4 Delicious Açaí Smoothie Recipes

Açaí is for more than just bowls!

I had my first taste of açaí in 2011 at a beachside stand in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was a simple cup of frozen tart fruit topped with granola and banana slices. Since that time, I'm happy to report that açaí has become more widely available in the United States, from juices to powders to frozen packets. Unfortunately, the fruit spoils too quickly to be transported here fresh.

Açaí bowls are the most common way to enjoy this exotic fruit, but I've come to love açaí smoothies just as much. It's a really versatile flavor that makes great combinations with other fruits, and even chocolate and peanut butter. I've decided to share my four favorite açaí smoothie recipes with you so you can enjoy this fruit just as much as I do!

From left to right: PB & Açaí Smoothie, Strawberry Açaí Smoothie, Chocolate Açaí Smoothie, and Pineapple-Ginger Açaí Smoothie

These recipes are made for unsweetened frozen açaí packets, in a 3.5-oz. size. That's the size of both Trader Joe's açaí packets and Sambazon's açaí packets. Trader Joe's packets are very affordable (they're $4.49 for a 4-pack in my area). But if you don't have a Trader Joe's nearby, Sambazon packets are sold in most major grocery stores. You can get them at Costco, too (but they may be the sweetened version). If you can only get the sweetened packs, leave the sweetener out of the smoothies, then add it to taste.

Two of these açaí smoothie recipes are thick and creamy (the chocolate and peanut butter smoothies), and the other two are light and refreshing (the strawberry and pineapple smoothies). You can make any smoothie creamier by using a base of homemade cashew milk or vegan yogurt. Or make it lighter by using coconut water.

Peanut butter & açaí smoothie

I love peanut butter because it's a delicious way to add some extra protein to my diet. This recipe uses homemade cashew milk to create an extra-creamy base to balance out the tart açaí and strawberries.

Chocolate açaí smoothie topped with cacao nibs

This recipe has become my unexpected favorite smoothie! I wasn't sure how the cacao and açaí flavors would blend together. Turns out it's very much like chocolate-raspberry cheesecake, but in pudding form. Vegan yogurt and bananas add to the creaminess to make it even more pudding-like. This one has a heavenly aroma right out of the blender that's just so good!

Strawberry and açaí smoothie

This one's a simple classic, and it deserves that "classic" status. It's a perfect light summer smoothie made with açaí, strawberries, and coconut water. Top it off with a cocktail umbrella and head to the beach (even if only in your mind)!

Pineapple-ginger açaí smoothie

Pineapple and ginger are often put together, not only because they taste great, but also because they're both known for their healing properties (especially for inflammation). I added açaí and coconut water to this pair to create an amazingly delicious (and healthy) smoothie. Ginger does have a bit of a bite to it, though, so feel free to adjust the amount of ginger to your taste.

Whatever your taste, there's an açaí smoothie for you!

Have you tried these açaí smoothies? Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments!