Acai bowl recipe (acai na tigela) is a healthy breakfast and snack from my home country, Brazil, made from only 3 ingredients. It is energy-booster, refreshing, and delicious!
Table of Contents
- 1 HOW TO MAKE ACAI BOWL
- 2 WHAT'S ACAI BOWL?
- 3 HOW HEALTHY IS ACAI BOWL RECIPE?
- 4 IS ACAI BOWL GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
- 5 USES FOR ACAI BERRY
- 6 WHERE TO BUY FROZEN ACAI PULP
- 7 WHEN TO EAT ACAI BOWL
- 8 HOW TO STORE ACAI BOWL OR ACAI NA TIGELA
- 9 OTHER BREAKFAST/SNACK RECIPES TO TRY:
- 10 Açaí Bowl Recipe (Açaí na Tigela)
Ahhhh, summer! I am starting mine off on the right foot, like we say in Brazil. That’s right: my mornings start off with the quick, energy-boosting, and super refreshing Açaí Bowl (or Açaí na Tigela).
HOW TO MAKE ACAI BOWL
- To prepare the traditional sweet version of the Brazilian açaí bowl recipe, all you need is to blend frozen açaí pulp, water, and guaraná syrup or honey. Then, serve it topped with bananas and granola which are the common toppings.
- This acai bowl recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. It can be Whole30 and Paleo, if you use coconut flakes instead of granola. It can be vegan, if you sub maple syrup for honey.
WHAT'S ACAI BOWL?
Açaí bowl is a Brazilian dish from the Amazon rainforest. The recipe varies from one region to the next, as well as at which meal it is served, revealing different customs.
In most of Brazil, açaí bowl is made from frozen açaí pulp, blended and sweetened with guaraná syrup until it is like a smoothie in consistency. Granola and banana slices or other fruits, and are the most common toppings. It is served either at breakfast time or either before or after exercising at the gym.
However, in the Amazon region, the açaí bowl recipe is made from fresh, mashed acai berry which can be sold unsweetened by the liter (a machine separates the thin layer of the fruit from its pit).
It's then mixed with manioc flour, and topped with shrimp, dried fish, and/or tapioca pearl. It's eaten at lunch or for dinner-- something cheap to fill you up!
HOW HEALTHY IS ACAI BOWL RECIPE?
Açaí bowl (acai na tigela) has antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and healthy fats. So it is healthy! The only issue may be the amount of sugar added to it.
IS ACAI BOWL GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
There is nothing about acai berry that supports any weight loss claim. A 100-gram serving of pure açaí puree has about 80 calories. However, the total amount of calories in acai bowl may vary depending on added ingredients such as sugar.
USES FOR ACAI BERRY
Açaí (ah-sigh-EE), the fruit of a palm, is known for its antioxidant, immune-stimulating, and energy-boosting properties.
- In the United States, as in the rest of the world, it is added to juices or marketed in beauty products or as a dietary supplement.
- In contrast, it is mainly used to prepare açaí bowls, smoothies, ice cream, candies, and fashion jewelry in Brazil. Many beach snack kiosks and juice shops carry at least one of these items.
WHERE TO BUY FROZEN ACAI PULP
Have you ever tried açaí? If so, how about an açaí bowl? Well, this is your chance!
Frozen açaí pulp is available in the U.S. from different brands, both online and at many local market chains such as Sprouts and Whole Foods.
Some of them come sweetened with guaraná syrup.
WHEN TO EAT ACAI BOWL
You can spend very little time in the kitchen making something healthy, and yet still get some great nutrition out of it! You can have açaí bowl for breakfast, as a snack, or before/after the gym. Açaí bowl is a summer must-have!!!!
HOW TO STORE ACAI BOWL OR ACAI NA TIGELA
- You can make acai bowl the night before if you'd like to.
- Store in the fridge in a mason jar for up to 3 days, or freeze it in bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
Happy Summer!
OTHER BREAKFAST/SNACK RECIPES TO TRY:
- Breakfast Egg Cups
- Avocado Smoothie
- Mango Lime Smoothie Bowl
- Mango Coconut Streusel Muffins
- Peach Maple Breakfast Pie
- Strawberry and Cream Frozen Yogurt Bark
- Sunny Side Up Eggs
- How to Hard Boil Eggs
- Blueberry Smoothie Papaya Boats
Açaí Bowl Recipe (Açaí na Tigela)
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 8 oz frozen açaí pulp cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoon coconut water (or water), chilled
- 2 tablespoon honey (or guarana syrup or any other of your choice)
- 1 banana (add other fruits if desired), optional
- 1 tablespoon granola optional
Instructions
- In a blender, blend together the chunked frozen açaí pulp, coconut water,and honey until smooth. If the mixture is too thick to blend, stop the blender and stir. Pour mixture into one medium or two small bowls.
- Serve açaí bowl immediately topped with bananas slices and granola, or any other toppings of your choice.
Recipe Notes
- To make this acai bowl vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Buy a gluten-free granola if you are on a GF diet.
- If you are on a Whole30/Paleo diet, skip the granola and use coconut flakes instead.
- You can make acai bowl the night before if you'd like to.
- Store in the fridge in a mason jar for up to 3 days, or freeze it in sealable bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Image Credits:
1. Machine that separates the açaí pulp from its pit -- License: Public domain.
2. Açaí dangles off the palm -- Source: Zoom50.
Elroy Nofziger says
Hi Denise! Thanks for sharing the recipe for an authentic acai bowl. Just like the one I ate in Brazil.
Heidi | The Frugal Girls says
What a delicious way to start the day! This looks INCREDIBLE!!
Luan says
Hi i am intrested to order acai from you?
Is it possible. I live in sweden?
Valentina Dimitrova says
Hi, Luan!!! Although I have recipes made from acai in my food blog, I don't sell acai. Sorry!
Showhan says
This recipe is absolutely great !! I have never tasted it but now so interested to make it. Thanks for sharing the great recipe.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you for stopping by... and I hope you try açaí in a bowl, a very popular afternoon snack in Brazil.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I love acai bowls and the touch of guarana ups the delicious factor!
Judit + Corina @Wine Dine daily says
SO glad you enjoying your summer "the right foot" Denise! We love to visit your website and read about different foods, and your Açaí na Tigela sounds like a Perfect start for the day! Would love to make it and hope to find frozen açaí pulp in our local gourmet store. Have a beautiful summer week 🙂
J+C
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, Judith and Corina! Wishing you a very happy summer as well...
Krissie - Pearls of Style says
I've said farewell to summer now but I've certainly had enough acai bowls to last me through til next summer. They are so delish and definitely a favourite of mine.
Krissie x - https://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com.au
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you, Krissie! I am glad that you have tried it and enjoyed it.
Liz says
I have heard such great things about acai berries, but have only tried the dried version. I think your dish looks a lot more appealing!!!
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, Liz! This is delicious and very healthy...A great breakfast to start the day!
Amira says
What a lovely way to start your day Denise. I've heard a lot about the many benefits of açaí berries. Very nutritious and refreshing recipe.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you, my dear Amira!
Kumar's Kitchen says
we get to learn so much every time we visit your lovely food blog...it is our pleasure reading your posts...this time we knew so much more about Acai than we had known....and a lovely,filling and nourishing breakfast,thanks for sharing such a wealth of information 🙂
Valentina Dimitrova says
My pleasure, Kumar! I love your visits. Thanks a lot for taking time to reading my posts. I hope you can try this healthy bowl one day...