Which Bowl Is Better? The Ultimate Food Bowl Competition

Check out our list of popular food bowls and decide for yourself!

Food bowls have become something of a foodie phenomenon over the past few years, and it’s no secret why: They’re stylish and convenient, not to mention deliciously healthy. With an emphasis on bowls like protein-rich Açai Bowls and vibrant Poke Bowls in recent years, this influx of food bowls has us wondering–which bowl is better?

Decide for yourself which food bowl reigns supreme–Pitaya Bowl or Açai Bowl? Quinoa Bowl or Burrito Bowl?–and let us know what you think in the comments!

 

Buddha Bowls

Buddha Bowls are like the heart and soul of the food bowl trend: They’re wholesome, filling, and extremely versatile. Even the name “Buddha Bowl,” according to thekitchn, is rooted in the ideas of generosity and resourcefulness; It’s believed that Buddha himself would carry a bowl through his village and collect any food people could spare.

Most Buddha Bowls (and many food bowls in general) are comprised of a base (usually a leafy green, like lettuce, spinach, or kale,)  vegetables, (broccoli, cucumbers, and tomatoes are very popular,) and a protein (eggs, meat, quinoa, or tofu,) which all combine into a super-hearty dinner perfect for meal prepping. Buddha Bowls are easily customizable depending on what kind of flavors you’re aiming for, and often contain other “layers” of food, such as a “crunchy” layer (chia seeds, nuts, edamame), a “sweet” layer (usually different kinds of fruit or chocolate), and a sauce/topping to tie it all together, like hummus, peanut sauce, or tahini. What you end up with is one big protein-rich meal that packs a flavorful punch and keeps you satisfied for hours on end!

 

Quinoa Bowls

There’s no denying that white rice is a palate-pleasing addition to any meal, but what to do if you want to shake up your grain game? Quinoa may be your solution!

A favorite for anyone looking for something a little more ~unique~ than regular rice, Quinoa Bowls are high in fiber and protein and low in calories. They’re just as filling as rice bowls, and even prettier to look at–just look at this recipe from Peas and Crayons for a Chicken Shawarma Quinoa Bowl, an exotic and colorful alternative to a more basic quinoa bowl. It includes mouth-watering shawarma coated in a spicy blend of cumin, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, so rest assured that this quinoa bowl is anything but basic. Thankfully, the addition of fresh cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes will balance out the heat. Add a little tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, and you have a flavorful food bowl that refuses to compromise nutrition for flavor!

Oh, and add this to the “pro” column: Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, so even your gluten-intolerant friends can dive into a trendy and nutritional bowl of quinoa!

 

Burrito Bowl

A sincere thank you to whoever invented the Burrito Bowl because it made the messy burrito-eating process way more enjoyable, not to mention more fulfilling!

A Burrito Bowl has all the flavor of a regular burrito minus the inevitable clean-up, and they’re just as easy to make at home. Check out this recipe from Damn Delicious for a customizable yet traditional Burrito Bowl that will have you saying “sayonara” to those late-night trips to Chipotle!

Still, Burrito Bowls don’t have to be the cheesy, grease-filled meals they usually are (though we wouldn’t blame you if you stuck to this routine!) Pinch of Yum has a recipe for a healthier Burrito Bowl that switches greasy ground beef or chicken for what they call “aggressively spiced” roasted cauliflower rolled in hot sauce…yeah, we’re already drooling! Add in some sweet corn, steamed white rice, mashed black beans, fresh avocado, and a splash of lime juice, and you have a wonderful Burrito Bowl you can feel good about!

 

Poke Bowl

Ah, poke–it’s elegant, it’s vibrantly colored, it’s totally customizable, it’s damn near irresistible! It’s the perfect summer seafood meal, so get ahead of the game and start experimenting with recipes now!

If you’re into the whole Hawaiin aesthetic, then you’d really love a Poke Bowl, which originated in Hawaii. It’s spicy, tangy, sweet, and basically tastes like sunshine–how can you say no? Since Poke typically contains more veggies than regular sushi, it’s not only a healthier option but easier on your wallet. Jessica Gavin’s recipe for Spicy Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Poke Bowls is an amazing blend of summery colors and flavors, and the use of salmon is sure to make your health and heart happy. If you weren’t already sold on the deliciousness that is Poke, the co-mingling of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, and sesame oil marinade will have you choosing Poke Bowls over regular ol’ sushi anytime.

