A Dairy-Free Acai-Banana Almond Smoothie

I must be honest: I have had a love-hate relationship with acai since I first discovered it.  The last time I posted an acai smooth bowl, I used an acai powder concentrate: the flavor was strong and long-lasting, but it worked for what I was trying to accomplish.  I have recently made some smoothies with that same powder, but I did not like the results at all. In a smoothie, I want a more subtle flavor, at least with this particular fruit.

So, for this smoothie recipe, I used the frozen acai fruit puree. Success.  I hit the nail on the head with this acai-banana almond smoothie.  Subtle, yet still flavorful; creamy, light, and dairy-free for an added bonus. If you liked my blueberry-banana walnut smoothie, I think you will like this one as they are very similar. The acai fruit puree is a life changer in my eyes, and a smoothie is a perfect use for it.  This product’s popularity has grown so much it’s now easy to locate. I was able to find this product in three of my local grocery stores: Trader Joe’s, Safeway, and Whole Foods.

My love of both almond butter and almond milk returns in this recipe: they remain great go-to options in my eyes. They are loaded with protein, relatively low in sugar, and dairy-free.  I have started to eat less dairy in recent years.  At 45 years old, I think my body responds better when I consume less dairy.  If you are avoiding dairy or just prefer a different flavor, unsweetened almond products can be a great alternative.