Loaded Acai Smoothie Bowl

It’s been a month since our wonderful Maui trip and I’ve been craving the delicious acai (pronounced ah-sa-EE) bowls we enjoyed while there. The only way to satisfy my cravings? Make my own at home and do the best I can to get as close as possible to the real thing. If this type of recipe is new for you then I’m so happy to teach you how to make an acai bowl and welcome you to a whole new world of deliciousness!

I’m always amazed when I visit Hawaii of all the different acai bowl variations I come across. There’s unique toppings, superfoods, and fruit additions to be found. My absolute favourite from this last Maui vacation was an acai bowl I had at a little shop called WowWow Hawaiian Lemonade (it’s a must visit!). The bowl contained all of the healthy ingredients that make a traditional acai bowl but it also had a delightful chocolaty twist.

Along with the tasty, whole-food toppings was a rich and dreamy chocolate coconut custard and a perfect sprinkling of cocao nibs. Within the first couple of bites I was in acai heaven and I ended going back not once, but twice for that tasty bowl.

While it might not the real thing, my homemade version of this Maui favourite comes pretty darn close and even contains a sneaky addition of even more superfood goodness than the original!

Traditionally acai bowls don’t contain added greens but I love the idea of balancing out all of that delicious fruit with the power of greens+. I used Genuine Health’s Bone Builder greens+ powder in my acai bowl re-creation and it has a natural blackberry flavour that goes wonderfully with the rest of the fruits.

The Bone Builder greens+ powder contains a harmonious blend of bone-building nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals including 3 different forms of calcium. The powder also contains highly alkaline, nutrient-rich greens and brings extra flavour along with green power to my “loaded” acai bowl. 

This is why I couldn’t just call this recipe a “chocolate acai smoothie bowl”  because it’s just LOADED with so much more!

Bone health is so important for women especially as osteoporosis is more common in women. I myself was shocked when I discovered that bone loss can start in our early 30’s so it’s never too early to bring extra support to our hard working bones! Just one scoop of the bone builder greens+ per day helps to  build and protect the bones while also boosting energy and vitality. I’ll take that addition to my tasty acai bowl anyday! 

When it came to re-making the delicious chocolate coconut custard (I had no clue how they made it at the shop) I decided to refer back to a recipe I created last year that contained a healthy chocolate fudge sauce. I remembered that when the fudge sauce was chilled it became firm and scoopable creating the perfect consistency for a custard!

My version of the custard contains dates and pure maple syrup for natural sweetness, coconut cream for that dreamy silky consistency, and cocoa powder for an unmistakable chocolate flavour.

A healthy blend of bananas, strawberries, a frozen acai berry packet, almond milk, greens+, and protein powder make this tasty bowl base that is then topped (or should I say loaded!) with sliced banana and strawberries, gluten-free granola, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, crunchy cocao nibs, two scoops of luscious chocolate custard, and a drizzle of raw honey.

Seriously if you aren’t drooling yet I’d be shocked!

While acai bowls do take a little extra time compared to the average smoothie they are well worth it and will keep you full and satisfied for hours!

Do you often make your own homemade acai bowls? What special superfood ingredients do you add? I’d love to read about it in the comments below! 

Loaded Açaí Smoothie Bowl

 

Print

Serves: 1

Ingredients

• Acai Bowl:
• 1 banana (I recommend using frozen banana)
• ½ cup frozen strawberries
• 1 frozen acai packet (I use Sambazon brand)
• 1 scoop of Genuine Health Bone Builder greens+ powder in blackberry flavour
• ¼ cup vanilla protein powder or unflavoured collagen peptides (optional)
• ¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• Bowl Toppings:
• ¼ cup of gluten-free granola (use your favourite kind!)
• ¼ banana, sliced
• 2 strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon shredded or flaked coconut
• 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
• 1 teaspoon cocoa nibs
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 2 scoops (1-2 tablespoons each) chocolate coconut custard
• Chocolate Coconut Custard:
• ½ cup pitted dates, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
• 2 tablespoons date water
• ½ cup coconut cream
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Instructions

1. Create the chocolate coconut custard beforehand.
2. Soak the dates in warm water then drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the date water.
3. Add the soaked dates and the date water to a high-speed blender.
4. Add in the cocoa powder, coconut cream, and pure maple syrup.
5. Blend until smooth then transfer to a ramekin or bowl and set in the freezer to chill for 1-2 hours*.
6. To prepare the acai bowl add the acai bowl ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
7. Transfer the acai smoothie mixture to a serving bowl.
8. Top the smoothie mixture with the sliced banana, strawberries, granola, hemp seeds, coconut, cocoa nibs, and two scoops of the chocolate custard*.
9. Drizzle with the honey.
10. Enjoy!

Notes

-The Chocolate Coconut Custard portion of the recipe will make more than needed for one acai bowl, save the rest by storing in the freezer in an airtight container and use for more acai bowls to save time or enjoy as a treat on it's own.
-If you leave the custard in the freezer for longer than 2 hours it will harden, simply let soften at room temperature until it is a scoop-able consistency.

3.5.3239

Have a wonderful Sunday and don’t forget to try my Perfect Berry Smoothie Bowl too!

*DISCLAIMER: THIS POST HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY GENUINE HEALTH BUT AS ALWAYS THE THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A BRAND I DO NOT STAND BEHIND AND ONLY SHARE THOSE I HOPE YOU TOO WILL ENJOY. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE LIFE AND GROWTH OF NUTRITION IN THE KITCH!