Açaí Smoothie Bowl

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Suppose you want to save money and make the trendsetting Açaí Smoothie Bowl at home. In that case, this DIY guide has everything you need to know about the exquisite acai berry and how to feature it in an irresistible smoothie bowl adorned with any topping imaginable!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients You'll Need
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Variations
• Storing & Freezing
• Recipe FAQ's
• Other Recipes You'll Love
• Açaí Smoothie Bowl

Check out my Pineapple Raspberry Smoothie and my Peachy Berry Smoothie for more delicious smoothie recipes!

Acai bowls are a hot commodity on juice and smoothie bar menus. The gorgeous hot pink color is undoubtedly part of the appeal, but there’s much more to an acai smoothie bowl than its hue.

These bowls are a powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrient-dense calories, perfect for any meal, including dessert! The smoothie base is much thicker than your standard, sippable smoothie. It’s the ideal consistency to enjoy sundae-stye with your favorite tasty toppings and spoon.

The truth is, I was once a regular at my local juice bar, specifically for acai bowls, but they can be pricey instead. Fortunately, I discovered homemade acai bowls are quick, easy, and a much better bang for your buck!

As for acai’s flavor, it has a genuinely unique profile. Berries typically become sweeter as they ripen. However, acai berries become more tangy and sour with a rich and earthy bitterness comparable to dark chocolate.

With only 70 calories per cup and three times more antioxidants than blueberries, acai certainly qualifies as a superfruit. They’re also rich in fatty acids, mainly oleic, palmitic, and linoleic.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Acai! This berry is super good for you, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than in a smoothie.
• It’s budget-friendly. Making acai bowls at home is more cost-effective than routine trips to your favorite smoothie shop. 
• The versatility. These bowls are perfect for breakfast, snacks, and a guilt-free sweet treat. 
• It’s a healthy dessert! This sweet, velvety smoothie base is as satisfying as sherbert with a fraction of the calories, fat, and sugar. 
• Perfect for BYO acai bowl bars. Make a bag batch of the acai smoothie base to serve alongside an assortment of tasty toppings so everyone can build their perfect bowl!

Ingredients You'll Need

• Açaí Frozen Packets: Acai palm fruit is often frozen in perfect 1-2 serving packages, which is quite convenient for smoothie bowls. First, break up the large chunks in the package with your hands or the bottom of a heavy mug, then empty the packet directly into the blender.
• Apple Juice: You will need a liquid element to soften the frozen ingredients so they blend smoothly. I like using apple juice, but feel free to experiment with other unsweetened, 100% juice flavors here.
• Frozen Banana: Frozen from fresh or a bag of store-bought frozen bananas.
• Berries: Frozen bags of triple berry blend (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) are great to buy in bulk for all of your smoothie, smoothie bowl, and berry “nice” cream needs.
• Greek Vanilla Yogurt: Greek has more protein and less sugar than regular yogurt, and it’s much thicker, creamier, and tangier than its non-Greek counterpart. Instead of vanilla, you can use plain Greek yogurt or a different flavor and add a dash of vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
• Toppings: I like topping mine with sliced banana, sliced strawberries, crispy granola, and rich, syrupy honey, but there are no rules regarding what goes on top of an acai bowl. Most important is that the base is thick, creamy, and firm enough that the toppings do not sink to the bottom.

Step-By-Step Instructions

From start to finish, these bowls can be ready in under 10 minutes, but with the ingredients prepped and portioned out in advance, it’s as simple as pushing a button. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Make smoothie bowl base.

Add apple juice, frozen banana, frozen berries, yogurt, and acai pieces to a high-speed blender, and blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Add ice to thicken smoothie base.

If the consistency seems thin, add ¼ - ½ cup of ice, and blend once more. Repeat until the base is a soft-serve-ice-cream-like texture. 

Step 3: Divide between bowls.

Using a rubber spatula, scrape the thick, silky smoothie base from the blender into two shallow bowls. 

Step 4: Add toppings and serve.

Layer the banana and strawberry slices on top, along with a neat pile of granola. Finish with a decorative drizzle of honey, and serve with a spoon.

NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

Expert Tips

• You’re aiming for a consistency similar to soft-serve that you can eat from a bowl with a spoon. If it’s too thin, you can add ice to fluff it up a bit. 
• A powerful high-speed blender or food processor should be able to blend the frozen fruit  without trouble. If the blades seem to struggle, add 1-2 tablespoons of warm apple juice or water to soften the frozen ingredients.
• You can freeze whole, unpeeled bananas or peel them first and freeze in an airtight bag. Keep in mind that the peels will continue browning in the freezer, and that’s okay! It doesn’t impact the flavor of the fruit.
• This smoothie is made with natural fruit, so there are no added sugars or sweeteners. If your smoothie is too tart, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to balance it.

Variations

You can, of course, adjust the thickness to your likeness and drink this smoothie with a straw, but that limits room for toppings.

If you choose to enjoy your acai smoothie in a bowl, you have a blank canvas for toppings like:

• Creamy nut butter
• Cacao nibs
• Coconut flakes
• Chia or flax seeds
• Chopped pistachios or macadamia nuts
• Blueberries and blackberries
• Slivered almonds
• Sliced kiwi
• Starfruit
• Whipped coconut cream
• Cool Whip
• Dark chocolate chips or shavings

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Scoop the leftover pureed smoothie into a glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator for 2-3  days.

Freezing: You can also freeze leftover acai smoothies in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Let thaw on the counter for about 2 ½ hours before enjoying. Likewise, you can let the frozen acai smoothie mixture soften for 5-10 minutes before pureeing in a high-speed blender.

Recipe FAQ's

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