Make a healthy acai bowl at home with your favorite healthy ingredients, or choose from four delicious recipes topped with colorful fruits and nuts.
Table of Contents
- What is acai?
- Is acai healthy?
- Where can you buy it?
- How to make an acai bowl
- The best base ratio
- Use frozen bananas
- Liquid ingredients
- Sweeteners
- Nutrient boosts
- Blending sequence
- My favorite topping ideas
- Berry Acai Bowl
- Protein Acai Bowl
- Superfood Acai Bowl
- Tropical Acai Bowl
- Frequently asked questions
- Use only frozen fruit
- Acai Bowl (4 Easy Recipes!) Recipe
Acai bowl recipes have vibrant colors and various toppings, but the superfruit inside makes it a popular health-conscious snack. Luckily, the base is easy to make, and you can customize it to your taste.
These nutrient-packed bowls make pulling out the blender worth the effort, and you can even meal prep for breakfast. Need a protein boost or want to pack in more greens? No problem! The smoothie-like consistency adapts well to whatever you want to mix in.
What is acai?
Acai (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) is a small purple berry found in the Amazon rainforest that grows in clusters on tall palm trees. It has a unique flavor with a combination of blackberry and cocoa notes. The fruit comprises 95% seed, making only a few edible portions.
Thousands of years ago, they were utilized by ancient tribes for food and medicinal purposes. Now they can be purchased as a frozen puree or powder for bowls, smoothies, drinks, snacks, or desserts.
Is acai healthy?
Yes! They’re prized for their high concentration of antioxidants, rivaling the value of blueberries two-fold. Acai contains plant sterols (linked to lowering cholesterol), amino acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, omega 3’s, 6’s, and 9’s for heart and brain health.
It’s also naturally low in sugar and contains various vitamins and minerals. Acai is exceptionally high in ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value.
Where can you buy it?
Buying fresh acai berries isn’t easy unless you visit the Amazon in South America. You can typically find dried ground acai powder as a supplement in health food stores. However, I use frozen acai berry puree packets for a chilly and thick smoothie bowl.
Look for unsweetened frozen acai packs with no added sugar at grocery stores like Albertson’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. Some brands also sell blends that contain sweeteners and other ingredients like guarana for energy. I used Sambazon acai packs for the acai bowl recipes.
How to make an acai bowl
Like making a smoothie, the acai mixture should have a very thick, spoonable texture and be cold. Combining frozen ingredients like acai puree, fruit, and a small amount of liquid makes for the right consistency. Do not use ice as you would for smoothies because it makes the bowl melt quicker and can dilute the flavor.
The best base ratio
It’s easy to customize the flavor and nutrients to make nutritious and delicious acai smoothie bowl recipes. To get started, use the base ratio amounts for the main ingredients like acai puree, frozen fruit, and liquid. Have fun experimenting with exciting combinations!
- Frozen Acai Puree: 1 packet (100 grams, ⅗ ounces), about ¾ cup
- Frozen Fruit: 1 ½ cups
- Liquid: ¼ cup
- Yogurt: 2 tablespoons (optional to add creaminess)
- Sweetener: 1 to 3 teaspoons (optional)
- Leafy Greens: 1 cup (optional)
Use frozen bananas
Frozen bananas add a creamy, soft-serve ice cream-like texture due to the fruit’s starches and tiny ice particles. Each recipe uses ½ cup of frozen bananas, a medium-sized piece.
Preparing frozen bananas is easy! Add ripe sliced bananas in a single layer into a resealable plastic bag and freeze overnight so they’re ready the next day. Some grocery stores sell frozen bananas as a quick solution.
Liquid ingredients
A small amount of liquid, only ¼ cup, is needed to help process the frozen ingredients. Try water, coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, apple juice, orange juice, or dairy-free milk.
Juices are an excellent way to naturally sweeten the mixture, while thicker milk adds a touch of creaminess. Don’t use too much. Otherwise, it will make the consistency runny, and the acai bowl will melt faster.
Sweeteners
Add honey, maple syrup, or dates to add a hint of natural sweetness. Although most of the mixture is frozen berries and other fruits, you may find it sweet enough. A little extra sweetness does help to balance some bitterness from leafy greens like spinach or kale.
