Pronounced uh-sigh-yee, ‘acai’ is widely used to refer to the purple-hued smoothie bowl that’s taken the world by storm. If you’re a sucker for acai bowls but tired of forking out over $10 for each fix, you’re in luck. We’re teaching you how to make your own acai bowl with the best acai bowl recipes! Salivating already? Read on!
What You'll Need
What is an acai bowl made of?
Acai bowls are essentially smoothie bowls containing acai berries, the fruit of the acai palm tree native to Central America. Acai bowls are typically prepared using frozen, pureed acai berries. You can also prepare acai bowls with acai powder, a less popular but just as nutrient-dense form of acai berries! Liquids such as fruit juice, milk, coconut water, or plain water is used to achieve the creamy consistency acai bowls are known for. It’s then finished off with toppings like fruits, nuts, seeds, or granola before being served.
Can you eat acai everyday?
We all know acai bowls are delicious and nutritious – but is it actually healthy to have them everyday? To understand the benefits of acai bowls, it’s important to understand the nutritional value of the main ingredient.
Acai berries are widely considered to be a superfood, a term referring to foods with exceptionally high nutritional density. This means they provide a high level of nutrients and low calories. They’re known to be packed with antioxidants, naturally-occuring substances that protect your cells from harmful free radicals that are linked to health problems such as heart disease, arthritis, and even cancer. In fact, acai berries contain more antioxidants than every other kind of berry – cranberries, blackberries, you name it! To top it off, acai berries are also rich in vitamins and minerals, and are said to boast all sorts of health benefits such as improving cognitive function and strengthening the heart.
While including acai in your diet is definitely not a bad idea, it must be noted that acai bowls can be high in sugar and calories. Store-bought acai bowls typically come with a lot of added sugar, whether it’s in the form of fruit juice used for blending or sauces (yes, we’re talking about that extra scoop of cookie butter).
Going overboard in additional toppings can thus easily turn a healthy treat into a high-calorie indulgence. That means having one too many acai bowls can actually be counterproductive for those looking to shed some weight! Moreover, the jury remains out on whether acai berries are linked to weight loss promotion. Our advice? Have your acai bowls in moderation – as with all foods!
How much does it cost to make an acai bowl?
Any acai bowl fan will know that these babies don’t come cheap. In Singapore, you can expect to pay anywhere between $7 to $15 for your acai fix. This is due to a variety of factors, ranging from how the fruit remains relatively uncommon and difficult to source, to the high overhead costs for F&B establishments in Singapore.
The good news? Making your own acai bowls is less costly than you’d think. You can now get your hands on frozen acai puree for as low as $2 per 100g. Throw in the cost of popular toppings like almond butter, cacao nibs, strawberries, and chia seeds, and you’ll find yourself whipping up acai bowls at an average cost of $5 – even lower if you buy in bulk!
There’s also the added benefit of getting to customise your acai bowl according to your preferences. For instance, those looking to reduce their calorie intake can choose to cut down on the refined sugars used. Those looking to gain more muscle mass can also sneak in some protein powder – the possibilities are truly endless!
How do you thicken an acai bowl?
Always wondered how to make thick acai bowls? Here are some tips for attaining a creamy, sorbet-like acai bowl to rival your favourite store-bought ones!
-
Start with as little liquid as possible
Pro tip for the best acai bowl recipe: Take a leaf from Gordon Ramsey’s book – don’t be afraid to taste as you go!
-
Use ice-cold ingredients (and serving bowls)
Another trick for achieving thick acai bowls is to freeze some of your fruits and vegetables before blending them. This is because the high water content in fruits and vegetables causes them to become more rigid when frozen. When broken down in a blender, they then become smoother and creamier than usual. You can also use ice cubes instead of water, or chill your fruit juice or milk before adding them to the blender.
Take it a step further and put your serving vessels in the freezer before plating! This helps to prevent your acai mixture from melting in the Singapore heat as soon as they’re prepared.
Pro tip for the best acai bowl recipe: Blending hard, frozen ingredients can potentially damage your equipment. Be sure to invest in a blender with sharp blades and high motor speed if you’re looking to make the best homemade acai bowl!
-
Throw in some “secret ingredients”
There are certain ingredients that you can incorporate into your acai bowl for a creamier consistency. These include:
- Chia seeds
- Greek yogurt
- Avocado
- High fibre fruits (e.g. banana, mango, pineapple, peach)
- High fibre vegetables (e.g. carrots, cauliflower, celery)
- Nut butters
- Ground flaxseed
- Protein powder
Pro tip for the best acai bowl recipe: Chia seeds become gelatinous when soaked in water for at least 20 minutes. For best results, set aside some time to pre-soak your chia seeds before adding them to your acai bowl!
