Classic Açaí Bowls (vegan & gluten-free)
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Classic Açaí Bowls -- a sweet-tart açaí smoothie topped with fresh fruit, granola, coconut and honey, these vegan açaí bowls taste of vacation but are surprisingly easy to make at home.
By:
Makes: 2 bowls
Ingredients
  • For the "smoothie" portion:
  • 4 oz unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 2 Açaí Smoothie Packs (we used one each Original and Unsweetened)
  • For the topping:
  • sliced bananas
  • sliced strawberries
  • sliced kiwi
  • frozen blueberries
  • granola (we used this gluten-free hemp & flax seed variety)
  • sliced almonds
  • coconut chips
  • honey (omit for vegan option)
Instructions
  1. Run Smoothie Packs under hot water for 5 seconds.
  2. Load all smoothie ingredients into blender in order listed and blend until smooth. (If you don't have a super blender, you may have to pause a couple times to stir in any large frozen chunks before blending again).
  3. Divide smoothie between two bowls -- or enjoy as a smoothie! -- and top accordingly. Yum!
Notes
Ok, so the most challenging part of this recipe is probably getting your hands on the açaí puree, itself. I found the Sambazon brand at my local Whole Foods (Safeway did not have it) -- but I heard some Costco stores carry it, as well. It's a bit pricey, about $7-$8 for four packets, but it's still loads more economical than buying a bowl at a cafe. The Sambazon brand comes in two varieties: 1) Original, which is sweetened and enhanced with a teensy bit of energizing guaraná extract and has 100 cals per serving, and 2) Unsweetened, which is just the pure fruit puree and has 70 cals per serving. For two bowls, I did one packet of each, but if I were to only buy one variety, I'd probably opt for the Unsweetened since the honey and fresh fruit adds plenty of natural sweetness.
Recipe by the pig & quill at https://thepigandquill.com/classic-acai-bowls-vegan-gluten-free/