5-Minute Nutritious Acai Smoothie

posted by Alex Aldeborgh, RD on Apr 10, 2022 (last updated 9/8/22) 0 comments »

This nutritious acai smoothie is a cold and creamy treat! Packed with healthy fruits and frozen acai packets, it takes just five minutes to make. Enjoy for breakfast or a healthy snack.

I recently took a trip to Hawaii and ate an acai smoothie bowl every day I was there. As a Registered Dietitian, I love to experience the food and culture of the places I visit when traveling. I knew I had to create an acai recipe when I returned!

I have plenty of other smoothie recipes on my blog, but this is the first smoothie with acai! It’s super thick and creamy, refreshing, and packed with nutrients. This smoothie packs 7 grams of fiber and 15 grams of plant-based protein, and is vegan and gluten free.

What is acai?

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) berry is a type of berry harvested from the acai palm tree. This type of palm is native to South America and Central America.

What does acai taste like? Acai berry has a more earthy flavor than other berries and is less sweet. It’s flavor has notes of raspberry, blackberry, and pomegranate, without the sweetness.

Ingredients in acai smoothie

Frozen acai puree packets – I used Sambazon acai packs
Frozen pineapple
Frozen ripe banana
Hemp seeds
Milk of choice – I used soy milk

Want this smoothie to pack even more of a nutrition punch? Add frozen cauliflower, frozen zucchini, or spinach to make it a smoothie with vegetables!

Where can I buy acai puree?

You can buy frozen acai puree packets at most regular grocery stores these days, found in the frozen fruit section. I used the Sambazon pure unsweetened acai berry.

If you are unable to find frozen acai, you can use acai powder as an alternative. I recommend adding a handful of ice to your smoothie if you use the powder, to ensure the smoothie is still thick and creamy.

How to make acai smoothie

Start by soaking the acai packet in a bowl of warm water for 1-2 minutes.
Add the smoothie ingredients to your blender. Start with the milk, then add the acai puree, frozen banana, frozen pineapple, and hemp seeds.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy, 30 seconds – 1 minute.
Pour into a glass and serve right away with a straw!

Best blender for smoothies

For smoothies with lots of frozen ingredients, a high powered blender is your best option to ensure the frozen ingredients are completely blended into the smoothie. My favorite option for years has been a Vitamix blender. Two other good options include the Ninja blender and the Blendtec blender.

What are the benefits of acai berry?

Acai berries are highly nutrient dense. 100 grams of pure acai frozen puree (1 frozen packet) provides 3 grams of dietary fiber and 1 gram of plant-based protein. Acai is also a source of several micronutrients, including small amounts of Vitamin A, potassium, calcium, and iron.

Acai is rich in flavonoid antioxidants called anthocyanins. Antioxidants help prevent oxidative stress in our cells by fighting off damage from free radicals. Free radicals may play a role in developing certain diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease.

Hemp seeds nutrition benefits

Hemp seeds add a ton of nutrition to this smoothie! A three tablespoon serving of hemp seeds provides:

9.5 grams of plant-based protein
1.2 grams of dietary fiber
15 grams of fat – most of which is heart healthy polyunsaturated fat
210 mg magnesium – 50 percent of of your daily needs
2.4 mg iron – 13 percent of your daily needs
3 mg zinc – 20 percent of your daily needs

Hemp seeds are a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids for muscle growth and repair. Hemp seeds have about double the protein as flax seeds and chia seeds.

Let me know if you love this recipe by leaving a comment or star rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!