How to Make an Acai Bowl

Aug 10, 2020 (Last updated Aug 10, 2023) by Hannah Sunderani

How to Make an Acai Bowl

Learn How to Make an Açaí Bowl just like your local juice bar with just 5 simple ingredients! This homemade açaí bowl recipe is perfect for a summer breakfast or afternoon snack when you’re craving something cool and refreshing. 

It’s thick, sweet, smooth and refreshing, and packed with frozen açaí berry for a bold flavour you’ll love. Finish with fresh fruit and your favourite toppings for the best açaí bowl at home. 

So, let me tell you exactly how to make this recipe so that you can learn how to make a thick smoothie bowl and indulge in this sweet summer treat!

What is Açaí?

Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a deep dark berry found in South America. They look a bit like blueberries, or small dark grapes, and are responsible for giving açaí bowls their infamous deep purple hue. 

Açaí is famously known for being a superfood because it’s packed with antioxidants. Which in my opinion is probably why these bowls are so popular (in addition to how picturesque these bowls look when served, of course!). 

Here’s a great article about açaí and 10 things you should know about this healthy little fruit.

This Açaí Bowl Recipe is…

• Ready in 5 minutes!
• Just 5 simple ingredients
• Vegan and gluten-free
• Low-fat and dairy-free
• Perfect for beginners
• A good source of probiotics
• Easy to customize
• Toddler-approved
• Refreshing

Ingredient Notes

• Berries: I like to use frozen mixed berries, but feel free to use frozen strawberries or frozen blueberries. Frozen blueberries in particular will help you achieve that beautiful, deep purple color we love about an açaí bowl. 
• Banana: Key to the creamy texture of your smoothie bowl. I highly recommend using frozen bananas. 
• Apple juice: Adds natural sweetness and makes the açaí bowl easy to blend. 
• Coconut yogurt: Makes the acai base extra thick, velvety, and adds a nice tanginess. Try my Homemade Coconut Yogurt or use your favourite store-bought brand. 
• Frozen açaí packet: The frozen packets you can find in grocery store are typically made with puree açaí berry puree or a mix of açaí and other berries. Both will work well in this açaí bowl recipe!

Flavour Variations

• Apple juice varations: If you’re out of apple juice, try a non-dairy milk such as Almond Milk, Oat Milk, or coconut milk. Or, for a lighter, sweeter flavour use coconut water. 
• Protein açaí bowl: If you want to make your own açaí bowl more filling and protein-rich, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder. A vanilla protein powder or unflavoured would be best.  

How to Make Açaí Bowls at Home

To make an açaí bowl at home, start by placing all of your ingredients in a high speed blender. Turn the blender on low then slow turn it up to high speed and blend until smooth and creamy. 

Once smooth, scoop into bowls and top with your favourite smoothing bowl toppings. It’s as easy as that. Enjoy! 

Popular Toppings for Açaí Bowls

The best part of making homemade açaí bowls is adding on a variety of toppings. Load up your smoothie base with your choice of toppings. Below are a few of my favourites, but don’t be afraid to choose your own!

• Fresh berries Bring out the fruity flavours of this açaí berry bowl and top with fresh berries like sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. 
• Tropical fruit: Try sweet banana slices, sliced mango, pineapple chunks, passion fruit, etc. 
• Granola: I personally love this açaí smoothie bowl with Healthy Hazelnut Granola or Detox Granola. 
• Coconut: Unsweetened or sweetened coconut flakes would be delicious. 
• Nut butter: Adding a drizzle of nut butter is a great way to add healthy fats and additional creaminess to your smoothie bowl. It also adds a boost of protein to keep you fuller longer. Try peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
• Seeds: Sprinkle on hemp hearts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, or any favorite seeds of choice. (Another great source of protein that helps to keep you full!).
• Chocolate chips: If you’re wanting to make your açaí bowl more like a dessert-like then add your favourite dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a boost of anti-oxidants. 
• Nuts: Add a nice, healthy crunch with slivered almonds or chopped walnuts. 

Recipe FAQs

Where do I buy açaí?

Açaí berries can be found at most grocery stores in the freezer section. I typically purchase my açaí at my local specialty stores like Whole Foods and Nature’s Emporium. 

For the best, thick açaí smoothie bowl, I recommend using the frozen packets of açaí puree from brands such as Sambazon or Pitaya Foods. (I also recommend using frozen banana and it aids in thickness).

However, if you don’t have access to frozen açaí packets, you can always buy freeze-dried açaí powder online from Navitas Organics or Suncore Foods. 

Are açaí bowls healthy?

Absolutely! Açaí bowls are a great healthy breakfast choice and can have many health benefits. They’re an excellent way to get a daily dose of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, healthy fats, and more. 

This recipe in particular is naturally sweetened with fruit and fruit juice only – no added sugars required for a sweet açaí breakfast bowl!

Is an açaí bowl just a smoothie?

While similar, smoothie bowls and smoothies are not the same. The ingredients in smoothies and smoothie bowls is usually the same, but smoothie bowls contain significantly less liquid. For this reason, smoothie bowls are notably thicker and eaten with a spoon. 

If you’re interested in smoothie recipes to try, you might like my Green Cleanse Smoothie, this Purple Nourish Smoothie, or this Green Goddess Smoothie. 

Can I make an açaí bowl without açaí?

An açaí smoothie bowl made without açaí wouldn’t be considered an açaí bowl, but it is very possible to make a smoothie bowl without açaí! If you are out of frozen açaí packets, replace the açaí berry with 1 cup of frozen berries of choice. The results is very similar and delicious!

How do I make a thick açaí bowl?

If you like extra thick smoothie bowls that are similar to the consistency of soft-serve ice cream, start with just 1/4 cup of apple juice. Using the tamper to press the frozen fruit into the blade will help achieve a creamy texture without the use of additional liquid. If you need additional liquid to blend, add a few tablespoons at a time until creamy. 

Another tip for achieving a thick acai bowl is to use frozen bananas instead of fresh. It helps provide creamy and thick texture when blended, similar to a nice cream.

Tips for Success

• Use frozen ingredients! I can’t stress this enough. In order to make thick smoothie bowls, you have to use frozen fruit, especially frozen bananas. If you’ve ever made my Matcha Nice Cream, you’ll know exactly what I am talking about. Frozen banana is necessary to achieving beautifully thick smoothie bowls that are just like soft-serve ice cream. 
• Use a high-powered blender. Although it’s not entirely necessary, a powerful blender will help you make a thick smoothie bowl with little effort (and minimal liquid). I highly recommend a Vitamix. If you love making thick smoothie bowls, you won’t regret adding one to your kitchen. Or, if you don’t have a strong blender, use a food processor. It’s the next best thing!

More Smoothie Bowl Recipes You Might Like:

• Pink Raspberry Oat Smoothie
• Gorgeous Pink Chia Smoothie Bowl
• Banana Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
• Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
• Pink Maca Smoothie Bowl

I hope you love this Açaí Smoothie Bowl as much as I do! If you do make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think and check out The Two Spoons App for more healthy vegan recipes and meal plans featuring recipes just like this! I truly love hearing from you, and I’m always here to answer any questions you might have. 

And of course, tag me on Instagram with your pictures using the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations. 

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See more step-by-step instructions by visiting the recipe story here!