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SUPER BERRY ACAI BOWL

The best Acai Bowl is a thick and creamy smoothie made with acai berries (frozen puree or freeze-dried powder) and served in a bowl with a variety of healthy toppings. It’s easy to make and packed with superfood nutrition!

top down view of homemade acai bowl topped with healthy toppings with items surrounding.

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Meet the new love of my life – packed with antioxidants, essential vitamins & minerals, Acai bowls are the perfect vegan smoothie elixir!

Acai 101

Where do they come from? Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a small deep-purple grape-like fruit harvested from the acai palm tree. It is native to the Brazilian rainforests of Central and South America. Acai berries are known for their vibrant purple color, creamy texture, and numerous health benefits.

Is acai healthy? Yes, it is packed with nutrients, including antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats (particularly omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids), vitamins (especially vitamins A and C), and minerals (such as potassium, calcium, and iron). Compared to other fruits, it is also relatively low in sugar.

What does acai taste like? Acai berries are a rich combination of blackberries and dark chocolate. Delicious, right?! This flavor pairs perfectly with the fruits and toppings commonly eaten in an acai bowl.

How are they sold? Acai berries are highly perishable and not commonly found fresh outside of their native region. Instead, they are typically available in the form of frozen puree, freeze-dried powder, capsules, and juice. These products can be used in various recipes, such as smoothies, acai bowls, and energy bars.

Specifically, the acai bowl has truly become a phenomenon, capturing the hearts of many! It’s right up there with avocado toast and matcha anything. 🌟

top down view of ingredients used to make healthy acai bowl recipe.

What Is An Acai Bowl Made Of?

An acai bowl is made from a base of blended acai berries from the Amazon, various fruits, and a liquid, creating a nutritious and delicious light meal or dessert. Here are our suggestions for making the best acai bowl:

  1. Acai puree: The base of the bowl is typically made from frozen acai puree, which is blended to achieve a smooth, thick consistency. Acai berries are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats. We also love using freeze-dried acai powder in place of puree.
  2. Liquid: To blend the acai puree, a liquid is added. We use unsweetened non-dairy, plant-based milk, coconut water, or unsweetened fruit juice. The amount of liquid used depends on the desired thickness of the acai base.
  3. Sweetener: Can be optional. We recommend vegan honey, coconut nectar, date sugar, or a few drops of liquid stevia or monkfruit sweetener.
  4. Fruit: Additional fruit is typically added, either blended into the base or used as a topping. Common fruits include bananas, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and mango.
  5. Toppings: To some, this may be the best part! To enhance the flavor and texture of an acai bowl, a variety of toppings are added. We love using granola, nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or cashews), chia seeds, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, and a drizzle of nut butter. It’s all so yummy!

We love experimenting with different fruits, toppings, and sweeteners. And we encourage you to do the same!

side by side photos showing the process of making homemade acai bowl in a blender.

How To Make The Perfect Acai Bowl

Making the perfect acai bowl is as easy as can be!

  1. Gather your ingredients:
  • 1 – 2 packs (100g each) of unsweetened frozen acai puree or 1 – 2 tablespoons of acai freeze-dried powder (Amazon)
  • 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid (milk, almond milk, coconut water, or fruit juice)
  • 1 small banana or 1/2 of a larger one, frozen (optional but recommended for creaminess)
  • 1/2 – 1 cup of frozen mixed berries or other fruit (optional)
  • Sweetener of choice (vegan honey, agave syrup, or liquid stevia), to taste (optional)
  • Toppings: granola, nuts, chia seeds, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, cacao nibs, etc.
  1. Thaw the acai puree:

Remove the acai puree from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. You can also run the packs under warm water to thaw them more quickly.

  1. Blend the base:

In a high-powered blender or food processor, combine acai, liquid, frozen banana, and any additional frozen fruit. Start with a smaller amount of liquid and add more as needed for desired consistency. Blend until smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender every now and then. Taste and add sweetener as desired, blending again to incorporate. Delish!

  1. Assemble the bowl:

Pour the blended acai mixture into a bowl, using a spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender. The consistency should be thick and similar to a soft-serve ice cream.

  1. Add your toppings:

Get creative with your toppings! Add granola, nuts, chia seeds, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, cacao nibs, a drizzle of honey or nut butter, or any other favorites. Arrange the toppings over the acai base however you like.

  1. Enjoy:

Grab a spoon and enjoy right away! The acai base can melt quickly, so it’s best eaten immediately after preparing.

