File this first acai smoothie bowl under foods you like but may not have assumed a child could have at an early age–they can! Assuming your child is not allergic to nuts and/or dairy, you could introduce a smoothie bowl as soon as six or seven months, expanding its complexity and heft as your child ages. Added bonus: by integrating spinach and cottage cheese into the mix, I’ve add more protein, fat, and nutrients without altering the flavor; you can remove them–or add more–at your leisure.
Note: this version of a first acai smoothie bowl makes enough for a child and one adult to have a bowl; add a second acai packet and a total of ½ cup of milk to make enough for a second adult to join.
This first acai smoothie bowl is built with toddler-friendly textures and vibrant colours. It uses a base of frozen acai purée blended with banana and milk, then topped with soft-ripened berries, granola clusters and chia seeds to add gentle crunch while remaining easy for little hands.
Q: Can babies eat acai?
A: Yes! Now, it is true that your child will need to be older than 12 months to eat it with the toppings shown in the picture. (Ours didn't start eating it as shown until about 16 months.) But a pureed version--i.e., a frozen acai packet mixed with other liquids, fruits, et al.--is perfectly fine for an infant.
Q: Can I use a different fruit if I don’t have acai purée?
A: Yes — you can substitute another deeply coloured frozen fruit like berries or pitaya; you’ll still get the smooth swirl and fun toppings while keeping it toddler-safe.
Q: Is the granola crunchy a choking hazard for toddlers?
A: Choose a granola that’s lightly crunchy and easily mashed with little fingers; you can also omit it or swap in puffed rice if you prefer a softer topping.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Not really — the bowl tastes best when the base is freshly blended and thick; if you prepare early, the texture will soften and toppings may lose their crisp.
And check out all of our great toddler breakfast recipes!
This first acai smoothie bowl introduces wholesome frozen acai and banana to toddlers in a creamy, easy-to-scoop form. It’s topped with berries, granola, and chia seeds for gentle texture and toddler-friendly appeal.
If you don't already have any ready to go, be sure and freeze a banana in advance of preparing the bowl.
For an infant, allow to sit at room temperature for a few minutes in order to lessen the chill. Pour enough acai into a child-size bowl to fill about ⅓ of it; if using toppings, spread them out in front of your toddler and allow them to choose what he/she wants–but you choose the quantity of each. Start with the smooth/creamy ingredients (i.e., yogurt, peanut butter), then add top with fruit and/or cereal bits; mix well. Steel yourself for a mess.
If your child prefers the taste of other fruit, you can add to or replace the acai base by freezing that fruit and blending it as instructed. (Note: you may need to add more milk to compensate for an increased amount of frozen fruit.)
Servings 2
Serving Size 1 small bowl
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
