Try this Açaí Bowl Recipe to make a delicious breakfast, or have it anytime you want a nutritious frosty treat.
Açaí comes from the Amazon (not the one online where you order everything under the sun). I’m talking about the Amazon jungle of Brazil. The açaí fruit is tart, so we mix it with a sweeter fruit to make an açai bowl like they do in southern Brazil.
Pull out your blender and get ready to enjoy a delicious, nutrition-packed smoothie in a bowl. Although most people eat açaí bowls for breakfast, it is also the perfect healthy snack for any time of day. You get to choose what goes in and on top, so have fun and make it different every time.
Açaí Bowls – The Ultimate Customizable Meal
We all know that salads, as well as bowls of pasta or rice, are highly customizable. However, in my humble opinion, nothing is quite as versatile as the sweet, creamy goodness of an açaí bowl. The frozen base alone has an unending list of combinations. Mix fruit, regular or plant-based milk, Greek yogurt, coconut water, nut butter, and protein powder with the açaí and frozen fruit.
Next, you can top it with any combination of nuts, seeds, fruit or other additions – including coconut flakes, chia seeds, sweeteners, flax seeds, and chocolate chips. Granola, cereal, cacao nibs (my favorite), and hemp seeds are good additions to your bowl, too. Add a swirl of nut butter and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and dig in.
Organization Is Crucial For A Perfect Açaí Bowl
The first time I made açaí bowls, I was not organized at all. I blended the frozen açaí and fruit and poured the mixture into a bowl. Then, I started to think about what I wanted to put on top. Ok, some shredded coconut, granola, berries, etc. That meant I needed to gather all those ingredients from the pantry, cabinet, and refrigerator. By the time I washed the berries and sprinkled on the coconut and granola, the frozen mixture had turned to slush.
The moral of the story is that you need to be organized upfront. Gather all your toppings to the counter. If you are following any diet where you have to keep track of what you eat, measure your toppings into a bowl so you don’t have to do that later. Then, once everything is ready, blend your frozen mixture and assemble your bowl. Trust me, you’ll thank me later for helping you get organized.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Açaí bowls are best consumed right away. However, you can make the base in advance and freeze individual portions for future use. When ready to use, let it thaw slightly, blend, pour, and top. Although you might see some recipes state that you can refrigerate the base in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, I find it gets soupy that way. And make sure you don’t refrigerate or freeze the açaí mixture with the toppings. Always add those when ready to eat.
Serving Suggestions
Although an açaí bowl is a complete meal, pairing it with a scone, a slice of sweet bread, or a muffin is one of my favorite things in the morning. You might want to try Cranberry Orange Scones, with their delicate glaze, Gluten-Free Scones if you don’t eat wheat, or a slice of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread. When you want a break from açaí bowls, check out this Fruit and Nut Oatmeal Bowl, packed with nutritious goodness.
Açaí Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packets frozen açaí purée 3.5 ounces each
- 1 large banana sliced and frozen
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
- 3/4 cup milk any variety
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
- 1/2 cup fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, banana, or kiwi
- 1/2 cup granola optional
Instructions
- Break the frozen açaí purée into smaller chunks for easier blending.
- In a blender, combine the frozen açaí purée, frozen banana slices, and frozen mixed berries.
- Add milk to the blender. Start with less milk for a thicker consistency and add more as needed.
- Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the blended mixture into two bowls.
- Top each bowl with fresh fruit and granola if desired.
- Drizzle with honey if a sweeter taste is desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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