Antioxidant Power Acai Smoothie Bowl

Acai Smoothie Bowl is made with a Brazilian berry mixed with frozen fruits and topped with fresh fruit and granola. How to make the popular acai smoothie bowls at home.

I will never forget the first time I tried an acai bowl. We were in California and we heard from our friends that we had to try the growing in popularity, acai bowls topped with fresh fruits and homemade granola. We were intrigued.

As soon as we finished our first acai bowl, we were hooked. I had to figure out how to make them at home. 

My health-nut daughter took her first job at our local acai bowl place and learned how to make the best acai bowls!

What is an Acai Smoothie Bowl?

Acai berries have gained popularity in popular acai smoothie bowls. Acai Bowls are a thick fruit smoothie placed in a bowl and topped with fresh fruits, granola, cacao nibs, unsweetened coconut flakes, honey, and more. It is usually thicker than a smoothie and contains less liquid and more frozen fruit.

What is Acai?

Açaí, pronounced ah-sigh-EE, comes from the acai berry grown on the acai palm tree in South American rainforests.

The acai fruit is small, round, and has a deep purple color.

What does acai taste like?

The taste of acai berries has been described as a blend of chocolate and berries.

Acai berries have been called a superfood, and the benefits can be debated. According to Medical News Today..."acai berries contain more antioxidants than other commonly eaten berries. They also are high in fiber and heart-healthy fats."

Acai Bowl Ingredients:

• Frozen Acai Berry Packets -- use unsweetened frozen acai packets or sweetened acai berry packets.
• Blueberries -- use frozen blueberries for extra antioxidant benefits.
• Strawberries - use frozen strawberries for extra sweetness and nutritional benefits.
• Banana -- this adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness. I suggest using a frozen banana.
• Apple Juice, Coconut milk, or Almond Milk -- if you want a sweeter acai bowl, I suggest using apple juice. If you want a creamier acai bowl, use coconut milk or almond milk.

Acai Bowl Toppings:

• Sliced Banana 
• Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Blueberries
• Granola
• Almond Butter
• Cacao Nibs or Dark Chocolate

More topping ideas include -- unsweetened coconut flakes, peanut butter, honey, hemp seeds, fresh fruits, and more.

What liquid to add to a smoothie bowl?

When choosing a liquid to add to a smoothie bowl, you want to choose a creamier milk or milk alternative like coconut milk, almond milk, or canned coconut milk or juice like apple juice to add sweetness. 

For an extra thick smoothie bowl, I suggest adding less liquid. A high-powered blender, like a Vitamix or Blendtec, works best to make smoothie bowls.

This post was updated in January 2023. Below you will find photos and text from my acai bowl post in 2016. Keep scrolling for the recipe.

You can't walk down the streets of California without seeing vibrant acai bowls sold everywhere. Acai Smoothie Bowls have been the rage for awhile now because they taste so unbelievably good and are crazy good for you. People have tapped into the antioxidant benefits of acai berries because they have more antioxidants than any other berry in the world. However, acai smoothie bowls many times come with a hefty price tag, so here's your chance to make them at home for a fraction of the price.  I am sharing two Acai Bowl recipes with you - an antioxidant packed berry smoothie bowl and a sweet tropical acai bowl. 

This Antioxidant Power Acai Smoothie Bowl is full of vitamins and minerals that make your skin look fresher and younger and gives you all-natural energy to get you through the day. There are even options to add more protein to make it a satisfying meal.

I am a health nut.

I know....stop laughing.

If you have looked at my blog, you can see that I love baked goods with all of my beating heart. However, what you might not know about me is that I am also a health freak. I am not a huge drive-thru fan (except for my beloved Chick-Fil-A and In-N-Out Burger) and you'd have to pay me big bucks to choke down a McDonald's Big Mac. I care about WHAT goes into my food and how it is made. I drink only water 99.9% of the time (plus an occasional juice in my smoothie). I try to eat healthy 80% of the time so I can enjoy my sweets without the guilt!

