Peanut Butter Acai Bowl.
If only all food could be this pretty.
That would honestly make so happy. I cannot even begin to explain my excitement over this pretty AND delicious bowl. Like it’s my favorite thing ever. I know that sounds so crazy, but for a person who literally photographs food day in and day out, shooting something so naturally pretty is always so much fun.
Major GEEK alert…
Also, I just finished a week of shooting way too many burger recipes. I’ve decided burgers are for sure one of my least favorite foods to photograph. I feel like every food photographer has a food they hate to work with, and for me, that may just be burgers. For some reason I really struggle with them, and my day usually ends in tears. I wish I was exaggerating, but I’m totally not. From now on, I may just stick to only EATING burgers and skipping the photos. For real.
Alright, so let’s get right down to this Peanut Butter Acai Bowl.
With summer basically here, and the temperatures actually somewhat warm where I live, I have been craving fresh smoothies like crazy. I’m a huge fan of the Acai Bowl, so like clockwork, it’s time for a new Acai recipe. Last year around this time, I made this super tropical one, and this year, I’m going all peanut butter on ya! You all know I am a huge fan of peanut butter, really any nut butter, so this was bound to happen at some point or another.
I just want to put this out there right upfront, if for some reason or another you’re not a peanut butter person, you can use any nut or butter in its place. NO BIG deal. I think that cashew butter and sunflower seed butter would be equally DELICIOUS here. 🙂
I love peanut butter though, so that is what I typically use.
This acai bowl is simple. I’m talking maybe ten minutes of prep work, zero cooking and maybe five minutes to make it look all pretty. Because let’s be real, if you’re making an Acai bowl you gotta make it look good for Instagram. duh.
I like to use the frozen acai packets that you can get at Whole Foods, but for those of you who cannot find them, you can use this Acai Powder that I find works just as well. To my acai packets, I like to add my favorite base smoothie combo: coconut milk, peanut butter, strawberries, a small handful of raspberries (for really good color), two super ripe bananas and a little splash of vanilla for an extra flavor boost. Super simple, but like I said, it’s my favorite base smoothie combo, it never fails me!
OKok, but everyone knows an Acai Bowl is all about the toppings, so for mine I go big or go home. I’m talking homemade granola, a hefty spoonful of peanut butter/nut butter – whatever I have on hand, a sprinkle of hemp and or sesame seeds and all the fresh berries and fruits I can get my hands on. Oh and then edible flowers, because again, I gotta make it look super fun and pretty!
And then, you guys, that’s kind of it.
This may be one of the simplest recipes I have on this site, but yet I am so excited to be sharing it with you. This is one of those base recipes that I feel like everyone should have. It’s fast, healthy and SO freaking good, plus super satisfying. It sticks to your bones, but in the best way, and leaves you with so much energy! Perfect for a good morning breakfast or a hearty snack! Bonus, I love that I have all these ingredients on hand at ALL TIMES. Frozen bananas, strawberries, raspberries and acai packs are all in the freezer and then some kind of milk is either always in the fridge or on the pantry shelf (assuming it’s shelf stable) and I always, always always have multiple jars of peanut butter in my pantry…can never have too many backups!
So you see?!?! You clearly need this recipe in your life. Like maybe today? I’d say GO FOR IT. ?
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Peanut Butter Acai Bowl.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: acai bowl, peanut butter
This acai bowl is simple. I'm talking maybe ten minutes of prep work, zero cooking and maybe five minutes to make it look all pretty.
Ingredients
- 2 frozen Acai Berry Packs
- 1 cup coconut milk or your favorite milk
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 2 super ripe bananas
- 2 tablespoons nut butter I used peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey + more for serving
- granola seeds, berries/stone fruits, edible flowers and nut butter, for topping
Instructions
-
1. Run the frozen acai berry packs under hot water and then squeeze them out into a blender. To the blender, add the coconut milk, berries, bananas, honey, nut butter and vanilla. Blend until completely smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl. Top with your desired toppings. I went with [homemade granola, cherries, berries, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, a spoonful or peanut butter butter and a drizzle of honey.
I’ll take all the pretty Acai Bowls please! 🙂
Yeees, I always struggle with photographing burgers, too – it’s just so difficult to get different pictures every time and to make sure not every one of of them looks the same!
And I’ll definitely try the Acai bowl, especially the coconut milk in it sounds sooo good!
Lots of love,
Mara 🙂
Its not easy! Hope you love the bowl! Thanks Mara!
Wow, I would have never guessed burgers as your arch nemesis of food photography subject. Tieghan, just so you know, your burgers are some of my favorite photos that you’ve done. I’m always in awe of them!
Also, I’m totally in awe of these lovely acai bowls too! PB+berries for the win!!!
