How to Make Acai Bowls

Food trends typically come and go faster than we can even keep up with them. The acai bowl is a colorful trend that you've probably seen all over your Instagram feed, but it's one that seems to be here to stay — and for good reason.

What Even Is Acai?

The acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry is a tropical fruit that hails from Brazil with major superfood properties. The berries contain a large seed that takes up about 80 percent of the fruit, but the edible flesh and skin are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. The acai berry is high in antioxidants, fiber, heart-healthy fats, and calcium. Those nutrients coupled with its delicious taste make this super fruit a popular ingredient in smoothie bowls, also known as acai bowls.

What Is an Acai Bowl?

While it may look like dessert, an acai bowl is actually a thick smoothie that's made with a form of acai berry. In the U.S., you're not likely to find whole acai berries; instead, you can buy frozen acai puree, acai powder, and even acai sorbet. The frozen puree is probably the easiest one to find at local grocery stores, like Target and Walmart.

The smoothie bowls can be made solely with acai berries and your choice of liquid, or you can add other fruits of your choice — like strawberries and bananas. Typically acai bowls are served topped with fruits, granola, peanut butter, or chocolate chips and enjoyed with a spoon, like a superfood ice cream.

The best part about acai bowls is that you can eat them literally anytime. They can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dessert. Just change up what you put on them and voilà, you have a new bowl every time.

Many specialty cafes and juice shops sell acai bowls, but they are super easy to make at home. So next time you have a hankering for something sweet that will keep you full and happy, try an acai bowl recipe.

How to Make Acai Bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen acai puree, slightly thawed
• ¼ cup liquid (like your milk of choice or fruit juice of choice)
• 1 banana
• ½ cup fruit of choice (like strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple)

Toppings:

These toppings are optional, so you can use what you like, but the most common acai bowl toppings are:

• Granola
• Honey
• Peanut butter or nut butter
• Fresh fruit (like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, banana, blackberries, and raspberries)
• Shredded coconut
• Chia seeds
• Nuts
• Chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Slightly thaw the frozen acai puree, either by soaking it in warm water for a few minutes or placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Add acai, your liquid of choice, banana, and any other fruits to a high-speed blender.
3. Blend until all the frozen chunks are gone and the mixture is thick and smooth.
4. Spoon the mixture into a bowl, top with your desired toppings, and serve immediately.

Acai Bowl Recipes to Try

When making an acai bowl, the sky is the limit. You can essentially use any ingredients and toppings you want, as long as you follow the formula. But if you're looking for some recipes to get you started, these are some of our favorites:

• Easy Acai Smoothie Bowl
• Fruity 3-Step Acai Bowl
• Acai Bowl

Related:

• How to Make Drop-Dead Gorgeous Smoothie Bowls
• 3 Acai Bowls That Will Power Up Your Morning
• More Smoothie Bowl Recipes