Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
Strawberry banana acai bowls are smooth, creamy, easy to make and so satisfying to eat. A quick, healthy, and delicious breakfast that will fill you up, this acai smoothie bowl is packed with nutrients, protein, and fiber to get you through the day. The strawberry banana acai bowl is made with strawberries, banana, acai berries, vanilla protein powder and dairy free milk.
Why you will love this acai smoothie bowl recipe
- Easy to prepare – this acai bowl has just a few simple ingredients and comes together in minutes. All you need to do is measure out the ingredients, blend, and then pick out your favorite combination of yummy toppings. This is such a quick meal and it’s perfect for breakfast, a post-workout meal, a healthy snack or satisfying brunch.
- Customizable – with so many kinds of toppings you can change this smoothie bowl into whatever you’re craving. Modify this recipe to your taste and preference by adding veggies like cauliflower rice or make it extra thick and creamy by including nut butter or some oatmeal.
- Packed full of good stuff – this strawberry and banana acai bowl is nutrient-dense and since acai is a superfood you can eat up knowing this smoothie is packed with so many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, potassium, protein, and fiber.
- Kids love them – sweet, creamy, and almost like ice cream. Your kids will love this healthy ice cream alternative. It’s a perfect way to give your kiddos a healthy snack with fun toppings they can choose.
Ingredients
- Strawberries – I recommend using frozen strawberries as they make throwing together this smoothie a breeze. Frozen strawberries also create a super smooth, creamy, and thick smoothie bowl. You can use fresh strawberries, just be sure to wash the berries and cut off any stems or leaves at the top. Be sure to add 1/2 – 1 cup of ice along with the fresh strawberries to create the same texture as frozen strawberries.
- Banana – The banana naturally sweetens this acai smoothie bowl, so the riper the banana, the sweeter the smoothie will be. You can use a fresh banana with 1/4 cup of ice. If you happen to have a frozen banana on hand, it really helps to create a thick, creamy consistency. If you want to learn how to freeze fruit such as bananas be sure to check out how to freeze fruit for smoothies.
- Acai – you will typically see acai berries in frozen puree packs in most grocery stores, but you may also find the whole berries in the frozen fruit section of the store. Acai gives this recipe its unique tart and fruity flavoring and gives it a deep purple color. It helps thicken the acai bowl making it extra creamy and smooth.
- Dairy free milk – I use dairy free milk, but you can use any milk (or water) you prefer. You can use almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, flax milk or if you are not dairy free, regular cow’s milk here.
- Vanilla protein powder – protein powder helps to sweeten the smoothie bowl and helps to make it super filling. The added protein makes this a great breakfast option or post-workout snack. I enjoy using vegan protein powder since it thickens the smoothie, but feel free to use whatever protein powder you have on hand. If you are using unsweetened protein powder or omitting added protein, add some honey or maple syrup to help sweeten the smoothie slightly.
How to make a strawberry banana acai bowl
- Measure the ingredients into a food processor or blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth. Note if you are using a food processor, you may need to pause it and scrape down the sides 1-2 times to get everything broken down and creamy.
- Pour into a bowl and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy immediately.
Top tips
- Since there is less liquid in a smoothie bowl verses your typical smoothie, it can be helpful to use a food processor instead of a blender. This is especially true if you do not have a high-speed blender.
- Note: When using a food processor, it is better to cut up your ingredients such as your banana before blending.
- If you want a thick smoothie, use my recommended 3/4 cup of dairy free milk. This will be just enough liquid to keep the blender going while making a perfectly thick acai bowl. If you want a thinner consistency, I recommend adding liquid slowly until you hit the right consistency you are looking for.
- This recipe uses vanilla protein powder to help sweeten the smoothie. If you are excluding the protein powder or are using an unsweetened/flavorless, be sure to include 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup, honey or 1-2 pitted medjool dates for sweetness.
- If you accidentally added too much liquid, you could add some rolled oats or almond flour to thicken the smoothie again.
Other additions
- Avocado – include a 1/2 an avocado for extra creaminess and more healthy fats.
