Happy Meatless Monday! So glad to be back with you all today after a fabulous 2 weeks in Hawaii. Again thanks to Meg and Julie who did a superb job guest hosting for me.
The fruit in Hawaii was absolutely amazing especially the Maui Pineapple which I could not get enough of. At the coffee shop across from our hotel, I noticed long lines every morning. Believe me- I love my morning coffee but I headed over to find out what all the fuss was about. Everyone was buying coffee but they were also ordering Acai Bowls every morning. I had never had one before!
It was love at first bite. Filled with pineapple, blueberries, strawberries and bananas piled on top of a thick Acai base. We were sold and soon found ourselves lining up each day as well. I have re created this yummy delight to the best of my ability and it is for sure my new summer go to cold breakfast. Please join Tina and I to share all the Meatless Monday yumminess around today.
So what exactly is Acai? ( Pronounced: Ah-sigh-EE) Why is it so popular? They are small purple berries found in the Amazon that are packed with omegas, antioxidants & have very little natural sugar. They can be harvested and pureed to use in smoothies and bowls. For more info look here. I can’t believe I’ve never had them before! Acai is available ground into a powder and also in a frozen pureed form. You can find individually frozen Acai packs at Whole Foods in unsweetened & sweetened versions. For this recipe I am using Sambazon Acai. I have no affiliation with them this is just the brand I am using as it is easy to find.
(photo found on Sambazon.com)
The unsweetened packs look like this:
I was so obsessed with the Pineapple that I ordered a case to come home with me. My favorite way to eat them right now is on top of these smoothie bowls. Because blueberries and strawberries are in season now they make a great compliment but any fruit will work.
You can use almond milk or orange juice to make the smoothie layer. Blend just enough to combine without liquifying. The granola acts as a bed for the fruit layer and the drizzle of honey gives it a nice little sweetness. This makes for a quick, satisfying breakfast or post workout snack that is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Yum!
Hawaiian Pineapple Acai Bowl-Meatless Monday
Recipe Type: Breakfast or snack
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
A healthy, fruity breakfast or snack brimming with anti oxidants and vitamins you can whip up in seconds.
Ingredients
- For the acai layer:
- 1 pack of frozen unsweetened acai puree
- 1/3-1/2 cup of almond milk or orange juice
- 1/2 c frozen strawberries
- 1/2 ripe banana
- For the toppings:
- 1/2 c your favorite granola
- drizzle of organic pure honey
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup pineapple
- 1/2 c strawberries & blueberries
Instructions
- Run package of frozen Acai under warm water to break up into smaller pieces & transfer to blender
- Add almond milk or juice
- Add strawberries & banana
- Blend until thick but not liquified
- Transfer to bowl
- Add granola
- top with pineapple & fruit of choice
- Drizzle with honey
- Serve & enjoy
I am so into the pineapple that I will be bringing another heartier pineapple dish next week.
Ever had an Acai bowl? What’s your favorite no cook breakfast?
YUM. I have had acai before, but never a bowl! This is so popular right now, so I am excited to try it.
Looks really delicious and I love pineapple (especially from Hawaii!)
Favorite no cook breakfast is homemade granola! 🙂 Happy Monday and thanks so much for hosting!!
I love granola too but have never made my own-yet!! Happy Monday
Wow, this sound delicious! I have never had Acai, ans sadly, I’ve been pronouncing it wrong in my head all this time! My avorite cold breakfast is granola over yogurt…this woul definitely be an upgrade! Thanks for hosting!! 🙂
granola and yogurt is one of my fave snacks too but I am loving this acai smoothie bowl. Hope you give it a try
Oh I just KNEW you would have a killer recipe coming back, and you sure do! That is so cool that you got to see acai in real life. I always thought it was this mystical berry, like a unicorn that no one ever really saw 😉 Thanks for sharing, glad to have you back! Your guest posters did amazing!
