Don't miss out on this super creamy and darn delish Acai bowl recipe (acai na tigela). A healthy breakfast and snack from my home country, Brazil, made from only 3 ingredients.
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).
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 is 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. But 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, in Brazil it is mainly used to prepare açaí bowls, smoothies, ice cream, candies, and fashion jewelry. 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.
HOW TO MAKE ACAI BOWL
To prepare the traditional sweet version of the Brazilian açaí bowl recipe, all you need is frozen açaí pulp, water, and guaraná syrup or honey. Bananas and granola are 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.
(SEE RECIPE ACAI BOWL RECIPE BELOW)
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
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 .
Kathleen says
Hi Denise,
THE LAVENDER BOUQUET has shared your great ACAI' recipe and article. Thank you for educating us on Acai'. We LOVE your recipes!
Denise Browning says
Kathleen:
You are always so sweet. Thank you so much for sharing this. I do appreciate it a lot! I hope you can find the frozen açaí pulp at your area and enjoy this -- which is a favorite of mine. My pulp is over and I am already looking forward to buying more.
Sugar et al says
A bowl full of deliciousness, health and flavours..it looks fabulous! I would love to start my day with this too!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, my dear! This is a fave of mine.
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Denise thanks for this bowl of goodness - açaí sweetened with guaraná syrup or honey sounds so wonderful and healthy - love the contrast in texture and color of the bananas in this!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Shashi! This is a healthy and delicious meal indeed. xoxo
Coffee and Crumpets says
Interesting to read that it's a cheap food in Brazil. Makes me wonder why we pay and arm and a leg for anything acai! The minute you slap on healthy and antioxidant!
This looks really good and I didn't know it was a fruit of a palm tree, kinda like dates. They are so beautiful hanging on the trees.
Are you a football fan? Of course you are, you're Brazilian!! I'm ready, got my England shirt raring to go 😉
Denise Browning says
Hi, Nazneen! I love to watch Brazil playing football. Since we are selling the house and could not go to Brazil this summer anymore, we intend to watch the games on TV. I bought our Brazilian shirts in advance. 🙂
I think açaí is cheap in the Amazon region because is a local, abundant product. The price goes up because of the exportation taxes, unfortunately.
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
I never heard about it before, but looks plenty of energy!!!
Denise Browning says
Yes, Nydia, this fruit is an evergy-boosting with anti-oxidant properties.
Little Cooking Tips says
Delicious recipe Denise (of course)! We also use the same expression here: "with the right foot" 🙂 Moreover every New Year, right after 12:00am the most 'lucky' person is supposed to go outside and walk in the doorstep of the host with the right foot for a year of good luck:) (yes it is very silly and superstitious:) )
Back to the recipe, acai berry is one of THE greatest superfoods as well! Unfortunately they're available only powdered here at the moment:( Can we mix that with something to simulate the pulp or is that stupid?:)
Again, thank you for another superb recipe!
Denise Browning says
Panos and Mirella:
Since I have never tried the açaí powder I would not be very sure about it but you can make smoothies, blending , for example, bananas (and/or other fruits) with milk, honey, the açaí powder, and crushed ice together. You can make the smoothie so thick that you can eat in a bowl or thinner to drink in a glass. I know that the powder is used to make smoothies in Brazil and it is sold in juice shops.
Thanks a lot for stopping by!
Little Cooking Tips says
Great idea Denise! Thanx so much for helping us out:) Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Panos and Mirella
Denise Browning says
The pleasure is always mine, Panos and Mirella! Wishing you a great week as well.
I hope I can visit your beautiful Greece one day and meet you both in person. I love you guys!
Deb says
Thank you for the introduction to Acai Bowls! What a refreshing and satisfying way to begin the day! And a big yes to welcoming summer!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Deb! This is a real refreshing, healthy summer meal...
cquek says
sounds awesome and gorgeously, meltingly gooey-yummo!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, cquek!
francesca says
I've only ever had ah-saigh-eee juice (which by the way, is super fun to say). This bowl looks delicious!
Denise Browning says
I wish you can try this, Francesca. It is much better than the juice which most of the time one can barely taste açaí since is diluted with other fruits' juice.
Daniela says
Hi Denise,
We just came back from a trip to the Peruvian Amazonia and so I'm in the perfect mood to prepare this fantastic looking bowl.
Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Daniela! Enjoy this bowl of goodness...
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
This is a new dish for me…it is what I find so interesting about your blog. 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Karen! I wish many people was like you... I hope they could understand the new and different can be very good and so try new things.
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Denise, I'm so happy to learn about acai, something new for me. You always have something wonderful to share. I love that.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Chris!
Raymund says
I havent tried acai, hopefully I can find them here in New Zealand. What does it taste like?
Denise Browning says
Raymund:
Although açaí looks a bit like blueberries, it has a chocolaty mixed with blackbeery taste. 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I've heard of aça, but have never had it. And sure didn't know how to pronounce it! This is so interesting -- I gotta give it a try. Thanks.
Denise Browning says
John:
Açaí is pronounced ah-sigh-ee...:)
If you give it a try, you will fall in love. Thanks for stopping by!
Juliana says
Can you believe that when living in Brasil I never had acai...just this last time when visiting Fortaleza we got to try acai...
Looks delicious and so refreshing!
Enjoy the rest of your week Denise 😀
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Juliana! Well, better late than never... I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Likewise.
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 🙂
Denise Browning 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...
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.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, my dear Amira!
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!!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Liz! This is delicious and very healthy...A great breakfast to start the day!
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 - http://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com.au
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Krissie! I am glad that you have tried it and enjoyed it.
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
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Judith and Corina! Wishing you a very happy summer as well...