Nutrient boosts
Add protein with a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt, non-dairy yogurt, peanut butter, almond butter, or protein powder. Add ¼ of avocado for healthy fats and creaminess. Turmeric, cacao powder, and matcha green tea powder add various benefits like antioxidants, phytonutrients, or if you want a bit of caffeine from the tea.
Blending sequence
Processing the acai bowl ingredients works best when using a high-powered blender. Add liquid ingredients and any leafy ingredients first, followed by the frozen ones. Any dried ingredients like protein powders should be added to the liquids.
The frozen acai packet must be broken down into smaller chunks while still in the package to make blending easier. The consistency should not be easy to pour out as you want to be able to use a spoon to eat from the bowl.
My favorite topping ideas
- Fresh Fruit: Sliced strawberries, bananas, kiwi, apples, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple, mango, pomegranate arils.
- Protein: Peanut butter, almond butter, or chopped nuts and seeds. Sliced almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, or pistachios. Try pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, shredded coconut, or hemp heart seeds.
- Superfood Boosters: Cacao, cacao nibs, matcha, flax seeds, chia seeds, goji berries, homemade granola.
Berry Acai Bowl
- Base: Frozen acai puree, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, and coconut water.
- Toppings: Strawberries, pineapples, bananas, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwis, bananas, toasted coconut, hemp heart seeds.
Protein Acai Bowl
- Base: Frozen acai puree, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, almond butter, Greek yogurt, protein powder, and cashew milk.
- Toppings: Nut butter, sliced almonds, quinoa granola, strawberry, blueberry, banana, chia seeds, hemp heart seeds.
Superfood Acai Bowl
- Base: Frozen acai puree, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, bananas, kale, spinach, matcha powder, and pomegranate juice.
- Toppings: Pomegranate arils, chia seeds, cacao nibs, strawberry, matcha powder, hemp heart seeds, banana, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, granola.
Tropical Acai Bowl
- Base: Frozen acai puree, mango, pineapple, banana, and coconut water.
- Toppings: Strawberry, banana, mango, pineapple, kiwi, coconut flakes, and hemp heart seeds.
Frequently asked questions
The base is frozen acai berry puree and a liquid to help with blending, which creates a thick smoothie bowl. Other frozen fruits, greens, yogurt, nut butter, or protein powder can be added for a nutritional boost and flavor. Toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, and granola add colorful and exciting textures.
Acai bowls can be a healthy and nutrient-dense treat when balancing the various ingredients added to the recipe. Using acai puree and a variety of frozen fruits, leafy greens, protein, and superfoods can deliver fiber, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Limit the amount of added sugar and consume the recommended serving size.
Yes! Portion the acai bowls into individual portions in airtight containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost the bowls for 10 to 15 minutes before eating so it’s softer and easier to scoop. Toppings can be added and frozen, but they will become slightly mushy as they defrost. Adding fresh fruit has the best taste.
Use only frozen fruit
All the fruit in the recipe must be frozen, or a thick texture won’t be achieved. Water that freezes inside the fruit cell walls helps to keep the acai mixture chilly and thick. Grocery stores sell various types of frozen, convenient, and sometimes affordable frozen fruits. For fresh fruit, freeze them inside a plastic bag in a single layer until solid.
Acai Bowl (4 Easy Recipes!)
