How to Make an Acai Bowl

5 from 6 votes
How to Make an Açaí Bowl just like your local juice bar with just 5 simple ingredients. Ready in 5-Minutes! This homemade açaí bowl is thick, antioxidant-packed, sweet, and refreshing! Topped with fruity and crunchy toppings.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Jump to Recipe

Aug 10, 2020 (Last updated Mar 11, 2024) 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. 

thick and creamy acai bowls topped with fresh strawberries, bananas, granola and coconut flakes. One of the bowls is on a wood cutting board. Both are sitting on a white backdrop.


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!

side angle of thick and creamy acai bowls topped with fresh strawberries, bananas, granola and coconut flakes. Showcasing how the smoothie looks when you take a spoonful.

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.

all of the ingredients needed to make acai bowls with each ingredient in an individual bowl

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 MilkOat 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.  
thick and creamy acai bowl topped with fresh strawberries, bananas, granola and coconut flakes. Sitting on a wood cutting board on a white backdrop.

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! 

Thick and creamy Acai smoothie that's just been blended and being poured into a bowl, ready to be topped with delicious toppings.

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. 
thick and creamy acai bowl topped with fresh strawberries, bananas, granola and coconut flakes. Ready to be eaten.

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.

thick and creamy acai bowls topped with fresh strawberries, bananas, granola and coconut flakes. One of the bowls is on a wood cutting board. Both are sitting on a white backdrop.

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:

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. 

PIN IT ON PINTEREST

Like this recipe? Save it for later! Pin it on Pinterest.

Pin it on Pinterest

How to make an Açaí Bowl (5-Ingredients and 5-Minutes!)

5 from 6 votes
How to Make an Açaí Bowl just like your local juice bar with just 5 simple ingredients. Ready in 5-Minutes! This homemade açaí bowl is thick, antioxidant-packed, sweet, and refreshing! Topped with fruity and crunchy toppings.
close up of thick and creamy acai smoothie in a white bowl topped fresh strawberries, bananas, granola and coconut flakes. Sitting on a wood cutting board on a white backdrop.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serves 2 people

Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries
  • 1 frozen banana chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3/4 cup pure apple juice
  • 1/2 cup coconut yogurt
  • 1 cup frozen acai puree (150g) or use 1 tbsp acai powder

Toppings

  • 1/4 cup strawberries sliced
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 1/4 cup granola
  • 2 tbsp coconut flakes
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter

Instructions

  • Toss the mixed berries, frozen banana, apple juice, coconut yogurt, and frozen acai puree into blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. 
  • Scoop the thick smoothie mixture into two bowls and top with your favourite ingredients such as sliced strawberries and banana, granola and coconut flakes to sprinkle, and a spoonful of peanut butter. 

Watch The Video

Notes

See blog post for tips on where to buy açai. If you cannot find açai you can still make a delicious berry smoothie bowl with this smoothie recipe. Simply substitute the açai with 1 cup more frozen berries. 
Nutritional information is a rough estimate. 

Approvals

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 389mg | Fiber: 46g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1mg
DID YOU

Tag @twospoons on Instagram
and hashtag it #twospoons

MAKE THIS?

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

LEAVE A COMMENT
AND RATE THIS RECIPE!

We love hearing from you! If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Thank you!

5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe




  1. I liked your articles very much. I learned a lot about ACAI BOWL from here
    thank you so much for sharing such a yummy recipe

  2. PERFECT! YOU SAVED OUT SMALL BUSINESS WITH THIS VERY INFORMATIVE HOW TO RECIPE THANK YOU SO MUCH
    ALL BLESSINGS