Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a small, round, black-purple fruit that’s grown in South America and looks similar to a grape. Acai is touted as an antioxidant superfood containing essential omegas, amino acids and fiber. Even if Acai didn’t contain healthy and nutritious stuff I’d probably still make Acai Bowls because I love the exotic berry flavor.
I make an Acai Bowl about 5 times per week on average and have made them for countless friends and family…and everyone raves about how yummy they are and ask me to tell/show them how I make it. So, per their request, Here is my recipe and some tips on how to make your own Acai masterpiece:
Ingredients for the Ultimate Acai Bowl
- 3-4 ounces apple juice, depending on your preferred consistency (I like it more on the thick side). OK to splash some cranberry or pomegranate juice in there as well…gives it a little kick.
- 1 packet of Acai puree. I use the pure unsweetened kind from Sambazon
- 1 cup of frozen mixed berries (ex: strawberries, blueberries, rasperries, blackberries)
- 1/2 banana (I like to cut bananas in half when their just turning a little brown, and I keep them in the freezer)
- 1 serving of protein powder (I like to use a complete whey protein, vanilla flavor)
Optional Inredients:
- Ice cubes, add in a couple of cubes AFTER the ingredients are flowing nicely in the blender. Ice cubes add a nice texture, thicken it up (good corrective move in case too much juice was used) and don’t add any additional calories!
- Cinnamon, a natural anti-inflammatory, add in a dash or two of cinnamon to give just a hint of spice.
- Organic Cocao Nibs (raw), these little suckers are flavorful, packed with nutrition and mood lifters and add a little crunch.
Mix all ingredients together in a blender until it’s the consistency of a super-thick smoothie. Pour into a bowl and eat with a spoon. Acai Bowls are awesomely delicious by themselves but even better with a topping or two, or three or four. Here is a list of some good toppings to choose from, listed in order with my favorites first:
- Honey (drizzle it all over the top)
- Pomegranate Seeds (Trader Joe’s sells them in a pack so you don’t have to rip apart the fruit)
- Goji Berries (I like the organic, raw, dark chocolate covered ones!)
- Dark chocolate covered edamame (from Trader Joes)
- Fresh blueberries
- Strawberries (cut into small pieces and sprinkled over the top)
- Banana (cut horizontally into small pieces and spread over the top)
- Walnut pieces
- Chocolate chips
- Hemp granola
- Shaved coconut
- Ground Flax Seed
Here are some other tips to help you with making your own Acai Bowl:
- Thaw out the Acai packet for 5-10 minutes before cutting open (in half), and use a serrated knife
- Add other powder-form supplements like L-Glutamine to improve the nutritional density
- Don’t overpack your blender with ingredients (leave some room at the top as it will expand)
- Use a little apple juice to begin with, then add a little more at a time until desired consistency is reached
- Double-up the recipe (doable in most blenders) and enjoy with a friend!
- Use toppings sparingly to add flavor and crunch while keeping calories low
This is the order I like to use when adding the ingredients…which I’ve found makes for an easier blender experience:
1) Add apple juice first
2) Add banana (break up into 2-3 pieces)
3) Cut Acai packet lengthwise and place pieces leaning against the blender walls to leave a cavity in the middle
4) Add mixed berries
5) Add protein powder (and any other non-topping ingredients you desire) and blend well
6) If mixture appears too thin, add some ice cubes to thicken
6) Add desired toppings and dig in!
Try this Ultimate Acai Bowl recipe today…and post comments on other variations or what else you like to use as toppings.
Enjoy!
Compliments of your Virtual Workout Partner.