Remember, perfection is subjective, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and toppings to suit your personal preferences and dietary needs.

top down view of homemade acai bowl topped with healthy toppings with items surrounding.

Tips For Success!

  • Use ripe bananas. When freezing bananas, make sure they are very ripe. They will sweeten your smoothie, so you won’t need added sweeteners.
  • Serve right away. As with all smoothies, they are best eaten right after making.
  • Top to your heart’s content. Add as much fruit as you like to your acai smoothie bowl. If you’re watching your refined sugar intake, go easy on the granola.
  • Have ingredients prepped ahead. Keep frozen banana slices and berries in the freezer. You can even portion the berries in freezer-safe ziplock bags that are ready to grab and use.

More Smoothie Recipes!

Whether in a bowl or in a glass, you can never have too many smoothie recipes! Take a look at these other vegan smoothie recipes, you may just find a new favorite.

top down view of homemade acai bowl topped with healthy toppings with items surrounding.

If you try this easy acai recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

Super Berry Acai Bowl

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 9 reviews

Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this quick and easy homemade acai bowl is a perfect way to lighten up and cool down!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 1
  • Category: Breakfast, Smoothie
  • Method: blender
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup frozen berry mix (any combo: blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
  • 1 large banana (sliced and frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon acai berry powder or 1 packet frozen acai puree (slightly thawed)
  • 3/41 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk or water, + more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon nut butter, optional for protein

Topping

  • mix of fresh berries and fruit
  • granola
  • toasted coconut flakes
  • chia seeds and/or hemp hearts

Instructions

In a blender bowl, add the berries, banana, acai powder or acai puree, optional protein source and water/milk. Blend until smooth. Add extra water if needed (most likely you won’t need any).

Place in a serving bowl and top with the suggested toppings or your favorite assortment.

Serves 1 large or 2 small

Notes

I love and recommend this acai berry powder from Terrasoul, purchased from Amazon (<affiliate link). You can find frozen acai berry packets for smoothie bowls at Target in the freezer section with the other frozen fruits.

Use ripe bananas. When freezing bananas, make sure they are very ripe. They will sweeten your smoothie, so you won’t need added sweeteners.

Serve right away. As with all smoothies, they are best eaten right after making.

Top to your heart’s content. Add as much fruit as you like to your acai smoothie bowl. If you’re watching your refined sugar intake, go easy on the granola.

Have ingredients prepped ahead. Keep frozen banana slices and berries in the freezer. You can even portion the berries in freezer-safe ziplock bags that are ready to grab and use.

Nutrition information is calculated without toppings.

Updated: This recipe was originally published in April 2016. It has been retested and updated with new photos and helpful tips in April 2021.

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15 Comments

  1. Very tasty and easy to make! Thanks for sharing this recipe!






  2. Can I use plain yogurt? As a substitute or topping?






    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      Yes, you can use your favorite toppings! Enjoy!

  3. I love all the ingredients! I bought some Açaí from Amazon as you suggested and I am thrilled with it! I do count calories, and I did come up with about 330 cal if I were to eat the whole thing. Of course I’d love to eat the whole thing for breakfast! I may be off with my figures can you break it down for me please thanks so much I love it!






    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      So glad you found the recipe helpful, Mary! My nutritional calculation is based on the main ingredients only – berries, banana, acai, and unsweetened non-dairy milk, which totals about 230 calories. Any additional topping will add more calories. I hope that helps!

  4. If made in bulk can the individual bowls be frozen (without the toppings) and taken out the day before eating and put the fresh toppings on?






    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      Great question! Yes, you can definitely freeze single-serve portions and let thaw a bit before eating. You’ll want to adjust the thawing time to your liking, longer for softer or shorter for firmer texture. Enjoy!

  5. Joellen Scott says:

    Can I use açaí berry powder in coffee without ruining its nutritional benefits?

    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      Yes, it should be fine and give you an extra energy boost from the coffee! :)

  6. Super quick and easy to make and tastes delicious! Absolutely love it!






  7. The best acia bowl I’ve had! Used acai puree and it was plenty sweet with the other fruits. Taste like it’s right from a Cali smoothie shop! Thanks :)






  8. This bowl is everything :)






  9. I’ve been in love with acai bowls since traveling to Maui last year! Easily one of the best things I have ever eaten. Thank you for sharing the tip to use acai powder. I have been using frozen acai puree or acai juice, but these are not always easy to come by. I will have to try the powder.






    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      They are the best! Your welcome about the acai powder. I haven’t tried the puree or juice but the powder seems to be the easiest for me. Hope you like it too! Cheers :)

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