 

Açai Bowl

This antioxidant-rich breakfast–or snack? Dessert?–is perhaps the trendiest of trendy food bowls right now. Is it any wonder why? It’s a welcoming bowl of energy that has basically taken over your Instagram feed, and it clearly isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!

There’s a lot of good to be said of Açai Bowls, (except maybe how difficult it is to pronounce,) namely how the açai berry itself is loaded with antioxidants that help protect your body from free radicals and prevent inflammation. Açai can be pretty bitter on its own, but when blended with other fruits, milks, juices, and seeds, it’s a sweet and satisfying addition to any morning–or, um, evening?–routine.

Another awesome quality of Açai Bowls? Like most food bowls, they’re completely customizable. So if you’re looking for a breakfast bowl, Society 19’s recipe for a Chia, Açai, and Strawberry Layered Breakfast Jar topped with oatmeal and berries is the perfect on-the-go morning pick-me-up. But if you’re looking for something that will satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the calories, try Society 19’s recipe for a Peanut Butter Açai Bowl! Just blend together frozen bananas, strawberries, and blueberries with açai mix, add in as many dollops of peanut butter as “needed,” and top off with some crunchy granola, coconut flakes, and chocolate shavings. Any excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast is okay in our book!

 

Pitaya Bowl

Allow us to introduce the lesser-known “cousin” of the Açai Bowl, the Pitaya Bowl! Well, if you’re a die-hard member of the Food Bowl fan club then you probably know what’s up, but just in case, say hi to Pitaya!

The Pitaya (or dragonfruit, to anyone familiar with weirdly-named produce at the grocery store,) is a naturally sweet, brightly-hued, and nutrient-rich superfood you’ll soon be ordering by the bowlful! As PopSugar notes, the pitaya is chock-full of immunity-boosting vitamins, can improve weight loss, and can even help improve high blood pressure. Talk about a superfood!

Much like Açai Bowls, Pitaya Bowls are usually topped with fruit, seeds, and granola and drizzled with honey, but that’s where the similarities end. As Spoon University describes, pitaya has a sweeter, watermelon-like taste as opposed to the blackberry-like açai. For anyone who finds the açai berry too acidic to enjoy as a treat, the pitaya is the more “dessert-y” choice that will still give your body an antioxidant-fueled boost. For a tropical twist on the average Pitaya Bowl, add some kiwi, mango, and pineapple! It’s a colorful, refreshing bowl that will totally improve your day and make you smile.

 

Actual Food Bowls

Okay, maybe we’re taking this food bowl competition too literally, but hear us out: What if you never had to wash another dish? Buzzfeed graced the world with a compilation of recipes for edible bowls, and it just may put all other food bowls to shame!

One of the food bowl stand-outs is this recipe for Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken served inside a pineapple–yes, a real pineapple!–created by Buzzfeed producer Alvin Zhou. You basically get the tropical tang of the teriyaki chicken mixed with the sunshine-y sweetness of the pineapple, making for one delightful meal!

Another stand-out is a restaurant and café classic, the wholesome and inviting bread bowl! Does it get better than a little soup inside a literal bowl of bread? It just might with Tablespoon’s recipe for a Pretzel Bowl, which combines the saltiness of pretzels with the savory goodness of cheesy artichoke dip! This bready and buttery bowl will transform any game day spread (or even just a normal Tuesday afternoon) from okay to outstanding!

For a kid-friendly dessert bowl that will put a smile on the face of even the pickiest of eaters, try This Heart of Mine’s recipe for Edible Sprinkle Bowls! You can use rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, basically any kind of sprinkle your heart desires! Melted almond bark is what keeps it all together, giving the bowls a unique nutty flavor. These food bowls are colorful and crunchy, the ideal vessels for your family’s ice cream sundaes. The best part? Virtually no clean-up required. You can literally lick (and eat!) the bowl!

 

So which bowl do you think is best? Let us know in the comments!

 

Written by Emma Patterson