How to make homemade acai bowls
1. Classic acai bowl recipe
Besides acai puree or powder, there’s really no right or wrong when it comes to deciding the ingredients for your homemade acai bowl. If you’re hankering for a quick acai fix, you’d love this fuss-free acai bowl recipe! (Psst: It’s even vegan-friendly!)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Recipe ingredients:
- 100g unsweetened acai (or 1 packet frozen acai puree)
- ½ banana, frozen
- ⅓ cup blueberries, frozen
- ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk (alternatively: ½ avocado)
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk (alternatively: oat milk, soy milk)
- Handful of baby spinach (optional)
- Sweetener to taste (optional)
Homemade acai bowl recipe:
- Defrost a packet of frozen acai (available on GoodTogether by Ban Choon Official Store) for at least five minutes (Pro tip: submerge the packet in warm water to speed up the process)
- Break the frozen acai into smaller chunks before placing in blender (available on Rommelsbacher Official Store)
- Add banana (available on Shopee Supermarket), blueberries (available on 888SEASONS Official Store), coconut milk (available on Shopee Supermarket), and baby spinach (available on SG Organic Official Store)
- Add honey, agave syrup (both available on Shopee Supermarket), or sweetener of choice to taste
- Add a splash of unsweetened almond milk (available on Shopee Supermarket) and start blending the mixture. Add more milk as you go, keeping an eye on the consistency.
- Finish off with toppings such as strawberries (available on GrocerKing Official Store), blueberries, almonds, flax seeds, granola, and shredded coconut (all available on Shopee Supermarket)
Pro tip for the best acai bowl recipe: Not a fan of bananas? Feel free to substitute them for ½ cup frozen pineapple or mango (both available on Shopee Supermarket)!
2. Cacao acai bowl recipe
Sucker for chocolate? You’re going to love this cacao acai bowl recipe! Often used interchangeably, cocoa and cacao are both products of cacao tree seeds. The pod-like fruits of the tree contain up to 60 beans surrounded by white pulp. Cacao powder is typically derived from raw, cold-pressed cacao beans and pods. Cocoa powder, on the other hand, is made using roasted cacao beans. Being in the rawest state, cacao powder boasts higher levels of antioxidants and nutrients compared to cocoa powder and chocolate.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Recipe ingredients:
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1 tbps unsweetened cacao powder
- 200g unsweetened acai (or 2 packets frozen acai puree)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Medjool dates
Homemade acai bowl recipe:
- Defrost a packet of frozen acai for at least five minutes
- Break the frozen acai into smaller chunks before placing in blender
- Add cacao powder, milk, and Medjool dates (all available on Shopee Supermarket)
- Blend on high for about one and a half minutes
- Top with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, chia seeds (available on Shopee Supermarket), and desiccated coconut (available on Shopee Supermarket)
3. Matcha acai bowl recipe
You can’t talk about superfoods without mentioning matcha. Derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, matcha is an antioxidant-packed green tea that’s been said to improve cardiovascular health, cognitive functions, and promote weight loss – just to name a few. Its unique, intensely fragrant aroma also makes for excellent lattes and desserts! What better way to get your daily dose of matcha than to incorporate it into your homemade acai bowls?
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Recipe ingredients:
- ½ cup mixed berries, frozen
- 1 tsp unsweetened matcha powder
- 1 tsp unsweetened acai powder
- 1 tbps ground flaxseed
- ¼ – ½ cups unsweetened almond milk (alternatively: oat milk, soy milk)
- 1 tsp honey
Homemade acai bowl recipe:
- Add frozen mixed berries (available on Dole Official Store), matcha powder (available on Naoki Matcha Official Store), acai powder (available on BOTO OFFICIAL STORE), ground flaxseed, almond milk, and honey to a blender
- Blend until smooth, adding more milk if necessary
- Transfer to serving bowl and top off with granola, fresh berries, bananas, and shredded coconut
Pro tip for the best acai bowl recipe: Can’t have a matcha dessert without red bean? Learn how to make red bean paste to go with your homemade matcha acai bowl with our piece on best chendol recipes!
4. Acai smoothie recipe
If you’re not sure how to make an acai bowl and finish it before your morning commute, enter the acai smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to get your nutrients in, especially if you don’t have time for breakfast. They also serve as convenient power-ups after trips to the gym! This acai smoothie recipe is high-protein, easy-to-eat, and (most importantly) delicious. Bottoms up!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Recipe ingredients:
- 100g unsweetened acai (or 1 packet frozen acai puree)
- 1 cup blueberries, frozen
- ½ banana, frozen
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 3 tbsp hemp hearts (or flaxseeds)
- 2 tbsp blended dates (or preferred sweetener)
- ¼ avocado
- ⅓ cup full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup almond milk
Homemade acai smoothie recipe:
- Blend pitted dates (available on Shopee Supermarket) in blender until paste forms. Set aside.
