Acai Smoothie Bowl

The combination of delicious, fresh fruits, acai puree, yogurt, and milk will make you feel like you’re eating in a tropical paradise! 

Acai Smoothie Bowl Recipe

The perfect amount of sweet and tangy flavors all wrapped up in a rich and creamy smoothie bowl, topped with a rainbow of ingredients. It is jam-packed with free radical fighting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This acai smoothie bowl is destined to be an all-star in your everyday lineup. 

What is acai?

Acai berries are found on acai palm trees, which originate out of Central and South American rainforests. They grow in bunches and are a staple food for people who live along the Amazon River delta. They are grape-like in size and appearance, but are almost all seed (70-80% of the fruit to be exact!). The juice comes primarily from the skin, has a slightly sweet, acidic flavor, and a beautiful purple color. While you likely have seen the trend of using acai in smoothie applications, traditionally, it is paired with fish, gamey meats, or as a soup or condiment. Acai does not have a long shelf-life once harvested, which is why you will find it almost exclusively frozen or in powder form.  

Benefits of Acai

The pulp from acai berries is loaded with antioxidants (roughly 3xs the amount found in blueberries) and a good source of trace minerals (like zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, and copper). It also contains healthy omegas, which are all reasons acai is considered to be a superfruit. 

Are acai bowls healthy?

Acai bowls can definitely be healthy! It really all comes down to the balance of macronutrients in the bowl. As with any smoothie, it can easily become very heavy on the sugars from fruit. This acai bowl is balanced with the protein and healthy fats from the Greek yogurt that aid in glucose regulation in the bloodstream.  

Acai Bowl Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this satisfying acai smoothie bowl:

• Acai puree – to start, you’ll use 2 packets of frozen acai puree.
• Banana – 1 sliced-then-frozen banana adds the thickest and creamiest texture to the bowl.
• Frozen Blueberries – a ½ cup of frozen blueberries and…
• Frozen Mango – a ½ cup of frozen mango add a tropical flavor and sweetness to the bowl. 
• Greek Yogurt – a ½ cup of unsweetened Greek yogurt adds a serving of protein and probiotics. 

Acai Smoothie Bowl Variations

• Sub protein powder – for the Greek yogurt, substitute a scoop of your favorite protein powder. (Need help finding the right protein powder for you? Check out our recommendations here.). Or, add protein powder as an addition if you like the Greek yogurt and the tang plus health benefits it provides. 
• Omit the banana – while bananas are one of the keys to a really thick smoothie bowl consistency, you can certainly omit the banana if your body does not run as efficiently with a lot of sugar (even if naturally from fruit).
• Add coconut butter – an addition of a scoop of coconut butter would be really tasty for an extra tropical feel, plus healthy fats. 
• Use acai powder – can’t find frozen acai packs? Use acai powder instead, but be sure to add a cup of water or milk to your smoothie bowl to help smooth out the ingredients. You’ll also want to prioritize using as many frozen ingredients as possible to help maintain the thickness of the bowl. 

Acai Puree vs. Acai Powder

Acai berries are highly perishable (they start to ferment as soon as they are picked), which is why you really only find them in frozen or powdered form. Both forms are easy to store. Frozen acai packs are easy to keep in the freezer until you are ready to use them. Acai powder generally keeps for up to a year when stored properly (in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place). Both also carry similar nutritional profiles. When it comes to smoothie bowls, frozen acai puree is desired to get the thick texture you’re looking for. 

Acai Smoothie Bowl Toppings

Acai has such a versatile flavor that pairs well with many toppings, so have fun with them! Here are some ideas:

• Fresh fruit – kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries would play really nicely with all the flavors and add brightness. 
• Hemp hearts – add a little extra protein, healthy fats, and fiber with a sprinkle of hemp hearts.
• Chia seeds – provide another source of antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, and a lovely pop of texture. 
• Shredded coconut – truly transports you to an island! Shredded coconut is also rich in fiber and MCTs.
• Peanut butter – a drizzle of peanut butter delivers a rich, savory note (and everything in life is better with peanut butter, isn’t it?).

Supplies Needed to Make this Recipe

• Blender

Best Blender for Smoothie Bowls

The best blender for smoothie bowls is a high powered blender. This helps ensure that the ingredients are blended as smooth as possible, resulting in the thickest texture. I recommend this Vitamix. It is definitely an investment, but really delivers in terms of quality and versatility (for use in recipes). 

How to Make an Acai Smoothie Bowl

The best part about this acai smoothie bowl (in addition to all the health benefits) is that it comes together in minutes! To make your smoothie bowl:

1. Add ingredients – add all your ingredients to the blender.
2. Blend – blend on high until smooth.
3. Pour and top – pour your smoothie into a bowl and add your favorite toppings (if desired).
4. Serve and enjoy!

Helpful Tips + Tricks

One of the best ways to prep your smoothie bowl ingredients for the breeziest assembly is to make smoothie bowl freezer packs. Here’s how you’ll do it:

1. Prep and measure out ingredients.
2. Place them in a labeled (with recipe name and date) freezer bag or container. 
3. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to use! 

If you’re having a difficult time getting your acai puree out of the packs, run under some cool water or place in a bowl with water for a minute to loosen the puree. It should slide right out!

What makes a smoothie bowl thick?

To achieve the thickest smoothie bowl:

• Use as many frozen ingredients as possible – they help build the volume of the bowls. 
• Use a high speed blender – it really makes a difference in the ability to get all of the ingredients fully incorporated and blended and build viscosity while blending. 
• Use as few liquid ingredients as possible – as these will water down the mixture. 

More Smoothie Bowl Recipes

• Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
• Mango Smoothie Bowl
• Pitaya Smoothie Bowl
• Avocado Smoothie Bowl
• Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl
• Strawberry Smoothie Bowl
• Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
• Protein Smoothie Bowl