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Easy Steps To Make Bulletproof Or Butter Coffee

Quick answer

  • Start with your favorite coffee.
  • Add unsalted butter and MCT oil (or coconut oil).
  • Blend it all up until frothy.
  • Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons of butter and 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil per 8-12 oz of coffee.
  • Use a high-speed blender for the best texture.
  • Adjust amounts to your taste.
  • Enjoy it hot.

Who this is for

  • Anyone looking to try the popular butter coffee trend.
  • Folks seeking a rich, creamy, and filling coffee experience.
  • Those interested in a keto or low-carb breakfast alternative.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Your coffee maker is the starting point. Drip, pour-over, French press – they all work. Just make sure your coffee grounds are filtered out. If you use a French press, a finer mesh filter can help keep stray grounds out of your final blend.

Water quality and temperature

Good coffee starts with good water. If your tap water tastes off, your coffee will too. Consider filtered water. For brewing, aim for water between 195-205°F. Too cool, and you won’t extract enough flavor. Too hot, and you can scorch the grounds.

Grind size and coffee freshness

Freshly roasted beans, ground right before brewing, make a huge difference. For most brewers, a medium grind is your go-to. Too fine, and it’ll clog filters or over-extract. Too coarse, and your coffee will be weak.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is key for any coffee. A good starting point is a 1:15 to 1:18 ratio of coffee grounds to water. That means for every ounce of coffee grounds, use 15 to 18 ounces of water. Adjust to your preference.

Cleanliness/descale status

Nobody likes bitter coffee from a dirty machine. Give your brewer a regular clean. Descale it too, especially if you have hard water. Mineral buildup can mess with temperature and flow, impacting your brew.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Brew your coffee.

  • What to do: Make a strong cup of coffee using your preferred method. A standard 8-12 oz cup is a good starting point.
  • What “good” looks like: A well-extracted, flavorful cup of coffee. Not too weak, not too bitter.
  • Common mistake: Using too little coffee or brewing too weak. This makes it hard to mask the flavors of the added ingredients.
  • How to avoid it: Stick to your usual strong brew ratio or even go a touch stronger.

2. Gather your ingredients.

  • What to do: Get your hot brewed coffee, unsalted butter (grass-fed is popular), and MCT oil or coconut oil.
  • What “good” looks like: Everything ready to go. No scrambling around.
  • Common mistake: Forgetting an ingredient or realizing you don’t have enough.
  • How to avoid it: Measure out your butter and oil before you start blending.

3. Add butter to the coffee.

  • What to do: Pour your hot coffee into a blender. Add your unsalted butter. Start with about 1-2 tablespoons per 8-12 oz of coffee.
  • What “good” looks like: The butter is ready to be incorporated.
  • Common mistake: Using salted butter. This will make your coffee taste weird.
  • How to avoid it: Double-check the label. Unsalted is the way to go.

For the best results, we recommend using a high-quality unsalted butter. This ensures a pure, creamy taste without any unwanted saltiness.

Vital Farms Unsalted Butter, 16oz
  • UNSALTED BUTTER: Each package comes with 4 sticks of Vital Farms Unsalted Butter made with cream from cows raised on family farms.
  • 90% GRASS-FED: The girls enjoy a diet of 90% grass, while the remaining 10% is nutritionally balanced feed to ensure a well-rounded diet.
  • PASTURE-RAISED: The farmers we work with raise their four-legged ladies with care and respect on family farms where cows enjoy outdoor access 200 days per year on average.
  • HIGH BUTTERFAT: The girls supply a rich cream that’s churned into creamy, melt-in-your mouth butter
  • CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM: Vital Farms is a Certified B Corporation with a purpose to improve the lives of people, animals, and the planet through food.

4. Add MCT oil (or coconut oil).

  • What to do: Add 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil or coconut oil to the blender with the coffee and butter.
  • What “good” looks like: All the key ingredients are in the blender.
  • Common mistake: Adding too much oil at once. This can lead to digestive upset for some.
  • How to avoid it: Start with a smaller amount, especially if you’re new to MCT oil.