Ingredients
Berry Acai Bowl
- 1 packet frozen acai puree, unsweetened
- ¼ cup coconut water
- 2 tablespoons greek yogurt, plain
- ½ cup frozen banana slices, about 1 medium banana
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ¼ cup frozen blueberries
- ¼ cup frozen raspberries
- 1 teaspoon honey, or maple syrup (optional)
Protein Acai Bowl
- 1 packet frozen acai puree, unsweetened
- ¼ cup cashew milk, or almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or almond butter
- 2 tablespoons greek yogurt, plain or dairy-free yogurt
- protein powder, as recommended by product for 1 serving (optional)
- ½ cup frozen banana slices, about 1 medium banana
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 teaspoon honey, or maple syrup (optional)
Superfood Acai Bowl
- 1 packet frozen acai puree, unsweetened
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice, or cranberry juice, grape or apple juice
- 1 teaspoon Matcha powder
- ½ cup baby spinach, packed
- ½ cup baby kale, packed
- ½ cup frozen banana slices, about 1 medium banana
- ¼ cup frozen strawberries
- ¼ cup frozen blueberries
- ¼ cup frozen blackberries
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- 1 teaspoon honey, or maple syrup (optional)
Tropical Acai Bowl
- 1 packet frozen acai puree, unsweetened
- ¼ cup coconut milk, or coconut water or pineapple juice
- ½ cup frozen banana slices, about 1 medium banana
- ½ cup frozen mangoes
- ½ cup frozen pineapples
- 1 teaspoon honey, or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bowl – Place the serving bowl in the freezer.
- Defrost the Acai – Allow the frozen acai packet to slightly defrost at room temperature for a few minutes. Break into smaller pieces while still in the package.
Berry Acai Bowl
- Make the Berry Acai Bowl – Add coconut water, yogurt, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, acai, and sweeteners (if using) to a blender cup. Blend on medium speed, using the tamper to push down the fruit, for about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high, and process until thick, spoonable, and smooth, about 15 seconds. Add more coconut water if needed. Transfer the mixture to the bowl from the freezer and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.Suggested Toppings: Strawberries, pineapples, bananas, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwis, bananas, toasted coconut, hemp heart seeds.
Protein Acai Bowl
- Make the Protein Acai Bowl – Add cashew milk, almond butter, yogurt, protein powder (if using), bananas, strawberries, blueberries, acai, and sweetener (if using) to a blender cup. Blend on medium speed, using the tamper to push down the fruit, for about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high, and process until thick, spoonable, and smooth, about 15 seconds. Add more coconut water if needed. Transfer the mixture to the bowl from the freezer and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.Suggested Toppings: Nut butter, sliced almonds, quinoa granola, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, chia seeds, hemp heart seeds.
Superfood Acai Bowl
- Make the Superfood Acai Bowl – Add pomegranate juice, matcha powder, spinach, kale, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, acai, and sweetener (if using) to a blender cup. Blend on medium speed, using the tamper to help push down the fruit, for about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high, and process until thick, spoonable, and smooth, about 15 seconds. Add more coconut water if needed. Transfer the mixture to the bowl from the freezer and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.Suggested Toppings: Pomegranate arils, chia seeds, cacao nibs, strawberry, matcha powder, hemp heart seeds, banana, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, granola.
Tropical Acai Bowl
- Make the Tropical Acai Bowl – Add coconut milk, bananas, mangoes, pineapples, acai, and sweetener (if using) to a blender cup. Blend on medium speed, using the tamper to help push down the fruit, for about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high, and process until thick, spoonable, and smooth, about 15 seconds. Add more coconut water if needed. Transfer the mixture to the bowl from the freezer and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.Suggested Toppings: Strawberry, banana, mango, pineapple, kiwi, toasted coconut flakes, hemp heart seeds.
Recipe Video
Equipment
Notes
- Recipe Yield: About 2 cups; makes one large bowl or two small bowls.
- Serving Size: 1 cup (toppings not added to nutrition facts)
- Freezing Bananas: Slice into ½-inch thick slices. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and spread into a single layer, seal, and close. Freeze until solid, about 3 hours or more.
- Freezing Fresh Fruit: Any other type of fruit can be frozen in a single layer until ready to use. Make sure pieces are no larger than 1 inch in size.
- Meal Prep: Store in airtight containers to make individual portions. Add toppings before or after freezing. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost for 10 to 15 minutes or until soft and spoonable.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Ola Ipaye says
What a bunch of fantastic acai recipes! I’m not too familiar with acai and have never had it but ill definitely do my very best to get it hands on some form of the acai!
The smoothie bowls all look tasty too! I’ll be making one of sure.
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you, Ola! I know you will love it. They sell the acai packs in the frozen food section, so it should be easy to find. Let me know what bowl you make!