I’ve been dying to make an acai bowl for years and figured I’d give it a shot. I love fruit and every ingredient in this recipe, so I knew it’d be a hit! Upon first glance, it may sound strange to blend fruit with peanut butter and I do agree, it sounds very odd – but I promise you this recipe is so fresh, sweet, and vitamin packed – you will be wanting to double the recipe and share it with your family and friends!
Acai bowls make the perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert. I personally enjoy them most at breakfast time although I have no problem whatsoever eating them at any time of the day! Blended fruit, almond milk, acai, and nut butter sure makes one insanely delicious breakfast or dessert any time! If you like this recipe, then you’ll love my Chocolate Protein Shake, Homemade Strawberry Nutri-Grain Bars and my Easy PB&J Tacos!
My insanely delicious acai bowl recipe contains unsweetened acai packets, frozen banana, frozen blueberries, creamy peanut butter, and unsweetened almond milk. Optional (and highly recommended) topping include sliced strawberries or apples, blueberries, raspberries, nut butter, granola, chia seeds, chocolate chips, dried coconut, or banana slices.
What is acai?
Acai berries, pronounced AH-SIGH-EEE are a small purple berry native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. They don’t have a long shelf life which is why here in the States, they’re typically sold either frozen or in powder form.
These small purple berries pack a lot of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. They’re packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, and contain numerous anti-inflammatory properties. According to Medical News Today’s article, a 2022 study found that acai extract could protect red blood cells from oxidative stress due to ageing.
Special diets
This acai bowl recipe is perfect for those following a gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, or vegan diet as it’s made up of nutritious fruits, nut butters, and nut milk.
Benefits of acai berries
Acai berries are a “superfruit” that originate from Brazil. According to Healthline’s article, they pack a whole lot of nutrition and contain healthy plant compounds. Acai berries contain plant compounds known as anthocyanins which give acai berries their purple color and also act as antioxidants. They’re loaded with antioxidants which neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals in your body.
Additionally, acai berries could help improve cholesterol levels by reducing the bad cholesterol or the LDL cholesterol. These purple berries could also exhibit anti-cancer properties that studies have shown could prevent cancer cells from forming and spreading.
Benefits of strawberries
Strawberries are an optional topping and rightfully so as they blend perfectly with the acai bowl ingredients and once mixed into the acai bowl, they freeze and add so much freshness and flavor. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and manganese and according to Healthline’s post, also contain beneficial folate and potassium. These red berries are rich in antioxidants and plant compounds which may benefit heart health and blood glucose levels.
Strawberries’ carbohydrates are comprised primarily of fiber and simple sugars and they have a low GI, meaning they are not anticipated to cause blood sugar spikes.
More than 25 different anthocyanins have been found in strawberries, with pelargonidin being most abundant. Pelargonidin is the main anthocyanin in strawberries, responsible for its bright red color. Anthocyanins are typically concentrated in the skin of the strawberries, although anthocyanins also appear in the fruit’s flesh. Further, anthocyanin content is normally proportional to color intensity so as the fruit ripens and the color increases, you can expect to be consuming more beneficial anthocyanins. Anthocyanin-rich foods are linked with numerous health benefits, particularly regarding cardiovascular health.
Benefits of blueberries
Blueberries are a “superfood,” meaning they’re low in calories and are packed with numerous nutrients. According to Healthline’s article, blueberries are believed to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables. The primary antioxidant compounds in blueberries belong to a family of polyphenol antioxidants known as flavonoids. A particular group of flavonoids known as anthocyanins is believed to be responsible for most of the blueberries’ beneficial health effects. Further, blueberries have shown to directly increase antioxidant levels in the body.
Healthline’s post further reports that blueberries reduce oxidative DNA damage which may protect against cancer and prevent aging. Blueberries are high in antioxidants and as a result, can neutralize the free radicals that naturally occur in the environment which could also damage your DNA and compromise your health.
Ingredients in the Best Acai Bowl Recipe
Unsweetened acai packets. Find frozen acai packets in the frozen aisle of most grocery stores, near the frozen strawberries and frozen fruit.
Banana. Freeze a chopped banana for this recipe.
Frozen blueberries. We like frozen blueberries but you can use a frozen berry blend, frozen strawberries, or frozen raspberries to make this recipe.
Peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter is our preferred nut butter although you can use chunky peanut butter or any other type of nut butter in this recipe.
Almond milk. We unsweetened vanilla almond milk best but you can use regular cow’s milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or another other type of milk you wish.
Optional toppings. Feel free to top your acai bowl with fresh berries such as sliced strawberries or apples, raspberries, nut butter, granola, chia seeds, chocolate chips, dried coconut, or banana slices.
How to make the Best Acai Bowl Recipe
STEP 1: Allow the frozen acai packets to thaw at room temperature for a few minutes – long enough to slightly thaw and loosen. Remove the acai from the package and place it in a blender.
STEP 2: Add the frozen banana chunks, frozen blueberries, and peanut butter to the blender. Blend starting at a low speed, gradually increasing the speed as the mixture starts to blend to a smooth texture. If it’s too frozen, use a rubber spatula to scrape the edges and to loosen up the bottom ingredients, continuing to blend until it turns into a thick, smoothie texture. To thin the mixture, gradually add the milk until your desired consistency is reached.
STEP 3: Scoop the blended mixture into a bowl and add any optional toppings you wish such as sliced strawberries or apples, blueberries, raspberries, nut butter, granola, chia seeds, cacao nibs, chocolate chips, dried coconut, or banana slices. Serve right away.
STEP 4: If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Recommended items to make this recipe
- Blender. This one is wonderful!
- Rubber spatula. We love this one.
- Bowl. This is one of my favorite bowls.
More recipes you’ll love!
Homemade Strawberry Nutri-Grain Bars
Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups
Nutella-Stuffed French Toast Sticks
Cracker Barrel Copycat Hash Brown Casserole
Egg and Veggie Breakfast Muffins
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this acai bowl recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always do my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
The Best Acai Bowl Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 unsweetened acai packets frozen
- 1 banana frozen, cut into chunks
- ½ c frozen blueberries other other frozen berries
- 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter can sub crunchy peanut butter or any other nut butter
- ¼ c almond milk can use regular milk or any other plant based milk such as cashew milk or oat milk
- sliced strawberries or apples, blueberries, raspberries, nut butter, granola, chia seeds, chocolate chips, dried coconut, or banana slices optional toppings
Instructions
- Allow the frozen acai packets to thaw at room temperature for a few minutes – long enough to slightly thaw and loosen. Remove the acai from the package and place it in a blender.
- Add the frozen banana chunks, frozen blueberries, and peanut butter to the blender. Blend starting at a low speed, gradually increasing the speed as the mixture starts to blend to a smooth texture. If it’s too frozen, use a rubber spatula to scrape the edges and to loosen up the bottom ingredients, continuing to blend until it turns into a thick, smoothie texture. To thin the mixture, gradually add the milk until your desired consistency is reached.
- Scoop the blended mixture into a bowl and add any optional toppings you wish such as sliced strawberries or apples, blueberries, raspberries, nut butter, granola, chia seeds, chocolate chips, dried coconut, or banana slices. Serve right away.
- If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)
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