Acai Bowl Recipe (Açaí na Tigela)

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!

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

 

Image Credits:  

1. Machine that separates the açaí pulp from its pit -- License: Public domain.

2. Açaí dangles off the palm -- Source: Zoom50.