At a time when my body needed healing, rest and repair, I discovered the amazing healing power of food.   I have read countless books which has helped me learn about the healing power of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts and have witnessed first-hand their therapeutic power.  When I conquer my 7 days smoothie and juice cleanses and crave something sweet, this Antioxidant Power Acai Smoothie Bowl becomes my ultimate treat.  Adding protein helps sustain me for a longer time and adds to the rich flavor.

So what is a smoothie bowl?

It's basically a smoothie that is thicker and can be eaten in a bowl with a spoon. It is usually topped with fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, almond butter, cacao nibs, granola or honey.

Where do I buy acai? (pronounced ah-sigh-ee)

They come frozen in smoothie packs - pure unsweetened and sweetened versions. They come 4 to a package. Whole Foods, Sprouts, Costco (check availability), health food stores and several grocery stores.

Antioxidant Power Acai Smoothie Bowl

Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey

Tap into the benefits of the Brazilian superfruit, acai in this smoothie bowl that you can make at home for a fraction of the price.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Acai Berry Bowl:

• 2 Acai Superfruit Pack unsweetened (100 g)
• ¼ cup Blueberries
• ¼ cup Strawberries
• 1 Banana frozen, preferably
• ¼ - ½ cup Apple Juice can substitute coconut water or chocolate almond milk
• 2 Tablespoons Chocolate Protein Powder optional
• Ice optional

Tropical Acai Bowl:

• 2 Acai Superfruit Packet unsweetened (100 g)
• ½ cup Mango
• ½ cup Pineapple
• ½ Banana frozen, preferably
• ¼ - ⅓ cup Coconut Water Milk, or Apple Juice
• Toppings:
• Almond Butter
• Cacao Nibs or Shaved Dark Chocolate
• Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Mangoes
• Pineapple
• Granola
• Banana
• Honey
• *You can substitute any frozen berries for acai

Instructions

 

• Blend acai, blueberries, strawberries, banana, protein powder and apple juice. If you are using frozen fruit, you will need ½ cup of apple juice, to help the blender break it down. If you are using fresh fruit, ¼ cup of apple juice is needed. Feel free to substitute apple juice with coconut water or chocolate almond milk.
• Top with your favorite toppings - almond butter, chocolate, coconut, blueberries, strawberries, mango, pineapple, banana, homemade granola and drizzle with honey.

Keyword acai bowl

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If I want to up the ante on antioxidant benefits, here are some Antioxidant Power Acai Smoothie Bowl topping ideas that will keep you full + happy:

Almond Butter  - is a good source of protein, healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals and adds a creamy richness.

Cacao Nibs - made from crushed cacao beans and rich source of antioxidants. They can be slightly bitter but impart an earthy chocolate crunch.

Unsweetened Coconut Flakes - contribute to happy hormones and healthy fat.

Blueberries - are an antioxidant powerhouse and one of the healthiest foods on the planet.

Granola -  a way to add heartiness to an acai bowl. Many acai bowl places use Nature's Path Hemp Plus Granola or you can make your own - https://www.modernhoney.com/nature-chick-granola/

Honey - adds a natural kiss of sweetness.

Goji berries, chia seeds, almonds, dark chocolate shavings, and fresh fruit are some other ideas to mix it up.

*If you don't want to use acai smoothie packs, you can substitute other frozen berries and still make a fantastic bowl.

I would LOVE to hear from everyone on how they are doing with their healthy eating resolution. How is the Youthful Glow Green Smoothie https://www.modernhoney.com/youthful-glow-green-smoothie/ challenge going?  Who is in? I have heard from so many of you on Instagram, Facebook and even text and it makes me so happy that you are already reaping the benefits. Now, just add this Antioxidant Power Acai Smoothie Bowl to your regimen and you are going to have skyrocketing energy.

Happy Blending!