Acai Bowl (using Acai Powder)

Back in April, I traveled to Hawaii with my in-laws, where I had one too many acai bowls. It’s been unbearably hot and steamy in New York this summer and I haven’t had much of an appetite for heavy meals, so figured incorporating acai bowls into my diet will be appropriate!

What is Açaí?

Açaí, which is pronounced ah-sigh-ee, is a dark purple berry from açaí palm trees that are native to Central and South America. These berries are quick to perish and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, which can be quite labor-intensive. For this reason, they can be expensive and are usually sold in frozen or powder form. Often referred to as a “superfruit,” açaí berries are loaded with:

• Antioxidants: helps protect our bodies from free radicals
• Healthy Fats: can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and boost good cholesterol (HDL), which may help reduce the risk of heart disease
• Fiber: improves gut health and digestive health

What You’ll Need:

Açaí bowls are basically thick smoothie bowls that use açaí in its base, either in the form of frozen açaí puree or açaí powder. Besides a blender, here’s what you will need for my recipe:

• Acai Powder: I like using acai powder instead of frozen acai packets, simply because they take up less space and generate more servings! I have been using the organic freeze dried version by MicroIngredients and LOVE the results they bring, from the dark purple hue to the rich acai flavors!
• Frozen Banana: Here’s another way to use ripened bananas! Instead of throwing them away, break them up into pieces, place them into a ziploc bag and freeze them for future use! I have a bunch handy for days when I am craving a healthy acai bowl. The frozen bananas add a natural sweetness to your bowl and also help create a thickened texture.
• Frozen Berries: Similarly, frozen berries contribute to the thick consistency in acai bowls. Like acai berries, they are as well jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants. I like using frozen berry blends that include blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, sometimes even cherries!
• Milk: Use your milk of choice, whether it be a dairy or non-dairy version. I use organic whole milk when I make my acai bowls, but they work with oat milk, almond milk and other non-dairy types also. You’ll only need 1/2 a cup with my recipe below.
• Yogurt: I like adding yogurt for creaminess, probiotics and extra protein. Feel free to omit this if you’re not a fan of yogurt.
• TOPPINGS: Get creative with your acai bowl toppings! The following are some of my favorites
  • Sliced bananas
  • Chia seeds
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut
  • Fresh berries
  • Peanut butter

If you’ve tried my recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment below and/or tag me in your food pictures on social media with @rackoflam and #rackoflam. Also don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for detailed recipe videos!