Basic Homemade Acai Bowls
An easy tutorial for homemade acai bowls — made with healthy fat, fiber and plant-based protein, and no added sugar!
My husband has developed quite the taste for acai bowls lately.
He, who a mere four months ago wouldn’t consider anything lacking eggs to be a respectable breakfast option, is now hitting up our local acai emporium on a tri-weekly basis.
Me, being a frugal foodie, has decided it’s time to nip this habit in the bud.
“I can make that for you at home,” I declared the last time he insisted on grabbing a bowl after a morning yoga sesh.
“No way,” he replied skeptically. “How? Where will you get the acai?!”
Apparently, acai bowls are much more mysterious to the average consumer than I’d expected.
“It’s sold everywhere!” I patronized him.
Frozen acai berries are sold by the packet, ready to whirl into a delicious bowl, at pretty much every grocery store. And despite the perceived production effort, acai bowls are actually a breeze to make — way simpler than the 10-ingredient, 5-step hashbrown egg ensemble my husband usually requests.
Efficiency in the morning is super important to me these days now that I’m back to school/interning and trying to establish a seamless morning routine.
Time-saving aside though, this specific bowl is also packed to the brim with nutrients to kick start the day.
In addition to the base of frozen, unsweetened acai and unsweetened vanilla coconut milk, I’ve added almond butter and hemp seeds to provide healthy fat, plant-based protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Hemp seeds have a hefty dose of omega-3 rich, heart-healthy fat and over 6 grams of protein in just two tablespoons, making them the powerhouse ingredient in this vegan breakfast bowl.
Getting a good dose of protein and fat with my morning meal ensures that I’ll stay satiated well beyond breakfast — and don’t end up scrounging around the break room at 10 am.
As an added bonus, this breakfast can easily be eaten on the go on days that I’m extra strapped for time. I just pour it in a mason jar and hit the road.
Looking for a delicious, nutrient-dense breakfast to fit your busy morning routine? Look no further.
- 2 packets of frozen acai (200 grams)
- 2 frozen bananas
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 4 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Coconut flakes
- Hemp seeds
- Granola
- In a high powered blender or food processor, blend all ingredients together.
- Divide between two bowls, and top with optional toppings.
- Enjoy!
If you don’t have hemp seeds, feel free to sub your favorite plant-based protein powder, flax, chia seeds, or nuts to add an extra dose of protein to your meal.
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Weigh in: Have you made acai bowls at home? What’s your favorite quick breakfast?
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says:
Yummmm! Smoothies bowls were my go to this summer. I always felt like I was eating dessert rather than breakfast in the morning :)
Whitney English says:
Totally! I have enjoyed them for dessert as well!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says:
Ha so funny.. I had a very similar conversation with Miguel. I was like you know they sell those acai packets at Whole Foods and it’s a lot cheaper than spending $9 on ONE. His mind was blown. Buuuut yes, acai bowls are the best!
Whitney English says:
Hahaha silly boys :)
Anh says:
Looks yummy! ! So, does this acai fruit taste like chocolate? It sure looks like it, in blended form. I’ve never had this fruit yet. I guess now I can have it by making it myself, without having to pay $9+ per acai bowl to someone else. :) Thanks for this recipe, Whitney!
Whitney English says:
It is a little bit bitter like chocolate but it doesn’t have a chocolately flavor. Let me know if you try it! xo
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says:
I fell in love with acai bowls in Hawaii last year! So good
Whitney English says:
Acai bowls + Hawaii are the perfect combo :)
Amanda Howard says:
Now that’s SUPER easy! I would have never thought they could be so easy. I’m so going to give this a whirl!
Whitney English says:
Right?! They make it look so elaborate at the smoothie bar but they’re really quite simple :) Let me know if you try it!
Zeina Khawam says:
So easy, yet so delicious!
Nutrition a la Natalie says:
Yum- love acai bowls!
Kates says:
I definitely need to try this one! I’m going to make one, one of these days . I’m just wondering you said that these Acai bowl have no sugar right? How about I’ll try to add a little pure honey instead? Would you think that would be a great idea? Thank you for this recipe.. :)
Whitney English says:
Honey would be a great addition!! Let me know if you try them! xo
Rebecca says:
Just tried this and it really does taste just as amazing as ordering one out! Thanks for sharing! I did have some trouble mixing it in my vitamix though. Any suggestions?
Whitney E. RD says:
So glad you enjoyed it! If it was hard to mix, just add more liquid next time.