I know me too! I never really knew what all the fuss was about but it was so good and I am all over it right now! great to be back 🙂
I have never had an acai smoothie bowl before but it does look pretty delicious and tropical! 🙂
Thanks! I had never had one either but they are so good!
I adore acai-it is one of my favorite flavors. I wish I could have this as part of my liquid diet, but it has too much “stuff” in it. But even miss “I don’t really do smoothies” over here thinks that this sounds great!
I don’t really do smoothies myself but this is so adaptable that people can add in their favorite fruits. I am not into adding in all the protein powders and stuff into smoothies.
I love acai bowls & have been making them for years. I think they must be a west coast thing because a lot of people in the Midwest and east coast tell me they’ve never had them. They’re basically a smoothie with acai in them.
No I don’t think they are too popular on the east coast yet but they were really yummy! I will be eating them a lot this summer while the fruit is so good.
I had acai bowls in Brazil (I think they originated there!) So yummy! I didn’t know I could get my hands on it here! I’m going to have to find it!
This recipe looks so yummy!
Thanks again for letting me host!
yes you can! I am so into them right now perfect for summer!
So happy you tried an Acai Bowl, they are so delicious!! This one looks delicious!! I use to get an Acai Smoothie at a coffee shop here in MN but they stopped selling them. :/ I would buy the frozen packets at WFM or Costco use to sell big bottles of acai juice so I would make them with that or freeze it into ice cubes. Than I was using an Acai Powder. Now I rotate.
I love smoothie bowls!! Lately though my go to is soaked muesli, yogurt, and berries. I have been posting many on IG the past week. My other go to is smoothie bowls because I can add all the toppings like muesli, granola, fruits, nuts, nut butter, ect!
I use the same frozen Sambazon acai packets, sorry it posted my original comment that wasn’t posting before I edited it.
I never knew they were available before!
I saw some of your posts on IG yum! I love all of the fruit right now it’s so good!
I just added acai to my list because these bowls looks so delicious! I am loving all the Hawaii recaps =)
ah thanks! Hope you give them a try it’s always fun to mix it up a bit.
This looks SO yummy. I love the taste of acai but have yet to put it in a smoothie bowl. Must try this recipe 🙂
I’m so glad that I discovered it! It’s great hope you give it a try
I’ve never had an acai bowl before but it sounds like something I’ll need to look for! I’ve had juice with acai berries in it before though. My favorite no cook breakfast right now has been greek yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds, and granola all mixed together and then topped with some frozen fruit. The fruit is thawed but still cold by the time I get to work so it’s really refreshing.
I love yogurt with granola and frozen fruit as well. I hope you try the acai it’s fabulous
This looks tasty! Thanks for posting!
Hope you check it out!
Sounds interesting… I tend to have PB&J for breakfast if I’m busy or eggs if I have time to cook. I’ve never tried acia before.
I love pb & J before a long run or race. Come over and cook with me one day
I have been loving my cold breakfasts lately too. Yes, Hawaiian pineapple! MMMMMM.
So sweet and good!
I’ve never had an Acai bowl!! They look so tasty, and I’m waiting for Charlottesville (or the East Coast) to catch on to all the smoothe bowl madness that’s over on the West Coast.
West coasters are so much cooler than we are 🙂
pineapple anything is always delicious. I LOVE the flavors you combined 🙂
Thanks so much and yes sure is!
yum yum yum! The fruit in Grenada was so amazing, too! I would live there just for the fresh fruit.
I know seriously!
I’ve never had an Acai bowl but I really want to try one, especially now that I know how easy they are to make! The pineapple really makes it!
So easy! I will be making them often now that I know how. Thanks for stopping by
Acai bowls are my absolute favorite. I usually make one at least twice a week. Such a fun and colorful way to start my day! Great recipe! Sambazon are the best, and easiest! I love how they are pre-portioned. Hope you have a great day!
I know how did I not know about them until last weeK? Late to the game!
