This 15 Minute Buddha Bowls recipe, with healthy grains, chickpeas, fruit, and avocado, is a balanced, healthy meal that comes together in no time!

At this point we can all agree that Buddha Bowls aren’t going away anytime soon right? I mean, how can a bowl full of healthy goodness ever go out of fashion?
So today I’m showing you how to make a basic Buddha Bowl (which you might also hear called a grain bowl, macro bowl or hippie bowl)! The general concept is that they’re a completely balanced, usually plant-based meal…in a bowl!
What is in a Buddha Bowl?
At it’s core, the Budda Bowl is just a big bowl or healthy food, mostly plants, served over a bed of greens or grains and topped with a dressing. Buddha Bowls usually contain:
- Greens: like spinach or kale
- Protein: like chickpeas or other beans
- Grains: like bulgur, quinoa, or brown rice
- Healthy carbs: helloooo fruit!
- Healthy fats: avocado or nuts
- Extras: flavorful additions like onions, nutritional yeast, or spices
1. Pick a leafy green
First up, pick a leafy green for your Buddha Bowls! I love using spinach, which is packed with nutrients while still being light and tender, but you could also use kale, romaine, arugula, or iceberg lettuce.
2. Plant-based protein
Next, add some healthy plant-based protein! This will transform these vegetarian Buddha Bowls from “side salad” to “filling meal”. You can use protein-packed chickpeas, healthy legumes, crispy tofu, chickpea “tuna” salad, or even boiled eggs.
3. Healthy Grains
Adding a healthy grain or starch will make these Buddha Bowls all the more filling while packing in even more healthy nutrients and fiber. You can use fiber-rich quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, farro, or couscous.
4. Healthy Carbs
Fruit on a salad? Yes, friends! And once you try it there’s no going back. A handful of fresh berries, a few slices of mandarin oranges, sliced apples, or halved grapes are all delicious in your healthy homemade Buddha Bowls. As a rule of thumb, more colors = more diverse nutrients (so make it a rainbow masterpiece!)
5. Healthy Fats
Round out the macronutrient profile of your veggie Buddha Bowls by adding some healthy fats, like avocado, nuts, or seeds.
6. Extras
Finally, throw on the extras! These can be flavorful additions like red onion, nutritional yeast, spice blends (I love sprinkling on the Trader Joe’s Umami Blend), or more veggies!
What sauce is best for buddha bowls?
We’re drizzling these particular Buddha Bowls with a sweet and savory yogurt sauce, but you can also top your bowls with: Yumm Sauce, Romesco Sauce, Blueberry Vinaigrette, or your favorite salad dressing.
Buddha Bowl FAQs
Why is it called a Buddha Bowl? Buddha Bowls are named for their big, round shape, like a Buddha belly! But being full of delicious food is about the only thing required to qualify something as a Buddha Bowl, and many people have a different take on what they consider a Buddha Bowl!
Is a Buddha Bowl hot or cold? Both! While this version is mostly cold, there are some that are served hot (like this Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl).
Ingredients
Yogurt Dressing
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt 60 g, or dairy-free alternative
- ¼ cup orange juice 60 mL
- 2 Tbsp honey 30 g, can sub maple syrup or agave
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Buddha Bowl Fillings
- 2 handfuls leafy greens spinach, kale, or lettuce
- 1 cup cooked grains quinoa, couscous, bulgur, or brown rice
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas 425 g, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup blueberries 100 g
- 4 mandarin oranges peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 avocados sliced
- ¼ red onion about ½ cup, sliced
- 2 carrots peeled and shredded
Instructions
- Dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients together and set aside.
- Filling: Divide greens into 4 servings bowls, then top each with equal portions of cooked grains, chickpeas, blueberries, oranges, avocado, onion, and carrot.
- Serve: Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.
Kim says
That looks so yummy, colorful and healthy!!! Going to have to try this recipe
Sarah says
Thanks, Kim! 🙂 You should definitely give it a go!
Kusum says
Looks so delicious, healthy and filling! Will have to try this recipe for sure.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
YUM-O!!! I have yet to make a Buddha bowl – I’m soooo behind! This lone looks amazing. That big ‘ol avocado and all the fruit. NOM NOM! Your pics are fantastic!