If you’re looking for a good source of healthy fats, consider adding a quality coconut oil to your blend. It’s a great alternative to MCT oil and offers a subtle, tropical flavor.

Natural Force Organic MCT Oil – Pure Glass Bottle – Made from 100% Virgin Coconut Oil + Certified Keto, Paleo, Kosher, Vegan & Non-GMO – Lab Tested for Quality and Purity - 32 Ounce
  • MCT Oil from Organic Coconuts - Made from virgin coconut oil, Natural Force Organic MCT Oil provides 14g of high quality, full-spectrum MCTs (C8, C10, & C12) per 1tbsp serving. With 0g sugar, 0g carbs, and only 125 calories per serving, it is the perfect source of healthy fats for keto and low carb coffee, smoothies, and cooking.
  • Pure Glass Bottle and Eco-Friendly Packaging – Natural Force Organic MCT Oil is packaged in an infinitely recyclable, non-toxic pure glass bottle. The product label is biodegradable and printed with plant-based inks and the cap is made from infinitely recyclable food-grade aluminum. Exclusive bonus for 32 oz. size: Stainless-steel easy pour spout!
  • USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified, Keto, Paleo, Kosher, & Vegan - We work with the industry’s leading 3rd-party certifiers to ensure that our Organic MCT Oil meets and exceeds their rigorous standards of quality and purity.
  • Lab Tested for Quality & Purity – Every batch of Natural Force Organic MCT Oil is produced in a cGMP certified facility and 3rd-party lab tested for heavy metals, mold, gluten, and more - we freely share the results of our testing because we have nothing to hide!
  • Nutrition You Can Trust - Natural Force values the health and happiness of our customers. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, send us a message from your Amazon account and our world-class Customer Support team will help to make it right.

5. Secure the blender lid.

  • What to do: Make sure the blender lid is on tight. Very tight.
  • What “good” looks like: A secure seal. No gaps.
  • Common mistake: Not securing the lid properly. This is a recipe for a kitchen disaster.
  • How to avoid it: Press down firmly and ensure all seals are engaged.

6. Blend on high speed.

  • What to do: Blend the mixture on high for about 20-30 seconds. You want it to emulsify.
  • What “good” looks like: A frothy, creamy, latte-like texture. No oily sheen or separated butter.
  • Common mistake: Not blending long enough. The butter and oil won’t fully incorporate.
  • How to avoid it: Keep blending until it looks smooth and consistent.

7. Check the consistency.

  • What to do: Pour a small amount into a spoon and check the texture.
  • What “good” looks like: Smooth, creamy, and well-emulsified.
  • Common mistake: Stopping too early and having oily separation.
  • How to avoid it: If it looks separated, give it another quick blend.

8. Pour and serve.

  • What to do: Pour your butter coffee into a mug.
  • What “good” looks like: A delicious, frothy beverage ready to drink.
  • Common mistake: Letting it sit too long. It can start to separate again if left to its own devices.
  • How to avoid it: Drink it immediately after blending for the best experience.

