fruit and berries. Pour acai mixture into bowls and add blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or any berry you like! Or go tropical with mango, kiwi, banana, or pineapple.
Step 3: Add crunchies and sprinkles. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes, nuts, pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, granola, bee pollen, and dark chocolate chips.
Step 4: Drizzle sweetener on top (optional!). Maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar.
Step 5: Add a protein boost. Spoon in some nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter) on top, or sprinkle hemp seeds or chia seeds on top.
Chef’s Tips
Don’t over-blend! Blend until the base starts to thicken and get smooth. Over-blending will thin out the texture.
Mix-and-match. Try blending the acai with frozen berries one time and mango and pineapple the next time! Always try to include an additional fruit or two for optimal flavor.
If you use frozen acai puree: Look for unsweetened packets! The packet may suggest thawing the acai, but it is best to add completely frozen to ensure a thick texture for the bowl.
Have your toppings ready! Your bowl will melt quickly. It’s best to have your toppings chopped, sliced, and ready to go before blending the base. You can also pre-freeze bowls before filling them.
Meal Prep Acai Bowls
You can make acai bowls ahead of time by blending the base and then adding to a bag to place in the freezer. Make several for quick and easy breakfasts throughout the week! When ready to enjoy, thaw slightly, pour into a bowl and stir, then add toppings.
Acai bowls are best served immediately or frozen for later. If you store in the fridge the texture will get soupy.
FAQs
Where can I buy Acai?
Most grocery stores now carry frozen acai puree packets. The brand Sambazon is usually available, just look for unsweetened. Check the freezer section near other frozen fruits. Specialty food stores or wellness grocers (or Whole Foods) typically carry acai powder in addition to the frozen packs. You can also order acai powder online!
What is the difference between frozen Acai and freeze-dried?
Freeze-dried acai powder is pure acai pulp, whereas frozen acai puree contains the pulp and juices. Freeze-dried acai powder is more highly concentrated and nutrient-dense!
What does acai taste like?
Acai can be compared to berries like raspberries and blackberries, but with an added richness. They have natural sweetness and slight tartness, with dark chocolatey notes.
Health Benefits Of Acai!
“Epidemiological studies and associated meta-analyses strongly suggest that long term consumption of diets rich in plant polyphenols offer protection against development of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases.“See resource.
High in polyphenols and antioxidants: Acai has a VERY high polyphenol profile, which helps combat free radicals, prevent cancer, and maintain skin health. More on Polyphenols!
Heart-healthy fat: Acai berries contain Omega-9 fatty acids, which are helpful in maintaining a healthy heart!
Fiber-rich: Rich in fiber, acai supports a healthy digestive system and maintains a healthy gut.
Essential vitamins and minerals: Nutrient-dense acai berries are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Energy-boosting: The carbohydrates and healthy fats found in acai provide a sustained energy release, making acai bowls a satisfying option to start the day or as a mid-afternoon snack.
Anti-inflammatory: Acai contains flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are responsible for the berry’s deep color, but more importantly, they are known for their anti-inflammatory properties!
Brain health: Some research suggests that the polyphenolic compounds found in acai could provide neuroprotective benefits.
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Here is a probiotic-rich Acai Bowl recipe that is quick to whip up, customizable, full of healing polyphenols, and ready in 5 minutes! Vegan and gluten-free.
Protein Boost: Add nut butters like; almond butter, cashew butter, and peanut butter. Also protein powder, collagen, hemp hearts, chia seeds. Sprinkle on top or add to the smoothie base while blending.
Nutrition boost: spinach, sprouts. Blend into the smoothie base.
Berries and Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, any berry you like! Other delicious fruits like mangos, kiwi, banana, and pineapple.
Use a high-powered blender (like a vitamix blender or nutri-bullet). Add acai powder or frozen pieces from the packets, and add milk, yogurt, banana, berries, dates, and pinch of salt.
Blend on high until smooth and thick. (Overblending can make the consistency thin).
Serve immediately with the toppings you want.
Notes
You can make acai bowls ahead of time by blending the base and storing in the freezer. Make several for quick and easy breakfasts throughout the week! When ready to enjoy, thaw slightly, pour into a bowl and stir, then add toppings.
For alternatives to bananas- try avocado or silken tofu + ice cubes, other frozen fruit, or just leave it out.
Acai bowls are best served immediately or frozen for later. If you store it in the fridge, the texture will get soupy.
