Easy Açaí Bowls (Just 6-Ingredients!)

Packed with antioxidants, fresh ingredients, and your favorite toppings, this açaí smoothie bowl is the perfect quick and easy breakfast to kickstart your morning and fuel your workouts!

Nothing hits the spot like a fresh smoothie bowl on a hot summer day, but the thing about açaí is that it’s so expensive. By making them at home, you not only save a few bucks, but you can customize them to your tastes and dietary needs!

What is Açaí?

Açaí (pronounced a-sigh-ee) is a small, dark purple berry that’s found in Central and South American rainforests. While no studies haven’t determined any definitive evidence on the long-term benefits of açaí, it’s packed with antioxidants and is relatively higher in fat and lower in sugar than other fruits.

Are Açaí Bowls Good for You?

Just like anything, smoothie bowls can make for an incredibly balanced breakfast if you include a variety of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. On their own, açaí bowls pack a punch with micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, but they can also be high in sugar. To balance out the simple carbohydrates in the fruit, I like to add a source of protein (like Greek yogurt or protein powder) and fat (like peanut butter or seeds), which keeps me full and gives me a boost for hard workouts and recovery on running days!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These smoothie bowls couldn’t be easier to make! All you need are six ingredients:

• Frozen, unsweetened açaí packets. I use the Trader Joe’s brand!
• Frozen bananas. Though banana normally has a strong taste, freezing them takes away the punch of their flavor while making your smoothie bowl thick and creamy!
• Frozen strawberries. You could also use blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or a berry blend.
• Greek yogurt or protein powder. For an extra protein boost.
• Lime juice. To compliment and enhance the flavor of the fruit.
• Milk of choice or coconut water. To thin the smoothie as needed.
• Toppings of choice!

Topping and Mix-In Ideas

In my opinion, the best part about a smoothie bowl is the toppings! Feel free to use whatever toppings you prefer, but here are some ideas to get you started:

• Greek yogurt, protein powder, or (pasteurized) egg whites. To add a boost of protein to keep you full and satiated for longer.
• Spinach. You’ll only need a handful—anything more might make the smoothie too bitter.
• Fruit. My favorites are bananas, strawberries, raspberries.
• Granola. I love to use my homemade granola recipe or this peanut butter variation!
• Peanut butter or Nutella.
• A drizzle of honey.
• Coconut flakes.
• Cacao nibs.
• Chia, hemp, or flax seeds.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Smoothie Bowl

I prefer to have a really thick smoothie (especially for a smoothie bowl)! Here are some of my top tips for the best consistency:

1. Use frozen fruit and açaí. When you freeze fruit, its water content turns into ice. Essentially, this will blend into a thicker smoothie without the addition of ice (which can dilute the flavor).
2. Add less liquid. Always be careful with the amount of liquid you add to a smoothie bowl—as the fruit thaws, it will loosen and blend to a thinner consistency. If you add too much liquid, though, try adding some ice cubes (but be sure you’re using a high-powered blender, otherwise you’ll end up with pieces of ice throughout).
3. Use a high-powered blender. Thick smoothies are extremely hard to make without a good blender, otherwise you’ll end up with chunks of unmixed fruit that are unpleasant to eat. If you don’t have a blender, I’d recommend using a good food processor—I know they’re annoying to clean, but they’ll work in a pinch!

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