I love incorporating plant-based and vegan recipes into my diet, and one of my favourites is this super-easy, extremely nutritious Acai bowl. All you need is 4 ingredients, plus whatever toppings your heart desires! Want to know the secret to getting that ice-cream texture? Keep reading!
What Is Acai?
Acai is a berry produced by the indigenous South American Acai palm tree. Small, dark purple, and round, it resembles a blueberry in appearance and is often sold as a frozen puree in grocery stores in the US. The Acai berry is thought to have many superfood properties – including antioxidants, cancer prevention, and improved brain health – but as of now research is inconclusive.
The health benefits of Acai, combined with its convenient frozen puree form, makes it an ideal base for smoothie bowls – hence the new generation of smoothie bowls being called “Acai bowls.”
Vegan Acai Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Base
- 1 packet Acai puree (can be substituted with 1 cup of frozen fruit of your choice, or 1 pitaya (dragon fruit) puree pouch)
- 1 cup frozen fruit of your choice (I use strawberries or mixed berries)
- 1/4 cup cold water or plant-based milk of your choice
- 1/2 scoop protein powder of choice (optional)
Topping Ideas
Toppings for an Acai bowl are limitless! Get creative with your combinations and don’t be afraid to experiment – but in the meantime, here are some of my favourites to get you started:
- Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
- Banana slices
- Mango
- Dragon fruit
- Dried coconut flakes
- Granola
- Goji berries
- Peanut butter
- Almond butter
- Dark chocolate chips
- Almond slices
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Honey (note: not vegan)
- Agave syrup
- Cashews
HACK: The Secrets to the Ice Cream Texture
So: How do you get that sought-after ice cream texture characteristic of Instagram Acai bowls yet so hard to replicate? I use two tricks for nailing it every time!
- Food processor: I’ve found that a food processor tends to work MUCH better than a blender for making Acai bowls. My theory is that it has something to do with the blades. But regardless, I use this one from Cuisinart for all my Acai bowls.
- Thawing: I swear by letting the fruit thaw for a few minutes prior to blending. When you can break the Acai into small pieces while it’s still in the pouch, it’s ready. I let the frozen fruit thaw alongside the Acai, and find that it usually takes 10-15 minutes for the Acai to reach a point where I can break it. Breaking it is key in order for the food processor or blender to blend it into a creamy “ice cream”! In a pinch you can run the Acai packet under hot water for 1-2 minutes, but this just doesn’t work as well for me personally.
Instructions
- Allow the Acai and frozen fruit to thaw for 10-15 minutes or until Acai is soft enough to be broken into small pieces. Break Acai while still in the pouch.
- Pour Acai and frozen fruit into food processor.
- Add 1/4 cup liquid of your choice (water or plant-based milk) and 1/2 scoop protein powder.
- Blend in food processor until smooth, using a spoon to break up chunks of Acai or frozen fruit that are too big for the blades to break down.
- Pour the base into a bowl and top with toppings of your choice. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Leave a comment down below letting me know how you liked it, and feel free to ask any questions you may have!