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!
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?
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!
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:
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 🙂
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.
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.
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!
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!
With the nitty gritty out of the way, let’s get to the recipe!
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!
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.
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.
Blend the ingredients on high speed until smooth and creamy. If needed, add more milk gradually to achieve your desired consistency.
Once the mixture is well blended, pour it into a bowl. Skip this step if already whisking together in a bowl.
Add your favorite toppings, such as sliced fruits, granola, nuts, nut butter, coconut flakes, and chia seeds.
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.
Serve the protein acai bowl immediately and enjoy!
Serving Size 1 Bowl
Servings 1
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.