Indulge in the essence of Nekter Juice Bar at home with this Acai Peanut Butter Bowl recipe. Imagine the same succulent flavors of acai and frozen fruit, blended into a thick smoothie bowl, right in your kitchen. Then, add your favorite toppings- this is the fun part- granola, fresh fruit, and peanut butter drizzle that is sure to satisfy.
We've meticulously recreated the Nekter acai peanut butter bowl, ensuring every ingredient is organic, clean, and bursting with natural goodness.
We’re talking homemade cashew milk, sprouted hempseed granola, and a perfectly balanced mix of acai, frozen berries, and pineapple. Then, we top it all with slices of fresh banana, strawberry, and green apple—trust us, it’s heavenly.
Through trial and error, we found that perfect combination that delivers a thick consistency ideal for a bowl, or simply adds a bit more milk for a drinkable delight—our little kids' favorite!
For those mornings when you crave something different, our Hawaiian acai bowl offers another plant-based inspiration, while the First Watch copycat chia pudding or Overnight Oats stand as all-around good options for superfood seekers. Try some gluten-free ancient grains with our superfood millet porridge.
Prefer savory? Our egg white bites or keto breakfast casserole are perfect meal prep saviors.
We can't forget the importance of high vibrational superfoods, our favorite toppings that uplift every natural smoothie bowl.
Before blending, we recommend setting healthy intentions to elevate your experience. For those new to a processed food-free diet, our guide lays out everything you need to know.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Acai Packets: Sambazon or Trader Joe's offers high-quality frozen acai from South America. Rich in antioxidants, acai berries enhance brain function and are a staple for acai berry bowls.
Frozen Pineapple: Source from the freezer section of your grocery store. Pineapple brings a tropical twist and is loaded with healthy enzymes and vitamins.
Frozen Mixed Berries: Pick a blend of berries for a mix of vibrant flavors and health benefits. Berries regulate blood sugar and are a good option for healthy toppings and blends.
Frozen Banana: Ensure it’s ripe before freezing to get that creamy texture and natural sweetness. Bananas are great for sustained energy and digestive health.
Pitted Medjool Dates: Choose plump, moist dates for natural caramel-like sweetness. They're a healthy way to sweeten acai berry bowls and support energy levels.
Homemade Cashew Milk: Use our simple recipe for a creamy, homemade base. Cashew milk provides healthy fats and a creamy consistency.
Natural Peanut Butter: Look for jars with only peanuts and salt. Organic peanut butter is a hearty addition, offering protein and fats for satiety and brain function.
Sprouted Hempseed Granola: One Degree offers a sprouted option that's nutrient-dense. Granola adds crunch and fiber for a satisfying texture in your bowl.
Fresh Bananas: Add banana slices just before serving for the freshest taste. Bananas are a powerhouse for nutrients and a great way to add natural sweetness.
Succulent Fresh Strawberries: Choose ripe for maximum sweetness and antioxidants. Strawberries are heart-healthy and give a burst of vitamin C.
Green Apple Slices: Tart green apples add fiber and a refreshing crunch.
Coconut Flakes: Opt for unsweetened to sprinkle on top.
Instructions
Blend the Açaí Base
In your high-powered blender, combine the frozen açaí packets, a frozen banana, the medley of frozen mixed berries, dates, natural peanut butter, and frozen pineapple chunks. Add cashew milk, just enough to get the fruit blends moving. Blitz until the mixture reaches a velvety consistency, adding a little liquid only if needed for blending.
Prepare and Top Your Bowl
Empty the thick açaí mixture into your bowl of choice, leveling it with a spatula.
Add Toppings and Enjoy
Now, scatter a generous helping of sprouted hempseed granola for crunch, then artistically place fresh banana slices, succulent strawberry cuts, and tangy green apple pieces for a vibrant topping array.
Serve your açaí bowl immediately to relish its fresh, creamy texture complemented by the crunchy granola and the juicy freshness of the fruit toppings.
Hint: To easily remove açaí from its packaging, run the packets under warm water briefly.
This will loosen them up without melting them too much, as we aim for that thick, scoopable açaí bowl texture.
If your base does thin out, place your bowl in the freezer for a short spell before adding the toppings.
Substitutions and Variations
Milk Alternatives: While we strive to mirror the original Nekter's recipe, personalizing your acai bowl is encouraged. Try almond milk or coconut milk for a different twist on creaminess, or even apple juice for a fruity punch.
Sweetness Swaps: If dates aren't your thing, a drizzle of maple syrup or raw honey can sweeten the deal. Both bring their own unique flavor profiles to your acai bowl.
Nut Butter Exchange: Almond butter can stand in for peanut butter, offering a different but equally delicious nutty depth.
Boost Your Bowl: Toss in chia seeds, hemp seeds, bee pollen, or flax seeds for an extra nutritional boost. They add texture and are powerhouses of omega-3 and fiber.
Tropical Touch: Swap pineapple for mango chunks or add goji berries for a nutrient-rich topping. Each brings a burst of vitamins and a hint of the exotic.
