Description
These breakfast bowls are the best of both worlds: creamy chia pudding and a thick acai smoothie made with frozen acai purée, frozen banana, raspberries, and strawberries in one! They’re so fun to customize and top with all of your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chia Pudding:
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk)
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey (or pure maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Acai Smoothie:
- 1 (approx. 3.5 oz) unsweetened frozen acai puree packet (see notes)
- 1 banana, previously sliced and frozen
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
- 1/2 – 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk, start with 1/2 cup)
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh blueberries
- Sliced fresh banana
- Pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
- Black sesame seeds
- Shredded coconut
- Granola
- Drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Instructions
-
Make Chia Pudding (Prep Ahead – Overnight Recommended):
- In a medium bowl or large jar, whisk together the 2 cups almond milk, 1/2 cup chia seeds, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then whisk again thoroughly to break up any clumps of chia seeds.
- Cover the bowl or seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, until the pudding is thick and set.
-
Make Acai Smoothie:
- Just before serving, prepare the smoothie. Run the frozen acai packet under warm water for a few seconds and break it up slightly before adding to the blender.
- Add the broken-up frozen acai packet, frozen banana, frozen strawberries, frozen raspberries, and 1/2 cup of the almond milk to a high-speed blender.
- Secure the lid and blend on high speed until completely smooth and very thick, like soft-serve ice cream. Use the blender’s tamper if needed, or stop to scrape down the sides.
- If the smoothie is too thick to blend, add more almond milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired thick consistency. Avoid adding too much liquid.
-
Assemble Bowls:
- Once the chia pudding is ready (thickened and set), stir it well.
- Pour or spoon the chia pudding into one half of each serving bowl.
- Pour or spoon the thick acai smoothie mixture into the other half of each bowl.
-
Add Toppings and Serve:
- Decorate the bowls with your desired toppings, such as fresh blueberries, sliced banana, pepitas, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, granola, and an optional drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- Serve immediately and enjoy with a spoon!
Notes
- Chia Pudding: Stirring the chia pudding after 10 minutes helps prevent clumping. Overnight chilling yields the thickest, best texture.
- Acai Packets: Find unsweetened frozen acai puree packets in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Breaking them up slightly helps them blend easier.
- Frozen Fruit: Using frozen banana, strawberries, and raspberries is essential for the thick smoothie bowl consistency.
- Blender: A high-speed blender works best for creating a smooth acai bowl without adding too much liquid.
- Consistency: Adjust the amount of milk added to the smoothie carefully to maintain a thick, spoonable texture.
- Storage: Both components are best enjoyed fresh. Store leftover chia pudding covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The smoothie component does not store well and should be eaten immediately.