Açaí recipe and interesting facts about the superfood

Açaí has increased in popularity over the past few years with some proponents claiming it’s a super health food. Here’s how to make the most of the ingredient and we answer some common questions about the berries.

If you’ve been enjoying Açaí bowls in your favourite cafe, here’s an easy Açaí bowl recipe so you can learn to make this colourful dish at home.

The basis of any Acai bowl recipe is vegan.

Simple Açaí bowl recipe:

Ingredients

4 tbsp Açaí powder

1 cup milk, almond milk or coconut water

1 cup frozen strawberries

1 cup frozen raspberries

1 tsp honey

Method

Step 1: Blend the Açaí powder, frozen berries, milk or coconut water and honey together. Just add a little more almond milk or water if the mixture is too thick. The texture should be a little thicker than a normal smoothie.

Step 2: Add your favourite toppings and enjoy immediately!

An acai bowl is made with either acai powder or puree that is blended with dairy or dairy-free milk.

Topping Ideas:

Sliced banana

Chopped almonds

Blueberries

Chia seeds

Strawberries

Cinnamon

Kiwi Fruit

What is Açaí ?

Açaí is a naturally sweet Amazonian fruit known for its antioxidant and fibre content. Native to the Brazilian rainforests, you’ll most commonly find it in Australia in either powder form or in frozen puree in the freezer section of your supermarket. Açaí bowls have become really popular in recent years as a healthier breakfast alternative. But our recipe proves that making your own Açaí bowl at home can be super-easy (and delicious!).

You can make Acai bowls the night before and place in the freezer.

Health benefits

Açaí berries are nutrient-dense food with almost no sugar. They are packed with antioxidants, have strong fibre content, contain some calcium and also contain polyphenols, which are a plant compound thought to protect the brain from age-related damage.

What goes in an Açaí bowl?

An Açaí bowl is made with either Açaí powder or puree that is blended with dairy or dairy-free milk, then topped with your favourite toppings such as berries, oats, mango, banana, muesli or nuts.

Acai is a naturally sweet Amazonian fruit known for its antioxidant and fibre content.

Are Açaí bowls vegan?

Given that Açaí itself is a fruit, the basis of any Açaí bowl recipe is vegan. If the Açaí bowl recipe you use incorporates coconut water or almond milk (as opposed to regular cow’s milk), then your Açaí bowl is vegan. You can also top with vegan-friendly toppings such as seasonal fruit, nuts, seeds and toasted coconut for added crunch.

Can Açaí bowls be made the night before?

It’s possible to make Açaí bowls the night before and place in the freezer overnight. Be sure to only freeze the Açaí part (do not freeze any toppings) as freezing the toppings can ruin them. Simply take out the Açaí bowl in the morning, add the toppings, and wait a short time for it to defrost.

Top Açaí bowl recipes

Crunchy Açaí bowl recipe

Tropical (dairy-free) Açaí bowl

See also:

18 easy breakfast ideas that aren’t toast or cereal

Green smoothie recipes to start your day

For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.

Originally published as Açaí recipe and interesting facts about the superfood