9. Adjust to taste (optional).

  • What to do: If it’s not quite right, add a little more butter or oil and blend again.
  • What “good” looks like: It’s perfect for you.
  • Common mistake: Settling for a taste you don’t love.
  • How to avoid it: Don’t be afraid to experiment with the ratios until it’s just right.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake What it causes Fix
Using salted butter Salty, off-putting coffee flavor Always use unsalted butter.
Not blending long enough Oily separation, greasy texture Blend until fully emulsified and frothy.
Using a regular blender Inconsistent texture, less froth A high-speed blender works best for a smooth, creamy result.
Adding too much oil initially Digestive upset, greasy mouthfeel Start with less oil and gradually increase as tolerated.
Using stale coffee beans Weak, bitter, or dull flavor Use fresh, high-quality coffee beans and grind them just before brewing.
Not securing the blender lid Messy kitchen explosion, wasted ingredients Double-check the lid is sealed tightly before blending.
Using too much butter/oil Overly rich, heavy drink that can feel greasy Start with recommended amounts and adjust to your preference.
Not drinking immediately Separation of butter and oil from coffee Drink your butter coffee right after blending for optimal texture.
Using low-quality coffee Poor flavor base that added ingredients can’t fix Invest in good coffee beans; it makes a difference.
Over-extracting coffee Bitter taste that clashes with the added ingredients Brew your coffee carefully, avoiding over-extraction.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

  • If your butter coffee tastes too greasy, then reduce the amount of butter and/or MCT oil next time because excess fat can coat the palate.
  • If your butter coffee separates quickly, then blend it for longer next time because insufficient blending is the main cause of separation.
  • If you experience digestive discomfort, then reduce the amount of MCT oil because some people are sensitive to it initially.
  • If your butter coffee tastes weak, then use more coffee grounds or a stronger brew ratio next time because the added fats can dilute the coffee flavor.
  • If you want a smoother texture, then use a high-speed blender because they are designed to emulsify ingredients effectively.
  • If your coffee has a bitter aftertaste, then check your coffee brewing process or the freshness of your beans because bitterness can be exacerbated by the richness.
  • If you’re new to MCT oil, then start with 1 teaspoon and gradually increase because your body needs time to adjust.
  • If your butter coffee is too thin, then add a little more butter and re-blend because the butter adds body and richness.
  • If your butter coffee has flecks of coffee grounds, then use a finer filter or ensure your grounds are properly strained because stray grounds ruin the texture.
  • If you find the taste too bland, then try a darker roast of coffee or add a tiny pinch of sea salt (carefully!) because the fats need a good coffee base to shine.

FAQ

What kind of butter should I use?

Unsalted, grass-fed butter is commonly recommended for its flavor and perceived health benefits. Avoid salted butter, as it will make your coffee taste salty.

Can I use regular coconut oil instead of MCT oil?

Yes, you can. MCT oil is a type of coconut oil that’s been processed to concentrate the medium-chain triglycerides, which are thought to be more easily absorbed for energy. Regular coconut oil will work, but the texture and energy profile might be slightly different.

How much butter and oil should I use?

A good starting point is 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil per 8-12 ounces of coffee. Adjust these amounts based on your personal preference for richness and texture.

What if I don’t have a high-speed blender?

You can still make butter coffee with a regular blender, but you might need to blend for a bit longer. It may not get quite as frothy or emulsified, but it will still be creamy.

Is butter coffee healthy?

Butter coffee is often consumed as part of a ketogenic or low-carb diet. It’s high in fat and calories, which can be satiating. However, it lacks protein and fiber, so it’s not a complete meal for everyone.

Can I add anything else to my butter coffee?

Some people like to add a touch of cinnamon, vanilla extract, or a sugar-free sweetener. Keep it simple to start, though, and experiment once you have the basic recipe down.

How soon should I drink it after blending?

It’s best to drink your butter coffee immediately after blending. Like any emulsion, it can start to separate if left to sit for too long.

What happens if I add the ingredients in the wrong order?

For butter coffee, the order isn’t super critical as long as everything ends up in the blender. However, putting the liquid coffee in first can sometimes help the blender blades catch the solids better.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

  • Specific nutritional breakdowns or health claims associated with butter coffee. (Explore health and nutrition resources for this.)
  • Detailed comparisons of different MCT oil brands or types. (Look into dedicated reviews for specific products.)
  • Advanced coffee brewing techniques for optimizing your base coffee. (Dive into specialty coffee brewing guides.)
  • Recipes for other blended coffee drinks. (Search for “coffee shop style drinks” or “dessert coffee recipes”.)

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