Acai Bowl
This acai bowl recipe can be made at home in just a few minutes with a high-powered blender! It’s packed with antioxidants and can be layered with endless amounts of fruits, nuts, seeds, and more to create the summer bowl of your dreams.
Acai bowls are the quintessential smoothie bowl. Especially in Southern California where you can find them in nearly every beach town. But even if you’re not close to a healthy beach cafe, you can easily make them at home (just like the rest of these smoothie recipes).
And good news, you can use frozen acai packets or powdered acai – either works in this recipe. So whenever you’re craving a refreshingly fruity breakfast or snack, just blend up this recipe!
What is Acai?
If you’re not familiar with acai berries — they’re small, round, purplish berries from the acai palm, which are native to Brazil and the upper parts of South America, as well as Trinidad. But their sweet tropical flavor has taken the world by storm, especially with frozen acai bowls.
Acai Bowl Ingredients
Just a few ingredients are needed for the acai bowl base. Then you can have fun with toppings!
- Frozen acai packets: I made this smoothie bowl with frozen Sambazon acai packets, but you could also use acai powder. If you grab the frozen acai packets, make sure to get them unsweetened. There’s no need for added sugar considering the sweetness of all the fruit!
- Fruits: You’ll need frozen mixed berries and one fresh banana to blend with the acai.
- Milk: I love to use cashew milk or oat milk for extra creaminess. But feel free to use any type of milk.
- Nut Butter: My go-to nut butter is my homemade almond butter. But any nut or seed butter will work.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How to Make an Acai Bowl
To make the acai base, just toss the acai packets, banana, milk, and nut butter into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
Helpful tip: Remember that the tamper on your blender is your friend. You want the smoothie bowl thick and cold, so that means you’ll need to use the tamper to push everything into the blades.
Acai Bowl Topping Ideas
The toppings and layers are honestly my favorite part of making an acai bowl. They add texture, crunch, protein, and added nutrients! Here are a few fun and delicious ideas:
- Fruit: You can add all the fruit your heart desires. But I personally love to switch between a berry mix (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry) or a tropical mix (mangos, bananas, and pineapple).
- Seeds: Layer on the seeds for added nutritional benefits! A few favorites are pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
- Nuts: Chop up your favorite nuts before sprinkling them on top! And if you want to add a drizzle of nut butter on top, that works too.
- Chia pudding: I love to add a layer of chia pudding for a fun, delicious, and nutritious addition to my acai bowl. You can even alternate layers of chia pudding and blended acai in a clear cup, similar to my pomegranate chia pudding parfait.
Acai Bowl Tips
Given that I’m somewhat of an acai bowl expert (self-proclaimed based on how often I make them), I have a few more tips for you:
- If you opt for acai powder rather than frozen acai packets, use 2 tablespoons of powder, add one cup more frozen berries and freeze your banana to keep your bowl nice and thick.
- Acai bowls are best eaten right away. They will soften quickly, especially in warm weather.
- If you’d like to make it extra creamy, you could add a few spoonfuls of my homemade yogurt (dairy) or coconut yogurt (dairy-free).
Are Acai Bowls Healthy?
Yes, when eaten in moderation. The dark purple color of acai indicates that it’s loaded with polyphenols and anthocyanins (a flavonoid pigment also found in beets, blackberries, and blueberries) and packed full of antioxidants.
In fact, acai has the highest level of anthocyanins which is why some consider it a superfood. Even more, it’s loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. That’s why it’s one of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods to enjoy.
But when it comes to acai bowls, there’s a large quantity of fruit, not only from the acai but also from the toppings. That means acai bowls can have a significant amount of sugar. And while it’s natural fruit sugar, it’s still something to be aware of.
More Smoothie Bowl Recipes
If you’re hooked on acai bowls, you’ll definitely want to try these other smoothie bowl recipes.
This acai bowl recipe will come in clutch during the hot summer months! Once you make it, let me know your thoughts on the recipe and how you topped your bowl in the comment box below. I can’t wait to see your smoothie bowl creation.
Perfect Acai Bowl Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 packets unsweetened frozen acai
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 banana
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
Toppings (optional)
- bee pollen
- chia seeds
- coconut flakes
- mixed berries
- hemp seeds, optional
- cacao nibs, optional
Instructions
- Blend the base. Place all of the acai bowl ingredients together in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Add toppings. Pour into two bowls and top with mixed fruit and a variety of toppings.
Lisa’s Tips
- Can you make an acai bowl ahead of time and freeze, then thaw when needed? You sure can. Though I prefer them freshly made for the best texture.
Nutrition
Recipe originally published March 2017, but updated to include new information.
I just made this acai bowl with some leftover almond butter that was stuck in my blender after making some almond butter (thanks for that useful tip, Lisa!!). Once again this is a winner- delicious and nourishing. I added 1.5 cups of spinach and I don’t even taste it! My toddler will love this also as dessert for tonight :)
Love that you snuck some extra spinach into acai bowl – well done!
Loved making this as part of a new regime for my husband who has MS. I have been trying many recipes from your 8 anti inflammatory foods video. I learned to make the almond butter (used a Ninja I already have and could not believe it became creamy without stirring -Wow!) I topped it with Cacao nibs, almond Granola and fruits. I will post it on Instagram, Thank you very much!
Happy to hear you’re loving this acai bowl recipe!
Good recipe to start a Sunny Day!!! Delicious!!!
Absolutely!
Yum! Can I use milkadamia milk instead of cashew?
Of course!
Hi Lisa,
If I don’t want to use the collagen peptides, what can I substitute it with?
Thanks!
Hi Tracey – the collagen power is completely optional! If you want extra protein in your drink, you can nut butters, greek yogurt, or nuts and seeds.
WOW! I’m a chronic fatigue sufferer, and I feel like I’m actually coming alive! Its extremely rare to forget to make coffee, as I usually need it to feel awake. This smoothie bowl was not only delicious but very agreeable to my body and makes me feel energetic! I haven’t felt like this in a long time. Yay!!!!
Hi Christine – I’m so thrilled to hear this recipe is helping you feel at your best! :)
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for posting your recipe and lifestyle videos to youtube. Your fun smoothie and healthy smoothie recipe have inspired me and given me fun ways to eat healthier. I was wondering if I could use water as a base for your smoothie recipes instead of milk or plant-based milk? Also, could I add avocado instead of yogurt? Is this taking away any significant health benefits from the smoothie? I don’t love milk or yogurt in my smoothies, just a weird texture preference but definitely love your smoothie recipes : – ). Especially your post work out green smoothie!
Thank you so much for your time,
Ali Love
Hi Ali – yes, feel free to modify! You can definitely swap the milk for water and add avocado for creaminess. The smoothie might have a bit less protein, but it’s all about making it tasty and enjoyable! :)
I may have missed it in the post but how much acai powder should I add to this recipe? Excited to try it!
It may say on the back of your package, but I usually add 1-2 tbsp. Enjoy!
just made it… delicious! and the best part is that my tummy like it too… I’m having digestive problems and while searching for easy healthy recipes, I came across your site and I’ve been followed you since… thank you so much for thinking about us, too!
Hi Geovanna – I’m happy you and your tummy enjoyed the acai bowl! And yes, the website fell out of trying to control my autoimmune diseases with healthy eating, so I know where you’re at. Glad to have you in the Downshiftology community!
I made you açaí bowl and it was marvelous! I shared your website with two friends. Thank you
Thanks so much Murielle! I’m glad you enjoyed the acai bowl recipe. And thanks for sharing my website with your friends! :)
Wow where do I find this bee pollen? I live in a very not trendy area and can’t seem to find it? Can i order online? this recipe tastes really with peanut butter.
Yes, you can order online!
