This refreshing and delicious homemade Hawaiian acai bowl is the perfect healthy breakfast and it's so easy to make! Top with fresh fruit, nuts, coconut, granola, and more for a tasty way to start the day.
I love smoothies. Especially in the summer when all of the fresh berries are in season. I'm obsessed. Honestly, is there any better way to cool off than with one of these refreshing drinks? I definitely don't think so! Unless it's ice cream of course...Then that's definitely a toss-up.
I considered myself to be the "smoothie queen" when I was in college. My mom taught me how to make a dang good smoothie when I was growing up, so naturally, I took her recipe with me when I moved out. I'd make smoothies for my roommates quite often, and they loved them. The funny thing is, my smoothies weren't anything amazing, just a simple combination of orange juice, berries, banana, yogurt, and ice. Nothing too special right? I thought they were so delicious, and I didn't know there was anything better out there...
Meet acai bowl.
What is an acai bowl?
Acai bowls are smoothie-like breakfast bowls layered with fruit, coconut, granola, nuts, honey, and more. The base of acai bowls, acai berries, are considered a superfood because of their high antioxidant levels. Acai berries have become quite the trendy ingredient, due to their superfood status, and can be found in the frozen section in puree, juice, and the whole berry form.
Are acai bowls healthy?
Acai bowls are full of nutrients, but keep in mind that fruit is naturally high in sugar. So if you're trying to limit your sugar intake, you may want to take it easy on the toppings or cut the recipe in half for a smaller portion size. For an extra boost of nutrients, you could blend in a handful of spinach.
How do you make an acai bowl?
Acai bowls are so quick and easy to make! The recipe starts with a basic smoothie base: almond milk, frozen berries, frozen acai puree, and a frozen banana. Since there is a higher ratio of frozen ingredients to liquids, acai bowls tend to be thicker than a smoothie. Once you blend up all the ingredients, pour the mixture into bowls and serve with your choice of toppings!
Acai Bowl Tips
- Acai bowls taste the best when served immediately. If you must make it ahead of time, thaw it and then stir before serving.
- You can blend in other frozen fruits instead of berries. Try peaches, pineapple, mango, or whatever fruit you enjoy, for a different flavor.
- If you find that your acai bowl isn't thick enough, blend in another handful of frozen fruit until it reaches the desired texture.
- Use a high-powered blender, it makes it that much easier and quicker to thoroughly blend up all of the frozen ingredients.
I love how versatile acai bowls are as you can use a variety of different toppings depending on your preference. The options are endless! Acai bowls make for a great breakfast, or snack, or lunch, or basically whenever you are in the mood for something healthy and refreshing. Midnight treat anyone?
So forget those traditional smoothies, it's time to start making acai bowls instead!
If you like this recipe, you'll also want to try my other breakfast recipes.
- Irish Breakfast
- Strawberry Nutella Crepes
- Classic Crepes
- Belgian Liege Waffles with Cookie Butter
- Austrian Pancakes
- Shakshuka with Feta
Homemade Hawaiian Acai Bowl
Ingredients
Smoothie Base
- 1 cup almond mlik
- 1 cup frozen berries
- 1 6 oz packet frozen acai puree
- 1 frozen banana
Toppings
- granola
- coconut flakes
- berries
- bananas
- honey
- chia seeds
Instructions
- Place almond milk, berries, acai puree and banana in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Serve in a bowl and top with your favorite toppings.
CAthayde says
Great smoothie bowl recipe! But, it's not an Açai bowl. Açai bowls have Açai, no other fruits blended in. Topping galore, yes!
Wendy Pence says
Looks delicious! I've never heard of acai bowls before. Definitely have to try one now. 🙂
Ashley says
They are so delicious! 🙂
debi at Life Currents says
This looks delicious! I love all the fruits on it too! And I'm on a big coconut chip kick right now, so that appeals to me as well!
Ashley says
It is so delicious!! Me too, I love coconut chips!
Jeni @ Coquette Kitchen says
This acai bowl is gorgeous. I tend to get bored of smoothies, so this is a great way to power up! You make me want to hop a flight to Hawaii right now 😉
Ashley says
Thank you! I get bored of smoothies sometimes too, this is certainly a refreshing change. 🙂 And I definitely agree about Hawaii!
linda spiker says
What a gorgeous smoothie bowl. One of my favorite breakfasts for summer!
Ashley says
Thanks so much! It's one of my favorites too!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
I used to think smoothie bowl were the silliest things, then I started making them about a year ago and well... a little hooked. This sounds so deliciously nutritious!
Ashley says
Oh my gosh, I did too! I always thought they looked like too much work, until I made one for the first time and it was amazing! I'm definitely hooked now.
Diana says
I love acai bowls. This looks very nourishing and delicious!
Ashley says
Me too! They are so yummy!