Haha! They are hard!! That means a lot!! I wish I felt the same about them ): But thank you!
Hope you love the bowl Tori!! (:
Oh these look absolutely delicious! It’s winter here in Australia so I was actually just thinking about making a porridge version of this. As for food photography hates, I know what you mean. Some foods are just really hard to make look good. My enemy would have to be salads and pasta xo
That sounds delish!!
Some foods are so hard!! Salads and pasta can be pests! I still think burgers take the win for me though!
Thanks Anthea!
OMG So beautiful.. I don’t like açai, but my boyfriend loves it and I would make this for him and surely would get a spoon for myself! HahahAha!
Very good and nutritional. One bowl of this and you go your entire morning until afternoon with your belly very satisfied.
YAY! Sounds so fun! I hope he loves it! And if you get A taste I hope you do too!! Thanks Cintia!
i have started up food photography and Acai Bowls are my favorite thing to photograph!! I love putting flowers on them!! So Pretty!! And i know how you feel about burgers… LOVE them and HATE them all at the same time. I finally got a decent picture a couple days ago. It was a portabella marinated mushroom, with smoked gouda, arugula, fig jam, yogurt mint sauce, an egg on top!! That the best part!! OH and this might sound weird but I put broccoli rabe on it too! SO YUMM!! You inspire me so much!! Keep on going with those beautiful food pictures!
They are soo pretty! I love shooting them too! That burger sounds so delicious!! Yet hard to photograph!! haha! Thank you so much Melody! It means more than you know!! (:
Okay so first off this recipe looks UHmazing! I love healthy smoothies but have never actually tried acai, so I guess noes the time! Also, I’ve never done the smoothie in a bowl but should really give it a go! But anyways… I just wanted to let you know I listened to your interview on the podcast and loved it! I’m an avid runner and often listen to podcast on my runs (it’s the best!) I listen to all kinds and just love the personal approach and accessibility! It is a nice way to get to learn while getting something else done at the same time! Just wanted to let you know that it was so cool to hear you on one!!
Now is most definitely the time! They are so good! You’ll love them!
Thats so cool you listened!! (: Honestly so surprised! But I love it! Thank you(:
I love the add of peanut butter to this acai bowl!! Why haven’t I ever thought of that!? Beautiful acai bowls!! Making this for breakfast this morning!!
Thats what I was thinking!! So hear it is! haha! Hope you love it Deborah!
I’m obsessed with Acai bowls and yours look and sound sooo incredible. I can’t wait to make these!
Thanks Andrea, hope you love the bowl!!
This is so beautiful! I love your use of flowers here. Acai is also one of my favorite ingredients to work with! I am actually posting an Acai Overnight Oats recipe on my blog this Thursday! Can’t wait to try yours 🙂
http://www.sprinklesandsaturdays.com
WOW!! Thats awesome can’t wait to see yours!! I’m sure it will be delicious!!
Thanks Julia!! Hope you love it!
I love smoothie bowls and lately I’ve been making, posting and eating quite a few of those! This one looks so pretty and delicious, love those little flowers you used for decoration! 🙂
They’re the best little snack… or meal! Thank you Lili!!
Peanut butter makes everything taste better!
I think everyone can agree with that!! (:
Yes, yes, those vibrant purple acai bowls are so beautiful to photograph and you dressed yours up to be extra gorgeous. My worst food to photograph is ice cream-it’s gets so melty and drippy way too quickly and it makes me so stressed. 🙁 Sad because I love ice cream so much!
Ice cream can be the WORST! Stressful days shooting ice cream, but I do love when they come out! Cause dang can ice cream look good! Lol.
Hope you love the bowls Emily, thank you!!
Indeed! This is the prettiest! Such a yummy looking bowl!
Thank you Katrina!!
Oh my gosh Tieghan. We just got back from 2 weeks in Hanalei, Hawaii and I maybe ate Acai bowls from the cutest shack you’ve ever seen…just about every day. If you ever decide to take a proper vacation outta the frozen tundra of Summit…go to Kauai. North shore will keep your little foodie brain buzzing for months to come, acai bowl hopping for days. I spent sooo many years living in Frisco. I know all too well what its like to live all day long…willing the clouds to not interrupt your happy sun spot and every evening praying the sun would stay above Royal just 5 more minutes. This acai bowl looks gorgeous, I don’t blame you for wanting to make these every day!
WHAAT! Sounds so amazing! I am so so jealous!! I’m ready for a trip… hmmmm tomorrow!! Haha!
Thank you for the kind words Camy(:
omg….this is all I want in my life right now 🙂
YES!! Thanks Todd Hope you love them!
Oh my goodness, this is like grown-up, gourmet, deconstructed peanut butter and jam! YUMMO.