I love Acai bowls! They are so expensive to order anywhere, so what a great idea to make them at home.
I know! It was really expensive in Hawaii too. They are so easy to make though and you really can use any fruit that you have.
Yummy! I love acai bowls! I hadn’t seen the unsweetened ones though, I need to go find those!
They are so easy to make at home! Just pure acai berry in the unsweetened version.
Anything Hawaiian has got my attention! Deborah, this looks so good!
It really is hope you give it a try. It’s super easy too!
I still haven’t tried acai – what kind of healthy living blogger am I?? Oh but those pineapple, I know I could eat a whole one of those right now!! Just the smell of a good ripe pineapple is enough to make me drool!! Love the combo of flavors here, I’ll have to look for those frozen packs at WholeFoods! Thanks for sharing Deborah!!
Seriously my son and I ate a whole pineapple today in like 5 minutes. I only have 1 left!!
So excited that you’re sharing a taste of Hawaii with us. Anymore Hawaii inspired recipes that you plan to share with us? 😉
Thanks! I am working on another one for next week. Stay tuned. Unless I eat all of the pineapple first. 🙂
Hi there! Yes to acai bowls. I’ve also made some at home using the Sambazon Acai packets. I had my first acai bowl in San Diego, which was just okay, and then another great one in Florida. But I bet Hawaii makes them up perfectly. I’m planning my first trip to Hawaii next month too — can’t wait to see it. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Oh how wonderful! We had the best trip and I hope you do too. Don’t forget to get an acai bowl! 🙂
This looks so pretty! Is it bad I’ve never made an Acai bowl before? I think I need to start!
Well up until last week I never had either! They are really easy to make hope you give it a try
This looks delish! Are you planting your pineapple tops? Will they grow there! They love the sun and grow easy here. we ate our first one this weekend. Fun recipe!
Lol I did just put the pineapple top into water and I am going to attempt to plant it. I will have to do it indoors so we shall see!
This acai bowl looks delicious! Thanks so much for hosting, it’s my first time sharing here 🙂
Thanks and we are really glad to have you join us! hope to see you again next week.
Wow! This looks really yummy! Cant wait to try it!
Thanks so much! I am very into them right now.
I’ve never tried the actual acai! But I’ve had foods with acai in it…
Oh it’s super easy to make hope you check it out.
I have never had an Acadia bowl but I love a quick breakfast. Sounds delicious!
It’s super easy to make and great on a hot day for sure.
This looks fabulous! I absolutely love fresh Hawaiian Pineapple and just like you when I visit I can’t help but take a case home with me:) Looking forward to the other yummy dishes you come up with this summer with pineapple:)
My family had a friend who worked in Hawaii and at Christmas she would bring us back fresh pineapple–so delicious!! Nothing in the store can compare! This bowl looks great! I don’t use acai often, but I do like the flavor.
totally true you can’t buy pineapples here that good!
I haven’t tried Acai but this looks really good. You just can’t beat fresh pineapple — especially when you are enjoying it in Hawaii!
The fruit is so good this summer! This is super easy to make hope you give it a try
Yum! Acai bowls! Love the flavors of your recipe.
thanks so much! Can’t believe I hadn’t tried them before now.
I’ve been eating an acai bowl nearly every day lately! They are all over San Diego, but I started making my own to save some cash. I usually add protein and have it post-workout. Love the pineapple idea!
They are so good! I can’t believe I never had one before. You are right way cheaper to make your own
Oh, yummy! I have to try this!
It’s so easy and so good!
Was just talking to man-friend about going to Hawaii… Perhaps I should just serve him this and have him close his eyes as he eats it… I will even point a fan on him, to get that beach breeze! LOL!
nope I think you will have to go to Hawaii 🙂
This looks so delicious! I’ve never tried acai. PS to answer your question on my blog, if you go to the instagram website, you can get the embed code for a picture on instagram, so I just embed it on my blog 🙂
ah ok I need to check that out! thanks