- Break the frozen acai and banana into smaller chunks before placing in blender
- Place blueberries, pumpkin seeds, walnuts (both available on Shopee Supermarket), hemp hearts, blended dates, avocado (available on SG Deli and Grocer Official Store), and coconut milk into blender
- Add a splash of almond milk to blender before blending, adding more as you go until you achieve your preferred consistency
5. Keto-friendly acai bowl recipe
Contrary to popular belief, going on a keto-friendly diet doesn’t mean you can only consume protein! Originally used to treat epilepsy in children, ketogenic diets are actually high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb. The goal is to force the body into ketosis, or a state where fats are burned instead of carbohydrates. Keto-friendly diets can not only help in weight loss, but can also aid in reducing blood sugar and insulin levels. If you’re wondering how you can make acai bowls while on a keto diet, you’ve come to the right place – this acai bowl recipe boasts 30g of protein at only 304 calories!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Recipe ingredients:
- 76ml whole milk
- 124ml almond milk
- 30g vanilla protein powder
- 100g mixed berries, frozen
- Handful of ice
- 1 banana
- Sweetener of choice (optional)
Equipment:
- Blender
- Protein shaker bottle
- Kitchen scale
Homemade acai bowl recipe:
- Add whole milk, frozen mixed berries, almond milk, vanilla protein powder, and zero calorie sweetener (both available on Shopee Supermarket) to the blender, making sure to measure each ingredient with the kitchen scale (available on Shopee Supermarket)
- Start with a handful of ice before blending, adding more as you go until you achieve your preferred consistency
- Transfer to protein shaker bottle (available on BlenderBottle Official Store). Top with chopped banana slices.
6. Paleo-friendly acai bowl recipe
Unlike other diets, paleolithic diets only focus on limiting intake of heavily-processed food such as grains and sugar. Instead, emphasis is placed on consuming only whole foods such as meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. High in fibre, potassium, and antioxidants while being low in refined carbohydrates, sodium and sugar, a paleo-friendly diet can help with weight loss and promote healthy blood sugar levels. Even if you’re not following a paleo diet, homemade acai bowls that have been adapted to be paleo-friendly can serve as incredibly nutritious (not to mention yummy) desserts. Here’s the best paleo-friendly acai bowl recipe to take care of that sweet tooth in a healthy way!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Recipe ingredients:
Homemade peanut butter
- 400g whole peanuts
- 4 tbsp rapeseed oil (alternatives: olive oil, avocado oil)
- 1 tsp salt
Base
- 200g unsweetened frozen acai (or 2 packets frozen acai puree)
- 1 cup blueberries, frozen
- 2 bananas, frozen
Homemade acai bowl recipe:
- Blend peanuts (available on Shopee Supermarket), rapeseed oil, and salt (available on Shopee Supermarket) together to your desired consistency
- Blend acai, blueberries, and frozen bananas in high speed blender
- Transfer to serving bowl. Top with room temperature banana slices and berries of choice.
- Drizzle with homemade peanut butter.
7. Oat-free granola topping recipe
Want to add some crunch to your homemade acai bowl but can’t stand the taste of oats? Try your hand at this oat-free granola recipe! (Psst: it’s not only suitable for vegans, but also paleo-friendly and gluten-free.)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Servings: 19
Recipe ingredients:
- 1 cup banana puree (or 3 small bananas, mashed)
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla bean powder (alternatives: vanilla essence)
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- ½ tsp fine Himalayan salt
- 2 cups cashew nuts
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ⅓ cup chia seeds
- ⅓ cup unrefined coconut sugar
- 6-8 large Medjool dates, chopped
Homemade acai bowl topping recipe:
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Line a 17×11 inch baking tray (available on Chefmade Official Flag Shop (SG)) with baking paper (available on Shopee Supermarket), making sure to cover the edges of the tray
- In a mixing bowl (available on Shopee Supermarket), combine banana puree, coconut oil (available on Shopee Supermarket), powder from vanilla bean pods (available on Straits Supply Flagship Store), cinnamon powder, and fine Himalayan salt (both available on Shopee Supermarket)
- Coarsely chop the pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts and sunflower seeds (all available on Shopee Supermarket) using a knife or a food processor (both available on Shopee Supermarket)
- Place the chopped cashews and seeds in large mixing bowl
- Mix in the shredded coconut, chia seeds, coconut sugar (available on Shopee Supermarket), and dates.
- Add banana mixture. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to prepared baking tray and spread evenly
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and let it bake for another 15 minutes. (Pro tip: Keep an eye on it to prevent it from burning!)
- Let granola completely cool before slicing into pieces
Treat yourself to some homemade acai bowls with these healthy acai bowl recipes
Save a pretty penny and learn how to make your own acai bowls this summer with the best acai bowl recipes! Short of ingredients? Head over to Shopee Supermarket for everything you need to make the best homemade acai bowl! If you’re looking for more healthy food ideas, check out our roundup of the best healthy snacks to keep you satiated while WFH, and some of the best keto-friendly meal delivery services in Singapore!
_________________________________________________________________________
New to Shopee? Get $7 off (min. spend $15) with code*: 7DIYACAIBOWLS
*TNC Applies. Valid for new users from 27 Aug to 3 Sep 2022 only.
