Easy Protein Packed Acai Bowl Recipe

Try a protein acai bowl recipe for either a great breakfast or post-workout meal! The mixture of acai puree along with frozen berries makes for a thick and creamy bowl that will leave you filling full and satisfied! Acai protein bowls are also great for meal prep for a quick breakfast on busy mornings!

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Why This High Protein Acai Bowl Is The Best!

After my husband tried an acai bowl at our favorite coffee shop I wanted to recreate it and perhaps make it a little bit more nutritious for us to enjoy at home. Acai bowls can have a lot of added sugar depending on how you make them. With this recipe, I rely on my frozen banana for sweetness and add 1 tablespoon of honey.

Also by adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder you can ensure that you are getting a good amount of protein to fuel your day or gym workout! It is up to you how much protein you want to add. I added one scoop but depending on your protein powder you may want to add more.

What Is Acai?

Acai, pronounced AH-sigh-YEE, is a berry that grows on an acai palm tree located in the rainforest of Central and South America. Because the acai berry has a very short shelf life it is not sold in it's fresh form other than where it grows.

When exported the berry is either processed into a puree or made into a dried powder. This makes it easy to prepare your acai smoothie bowls!

Acai is known for it's vibrant color and amazing nutrition benefits. It is loaded with antioxidants and is also believed to help reduce swelling, lower blood sugar and stimulate immune health.

Equipment Needed

blender- a high-speed blender is the easiest way to make smoothie recipes.

Key Ingredients

acai- I like to buy pureed acai berries that are sold frozen in packets. This is available in most local grocery stores in the freezer section with frozen fruit.

protein powder- adding protein powder to smoothies is a great way to add additional protein to your diet. There are so many protein powders on the market, even vegan protein powders. Find a protein powder flavor that you like that has the proper nutrition for your needs.

banana- I love adding frozen banana to my acai mixture because it adds a natural sweetness and a creamy texture.

Step-By-Step Instructions

I like to let the frozen acai packet thaw for just a few minutes before I blend. It just makes it easier for the blender to get the smooth consistency.

Then add all of the remaining acai bowl ingredients to the blender. Pulse a few times and then blend. If you have a Vitamix, you may need to use the tamper to push the ingredients around and get all of the frozen fruits properly blended.

If you do not have a blender with this feature, you may need to stop the blender and use a spatula to move the mixture around to get it blended smoothly. It also may be necessary to add a small amount of liquid to help get the right consistency. So add a splash more of whichever kind of milk you are using. I prefer a thick smoothie bowl but everyone has there own preferences.

Topping Ideas

Ok this is the fun part, the choice of toppings for your acai bowl! Now remember that it is meant to be a healthy smoothie bowl recipe so these are a few suggestions to pick from, and doesn't mean to overload the bowl with all of these options.

fresh fruit- strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are always delicious with acai.

granola- gives a little texture and crunch to the bowl.

honey- I love a little extra honey or pure maple syrup drizzled over top.

chocolate chips- a fun addition are mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a little healthier option.

nut butters- almond butter or peanut butter are delicious additions.

Make Ahead Tips

When you need a quick breakfast it is great to be able to grab a premade acai bowl from the freezer! Make a double batch of the acai smoothie and portion the servings into freezer safe bowls.

To thaw, remove the acai protein bowl from the freezer and thaw at room temperature on the counter. It will take about a few minutes so I usually do this as soon as I wake up in the morning and then in an hour I'm hungry and ready for breakfast. You may need to stir the bowl a few times which is why I prefer to add the toppings after it has thawed.

You can also microwave the bowl (make sure your bowl is microwave safe) in short 15 second burst so not to melt it completely.

Once your bowl has thawed add the delicious toppings and enjoy your protein packed acai bowl!

Substitutions And Additions

Greek yogurt- if you want to make this a vegan acai bowl you can use a coconut blend of yogurt that will still have a good amount of protein per serving.

almond milk- I usually use non-dairy milk in my smoothies like almond milk, oat milk or cashew milk. Any variety will work and you can use regular cow's milk as well.

chia seeds- are loaded with dietary fiber which helps you feel fuller longer. I love to add them to smoothies and overnight oats because they have so many amazing health benefits, however you can omit them all together or use hemp seeds or hemp hearts.

cocoa powder- has many healthy benefits and is low on sugar and fat. If you do not have this on hand you can omit it from the recipe and the acai bowl will still taste amazing!

Looking For Other Protein Packed Recipes? Try These!

Protein Overnight Oats {3 Ingredient Base}

Easy Vanilla Protein Baked Oats

Egg White French Toast Recipe {Protein Packed}

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!