If you like piña coladas….and getting caught in the rain, this tropical acaí smoothie bowl is calling your name. If you aren’t already blending your own açaí (ah-sah-ee) bowls, you should be! Açaí berries are a Brazilian “super fruit” that is found in the Amazon and have gained popularity globally for their amazing health benefits and flavor. Açaí berries are full of nutrients, packed with cancer fighting antioxidants, help to boost brain function, and are proven to lower your cholesterol. In short, they are berry good for you!
Fresh açaí berries have a short shelf life and aren’t available outside of the Amazon where they are grown. Because of this, all of the exported açaí is sold as a frozen fruit purée, dried powder, or pressed juice. The açaí I most frequently use can be found in the frozen food section at Trader Joe’s. Each box includes four individual packets which you can easily and conveniently pop into one of your frozen smoothie bowls. And it’s organic!!
This smoothie bowl takes about 10 minutes to make if you take the time to make the pineapple bowl. It takes even less time if you just frozen pineapple chunks!
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Prepare your pineapple. If you’re in a rush or don’t feel like making an entire pineapple bowl, skip this step. To make the pineapple bowl, stand the pineapple upright and vertically cut about a third from one side, leaving the top attached. Cut the pineapple insides into three pieces across it, then in half. Scoop out the 6 chunks and use a spoon to smooth out the bowl. Store your pineapple bowl in the freezer until you are ready to assemble (this will keep your smoothie bowl cold longer).
Step 2: Chop your toppings. In this bowl I decided to use banana, blackberry, and kiwi. Feel free to use your favorite fresh fruit.
Step 3: Put it in a blender. Combine açaí puree packet in blender with 1/2 frozen banana, pineapple, orange juice, almond milk, or coconut milk (the kind you can get in a carton, not a can). If you are looking to incorporate more protein, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
Step 4: Build that bowl. Remove your pineapple bowl from the freezer. Pour açaí smoothie into your bowl. Add your toppings. I used the other half of the frozen banana, chia seeds, sliced kiwi, and coconut flakes.
Ingredients
- 1 packet acai puree (100 grams or 3.5 oz)
- 1 cup cut up pineapple
- 1/4 cup orange juice, almond milk, or coconut milk
- 1/2 frozen banana (save other half for topping)
- 1 scoop your favorite protein powder (I think vanilla goes best with these flavors)
- 1 kiwi sliced
- 1 handful fresh blackberries
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
Instructions
- To make the pineapple bowl, stand the pineapple upright and vertically cut about a third from one side, leaving the top attached. Cut the pineapple insides into three pieces across it, then in half. Scoop out the 6 chunks and use a spoon to smooth out the bowl. Store your pineapple bowl in the freezer until you are ready to assemble (this will keep your smoothie bowl cold longer).
- Chop your Toppings. This bowl I decided to use banana, blackberry, and kiwi. Feel free to use your favorite fresh fruit.
- Combine acaí puree packet in blender with 1/2 frozen banana, pineapple, orange juice, almond milk, or coconut milk (the kind you can get in a carton, not a can). If you are looking to incorporate more protein, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
- Remove your pineapple bowl from the freezer. Pour acaí smoothie into your bowl. Add your toppings. I used the other half of the frozen banana, chia seeds, sliced kiwi, and coconut flakes.
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