What is an acai bowl and why you should blend one up, now? Here’s the scoop on these popular bowls, including a recipe to make them at home.
Originating in Brazil, acai bowls have spread like wildfire across the world: and for good reason! These topping-loaded frosty purple smoothie bowls are tangy and refreshing: and there are infinite ways to top them. We’re huge fans in this household: including our toddler! Keep reading to learn more about these popular smoothie bowls and how to make them at home.
What is an acai bowl?
So, what is an acai bowl? If you’ve never had one, it’s a smoothie bowl with the smoothie made from acai berries. The bowl is loaded with toppings like sliced fruit and berries, granola, coconut and almond butter. Restaurants and food trucks across America serve them, but they are very easy to make at home with our homemade acai bowl recipe (see below).
Where does acai come from? Acai berries actually grow on palm trees and are native to Brazil: they originate in the Amazon. Acai bowls are a popular dish in Brazil, and they’ve now become very popular here in the US as a healthy breakfast or snack. Acai berries are known as a superfood, and are loaded with antioxidants and lots of other nutrients.
Where to buy acai?
Acai berries are native to Brazil. But due to the popularity of acai bowls, packs of frozen pulp are now widely available online or even in stores. We found acai pulp packs at a local grocery. Sambazon is a well-known brand that sells acai and has sustainable harvesting practices.
Looking for an acai bowl recipe?
Keep reading for our recipe for making these popular bowls at home. Take it from one reader review: “Made your recipe for breakfast today and OH MY! I’ve never had one that I’ve enjoyed as much as this. This was so perfectly balanced, and my husband loved it too!”
Looking for more healthy breakfast recipes?
Here are a few more healthy breakfast ideas:
- Perfect Strawberry Smoothie
- Banana Smoothie
- Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
- Healthy Banana Bread
- 2-Minute Instant Oatmeal Recipe
- Superfood Pecan Energy Bars
- Perfect Green Smoothie
- Toasted Pecan Homemade Muesli
- Almond Butter Toast with Strawberries
Acai Berry Bowl
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
What is an acai bowl and why you should blend one up, now? Here’s the scoop on these popular bowls, including a recipe to make them at home.
Ingredients
For the toppings
- 1 handful coconut flakes
- 1/2 mango, diced (or ½ cup frozen diced, thawed)
- 4 sliced strawberries
- 1 small handful blueberries
- 1 small handful pepitas
- Bee pollen, optional
- Other toppings: Granola, almonds, pecans, walnuts, almond butter, peanut butter, chia seeds, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup
For the acai bowl
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 large banana
- 1/2 mango (or ½ cup frozen diced)
- 7 ounces frozen unsweetened acai pulp (such as Sambazon)*
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Place your bowls in the freezer: this will help to keep the acai from melting while enjoying it.
- Prep the toppings (before making the bowl, again to minimize melting): In a small skillet, toast the coconut over low to medium low heat until golden brown, stirring often. Immediately remove to a bowl. Dice the mango and reserve half for the acai. Slice the strawberries.
- In a large high speed or regular blender, blend the pineapple, banana and mango until somewhat combined and chunky.
- Thaw the acai pulp under warm water until it can be broken into smaller chunks, then remove the packaging. Add the acai to the blender with the lime juice and ¼ cup cold water. Blend until smooth, stopping and stirring as necessary. (If you need a bit more water you can add it; try not to add too much in order to keep the acai texture thick. A high speed blender will work well here; with a regular blender you’ll have to stop and stir more.)
- Pour the acai mixture into the frozen bowls. Top with the fruit, coconut, pepitas, and other toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
*We’ve found this acai pulp in the frozen section at several of our local grocery stores.
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frozen
- Cuisine: Tropical
Keywords: What is Acai Bowl, What is an Acai Bowl, Acai Bowls, Acai Berry Bowl,