Sarah says
Haha they’re so fun, I’m obsessed! Thanks so much for your kind words, Chrissa!
Mandi says
My goodness this looks so good! Thanks for the step by step! I pinned it!
Sarah says
Thanks for sharing, Mandi!!
Rachel says
I’ve never heard of this but it looks delicious! And I love all of the colors! Will have to give it a try 🙂
Leah says
Oh my, this sounds wonderful! And the colors are gorgeous!
Jenn says
This buddha bowl is perfect. It has everything you need to complete a perfectly healthy meal. Looks amazing. I love the addition of the orange and blueberries! Will be trying this soon. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Jenn! And yea I LOVE that it’s a pretty complete meal in itself. No hassle, all health 🙂
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Never tried a Buddha bowl before but can’t get much healthier than that. I’m in!
Amanda Alexander says
These look delicious! I’m definitely going to give this a try soon.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I cannot put my finger on why I love these bowls so much (um….colorful & tasty?!), but I do! Love your visual tutorial, too! Fun for you to be in exploration mode – enjoy!
Sarah says
Haha aw thanks, Patricia!
Bree Hogan says
I love Buddha bowls, they are so healthy and filling. Yours looks delicious!
Tara says
Now that I’m not making lunches for little kids anymore (hello, teenagers), Buddha bowls have been my go-to lunch option. They’re so yummy and they give me so much energy.
Caitlin S says
Delicious! And healthy 🙂
Mumrah says
We always just called this “Stuff in a bowl” – gonna impress my guys now when I say we have Buddha bowls for dinner 🙂
Nancy says
Is it the fruit that adds such a high number of carbs? I won’t use honey but will add grated orange rind
Sarah says
Hey Nancy! Yep, the fruit is contributing to the carbs, as well as the grains and chickpeas. A lot of that is fiber though, so the net carbs is more like 68 🙂
Vicki says
Did you perhaps intend to say, “310 g soaked chickpeas if starting from dry, **cooked**, drained”??
I do not believe it is healthy to consume uncooked beans.
Otherwise, this looks like a terrific recipe.
Sarah says
Hi Vicki, you’re totally right, the wording is a bit funny. Definitely cook your chickpeas before eating them! Thanks for clarifying 😀
Melanie says
Wow such a small world. Here I am surfing Pinterest, click on your post, and find out that you’re from San Antonio! The Pearl is awesome and I LOVE all the chic places down there with delicious food. Which restaurant has the Buddha bowls?
Sarah says
Ah how I miss the Pearl! This was inspired by Green I think (a veg restaurant also in the Pearl) 😀
Rachel says
How long does the dressing stay goos for?
Sarah says
Hi Rachel! Should stay good for about 4 to 7 days (depending on how recently you opened the yogurt)! 😀
Sonya van Stee says
I just heard about Buddha bowls today! Someone directed me to your site and I’m amazed at how simple it is! Thanks for sharing!
BTW, I also have a tulip-man in my life, but we live in Canada
Sarah says
Aw, tulip-men all over the world! Buddha bowls are my favorite “lazy day” kind of dinner. Just so dang easy! Will be making some more to be published this fall for these colder months veggies 😀
Jamie says
I made these for my work lunches this week! I just finished my first day’s lunch (minus the avocado, as I forgot it at home!) but it was DELICIOUS. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Sarah says
Yay, so happy to hear Jamie!! 😀
krunker says
I don’t like spinach and you always have alternatives. Thank you so much for a well-written post.
teresa says
My husband is the pickiest eater ever and he LOVED this dish. Plan on using it for a Bunco crowd.
Sarah Bond says
YAY! I always love when we can convert the picky eaters. Enjoy!!
Sharon Lewis says
Delicious
Mrs June Storey says
Going to try this it looks yummy
Richie says
WOW! I was nervous about the flavours, but MAN, was I blown away by this. The sauce works perfectly! An instant weekly favourite.
Sarah Bond says
YAY! So happy to hear it, Richie! 😀