Everything you need to know to make the best Acai Bowls Recipe at home, complete with four easy variations, topping ideas, and foolproof tips.
author’s note
My Mom’s Brazil Inspired Acai Bowls Recipe!
My mom grew up in Brazil and later moved back there for a few years as an adult. She talks a lot about Brigadeiros, super good mangoes, and Brazilian lemonade, but nothing lights her up quite like a really good açaí bowl.
Long before açaí was easy to find in the U.S., she was hunting it down and testing different ways to make it at home. When frozen açaí packets finally became widely available, she went all in. I’ve been making bowls with her ever since, tweaking the ratios, testing fruit combos, and figuring out exactly how to get that thick texture that holds toppings instead of turning into soup.
This Acai Bowls Recipe is the result of all that testing. It’s the one I always come back to.
How To Make Acai Bowls Recipe
They are truly as simple as blending a few ingredients together, pouring the mixture into a bowl, and adding your favorite toppings according to the recipe below. They’re really that easy to do, especially when following a reliable Acai Bowl Recipe!
Where To Buy Acai For These Bowls:
- Acai puree packets: I love Pure Unsweetened® by Sambazon.)
- Acai powder (buy acai powder or in-store)
- To make a recipe with acai powder, substitute 1 tablespoon acai powder for the packet.
You’ll Also Need: A high-powered blender, such as Vitamix or Blendtec.
Acai Bowls Recipe Tips
- Prep Ahead: Everything needs to be frozen first. This is what makes the bowl thick and creamy and helps toppings sit on top. Frozen ingredients are key.
- Consistency is Key: The more frozen your ingredients are, the thicker your bowl will be.
To Freeze Bananas: Use slightly overripe bananas for more flavor. Peel, slice into 1 inch pieces, freeze on a parchment lined tray, then transfer to freezer bags. Use straight from frozen. Lasts 3 to 4 months.
Topping Ideas:
- Honey (skip if vegan)
- Vanilla almond granola, or your favorite homemade or store-bought granola
- Fresh fruit such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, mango, banana, peaches, pineapple, kiwi, apple, etc.
- Flaked coconut
- Chia seeds
- Cacao nibs, or chopped dark chocolate, or mini chocolate chips
- Hemp seeds
- Acai bowl with almond butter
Featured Comment
“This is awesome! Acai bowls are my fave at the Farmer’s Market but so expensive. Thanks for the recipe!!”
– Sara
Acai Bowls Recipe Serving Suggestion
At my mom’s parties, instead of a dessert bar, she sets up an acai bar with her go-to recipe and a wide array of toppings. It’s so fun for guests to make their own Acai Bowl Recipe!
More Breakfast Recipes:
Shakes And Smoothies
Chocolate Protein Shake
Shakes And Smoothies
Green Smoothie
Breakfast
Baked Oatmeal
Breakfast
Nutella Crepes
Acai Bowl Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (100-gram) frozen acai berry packet see note 1
- 1/2 cup apple juice with no added sugar
- 1/2 cup frozen banana coins 1 small banana, see note 2
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon honey see note 3
- 1 handful vanilla almond granola or a similar granola
- Fresh fruit such as fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and banana, sliced thinly or chopped
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 to 2 tablespoons coconut
Instructions
- Blend acai berry packet, apple juice, banana, strawberries, and blueberries with a high-powered blender (see note 4) until smooth. Pour into a bowl.
- Top bowl with as much (or as little) of your favorites such as granola, thinly sliced fresh fruit, chia seeds, and coconut! Drizzle 1 tablespoon honey over toppings. Enjoy immediately.
- Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, replace honey with maple syrup and confirm granola being used is vegan.
Recipe Notes
Peanut Butter Bliss Acai Bowl
Add the following to a blender:- 1 package frozen acai berry packet, 100 grams
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate almond milk
- 1 small frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tablespoon honey (if you don’t add this on top, I recommend adding it to the mixture beforehand)
- A handful of vanilla almond granola, or a similar store-bought or homemade granola
- 1/2 of 1 banana, very thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate or cacao nibs
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut
Tropical Acai Bowl
Add the following to a blender:- 1 package frozen acai berry packet, 100 grams
- 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk, 116 grams
- 1 small frozen banana
- 1/3 cup frozen strawberries 46 grams
- 1/3 cup frozen pineapple 55 grams
- 1/3 cup frozen blueberries 50 grams
- 1 tablespoon honey (if you don’t add this on top, I recommend adding it to the mixture beforehand)
- A handful of vanilla almond granola, or a similar store-bought or homemade granola
- 1/2 of 1 kiwi, halved and very thinly sliced
- A handful of fresh pineapple or mango, thinly sliced into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut
Lime Zinger Acai Bowl
Add the following to a blender:- 1 package frozen acai berry packet, 100 grams
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup coconut water 116 grams
- 1 small frozen banana
- 1/3 cup frozen strawberries 50 grams
- 1/3 cup frozen pineapple 51 grams
- 1/3 cup frozen blueberries 46 grams
- 1/3 cup frozen peaches 51 grams
- 1 tablespoon honey (if you don’t add this on top, I recommend adding it to the mixture beforehand)
- A handful of vanilla almond granola, or a similar store-bought/homemade granola
- Several strawberries halved or thinly sliced
- Handful of blackberries
- Handful of blueberries
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
The Easiest Acai Bowl Recipe:
Add the following to a blender:- 1 cup frozen triple-berry blend berries
- 1 tablespoon acai powder
- 1/2- 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
- 1 small frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon honey (if you don’t add this on top, I recommend adding it to the mixture beforehand)
- A handful of vanilla almond granola, or a similar store-bought/homemade granola
- A handful of fresh fruit
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What Is Acai?
- The acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a small (about an inch long) deep purple fruit.
- It comes from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America and a key ingredient in our Acai Bowl Recipe.
- Acai tastes like a combination of wild berries and chocolate.
My first attempt at making an Acai bowl was an epic fail as I don’t own a high power blender. Had to add extra liquid in order to make any progress whatsoever. It still tasted good though! Is cold water ok to use versus apple juice?
I’m sorry! It’s tough without a good blender. Water can work, but it will take away quite a bit of the flavor.
Hi Chelsea. I noticed that Nancy commented on bananas. I also would like to know alternatives. I’m allergic to both bananas and avocado. 😔. I’d really like to try these, but I have no idea what else to use. Thanks.
I’m so sorry Linda, I don’t know a great alternative to banana besides avocado! You could try a ripe mango, but I haven’t personally tested that. Sorry to not be of more help!
It’s an amazing idea and very helpful for everyone. Thanks for share
Thanks so much! So thrilled you’re enjoying! 🙂
Great website, thanks for the great recipes… I’ll use them again in the future 😉 THANK YOU !!! Greetings
This means so much! Thanks! <3
Just bought a bowl today and figured look up recipes make them myself, I cook, bake and grill. So my daughter and I are going to be trying out your recipes. Thank you!
Ahh yay! I hope you love! 🙂
Chelsea,
Thank you so much for these recipes! Since the first açaí bowl I had a a local coffee bar, I’ve been wanting to make my own!! Love, love, love them…!!! Any ideas where or how to get the freshest coconut flakes??
I am so happy to hear this! There is nothing better than a fresh Acai Bowl! You can actually find homemade coconut flake recipes online, or I always love a fresh, organic one from Trader Joes! 🙂