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+ servings
5 from 4 votes

Acai Bowls with Crispy Buckwheat Cocoa Clusters

Author - Gena Hamshaw
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yields: 2 bowls and 4 heaping cups of buckwheat cocoa clusters

Ingredients

For the Crispy Buckwheat Cocoa Clusters:

  • 2 cups raw buckwheat groats
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground flax or chia meal
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup raw shelled sunflower seeds or pepitas
  • ½ cup sliced or slivered almonds
  • ½ cup maple syrup or brown rice syrup
  • ¼ cup almond or sunflower seed butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the smoothies:

  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 100 grams about 1/2 cup, or 1 frozen pack acai puree
  • 1 cup ZICO Natural Coconut Water more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons shelled hemp seeds
  • Optional toppings: fresh berries coconut flakes, nuts or seeds of choice, dried fruit of choice

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350F and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together the syrup, almond or sunflower butter, and vanilla. In a large mixing bowl, combine the buckwheat, flax or chia meal, cocoa powder, salt, seeds, and almonds. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix well to combine.
  • Transfer the buckwheat mixture to a baking sheet. Spread it evenly, taking care that there are plenty of sizable clusters on the sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the clusters are evenly toasted, stirring a couple times during baking to ensure that the edges don't burn. Remove the clusters from the oven and allow them to cool completely (some of the clusters might still be soft when you take them out of the oven, but they'll harden up as they cool).
  • To prepare the acai bowls, blend the bananas, ZICO Natural Coconut Water, chia, hemp seeds, and acai puree together till smooth. Divide the mixture (it should be nice and thick) into two bowls, then top each with any toppings you like, as well as a generous handful of the buckwheat cocoa clusters clusters. Serve.

Notes

You can substitute non-dairy milk for coconut water if desired.
Buckwheat cocoa clusters should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.