Chocolatey Goodness: For a hint of indulgence, cacao nibs make an excellent topping, offering a rich, chocolatey crunch without the added sugar.
Dragon Fruit: Transform your bowl into a dragon fruit bowl with frozen dragon fruit chunks, or top it with fresh dragon fruit for an Instagram-worthy meal.
Go Nuts: Pecans add a buttery crunch that's irresistible. They're a heart-healthy addition that pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients.
Liquid Options: A little orange juice can replace milk for a tangy flavor, or add a scoop of protein powder to turn your bowl into a post-workout smoothie.
Acai Alternatives: If frozen puree is hard to find, a tablespoon of acai powder can substitute, ensuring you still get that acai flavor and nutritional benefit.
Feel free to mix and match these suggestions to suit your palate and nutritional needs. With these variations, your acai bowl will never be dull!
Storage
Açaí bowls are best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to store them, quick and efficient methods are key to preserving their nutrients and taste. If you have leftovers or like to prep ahead, here’s how to keep your açaí blend at its best.
Immediate Consumption: Açaí bowls don't hold well in the fridge as they can become watery. It's ideal to consume them immediately after preparation to enjoy the full flavor and creamy texture.
Freezer Options: For freezing, pour the açaí mixture into popsicle molds or ice cube trays for a frozen treat that captures the essence of the bowl. This is a great way to enjoy açaí on the go or for a quick, cold snack. Popsicles will be ready in a few hours, while açaí cubes can be quickly blitzed into a smoothie.
Thawing Tips: When ready to eat, let the açaí popsicles or cubes sit at room temperature for a few minutes for easy removal from the molds. If using cubes for smoothies, they can go directly from freezer to blender.
Remember, freezing will change the texture, so for that freshly blended bowl experience, it's always best to make açaí bowls fresh. Enjoy crafting your bowl with the comfort of knowing you have delicious backups waiting in the freezer!
Top tip
For that dreamy, perfectly smooth peanut butter drizzle on top of your Acai Peanut Butter Bowl, try slightly melting the peanut butter first.
Place it in a heatproof bowl and set it on the warmer of your stove if available. If you don’t have a stove warmer, the double boiler method works wonders too.
This little trick ensures the peanut butter becomes wonderfully runny, allowing it to drizzle seamlessly over your bowl, adding a beautiful finishing touch and an extra layer of flavor.
FAQ
Yes, Nektar's acai bowls are considered healthy. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals thanks to the acai berry base and the assortment of fresh fruits.
Additionally, these bowls often include other nutrient-rich ingredients like granola, nuts, and seeds, providing a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
However, as with any food, portion sizes and toppings can affect the overall nutritional value, so it's wise to consider these factors. Making them at home ensures you can control the ingredients and organic produce used for the best results.
Nektar Juice Bar typically uses their own brand of granola in their acai bowls.
It's designed to complement the flavors of their bowls while adding a satisfying crunch.
The granola is usually oat-based, mixed with nuts and seeds for extra nutrition.
If you're making an acai bowl at home and looking for a similar experience, opt for a natural, low-sugar granola that contains a mix of oats, nuts, and seeds.
Acai bowls can be pricey for several reasons.
First, the primary ingredient, acai berries, are harvested in the Amazon rainforest and are often frozen or processed into a puree shortly after picking to preserve their nutritional value, which can add to the cost.
Additionally, these bowls are typically topped with a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, and granola, which are all high-quality ingredients that can increase the price.
The preparation and presentation of these bowls at specialty juice bars or health food cafes, where they're often sold, also contribute to their higher cost.
Making acai bowls at home can be a more cost-effective way to enjoy this nutritious treat.
More Breakfast Options
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Nekter Acai Peanut Butter Bowl Recipe
Equipment
- High-powered blender
Ingredients
- 2 packets acai puree frozen
- 1 banana frozen, organic
- ½ cup mixed berries frozen, organic
- 2 Medjool dates pitted
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter natural
- ½ cup pineapple chunks frozen, organic
- ¾ cup cashew milk homemade
- ¼ cup hempseed granola organic
- ½ banana fresh, organic (for topping)
- ¼ cup strawberries fresh, organic (for topping)
- ¼ cup green apple fresh, organic (sliced for topping)
- A sprinkle of coconut flakes organic (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Bowl: Transfer the blended mixture into a serving bowl. Use a spatula to smooth out the top.
- Add Toppings: Evenly distribute the hempseed granola over your bowl. Then, artfully arrange the fresh banana slices, strawberry slices, and green apple slices on top. Finish with a sprinkle of coconut flakes for an extra touch of flavor and beauty.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your Acai Peanut Butter Bowl fresh for the best combination of flavors and textures.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
We hope this açaí bowl brings you as much joy as it does to us.
Share your experience in the comments, or better yet, tag us on social media with your beautiful creations at @mindfullyhealthymama on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube; @mindfullyhealthyliving on Facebook; and @mindfullywell1 on Pinterest.
For more wholesome eats without the extra cost and crafted by skilled artisans of nutrition, subscribe to our newsletter. Remember, it's the little things that make an all-around good option for your wellness journey.
Be well,
Natalie
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