Enjoy a strawberry banana acai smoothie in a bowl. It’s the perfect breakfast or afternoon snack that will feel like eating ice cream. It’s topped with honey granola, toasted coconut, and chia seeds. You’ll love this healthy, guilt free treat!
We love smoothie bowls in our home, especially when served with Fluffy Oat Milk Pancakes. It‘s our favorite way to start the morning and they’re so nutritious. Getting a whole serving of fruits and vegetables in a bowl that tastes sweet and refreshing is something we hardly say no to.
Lately, we’ve been experimenting with smoothie bowls. If you’re not familiar with smoothie bowls, it’s basically a frozen smoothie in a bowl that you can eat like ice cream with a spoon. Smoothie bowls are often topped with fresh or frozen fruit, nuts and seeds, and more!
For weeks I’ve been eating grab and go fruit smoothie bowls from the freezer section in the grocery store. They’re healthy and convenient, however, the prices have skyrocketed making me second guess whether it’s worth it even more. Since making smoothies at home is so easy and simple I was inspired to make this gluten free, vegan recipe!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
- Ingredients To Make The Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
- Is This Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl Healthy?
- Why Make This Easy Smoothie Bowl Recipe Instead of a Smoothie?
- How To Make The Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
- Strawberry Banana Acai Smoothie Bowl Toppings
- Can You Make This Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl In Advance?
- Try These Breakfast Recipes!
- Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
- Strawberry and banana are one the best flavor affinities. The two ingredients combined create a creamy, sweet, and delicious flavor you’ll love. Add that to açaí and you’ve got an amazing flavor trio that’s simple but so good.
- Açaí is considered a super food because it’s packed with so many antioxidants. They also have more antioxidants than cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries. It’s the perfect way to start your morning!
- Easily prepare the strawberry smoothie bowls with açaí ahead of time and use as a grab and go before work and school. Freeze in small containers and eat with a spoon once thawed! It’s cheaper than buying store bought! The prep time is so easy!
- Strawberry banana smoothie bowls will keep you full longer in the mornings. For those who don’t like feeling empty or unsatisfied after breakfast, this is for you.
Ingredients To Make The Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
For the smoothie
Banana - choose a ripe banana, the more ripe the banana is the more sweet it is. Since there are no added sugars this ingredient will be mostly responsible for how sweet your smoothie is. You may use fresh or frozen
Strawberries - again you can use fresh or frozen, either will be good.
Frozen açaí purée - choose açaí purée that doesn’t have any added sweeteners for the healthiest choice. Puréed açaí should be the only ingredient on the list so check this before you choose!
Ice - this is to make the smoothie icy and frozen thickening it so you can eat with a spoon, sometimes I use less ice or no ice at all if I’m using frozen fruit. It’s just not needed.
Chia seeds - packed with fiber and antioxidants these are a great choice for some added crunch and brings even more nutritional value to the smoothie
Almond milk - smooths out the smoothie and makes it more blendable. Substitute with water, coconut milk, or fruit juice for added flavor and sweetness if you’d like!
For the honey granola
Whole oats - this is the only way to do granola, quick oats aren’t as good and steel cut just won’t work.
Coconut oil - helps the granola crisp up as it cooks and adds a touch of coconut flavor which compliments the toasted coconut that’s added later. Make sure the coconut oil is c
Honey - we love using local honey for all its benefits. If you don’t have local honey you can opt for any other good quality honey you can find
Cinnamon - this ingredient is optional but adds a little hint of spice that makes the granola taste so good
Pinch of salt - to balance the sweetness a little bit, no adding a pinch of salt will not make the smoothie salty
Vanilla extract - adds so much flavor, choose a high quality vanilla for the best results, yes it really does make a difference
Sliced almonds - for added crunch and nutrition, we love nuts in our granola it makes the granola feel complete
For the coconut
Coconut flakes - choose either sweetened or unsweetened flakes this is entirely up to you. I have used both and love them either way
Is This Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl Healthy?
Wondering if the banana smoothie bowl is healthy? Well the answer is yes, it is! The base of the smoothie is made with strawberries, banana, and açaí. All three fruits bring fiber, antioxidants, and a plethora of vitamins, and minerals. More specifically you can expect tovitamin C, calcium, potassium, folate and more!
Many strawberry banana bowls recipes call for milk or yogurt, we recommend water, almond milk, or fruit juice. Fruit juice can be notorious for being high in sugar, if you’re worried about this make it healthy and opt for water instead. The reason we chose to go with these three options is because it doesn’t have the fat, and cholesterol found in regular milk or yogurt.
The toppings for the strawberry smoothie bowl are also healthy. Honey granola is packed with many benefits similar to the smoothie bowl. However, go light on this if you’re trying to cut back on sugar because it’s sweet! Chia seeds are also packed with fiber and antioxidants. They add a small crunch to each bite. Chia seeds also help keep you full longer because of their unique ability to absorb so much liquid.
Why Make This Easy Smoothie Bowl Recipe Instead of a Smoothie?
So why even consider making a smoothie bowl instead of a smoothie? Well, there are a few reasons. Let’s first establish that there are key differences between a smoothie and a smoothie bowl. First, a smoothie bowl is typically a super thick smoothie and is eaten from a bowl with a spoon much like you would with ice cream. The way we make the strawberry banana smoothie bowl thick is by using less liquid than we would use otherwise.
Second, smoothies are blended until completely smooth while smoothie bowls are topped with all types of nutritious yummy-ness such as granola, fresh or frozen fruit, seeds like hemp or chia and more! The possibilities are limitless and make them not only beautiful but it adds texture and flavor to your breakfast.
