Name: 5-Minute Nutella Acai Smoothie Bowl
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 banana (sliced and frozen); 1 package frozen acai puree ((100 grams, 7 oz), OR sub with 3/4 cup frozen mixed berries (105 grams) + 2 Tablespoons acai powder); ¾ cup plant-based milk ((180 ml) I used oat milk but any will do!); 2 Tablespoons Nutella (either homemade or store-bought)

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This Nutella acai bowl is so chocolatey, creamy, and divine that you’ll stop buying acai/smoothie bowls. With just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes; step-by-step instructions and photos included!

Vegan Nutella acai bowl with banana and granola, with cacao nibs and melted Nutella in smaller bowls.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

🥣 Done in 5 minutes, perfect for busy days.
🌱 Vegan-friendly but can also be made with regular cow’s milk.
👩‍🍳 Easy-peasy, making cooking less intimidating and more enjoyable.
📸 Instagram-worthy presentation tips to make your acai bowl Nutella even more appetizing.
💪 Packed with nutritious ingredients.
🍫 Nutella twist adds a decadent touch.

Ingredients

Banana: Use frozen bananas since that’s really what makes acai bowl so creamy! Use spotty ones for a naturally sweet Nutella acai bowl.
Frozen Acai Puree: Packed with antioxidants and a unique berry flavor, it provides a vibrant purple color and a refreshing taste.
- Substitutable with frozen mixed berries + acai powder. And if you still can’t find acai, this Banana Nutella Smoothie Bowl is a great alternative! Just serve them in a bowl instead of a glass 😉
Plant-based Milk: I used oat milk but any kind of milk will do! From soy milk to almond milk, even regular milk if you’re not eating plant-based.
Nutella: Adds a luscious chocolate-hazelnut flavor, making your acai bowl with Nutella irresistibly decadent.
- Opt for this Healthy Vegan Nutella (using Dates) for a refined sugar-free homemade recipe

Frozen acai puree, Nutella, plant-based milk, and banana in small white bowls with labels.

Is Acai Really a Superfood?

One important thing about superfood is that there is no legal or standard definition of superfood, although Medical News Today defined superfoods as “foods that have a very high nutritional density” when compared to the calories they contain.

Since acai has many health benefits such as containing more antioxidants than other common berries, improving brain function, heart health, and having anti-cancer properties as explained in this other article by Medical News Today, no wonder why they are often called superfoods.

Are Acai Bowls Healthier Than Ice Cream?

Compared to ice cream, acai bowls typically offer more nutritional benefits due to their higher fiber and antioxidant content. However, both can be high in sugar and calories (source: Healthline).

To be on the safer side, just make your acai bowls at home with this Nutella smoothie bowl recipe, or this ‘plain vanilla’ Vegan Acai Breakfast Bowl!

Two hands holding a pink bowl of Nutella acai smoothie bowl with a white marbled background.

Step-by-step Instructions

Add: In a high-powered blender, combine frozen banana slices, acai puree (or frozen berries + acai powder), and milk until smooth.

Break Apart: If the banana slices clump together, let them sit for 15 minutes, then separate by hand or with a knife.

Blend: Blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth, pausing and stirring as needed.

Adjust: If necessary, add up to 1/4 cup more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, for smoother blending.

Frozen acai puree and frozen banana in a small blender.

Frozen acai puree, frozen banana, and milk in a small Nutribullet blender.

Garnish: Transfer to a bowl, drizzle Nutella down a spoon for garnish. Or you can also blend Nutella in the blender.

Top and Serve: Add desired toppings. Serve your acai bowl Nutella immediately within 15 minutes!

How many calories are in a Nutella acai bowl?

The calorie count in a Nutella Acai Bowl can vary depending on portion size and toppings, but typically ranges from 400 to 500 calories per serving.

A disclaimer is that I personally am not a fan of calorie counting since a healthy diet is so much more than the calories, as explained in this article published in Harvard Healthy Publishing, titled “Stop counting calories”.

Top Tips

Slice and Freeze Bananas: Slice bananas before freezing for easier blending!
Ripe Bananas: Use bananas with lots of dark spots for natural sweetness.
Acai Options: If you can’t find frozen acai puree packs, sub with acai powder + frozen mixed berries. When using the latter, it will be more sour—consider adding liquid sweetener to balance.
Liquid and Blender: More liquid facilitates easier blending. Without a high-powered blender, extra liquid may be needed. Just be careful not to add too much so you still get that thick and creamy consistency.
Nutella Topping: If you find it hard to drizzle the Nutella, microwave it for 10-15 seconds until runny.

Toppings Suggestions

I used banana, Nutella, cacao nibs, and granola as toppings but here are some more tasty options.

Berries: Both fresh and dried.
Peanut Butter: Adds richness, healthy fat, and protein.
Chopped Dark Chocolate: Use a chocolate bar of chocolate chips.
Coconut flakes: For a tropical twist
Nuts and Seeds
Yogurt or Vegan Quark

And since we talked about granola, I think you’d like my Breakfast Granola Cups!

A spoonful of acai bowl with Nutella and granola plus cocoa nibs.

Storage, Meal Prep, and Freezing Instructions

Storage: Consume within 15 minutes to maintain its creamy consistency.

If you do have leftovers, store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will be more liquidy and the color may darken slightly to a brownish hue, but this acai bowl with Nutella is still safe to eat.

Meal prep: Prepare smoothie packs ahead of time for faster morning preparation. Combine all the frozen fruits required for one serving in a Ziploc bag. In the morning, simply empty the pack into the blender, blend, and you’re done!

Freezing: Do NOT freeze this Nutella acai bowl. For longer storage, see the meal prep notes above.

FAQ

The natural sweetness of ripe bananas complements the slightly tangy flavor of acai, while the various toppings add indulgent richness and crunch. This combination of flavors and textures creates a satisfying bowl that keeps you coming back for more!

Acai bowls are often pricey due to the cost of importing acai berries, which are native to Central and South America, as well as the labor-intensive process of harvesting and processing them.

Acai berries are highly perishable and start to degrade rapidly after harvesting. Freezing them helps preserve their nutrients and freshness, allowing them to be transported and stored for longer periods.

Acai bowls can be a healthy option when made with wholesome ingredients like fruit, nuts, and seeds, providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, some commercially prepared or store-bought acai bowls may contain added sugars or high-calorie and highly processed toppings, so it’s crucial to choose wisely and enjoy them in moderation.

For this Nutella acai bowl recipe, opt for this Homemade Vegan Nutella which does not use any refined sugar and uses dates instead as a natural sweetener!

A bowl of Nutella acai bowl, topped with banana, sunflower seeds, and cacao nibs, with a spoon peeking on the bottom right.

Looking for More Breakfast / Brunch Recipes?

Try my 5-Minute Flax Seed Pudding (3 Variations) for another creamy and nutrition-packed breakfast, which also went viral on YouTube!

Or check out my Biscoff Overnight Oats, Oreo Overnight Oats, or this Frozen Berries Overnight Oats which are all done in under 5 minutes!

I also love having Baked Oats for breakfast since they’re so indulgent but are still healthy! Try this Baked Oats Without Banana (5 Variations) or this Chocolate Chip Baked Oats.

Or How About More Nutella Recipes?

I got you! First of all, try DIY-ing your Vegan Nutella to keep it sugar-free and healthier. Or try one of these!

Nutella Mochi Daifuku Balls (Japanese rice treats)
Nutella Banana Milkshake without Ice Cream (Healthy Nutella Smoothie)