Simple Steps to Make Delicious Keto Coffee With Butter
Quick answer
- Use high-quality, fresh coffee beans.
- Brew your coffee strong, like you prefer it.
- Add unsalted butter and MCT oil (or coconut oil) to the hot coffee.
- Blend until frothy and emulsified.
- Start with small amounts of butter and oil to adjust to taste and digestion.
- Don’t over-blend; just enough to mix.
For a truly delicious keto coffee, make sure to use high-quality unsalted butter. This unsalted butter is a great option for achieving that perfect creamy texture.
- 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.
Who this is for
- Folks new to the keto lifestyle looking for a satisfying breakfast drink.
- Anyone wanting to boost their morning energy and focus with a fat-rich coffee.
- Coffee lovers who enjoy experimenting with unique beverage preparations.
What to check first
Brewer type and filter type
Got a drip machine, pour-over, French press, or AeroPress? Each has its own way of doing things. For keto coffee, a strong brew is key, so whatever brewer you use, make sure it can handle it. Paper filters are fine, but metal filters let more oils through, which can add to the richness.
Water quality and temperature
Tap water can mess with your coffee’s flavor. If yours tastes funky, try filtered water. For brewing, aim for water that’s hot but not boiling, usually 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 ground beans are a game-changer. Pre-ground stuff loses its punch fast. Grind size depends on your brewer. Coarser for French press, finer for espresso. For keto coffee, you want a robust flavor, so don’t skimp on fresh, good-quality beans.
Coffee-to-water ratio
This is where you dial in the strength. A good starting point is a 1:15 to 1:17 ratio (coffee to water by weight). So, for 16 oz of water, use about 1 oz of coffee grounds. If you like it stronger, use a bit more coffee.
Cleanliness/descale status
A dirty coffee maker is a flavor killer. Coffee oils build up, making your brew taste bitter or stale. Regularly clean your brewer and descale it if you have hard water. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.
Step-by-step (brew workflow)
1. Gather your ingredients. You’ll need coffee beans, water, unsalted butter, and MCT oil (or coconut oil).
- What “good” looks like: Everything is within reach and ready to go.
- Common mistake: Forgetting an ingredient mid-brew. Keep it simple; have it all ready.
2. Grind your coffee beans. Use a burr grinder for a consistent grind.
- What “good” looks like: Uniform particle size appropriate for your brewing method.
- Common mistake: Using a blade grinder, which creates uneven grounds. This leads to over- and under-extraction.
3. Heat your water. Aim for 195-205°F.
- What “good” looks like: Water is hot and ready, but not actively boiling.
- Common mistake: Using boiling water. It can scald the coffee grounds and create a bitter taste.
4. Brew your coffee. Use your preferred method, but aim for a strong brew.
- What “good” looks like: A rich, flavorful coffee extract.
- Common mistake: Brewing too weak. Keto coffee needs a bold base to stand up to the added fats.
5. Pour hot coffee into a blender. Use a high-powered blender if you have one.
- What “good” looks like: The coffee is in the blender jar, ready for the next step.
- Common mistake: Overfilling the blender. Leave room for frothing.
6. Add unsalted butter. Start with 1-2 tablespoons per 16 oz of coffee.
- What “good” looks like: The butter is in the blender, ready to emulsify.
- Common mistake: Using salted butter. It will make your coffee taste salty.
7. Add MCT oil or coconut oil. Start with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per 16 oz of coffee.
- What “good” looks like: The oil is added, and you’re ready to blend.
- Common mistake: Adding too much too soon. Your stomach might not be ready for that much fat at once.
8. Blend on high speed. Blend for 20-30 seconds until frothy and emulsified.
- What “good” looks like: The mixture is creamy, frothy, and has a uniform, latte-like texture. No oil slick on top.
- Common mistake: Under-blending. The fats won’t fully incorporate, and you’ll get separation.
9. Pour into a mug. Be careful, it’s hot.
- What “good” looks like: Your delicious keto coffee is ready to drink.
- Common mistake: Not cleaning the blender right away. Dried-on fat is a pain.
10. Taste and adjust. If needed, add a little more butter or oil, or a keto-friendly sweetener.
- What “good” looks like: The flavor is perfect for you.
- Common mistake: Not tasting. You might miss the chance to make it even better.
Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)
| Mistake | What it causes | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using stale or low-quality coffee beans | Weak flavor, bitter taste, lack of aroma | Buy freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing. |
| Incorrect water temperature (too hot/cold) | Scorched grounds (bitter) or under-extracted flavor | Use a thermometer or let boiling water sit for 30-60 seconds before brewing. |
| Wrong grind size for your brewer | Over-extraction (bitter) or under-extraction (weak) | Match your grind size to your brewer’s requirements (coarse for French press, fine for espresso). |
| Using salted butter | Unpleasant salty taste | Always use unsalted butter. |
| Adding too much fat at once (MCT/butter) | Digestive upset, “keto flu” symptoms | Start with small amounts (1 tsp oil, 1 tbsp butter) and gradually increase as tolerated. |
| Not blending long enough | Separation of fats, oily texture | Blend for at least 20-30 seconds until creamy and emulsified. |
| Over-blending | Can introduce too much air, leading to a foamy, airy texture that dissipates quickly | Blend until just emulsified, not until it’s super frothy like a milkshake. |
| Using a dirty coffee maker | Off-flavors, stale taste | Clean your brewer regularly and descale it as needed. |
| Not measuring coffee-to-water ratio | Inconsistent strength, weak or overly bitter coffee | Use a scale for accuracy, or at least consistent scoops. |
| Using tap water with off-flavors | Affects the final taste of your coffee | Use filtered or bottled water for a cleaner flavor profile. |
Decision rules (simple if/then)
- If your keto coffee tastes bitter, then check your grind size and water temperature because these are common causes of bitterness.
- If your keto coffee tastes weak, then increase the amount of coffee grounds you use or check if your beans are fresh because weak coffee usually means under-extraction or stale beans.
- If you experience digestive discomfort after drinking keto coffee, then reduce the amount of MCT oil and butter you add because too much fat at once can be hard on your system.
- If your keto coffee separates after blending, then blend it for a little longer or ensure your blender is powerful enough because proper emulsification is key.
- If your keto coffee has an oily sheen on top, then it wasn’t blended long enough or thoroughly enough because the fats need to be fully incorporated.
- If your keto coffee tastes bland, then try using a higher-quality, freshly roasted bean or adjust your coffee-to-water ratio because flavor starts with the bean.
- If your keto coffee tastes salty, then you likely used salted butter, so switch to unsalted next time because salt will overpower the coffee.
- If your keto coffee doesn’t seem to provide the expected energy boost, then ensure you’re using quality beans and a sufficient amount of fat because both contribute to sustained energy.
- If your keto coffee is too hot to drink immediately, then let it cool slightly or pour it into a pre-warmed mug because the fats can make it seem hotter than it is.
- If your keto coffee is too frothy and dissipates quickly, then try blending for a shorter duration because over-blending can create too much air.
FAQ
What kind of butter should I use for keto coffee?
Always use unsalted butter. Some people prefer grass-fed butter for its potential nutrient profile, but any high-quality unsalted butter will work.
Can I use regular coconut oil instead of MCT oil?
Yes, you can. Coconut oil contains MCTs, but MCT oil is more concentrated. Start with a smaller amount of coconut oil if you’re new to it.
How much MCT oil and butter is too much?
This varies per person. Start with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of MCT oil per cup of coffee. Gradually increase if your body tolerates it well.
Will drinking keto coffee make me gain weight?
Keto coffee is high in calories due to the fats. If it replaces a meal and you stay within your daily calorie goals, it shouldn’t cause weight gain. It’s a fat source, not a magic weight loss drink.
What if I don’t have a blender?
You can try vigorously whisking the hot coffee, butter, and oil together in a mug. It won’t get as emulsified or frothy as with a blender, but it will mix the ingredients.
Can I add sweeteners to my keto coffee?
Absolutely. Use keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit if you prefer a sweeter taste.
How long does keto coffee keep me full?
The high fat content is designed to promote satiety. Many people find it keeps them feeling full for several hours, often until lunchtime.
Is keto coffee good for everyone?
Keto coffee is a tool for those following a ketogenic diet or looking for a high-fat, energy-boosting drink. It’s not necessarily for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions or digestive issues.
What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)
- Detailed explanations of the keto diet itself.
- Specific brand recommendations for coffee beans, butter, or MCT oil.
- Advanced coffee brewing techniques beyond basic drip or French press.
- Recipes for other keto-friendly breakfast or meal replacements.