So now that we’ve got over the main differences, let’s talk about why you should opt for a smoothie bowl over a smoothie. First I want to mention that smoothies are a little more convenient for on the go and drinking. However, If you’re looking for something refreshing you can sit down and enjoy then a smoothie bowl is for you.
One of my favorite reasons for choosing smoothie bowls is because you can decorate the thick smoothie bowl and add whatever you would like. Plus I think there’s something fun about picking up a spoonful of crunchy granola or whole pieces of fruit. Smoothie bowls to me resemble ice cream so as I’m eating them I feel like I’m enjoying dessert for breakfast which is fun. They’re also more eye appealing. When you search for photos of smoothie bowls you’re met with beautiful photos of bowls that look so appetizing and are completely guilt free. It doesn’t get better than that!
How To Make The Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
Make the granola
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. In a large mixing bowl combine the whole oats, melted coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, salt, vanilla and almonds. Mix until well combined.
Step 3. Pour the oat mixture into the baking sheet and spread evenly in a thin layer as much as possible. Place in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, stirring half way through.
Step 4. Once done, remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. As the granola cools it will crisp up.
Make the toasted coconut
Step 5. Place a skillet over medium heat. Add the coconut to the skillet in an even layer. Let sit for about 30 seconds as the pan begins to warm. Don’t leave unattended or the coconut will burn quickly!
Step 6. Stir the coconut flakes constantly as the pan begins to heat. You’ll notice the flakes turning a golden color. When this starts happening, continue stirring constantly until most of the flakes are golden. Reduce the heat if your flakes are turning too quickly. Remove the coconut flakes from the pan and set aside to cool.
Make the smoothie
Step 7. In a high speed blender add the banana, strawberries, açaí purée, ice, and almond milk. Blend on high until completely smooth. If you don't have a blender you may use a food processor instead.
Step 8. Pour the strawberry banana smoothie into a large bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, chia seeds, granola, and toasted coconut flakes. Serve immediately.
Strawberry Banana Acai Smoothie Bowl Toppings
- Your Favorite Granola - don’t feel like making your own homemade granola? Top with your favorite store bought granola instead
- Fresh Seasonal Fruit - fresh fruit that is in season is the best tasting fruit, this recipe calls for strawberries but I suggest grabbing whatever is in season and adding it to the strawberry banana açaí bowl. Try blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, bananas, kiwi and more! You may also add frozen banana or 1/4 cup frozen strawberries to the top which add a nice touch!
- Dried Fruit - We love dried fruit in our home, when added to the strawberry açaí smoothie wait a minute or two for the fruit to absorb the liquid and plump up. Dried bananas, strawberries, even cranberries are good in the smoothie bowl.
- Seeds - the strawberry banana açaí bowl already calls for chia seeds but consider adding hemp or flax instead. Each have their own benefits and add a nice crunch to the bowl.
- Edible Flowers - making this in the spring? Consider adding some edible flowers to make the bowl look like something straight from Instagram or Pinterest. Some stores sell edible flowers in the produce section!
- Nut Butter - want some extra proteins and healthy fats? Try a drizzle of almond or peanut butter over top
- Whole Nuts - if you love nuts consider almonds, pecans, walnuts, or cashews!
- Sweetener - this strawberry banana açaí bowl has no added sweeteners but if you have a sweet tooth add a drizzle of agave or honey
Can You Make This Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl In Advance?
Yes this strawberry banana smoothie bowl recipe can be made in advance just like these Make Ahead Apple Turnovers. In fact that’s my favorite way to make it. Most of the time smoothies are only best when they’re consumed right after they’re made. Since this is a smoothie bowl, it can be kept frozen until eaten.
I like to take this to work for breakfast. However, I don’t have time to make this every morning. I typically pour the smoothie into 3-4 small Tupperware containers and place in the freezer until I’m read to eat. Sometimes I add frozen fruit to the smoothie as well. In a small bag or Tupperware I’ll add granola, toasted coconut, chia seeds and anything else I want to add.
When I’m ready to eat, I’ll either take the smoothie bowl and let it thaw a little for about 30 minutes or I’ll microwave for 30 seconds. Once it has thawed enough for me to add my spoon, I’ll add my toppings and eat immediately. It’s so convenient and healthy and not to mention much less affordable than store bought smoothie bowls.
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Strawberry Banana Acai Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 cup strawberries with the tops cut off
- 1 100 g smoothie pack of organic acai puree
- 1 cup ice
- 1/4 cup almond milk fruit juice, or water
Honey Granola
- 1/2 cups whole oats
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- Toasted coconut
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Sliced strawberries
Instructions
For The Granola
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the whole oats, melted coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, salt, vanilla and almonds. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the oat mixture into the baking sheet and spread evenly in a thin layer as much as possible. Place in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, stirring half way through.
- Once done, remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. As the granola cools it will crisp up.
For The Toasted Coconut
- Place a skillet over medium heat. Add the coconut to the skillet in an even layer. Let sit for about 30 seconds as the pan begins to warm. Don’t leave unattended or the coconut will burn quickly!
- Stir the coconut flakes constantly as the pan begins to heat. You’ll notice the flakes turning a golden color. When this starts happening, continue stirring constantly until most of the flakes are golden. Reduce the heat if your flakes are turning too quickly. Remove the coconut flakes from the pan and set aside to cool.
For The Smoothie
- In a high speed blender add the banana, strawberries, açaí purée, ice, and almond milk. Blend on high until completely smooth.
- Pour the smoothie into a large bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, chia seeds, granola, and toasted coconut flakes. Serve immediately.
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