This Acai Bowl is a refreshing, antioxidant-rich treat. Easy to make, it's blended to creamy perfection and topped with fruits, granola, and honey for a nutritious breakfast or meal.
My latest obsession is my Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream Maker.
It's summer ☀️, and I can't think of a better time to dive into homemade creations—though I wish I'd had it sooner!
I've always loved ice cream, especially Ube ice cream, but the guilt of consuming store-bought varieties has been a challenge. Now, with this amazing new kitchen addition, im excited to create my own healthy and flavorful Mango ice cream, Strawberry ice cream, and more!
Stay tuned for more Ninja CREAMi recipes and ice cream inspiration!
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Why You'll Love This?
- Healthy and Guilt-Free: Made with wholesome ingredients, so you can indulge without the guilt.
- Easy to Make: With the CREAMi, creating this acai bowl is quick and simple.
- Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, a meal, or a refreshing snack anytime.
- Nutritious: Packed with antioxidants and vitamins from acai berries and your favorite toppings.
- Customizable: Add your favorite fruits, granola, and other toppings to make it uniquely yours.
- Delicious and Refreshing: A creamy, flavorful treat that’s perfect for hot summer days.
What The Heck Is Acai?
Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a small, purple berry from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. It's famous for being a superfood, packed with antioxidants and nutrients.
This berry tastes like a mix of berries and dark chocolate—sounds fancy, right? Acai has been used in Brazilian diets for centuries, especially in refreshing bowls and smoothies. These berries are now a global health trend, and people can’t get enough of them.
Are Acai Bowls Basically Ice Cream?
Not exactly! Acai bowls may look like ice cream, but they’re more like a supercharged smoothie in a bowl.
They’ve got that creamy texture, but they’re made with acai berries and healthy toppings—so you can feel like you’re indulging while still being healthy… mostly!
Ingredients
- Sambazon Organic Acai Superfruit Smoothie Packet
- Yogurt: I used Greek yogurt. Substitute with coconut yogurt or almond yogurt for a dairy-free option. For a richer taste, use regular yogurt or even vanilla-flavored yogurt.
- Milk: I used soy milk. Any type of milk or milk alternative can be used, such as oat milk, or cow's milk, depending on your dietary preferences.
- Fruits: Banana, Strawberries and Blueberries. You can substitute with frozen mango, pineapple, or additional berries for sweetness and texture.
- Sweetener: I used Agave Syrup or any sweetener of you choice such as honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, monk fruit or regular sugar.
See recipe card for quantities.
Save This Recipe! 💌
How to Make Acai Bowl?
- In a blender, combine frozen acai, banana, mixed berries, milk, and a tablespoon of agave or your preferred sweetener. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a CREAMi pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line. Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours.
- After freezing, remove the pint container from the freezer and place it into the CREAMi machine. Attach the pint holder lid and lock it into place. Select the "Yogurt" setting and process the mixture.
- If the mixture is crumbly after the first spin, select the "Respin" function and process again until you achieve a creamy consistency. I only needed to do one additional spin.
- Scoop the acai mixture into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such as granola, fresh berries, sliced banana, coconut flakes, and a drizzle of honey.
Toppings Suggestion for Acai Bowl
- Fresh Fruit: Sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
- Granola: Adds crunch and additional fiber. Choose your favorite flavor or make homemade granola.
- Nut Butter: Drizzle almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter for added creaminess and protein.
- Nuts and Seeds: Sprinkle with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp seeds for a nutritional boost.
- Coconut Flakes: Toasted coconut flakes add a tropical flavor and crunch.
- Honey or Agave Drizzle: A drizzle of honey or agave syrup adds sweetness.
- Cacao Nibs: For a chocolatey crunch and antioxidant boost.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing flavor.
💪🏼Make It High Protein
- Add Protein Powder: Mix in a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder to boost the protein content without altering the flavor.
- Use Fairlife Milk: Swap soy milk with protein-packed alternative.
- Incorporate Collagen: Stir in a tablespoon of collagen powder to add a protein boost without affecting the flavor or texture.
👍🏼Make It Less Sugar
- Adjust Sweetener: Use a natural sweetener like monk fruit, and feel free to decrease the amount according to your taste to keep the dessert light on sugar.
Equipment
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: This will help you achieve the perfect creamy texture for your acai ice cream.
- Vitamix Blender: Perfect for blending the base to a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning,
Storage Instruction
After blending, store any leftover acai mixture in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1-2 days. Thaw slightly before re-blending to restore its creamy texture, adding a splash of liquid if needed.
Keep toppings stored separately and add fresh before serving for the best taste and texture.
Recipe FAQs
Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals and support overall health. They may boost heart health, improve digestion, and even enhance skin appearance due to their high nutrient content.
Yes, you can eat raw acai berries, but they are rarely consumed fresh due to their short shelf life and difficulty in harvesting. Most people enjoy acai in frozen puree, powder, or smoothie forms, which retain their nutritional benefits while making them more accessible and convenient to eat.
Yes, eating acai every day can be beneficial, as it's packed with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats. However, moderation is key, as acai bowls and smoothies can be high in calories and sugar if not balanced with other ingredients.
Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats. They can support heart health, digestion, and provide a boost of energy due to their nutrient-dense profile.
Yes, an acai bowl can be a nutritious breakfast choice due to its blend of fruits, fiber, and optional protein-rich toppings. It provides sustained energy and can be customized for a balanced meal.
More Dessert Ideas
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Recipe Card
Ninja Creami Acai Bowl Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- 1 Blender
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint Container
Ingredients
- 2 packs Sambazon Organic Acai Superfruit Smoothie Pack
- 1 cup Soy milk or any milk of your choice
- ½ cup Greek yoghurt
- 1 banana
- 3 strawberries
- ⅓ cup blueberries
- 1 tablespoon Agave
Instructions
- In a blender, combine frozen acai, banana, mixed berries, milk, and a tablespoon of agave or your preferred sweetener. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line.
- Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours.
- After freezing, remove the pint container from the freezer and place it into the Ninja Creami machine. Attach the pint holder lid and lock it into place. Select the "Yoghurt" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture.
- If the mixture is crumbly after the first spin, select the "Respin" function and process again until you achieve a creamy consistency. (I only needed to do one additional spin.)
- Scoop the acai mixture into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such as granola, fresh berries, sliced banana, coconut flakes, and a drizzle of honey.
Save This Recipe! 💌
Notes
- If the mixture is crumbly after the first spin, select the "Respin" function and process again until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Anonymous says
Awesome! -Les