- Hemp hearts, flax or chia seeds – hemp hearts will add a nutty flavor, protein and healthy fats. I recommend adding 1-2 tbsp hemp hearts, flax, or chia seeds.
- Yogurt or cottage cheese – will make the acai bowl creamier and add protein.
- Collagen Peptides – a great non-vegan protein addition or replacement to the protein powder.
- Oats – make this smoothie more filling and add some good fiber. Oats also help create a thick creamy consistency.
- Fruits – add in any combination of fruit you prefer. You really can’t go wrong. Try including blueberries, pineapple, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, pomegranate, mixed berries.
- Veggies – add 1/2 a cup of your favorite veggie to get in your serving of veggies and make this smoothie bowl extra filling. Frozen riced cauliflower, baby spinach, spinach, kale or zucchini (fresh or frozen) will work.
Note that adding any of these additional ingredients may require you to add more liquid to get the same consistency since this banana strawberry acai bowl recipe is already super thick as written.
Topping ideas
The best part about making and enjoying a strawberry banana acai bowl is the toppings you get to pile on. Below are some of my favorite toppings, but if you have a delicious topping combination, you enjoy let me know in the comments.
- Fresh fruit – strawberries, blueberries, bananas, peaches, mangos, blackberries, raspberries, cherries.
- Cereal or granola for a lovely crunch.
- Dried fruit – raisins, cranberries, dried cherries, chopped pitted dates.
- Nuts or seeds – almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.
- Nut butter – almond butter, tahini, cashew butter, peanut butter, sunbutter.
- Coconut – Coconut butter, coconut flakes (regular or toasted), coconut whipped cream.
- Sprinkle on some hemp hearts, flax or chia seeds.
- Drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- Spices such as cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg.
Common questions
Are smoothie bowls good for you?
Yes, overall, a smoothie bowl is a healthy and delicious option. Smoothie bowls can be packed with nutrient-dense fruits, veggies, and healthy add-ins such as nuts, almond milk, oats, and protein powder.
When making your smoothie bowl, be sure to include whole fruits (either fresh or frozen) and monitor these portion sizes. I typically recommend using dairy free milk over juice to make smoothie bowls since the juice is higher in sugar than dairy free milk (unsweetened). Unlike using whole fruits, the fiber is stripped from the juice, leaving you with just the sugar from the fruit.
Additionally, be mindful of your topping choices if you are worried about your smoothie bowl being a healthy option. Stick to more whole food toppings such as nuts, seeds, fruit, nut butter, etc.
What’s the difference between acai bowl and smoothie bowl?
Smoothie bowls and acai bowls are very similar. The primary difference is that acai bowls use acai berries or acai berry puree as the base, which is then blended with other fruits and ingredients. Both are poured into bowls and loaded with a variety of toppings.
Due to the consistency of acai berry puree, acai bowls can sometimes be thicker and of course will have an acai berry taste whereas traditional smoothie bowl can have varying thickness, textures, and tastes depending on the fruits used.
Is this strawberry and banana acai bowl healthy?
Yes, acai is considered a superfood and is packed with antioxidants. Additionally, the strawberry banana acai bowl is a great source of fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and potassium. That makes this recipe is well-balanced option compared to a smoothie bowl you would buy from your local grocery store, smoothie shop or coffee bar. Because of the potassium and protein, this strawberry and banana acai smoothie bowl would be a great post-workout meal.
Can you use any blender to make a smoothie bowl?
Yes, however, since acai bowls tend to be thicker, I recommend a high-powered blender with a strong motor and sharp blades or a food processor. A good blender or food processor will ensure your smoothie bowl comes out thick, smooth, and creamy.
Frozen fruit, acai puree packs, ice and nuts can be tough to blend in older less powerful blenders. A blender or food processor with a tamper tool or built-in tamper can be helpful to push down ingredients and ensure an evenly blended and consistent texture.
How to make a smoothie more filling
To make this smoothie bowl even more filling, add more fiber, protein, or healthy fats to the smoothie bowl. Remember that any additions to the smoothie bowl may require you to also add more liquid to get everything all blended up.
