3 Nutrient-Packed, Vegan Acai Bowl Recipes

If acai berries are new to you, this grape-like fruit is a tasty treat that may have a bounty of benefits for your health. While scientific evidence is limited, some proponents say that this berry has antioxidant properties and can help with lowering cholesterol levels, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

One way people are consuming these trendy berries is in vegan acai smoothie bowls. There's no need to get a culinary degree just to whip up this superfood dish. As the name implies, this tasty treat is a smoothie—but in a bowl and topped with your favorite fruits or nuts. It may be a favorite find in juice bars and vegan restaurants, but you can easily mix your own version at home with these simple recipes.

Basic Bowl

Before you get fancy with your vegan smoothie bowl, you may want to begin with the basics. This bowl is a healthy base that's easy to add imaginative twists to later on. The goal is to create a thick fruit puree that's more creamy than chunky.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 tsp. acai berry powder
• Frozen banana
• Dairy-free yogurt
• Crushed ice

Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until they reach your desired consistency. The more you blend, the creamier it will become. If the smoothie is too thin, add either another banana or more yogurt. If you want a lighter texture, substitute a non-dairy milk (such as almond milk) for the yogurt.

Once you've mastered this, you'll be ready to get creative with more customizable vegan acai bowl ideas.

Tropical Treat

Add a splash of sweetness while keeping your acai bowl healthy with these tropical flavors and tasty toppings.

Starting with the basic bowl recipe, add:

• Shredded coconut
• Mango, fresh or frozen
• Kiwi
• Papaya, fresh or frozen
• Plantains

Blend the mango and papaya in with the acai smoothie mixture—frozen fruit is preferable. The more you add, the chunkier and sweeter your mixture will be. Pour your mixture into a bowl and garnish with sliced plantains, kiwi (remove the skin completely before slicing), and a sprinkle of coconut. If you have fresh mango or papaya, cube the fruits and add them on top.

Berry Good Bowl

Acai isn't the only berry that comes with antioxidant power. This recipe lets you create a berry blast that's filled with natural sweetness and nutrients.

Experiment and explore with ingredient quantities as you make more and more acai smoothie bowls. Again, adding more fruit will increase the thickness and magnify the taste. If you prefer a smooth texture, use less fruit, blend the ingredients to a fine puree, or mix in a dairy-free milk.

Add these to your basic smoothie:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries

Add in the frozen berries of your choice for a richer taste. If you prefer a creamy smoothie but still want the added power of a berry boost, top the mix with a hefty sprinkle of fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Slice a strawberry and spread it out on top.

These certainly aren't the only vegan acai bowl options. You can mix oats into the smoothie, add a handful of granola on top, or even accent the recipe with sliced almonds. Get creative and have fun!

What are your favorite acai bowl toppings? Tell us on Twitter!

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