The best description!! Haha! Thanks Kate!! (:
Acai bowls are such a treat for me! The smoothie packets aren’t sold near me but occasionally I would get acai bowls/smoothies at farmer’s market events. Sidenote: I also recently tried a pitaya bowl–have you had that? It is fruity, delicious, and oh-so pretty! I can’t get enough of smoothies in a bowl. And the nut butter is a must? This was just the encouragement I needed to splurge and buy my own acai powder so I can make this yummy treat at home!
Thanks so much Melaine! Hope you live this Acai bowl!
Just gorgeous, I so want to start my morning with one of these bowls! 🙂
Thanks Laura(:
I so understand you on the whole burger photography thing! I never got a good burger shot. Ever. I’ll keep working on it. 😉 Also, this recipe is SO perfect for me! I’m also a huge pb fan (as in, I eat one jar every two weeks!) I’m totally trying this one, thanks. 🙂
Its tough! I’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of great burger shots though!
So happy you like the bowl, thanks Caroline!
Yummmm. Peanut butter is definitely a MUST in a smoothie! And I totally get it if you think it’s too many photos of one type of food. I go through food phases as well! XD
Anyways, I definitely have to get started on making more acai bowls again! I still have to find a good time to do so since it’s been pretty cold in the mornings lately. But this looks amazing! I have to try it!
It makes it so think and delicious!!
They’re the best morning food!! You for sure need to get back to making them!!
Hello, this looks so gorgeous and I take acai powder as a supplement every day so would love to try this….especially as my nut butter obsession is out of control! Only problem is I can’t eat bananas…could I make without / substitute with something? Thank you!
Hey Vicki! You can just omit the bananas and add 1 cup more berries, plus a little honey if needed to sweeten the smoothie up a bit. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks so much!
Hi there! This is gorgeous! Can’t wait to make the recipe. Question: where do you get edible flowers? Whole Foods? Do you randomly just choose what looks nice, or are there flavor pairings? Would love if you posted about that! Thanks!!
Hey Sarah! I get mine at whole foods for the most part, but have also order them online and am now getting a lot of them from outside. Typically I just pick what looks best, but flowers like lavender, lilacs and chamomile have food they go better. Chamomile is great with strawberries, lavender with blueberries, lilacs are great in homemade flavored sugars and pansies are awesome in salads. I will think about writing a post on edible flowers. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
This is very helpful! Thank you for getting back to me! 😀
Your welcome!! Thanks for making!!
Wow this is more an art than food. I don’t think I could bear the thought of consuming it.
May I share one photo on my instagram with a link and your name? I definitely want to show it to my students.
Sure! Thanks!
Looks great, I always have a smoothie bowl for breakfast. 🙂 But are daisies edible? …And would I be considered a cannibal if I ate them?
( haha just joking about that last bit!)
Hey Daisy! That is actually chamomile and they are edible as are dandelions. 🙂
Let me know if you have questions, thanks!
So… approximately what is the total price for each of these bowls (meaning the sum of the ingredients)?
HI! I am really sorry, but I have not a clue and can’t judge because prices on foods are different everywhere. Sorry I could not be of more help. Thanks!
There’s never a bad time to have an acai bowl. This one looks sooo delicious and the added peanut butter provides a different taste and extra protein. Love the fruits on top as well.
I just love the peanut butter!! Of course the fruit too!! Thanks!!
Again bowel
I think that everything published made a lot of sense.
However, think on this, what if you added a little content?
I am not suggesting your information is not solid, however what if you added a title that grabbed folk’s attention? I mean Half Baked Harvest – Made with Love
is a little plain. You could peek at Yahoo’s front page and watch how they write article titles to get people to click.
You might add a related video or a related pic or two to get readers interested about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it
could make your posts a little livelier.
Awesome recipe! Love your version of the Peanut Butter Acai Bowl. We also love your toppings! It looks delicious!
Thank you so much, so glad you like it (:
Just wanted to check on the quantity of acai that is supposed to be added–the recipe says 2 tbsp of the frozen packets but then the directions say to empty the packet(s) into the blender. Do we use 2 tbsp of the frozen acai or 2 full packets?
Hi! It is 2 acai packets, not 2 tablespoons. Sorry about that, recipe is fixed! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I am gonna give this recipe a try. I love love peanut butter acai bowl for breakfast
Thank you! I hope you love this!
Hi, this looks awesome.. Your granola link is not going to a granola recipe…..
Thank you for letting me know! I will make sure that gets changed ? I will leave a link to the granola down below for you!
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/brown-butter-pecan-maple-quinoa-autumn-harvest-granola/
Made this recipe for my brother after his water polo practice and he LOVED it! I also had a serving and wow does this recipe give paradise bowls a run for they money!
Thank you so much Olivia! So glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan