Tired of drinking the same smoothie every morning? Yea, me too. In this post, I am sharing my go-to, easy protein acai bowl recipe for you to try after your next workout! So keep reading to find out how to make a high protein acai bowl yourself!

I’m actually really excited about sharing this because I’ve had the pleasure of trying some really delicious ingredients in acai bowls while traveling across southeast Asia this past spring for my honeymoon with my husband.

While I don’t have access to all those same ingredients from abroad, I’ve been trying to create a similar recipe that I enjoy just as much with the ingredients we have available in the states. You could say I got addicted to eating acai bowls for a time after this trip.

And I will admit, I now follow this protein acai bowl recipe at least once a week, if not more.

Guilty as charged!

Why am I calling this your go-to guide?

Because, today I am going to walk you through exactly what you need to do to make your new favorite breakfast or snack item as well as how to customize it based on your own favorite toppings and preferences. You will be making this high protein acai bowl time and time again!

And want to know the best part? This recipe is gluten AND dairy free AND low sugar!

Yes, you read that correctly because around here we watch out for those things! While I cater to those of you out there that have food intolerances, you can of course substitute out any ingredient for what you prefer / desire.

The recipe and nutrition content below will be based on dairy and gluten free ingredients. Using these types of ingredients is optimal for supporting your wellness journey while also avoiding any potential gut sensitivities. This blog is about all things gut friendly right?

So, what is a Protein Acai Bowl?

I like to think of protein acai bowls as an indulgent but good-for-you breakfast item. Of course, you could eat it as a snack as well. Now the thing is, I say indulgent because when I think of acai berries, it takes me to a place of tropical zen.

Furthermore, acai bowls, and more specifically, high protein acai bowls, can be so expensive when you purchase them from a restaurant or juice shop! I mean, why are acai bowls so expensive? They don’t have to be!

You get so much more bang for your buck when you make it at home. And you’ll have the ingredients to make more bowls in the future. Oftentimes, you can get all the ingredients you need, and have some of the ingredients at home already, for less than it costs to have it made for you at a restaurant!

So what is it?

For my visitors who may not have had an acai bowl before – a protein acai bowl is a nutritious smoothie bowl of sorts made primarily with acai berries and protein-rich ingredients.

Typically, the components of a good protein acai bowl include:

• Acai berries: small, purple berries native to the Amazon rainforest. Acai berries are known for their high antioxidant content and are typically sold in frozen puree or powdered form. This is often blended into the liquid base for the bowl alongside the protein source.

• Protein source: an essential macronutrient that helps build and repair tissues in the body. In a protein acai bowl, you can increase the protein content by adding ingredients such as protein powder (e.g., whey, pea, or hemp protein), greek yogurt, nut butter, chia seeds, and/or flaxseeds.

• Liquid base: to achieve a smooth consistency, a liquid base is necessary. Common options include almond milk, other alternative milks, or coconut water. The choice of liquid depends on personal preference and dietary needs.

• Fruits: in addition to acai berries, you can incorporate other fruits into the bowl, such as bananas, mixed berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries), mangoes, or pineapple. These fruits not only add natural sweetness but also contribute additional nutrients and fiber.

• Toppings: dress up your bowl with additional different toppings which adds to texture, flavor, and nutrients. Popular toppings include honey, granola, shredded coconut, chia seeds, nuts, or seeds.

A high protein acai bowl is packed with antioxidants, protein, fiber, healthy fats, and a variety of essential vitamins and minerals.

And like I alluded to, you can enjoy protein acai bowls as a healthy breakfast, snack, or post-workout meal due to their nutrient-dense nature and ability to provide sustained energy.

Given it’s fiber and protein content, it’s likely to keep you satiated for a while 🙂

Tips to Ensure Your High Protein Acai Bowl Recipe is Done Right

Since I have been guilty of recreating this protein acai bowl recipe countless times over the last few months, and I have enjoyed acai bowls southeast Asia had to offer, I have decided there are a few essential factors to account for to ensure a great protein acai bowl.

Smoothness and creaminess of the base

Whether you are whisking together the ingredients or blending them in a blender, the consistency you want is smooth, almost thick, and creamy. Because of this it matters what your milk and protein powder ratio is. I will give you my preferred measurements in the recipe below, but of course you can adjust this to your desired consistency.

Sweetness Levels

Now because of the gut issues I experienced in recent years, I personally have developed a taste aversion to anything sweet. I know insane right? I literally cannot enjoy more than a couple bites of anything that is extremely sweet.

So my preference for this protein acai bowl recipe is to keep the sugar low. The sweetness is the derived from the fruit toppings and the dash of honey. Again, you can adjust this to your personal preference!

Different Textures

Because making acai bowls mixes up your daily routine of always consuming a smoothie after a workout or first thing in the morning, I actually think including different textures adds to that experience.

I love to build up the crunchiness with nuts, and sometimes gluten free cereal. Chia seeds also add a different tiny seedy texture that is fun and shredded coconut is nice as well because it adds a texture in between tiny and tough.

My favorite gluten free cereal is Catalina Crunch Chocolate and Peanut Butter. Catalina Crunch tastes great and is sweetened with stevia and/or monk fruit extract. The best part is that it is high in protein and fiber! A win win.

Why can’t all cereals be like that! And this is just my own personal opinion and not sponsored at all. I wish they would though since I’m their biggest fan!

What Kitchen Tools Do You Need

• A whisk or a smoothie blender
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Measuring cup
• Knife and cutting board if slicing fruits

With the nitty gritty out of the way, let’s get to the recipe!

Delicious Protein Acai Bowl Recipe: Your Go-To Guide

Tired of drinking the same smoothie every morning? This is your go-to, super easy protein acai bowl recipe for you to try after your next workout. Packed with antioxidants, protein, fiber, healthy fats, and a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. Feel free to customize it based on your dietary needs and preferences!

Author: Tiffany

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Prep Time 10 min Total Time 10 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 1 Calories: 591 Best Season: Summer

List of Ingredients

Servings

• 1 Packet of frozen acai puree or 2 tablespoons of acai powder
• 1 Frozen banana (Optional for thicker texture)
• 1 Serving of your preferred vanilla protein powder
• ¹⁄₂ cup your preferred plant-based milk
• ¹⁄₂ cup frozen berries (e.g. strawberries, blue berries, or raspberries)
• 1 tablespoon nut butter (e.g. almond butter, peanut butter)
• 1 teaspoon honey (substitute with agave syrup or maple syrup based on preference)
• Toppings of your choice (such as sliced fruits, granola, nuts, coconut flakes, chia seeds)

Instructions

1. Prep Acai for Base

   Remove the frozen acai packet from the freezer. Run water over the unopened packet for about a minute to allow it to start to soften just a bit, and break it into smaller pieces. If using acai powder, skip this step.

2. Combine Liquid Base Ingredients

   In a blender, combine the frozen acai and plant based milk. Alternatively, you can use a whisk and mix these ingredients directly in a bowl if your puree packet is thawed enough.

   Frozen banana is an optional ingredient that you can add for additional thickness and calories. Keep in mind, the nutrition facts below are based on this recipe excluding the frozen banana in the liquid base.

3. Blend / Whisk

   Blend the ingredients on high speed until smooth and creamy. If needed, add more milk gradually to achieve your desired consistency.

4. Pour in Bowl

   Once the mixture is well blended, pour it into a bowl. Skip this step if already whisking together in a bowl.

5. Add Toppings

   Add your favorite toppings, such as sliced fruits, granola, nuts, nut butter, coconut flakes, and chia seeds. 

   Keep in mind the amount of toppings you add and types of toppings will increase calorie levels of the bowl. Nutrition facts below are based on the following toppings: 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1/3 cup of granola, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, 1/2 cup of frozen berries, 1 teaspoon of honey.

6. Sweeten to Taste

   Drizzle the honey on top. Feel free to add as much as you’d like to dial up the sweetness or swap this out for agave syrup or maple syrup.

7. Time to Eat!

   Serve the protein acai bowl immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 Bowl

Servings 1

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 591kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 34.9g54%

Saturated Fat 4.7g24%

Sodium 561mg24%

Potassium 483mg14%

Total Carbohydrate 61.4g21%

Dietary Fiber 21.3g86%

Sugars 24.2g

Protein 37.1g75%

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Calcium 259 mg

Iron 10 mg

Vitamin D 2000 IU

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Protein Acai Bowl Recipe, Acai Bowl, Smoothie Bowl, Protein Acai Bowl