- Fiber – this recipe already has strawberries, acai, and banana which all add fiber. Additionally, you could add about 1/2 cup of veggies such as spinach, cauliflower rice, kale, zucchini, beets, carrots or 1/4 – 1/2 cup of rolled oats to increase the fiber.
- Protein – this smoothie uses protein powder so has a good amount of protein already. To add more you could add collagen peptides (not vegan), hemp hearts, or almond butter either blended in or as toppings. Be sure to check out all my favorite ways to add protein to smoothies.
- Healthy fats – The addition of nut butter or coconut flakes would be so good with this smoothie. Other good options would be nuts, seeds, tahini, coconut butter, granola, sunbutter, or avocado.
How to make a thicker smoothie bowl
If you find that your smoothie bowl is not thick enough, you can add 1/2 avocado or 1/4 cup oats to help thicken it more.
Can you pre make smoothies?
Yes, you can easily prep this strawberry banana acai bowl up to 24 hours in advance. Once made, store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
If you want to prep this further in advance, I recommend making smoothie packs. You make smoothie packs by filling up freezer safe bags (I like Stasher Bags) with all the ingredients except for any liquid such as milk or powders like protein powder or collagen. You can store these smoothie packs in the freezer for up to 3 months in advance.
When you are ready to enjoy the smoothie, simply dump the ingredients into the blender and add the milk and protein. Blend and enjoy.
How to store a smoothie
- Fridge: you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give the smoothie a quick stir if any separation occurs or you may decide to blend it with some ice before serving.
- Freezer: If you won’t be enjoying the leftovers in the next 24 hours, you can freeze the smoothie for up to 1 month.
To freeze the leftover smoothie, I recommend pouring it into ice cubes, popsicle molds or into Soupercube to freeze. I like using 1/2 or 1 cup Soupercubes. When you are ready to enjoy, you can simply add the cubes to the blender with some additional milk or water and blend on high until smooth.
Substitutions
- Frozen Strawberries – You can use fresh or frozen strawberries. If you don’t have strawberries, you can swap it out for any berry including blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, or sweet dark cherries. If you are using fresh berries, be sure to add 1/2 – 1 cup of ice to make the smoothie nice and smooth.
- Banana – If you don’t have banana, you can replace it with avocado, mango or 1/3 cup of oats and 1-2 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup or pitted dates.
- Acai – you can use acai berry puree packs or frozen acai berries. If you don’t have these on hand you can use blueberries, blackberries, cherries, or strawberries (fresh or frozen). If using fresh, be sure to add 1/4 cup of ice to help with texture.
- Dairy free milk – use any milk you have and enjoy. You can also use water or coconut water with this recipe.
- Protein powder – add 1/4 cup of rolled oats plus 1-2 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup or 1-2 pitted medjool dates if you don’t have protein powder.
Other smoothie bowls you will love
- Banana Peach Smoothie Bowl
- Pecan Pie Smoothie
- Spinach Raspberry Smoothie
- Strawberry Peach Smoothie Without Yogurt
Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 banana - medium
- 1 package acai
- 3/4 cup dairy free milk
- 1 serving vanilla vegan protein powder
Instructions
- Measure the ingredients into a food processor or blender in the order listed.
- lend until smooth. Note if you are using a food processor, you may need to pause it and scrape down the sides 1-2 times to get everything broken down and creamy.
- Pour into a bowl and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- Since there is less liquid in a smoothie bowl verses your typical smoothie, it can be helpful to use a food processor instead of a blender. This is especially true if you do not have a high-speed blender.
- Note: When using a food processor, it is better to cut up your ingredients such as your banana before blending.
- If you want a thick smoothie, use my recommended 3/4 cup of dairy free milk. This will be just enough liquid to keep the blender going while making a perfectly thick acai bowl. If you want a thinner consistency, I recommend adding liquid slowly until you hit the right consistency you are looking for.
- This recipe uses vanilla protein powder to help sweeten the smoothie. If you are excluding the protein powder or are using an unsweetened/flavorless, be sure to include 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup, honey or 1-2 pitted medjool dates for sweetness.
- If you accidentally added too much liquid, you could add some rolled oats or almond flour to thicken the smoothie again.
