At-Home Acai Bowl Recipe

What better way to start your morning than with a refreshing Acai bowl? Some people know these as smoothie bowls, thanks to the refreshing smoothie-base that's filled with frozen Acai. And in case you didn't know, Acai is excellent for your health. According to Healthline, Acai berries are very nutrient-dense and full of antioxidants, and they can even help improve cholesterol. They also happen to taste pretty good, too!

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka came up with this delicious recipe that makes a great way to kickstart your morning. "I think my favorite thing about this recipe is the fact that it's so customizable. You can really add any toppings you like, and it'll still taste great," she raves. Another great thing about this recipe is that it's bursting with flavor. "This dish tastes like a delicious, fruity breakfast bowl. The acai berries give it a slight tartness, while the banana and other toppings add sweetness and crunch. It's a perfect balance of flavors," Olayinka raves.

If you've made an acai bowl before, then you likely know most of the ingredients that go into it. All you need is frozen acai berries, bananas, coconut milk (or any other non-dairy milk), granola, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and sunflower seeds.

You can always swap out the toppings if you wish. "There are so many ways you can make this recipe your own. You can change up the toppings, use a different kind of milk, or even add some green smoothie mix to the Acai berries for a boost of nutrients," Olayinka shares. "You can even use different toppings like cacao nibs or goji berries. The possibilities are endless!"

Once you have those things, you can make this at-home acai bowl.

Grab a blender and add the frozen acai berries, one banana, and coconut milk. Turn the blender on and blend the mixture until it's nice and smooth. "Make sure the acai mixture is properly blended before adding the toppings," Olayinka says. "This will make it much easier to eat."

The acai berries serve as both the star of the show and the special ingredient of this recipe. "They feel like such novelty," Olayinka raves. "The key is to make sure the acai berries are properly blended. If they're not, it'll be really tough to eat the bowl."

Grab a cutting board and sharp knife and add the remaining half banana and the strawberries. Slice them well and set fruit to the side until you need them again.

Take out a serving bowl and begin to put together your masterpiece. Begin with the Acai mixture and then load on the toppings. Then, add granola, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and sunflower seeds.

"One tip I have is to not overdo it with the toppings. A little goes a long way, and you don't want to overwhelm the acai flavor," Olayinka notes.

Now, all there's left to do is grab a spoon and dig in! This acai bowl is best when served immediately, so the base doesn't melt. It's great on its own but Olayinka also provides a few serving suggestions. "This dish goes really well with other breakfast items like eggs or bacon (if you are having a brunch-type meal)," Olayinka shares. "You could also serve it as a dessert with some whipped cream on top."

Unfortunately, leftovers aren't really in the cards. "This dish is best eaten immediately as the frozen acai can start to melt pretty quickly, and the toppings will start to get soggy," Olayinka says.