On a recent trip to Kansas to visit friends and family, we stopped at a local juice shop called Songbird that had the delicious, healthy offerings I was craving when away from home.
Are you surprised to know I went two days in a row? And that I ordered the same thing both days? I’m so predictable it’s not even funny.
This was one of my first açaí bowl experiences, and the flavor combination of banana peanut butter finally compelled me to create an inspired version for the blog. Let’s do this!
This recipe is SO simple, requiring just 10 minutes, 4 ingredients, and 1 blender.
The base is açaí, the wonder fruit everyone seems to be raving about, especially when it comes to smoothie bowls.
Açaí is a South American-based berry that’s becoming quite popular in the health community, boasting loads of antioxidants, amino acids, electrolytes, and vitamins.
I personally love it because (depending on the brand you buy – I like Sambazon), it has very low sugar content. Plus, it blends extremely well with other ingredients as it’s quite neutral in flavor, which is what makes it perfect for this banana peanut butter version!
In addition to frozen açaí (which is easy to find at most grocery stores and health markets in the frozen section), I relied on bananas for creamy sweetness, peanut butter powder for a lower-calorie yet high-protein addition, coconut milk, and spinach (hello, fiber and folate).
The result is a creamy, thick smoothie bowl that ends up tasting like a banana peanut butter milkshake!
For toppings, I went with sliced bananas, berries, coconut, and sunflower seeds. Hemp seeds also make a great addition.
I also think this smoothie bowl would be delicious with the addition of your favorite vegan protein powder (chocolate, vanilla, or plain)!
I hope you all LOVE this smoothie bowl! It’s:
Creamy
Perfectly sweet
Peanut buttery
Nutritious
Super healthy
& Mega delicious
This would make the perfect breakfast or snack for days when you don’t have much time or it’s too hot to cook.
If you’re into smoothies, be sure to check out my Go-To Smoothie Bowl, Matcha Green Smoothie Bowl, Super Green Smoothie Bowl, 5-Ingredient Detox Smoothie, Carrot Turmeric Ginger Smoothie, and PB & J Date Smoothie!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Açaí Bowls
Ingredients
ACAI BOWL
- 2 packets frozen unsweetened acai (organic when possible // I used Sambazon unsweetened)
- 1 1/2 medium ripe bananas (previously sliced and frozen)
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter powder (or nut butter of choice)
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut, almond, rice or other non-dairy milk
- 1 cup spinach (organic when possible // I buy mine washed + freeze it) (optional)
- 1/4 cup mixed berries (optional // for color)
TOPPINGS optional
- 1/2 medium banana, sliced
- 2 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds/hemp seeds
Instructions
- Add frozen acai, frozen banana, peanut butter powder (or butter), and the lesser amount of dairy-free milk (1/4 cup as original recipe is written) to a high-speed blender. If adding spinach, add at this time. I only added berries for purple color and recommend leaving them out for best flavor.
- Blend on low, using a wand to push the fruit down. Smoothie bowls will be thick, so it takes them longer to blend. Continue blending, scraping down sides as needed, adding only as much dairy-free milk as it takes to help it form a thick smoothie texture.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more peanut butter powder (or butter) for peanut butter flavor, banana for sweetness, or berries for fruity flavor. The flavor should resemble a peanut butter banana smoothie, as the açaí is quite subtle in flavor and slightly tart.
- Divide between two serving bowls and garnish with desired toppings. I went with coconut, berries, banana, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, and peanut butter.
- Enjoy immediately – best when fresh! Freeze leftovers up to 2 weeks. Thaw to enjoy.
prashanthi atluri says
Is there a video for this??
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes, you can find it here.
Christin says
Easy, creamy, & soooo delicious! I didn’t add mixed berries & used creamy peanut butter. YUM! Will be a regular. Thank you! Xoxo.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Christin! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Beth says
Easy to make and very delicious! I am partial to PB, so it is perfect for me.
Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for sharing, Beth!
Sandra says
Delicious! My son and I just had this for breakfast!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Sandra!
Emily says
This was really good! I didn’t use the frozen berries and I added some extra peanut butter to the smoothie (in addition to the peanut butter powder) for extra peanut butter flavor. I couldn’t taste the spinach at all and the texture was super creamy.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Great idea! And we’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing, Emily!
Kate says
There is no acai packs were we live, is there another way to get it? Or an possible similar subs? I know it won’t be the same 🙁
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hmm, maybe frozen wild blueberries? We haven’t tried it though!
Jenn says
Yum! I’m curious which brand of peanut butter you used to do the drizzle on top?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Jenn, we used Wild Friends. You can see our full peanut butter review here: https://minimalistbaker.com/store-bought-peanut-butter-review/
Ro says
This is a super easy and just great recipe. I made 1 serving only because I do breakfast solo. It’s a big portion and super yummy, nutritious, filling, and refreshing which is important after a long and hot run (please don’t hate me, I live in Hawaii).
I also subbed berries, which are optional in any case, with mango, pineapple, and even oranges. I never know what I am doing, but this recipe gave me a room for interpretation and I loved it. Sometimes I skip the peanut butter for a more berry-licious taste for my hubby.
Thank you and so glad I stumbled upon your site! Has everything I love.
Macaela says
This is an amazing breakfast recipe for those wanting to get their peanut butter & jelly fix! I made mine with spinach, added ground flax, & used freshly ground peanuts, omitting fresh berries from blender mix and although the color wasn’t the most appealing, the flavor certainly was! I topped mine with unsweetened coconut flakes, chia seeds, peanut butter, and sliced strawberries. YUM!!!
Ttrockwood says
For readers near a Trader Joe’s they now sell frozen organic unsweetened acai! Four packets for under $5. I make a similar combo but using frozen mango since i hate bananas and regular peanut butter
Grant// skywatersystems.com says
I love sambazon. I learned to love acai on a trip to brazil and I searched High and low for the right stuff when I got back to the states. Sambazon is by far the best. They also have a super tasty energy drink. Good stuff!
Brynn says
Yum! The idea of a PB&J combined with an acai bowl is so cool! Pure genius, if you ask me. I bet granola would be a delicious topping. Thanks for sharing!
carly says
Didnt’ quite come out with the right thickness I had hoped for.
Cassie Autumn Tran says
Peanut butter and jelly has to be my favorite combination in the world–besides chocolate with anything, of course! Anyhow, I most certainly always love making acai bowls in the summer. Sometimes (or almost all the time) I drizzle peanut butter on top for some extra richness. Delicious!
Ailene says
I love Songbird Cafe! Yay for local shout-outs!
Gabby says
This looks amazing! I really want to try to make it!!
-Gabby
Becca says
Im in the UK and for some reason we have very limited access to acai, the best I can get is acai berry powder :( will have to give this one a miss. Shame, it looks so yummy!
Linda says
I’m in the UK too and I ordered frozen acai (and pitaya!) online, just Google it. Making this as I type!
Becca says
Oh my your right! I left out the frozen part and google was just giving me links to the acai powder and capsules. Thank you so much Linda! I’m going to order some in now. Hope you enjoy your acai bowl goodness :)
Linda says
Haha no worries! Acai bowl was good but I did have to add some more bananas. Good luck!
Emma says
Hi Dana, just wanted to say that you are by far my favourite recipe blog that I have come across. I went vegetarian a few months ago and hope to go vegan eventually and your blog and book have been complete life savers, I haven’t tried a recipe that I haven’t loved. Thank you!
Also, I was wondering in which section of the grocery store you can find frozen acai as I have never come across it before. Hopefully I can find some and try this out!! :)
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks so much, Emma!
The açaí is usually near the frozen fruit! Of course, you can ask someone for help as well.
Lisa says
Yay this looks scrumptious! Anything pb&j related combined with vitamins and nutrients is a must-try! Thanks for coming up with this and sharing:) can’t wait to try!
Jesi says
This is awesome and delicious . I’m so happy I found a recipe finally that I like for a peanutbutter smoothie!
Nursen says
Are the optional ingredients included in the nutritional information? The spinach and berries?
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
no, just the base ingredients.
Sarah says
DROOLING!! Can’t wait to try this!
xx,
Sarah
Sarah says
Can you use regular peanut butter (not powder)?
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Totally!
Elisa says
Yes you can :) The recipe says ‘peanut butter powder OR nut butter’. Enjoy!
Elisa says
Ha, Dana, jinx! ❤️
MA says
Try adding cinnamon in the blender, it’s an amazing Acai Bowl hack!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks for sharing!
Meghan says
Can this recipe be made with acai powder instead of the frozen packets?
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Sure!
Michelle says
Dana,
I made something very similar this morning after a long run. I love Sambazon! Next time you are traveling check out Vitality Bowls they make the best acai bowls – I’m determined to try all of them on their menu this summer!
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
Good tip! xoxo
Kitchen of Nutrition says
This sounds and looks so good! I will definitely be giving this a try soon!
Tori//Gringalicious.com says
Now this is one breakfast idea I can get behind! Wow it looks so good!