How to Make an Acai Bowl (Vegan & Paleo!)

How to Make Acai Bowls – Acai bowls are loaded with goodness (and color!). They’re so easy, and the topping ideas are endless. A perfect healthy breakfast or snack! (Vegan & Paleo Friendly)

Are you an acai fan? I’ve been on the acai bowl train for a few years and they’re decidedly one of my favorite things. I love all the color, I love knowing I’m getting a powerhouse dose of vitamins and nutrients, and they’re just plain fun to cover with toppings.

We eat these ALL the time when the weather warms up (which for us is like 10/12ths of the year), and can’t get enough. They’re easy as can be, and they’re perfect for a healthy breakfast or refreshing snack. Here’s how to make an acai bowl to fall in love with…

WHAT’S IN AN ACAI BOWL?

Acai bowls are made with lots of different ingredients, but here are some components you can expect:

FROZEN ACAI PUREE. Acai bowls *can* be made with powdered acai, but I prefer the frozen packets of acai puree, since they’ve also got fiber. (See the FAQ below for tips on what kind of acai packs I buy and where I find them!)

FROZEN OR FRESH FRUIT TO GIVE IT BODY. Acai puree is pretty liquid on its own, so usually acai bowls have some other fruit blended into them to give them a bit more body. Popular options are banana (fresh or frozen), berries, and mango. You can also use peaches, cherries, or kiwi, if you like! Some people even toss avocado in theirs…

LIQUID TO BLEND IT WITH. Here’s where you’ll find a lot of variety. My favorite liquid for blending acai bowls is orange juice because I feel like the citrus really wakes things up. You can also do these with yogurt (dairy or non-dairy), coconut milk, or any kind of juice you fancy (apple, grape, etc.). I do love a citrus twist, so I sometimes add some fresh lime juice, too. Holy yum!

TOPPINGS! If you’ve ever had an acai bowl before, you know the best part is the toppings! Scroll down to the next section to see some of our absolute faves.

OUR FAVORITE TOPPINGS FOR ACAI BOWLS:

The beauty is that, just like any smoothie, you can make them a little bit differently every time you enjoy one. Maybe you’ll drizzle one with some almond butter, or swap out the banana for mango or peaches. They’re great with fresh fruit, granola, nuts, seeds, and more. A few of our favorites…

• Fresh berries – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries
• Banana slices
• Sliced mango, peaches, or nectarines
• Kiwi or golden kiwi
• Coconut chips (I like the unsweetened ones)
• Almonds or macadamia nuts
• Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• Chia seeds or hemp seeds
• Granola or “nut-ola” (grain-free granola, like this)
• Almond butter or this nut and seed butter

Basically, we load them up with as much goodness as possible before diving in face first!

FAQ + TIPS FOR ACAI BOWLS

GOT LEFTOVERS? NO PROBLEM! We love freezing the leftovers of this or any smoothie by pouring them into a popsicle mold and pulling them out for snack later. Acai popsicles are magic on a hot afternoon! (Get more homemade popsicle ideas here.)

DON’T LIKE BANANAS? Don’t worry. These are also great with fresh or frozen peaches or mango instead for a bit of creaminess and texture. I add about 1 cup of peaches or mango instead of banana. Or, you can add 1 cup of berries, cherries, or even kiwi!

WHAT KIND OF ACAI DO YOU GET FOR ACAI BOWLS? Frozen acai puree comes in packs. I’ve seen it insweetened, unsweetened, and greens-boosted varieties. You can use whatever you can find and whatever you like. My favorite is unsweetened.

WHERE DO YOU FIND ACAI?  We can buy acai packets in bulk at our Costco for a great price, but I also find them at Sprouts and Whole Foods, though sometimes they’ll pop up at a Kroger or Safeway. Sambazon is the brand I find most often. It’s generally stored next to other frozen fruits or fruit blends.

PS – NEED A BLENDER? I can’t say enough good things about my Blendtec. I bought a refurbished one several years ago and more than 1500 blends in (it has a counter!), it’s still going strong as can be. Check Amazon, Costco, or Sam’s Club to compare prices (they often run specials), or try buying a refurbished one straight from Blendtec.

Love Acai Bowls? You might also love…

• 5 Fresh Smoothie Bowls to Make Right Now
• The BEST Healthy Homemade Popsicles
• Fruit on the Bottom Chia Pudding
• Healthy Chocolate Cherry Smoothies 

Print