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Get It NowFor a totally refreshing take on a smoothie bowl, this homemade acai bowl recipe delivers sweet flavor with tons of benefits just like chia seed pudding. I ordered one for my daughter at a healthy lunch place on a trip recently, and my entire family was so hooked that I had to figure out a way to make it at home.
What Is An Acai Bowl?
An acai bowl is a traditional Brazilian smoothie bowl made from frozen acai berries (native to South America), banana, and other fruit. The blend is then topped with more fruit and crunchy toppings. Acai bowls make a great snack or healthy breakfast option!
Why You’ll Love This Acai Bowl Recipe
- Sweet and tart flavors
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Naturally gluten-free, whole food ingredients
- Just 5 minutes to make!
- Packed with vitamins and powerful nutrients
- The perfect easy snack or breakfast
- Easy to customize with your favorite fruit and toppings
Acai Bowl Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for homemade acai bowls, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients:
- Frozen Acai Packets – I used frozen packets (found in the freezer section). These are already blended acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries. You’ll need 200 grams, or about 1 cup total of berry puree. If using acai powder instead of frozen, use 2 tablespoons total, but you will need to increase quantities of the frozen berries below. I suggest doubling the raspberries and blueberries.
- Frozen Fruit – You will need sliced and frozen fruit for the base of the homemade acai bowl recipe. I used bananas, raspberries, and blueberries. You can also use other fruit, such as strawberries, mango, or pineapple. For a low carb option, omit the banana and add more berries instead, or use a combination of berries and avocado (like I do for my keto smoothie — you won’t taste the avocado!).
- Coconut Water – This thins out the puree, to make it a smoothie bowl consistency, and makes it easier to blend. You can also substitute regular milk or non-dairy milk of your choice (such as store-bought or homemade almond milk). Plain water will work too, but the flavor isn’t as nice.
- Honey – Optional, but nice for balancing the tartness of the fruit. I used zero sugar honey to avoid added sugar, but regular also works.
VARIATION: Add protein!
For a protein boost, add 1-2 scoops of protein powder, such as collagen, whey, or plant-based protein powder.
Acai Bowl Toppings:
- Fresh Fruit – Top this bowl with fresh fruit, such as fresh bananas or berries.
- Crunchy Toppings – I used sliced almonds and unsweetened coconut flakes for my acai bowl. You can also use other nuts, such as walnuts, cashews, or macadamias, or make it nut-free by using pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds. Homemade granola also makes a wonderful topping — this is what they used in the acai bowls we had on our trip that inspired this recipe.
- Honey – Add natural sweetness with a drizzle of honey or zero sugar honey. Omit altogether to make the bowls vegan.
VARIATION: Drizzle with nut butter!
A drizzle of peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter (or even sunflower seed butter) makes a flavorful topping option for extra protein and healthy fats.
How To Make An Acai Bowl
This section shows how to make acai bowls, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Combine. Place the frozen acai puree, frozen bananas, frozen berries, coconut water, and honey (if using) in a high-power blender.
- Blend. Puree the acai bowl base, until smooth and creamy. If needed, add more coconut water to reach desired texture.
- Garnish. Transfer the puree into bowls. Add whatever toppings your heart desires!
TIP: Defrost the puree for 15 minutes at room temperature before blending.
This makes it much easier to blend.
Are Acai Bowls Healthy?
Yes, acai bowls are healthy, as long as you don’t add refined sugar. Acai berries are a nutritious superfood packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins C, A, and E. Studies have even shown that consuming these berries can improve antioxidant levels in the body and lower cholesterol [*].
Storage Instructions
This bowl tastes best fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, store without the toppings and add them fresh.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Don’t stop at this mouthwatering bowl! Make mornings more relaxed with these easy breakfast recipes, including sweet, savory, and make-ahead options:
Tools I Use For This Recipe
- High Powered Blender – With 5 speeds and 10 functions, you can make smoothies, soups, and more. Works great with frozen fruit!
Acai Bowl Recipe (5 Minutes!)
This homemade acai bowl recipe creates a thick smoothie bowl from frozen acai berries, fruit, and toppings for a healthy breakfast or snack!
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.
Acai Bowls:
Optional Toppings:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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If you have time, let the frozen berries and bananas defrost for 15 minutes at room temperature. This is optional, but will make it easier to blend.
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Combine the acai packets, frozen berries, frozen bananas, coconut water, and honey (if using) in a high-powered blender.
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Blend until smooth and creamy. If needed, add more coconut water 1 tablespoon at a time to get the right consistency (or if it’s difficult to blend).
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Divide the acai mixture between two bowls. Add toppings if desired.
Did You Like It?
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 acai bowl
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or toppings. For an option lower in carbs and sugar, replace the bananas with more berries instead.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
5 Comments
Shelby
0I love this acai bowl mostly because it’s yummy but also because the color is so perfect that it was an amazing morning pick me up!
Gina
0Love having those acai packets in the freezer for easy smoothies. I eat smoothies for breakfast almost every day so I’m always looking for easy ways to switch things up and this recipe was delicious! I add protein powder and lots of higher fat toppings for satiety and it’s great!
Julianne
0Absolutely delicious! Not only are the ingredient super healthy, but it makes such a beautiful presentation with all the stunning colors. Love it!
Erin
0This was so easy! I made one for my kid, too, and he just loved the color. Thanks a bunch!
Michelle
0I made this this morning and it was awesome! Refreshing and fruity!