Spring is on the way. I am going to work on getting my skills tuned in on this one. Thanks.
ps: I will use the glyphosate free berries….
This is a great spring recipe for sure! Hope you enjoy it…with those clean berries. :)
I LOVE acai bowls and really love that this recipe includes collagen peptides and bee pollen! Can’t wait to make this…ASAP!!!
Yes! Love to add collagen and bee pollen to my acai bowl. But there’s so many ways to get creative with toppings. Hope you enjoy it Sarah! :) x
I have never had Acai berry!! I see them dried in the grocery store but have never picked them up.
This looks like the perfect healthy breakfast for someone. Packed with fruit and nut products. AND so colourful!!!
You’ll definitely have to grab some of that dried acai powder and whip up one of these bowls then! It’s definitely nutrient-packed and nourishing….and of course yum! :)
That is almost too pretty to eat! I am a California girl too – I LOVE the warm weather! I can’t wait to try these bowls, my family will devour them.
Yay for Cali girls and warm weather! Hope you and your family enjoy these acai bowls Allison. :) x
This is such a gorgeous meal! I need to make this for breakfast this week, it sounds so incredible!
Thanks Madi! It’s a delicious breakfast for sure. Hope you enjoy it!
I love acai bowls, yours looks so delicious with all the great toppings.
Thanks Jere! I think acai bowls are always about the toppings. ;)
If you use acai powder how much do you use and does the recipe need adjusting? Have the powder here but have never seen frozen acai here in Australia.
thanks!
Hi Renee – you don’t need to do much tweaking. Just make sure your banana is frozen (to make it nice and thick) and I’d use 1 tbsp of acai powder. :)
Wow that is one gorgeous looking bowl! Almost too pretty to eat! I am loving this – finally get to use all my berries up and I’m actually kinda super pumped to be eating a bit more healthier too.
Thanks Joyce! I find that acai bowls are definitely photogenic and seem to bring out that healthy creativity. ;) Enjoy!
I love these bowls, but I don’t know why I never think to make them. Those toppings sound so yummy!
And they’re so easy to make too! Just toss everything in a blender and you’re good to go!
I would love waking up to this acai smoothie bowl – it looks delicious!!
It’s definitely the best breakfast to enjoy on a warm weekend!
I can wake up to this bowl everyday. This looks super delicious and healthy. I have never tried bee pollen before. Thanks for sharing.
It’s delicious, healthy and easy – which is the best combo! And definitely give bee pollen a try as it’s got great health benefits. :)
I’m all about the acai bowls – but honestly I usually buy them over making them. Thanks so much for the easy recipe!
Once you give it a try at home and see how easy it is to make, you won’t have to buy them at the store again. ;)
What a beautifully enticing breakfast. Love all your topping combinations.
The great thing is this acai bowl couldn’t be easier – love that! :)
Perfect for the Queensland weather!! It is still quite hot here and acai bowls are very popular breakfast here. I have acai powder in my pantry, so will try this very soon. Thank you for sharing the recipe <3
Ahh, jealous of your warm weather and bummed that I didn’t spend time in Oz this winter! Perhaps next year again. But yes, acai bowls are the best! :)
Super healthy and packed full of goodness. Love all the hemp seeds as well as the acai
Gotta love how customizable the toppings are – love hemp seeds, chia seeds and bee pollen!
Its funny I lived in Rio when I was about 12 for abut a year and I remember how common acai bowls were and in the last couple of years they have boomed everywhere. I really like that you topped yours with bee pollen its great with spring for allergies.
I’ve never been to Rio, but would love to visit one day (and eat lots of acai bowls). ;)
Açai bowls are definitely a worthy trend – delicious, gorgeous, and so versatile! Love your recipe. And keep enjoying the warm weather for me! It’s FINALLY starting to warm up here, but you obviously have me beat with the temperatures, haha ;)
So glad it’s warming up for you! Time for you to defrost! ;) And my warmth will be balanced with cold NY weather next week. Lol.