Bulletproof Coffee Recipe

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/30/23
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Ward, MS, RDN
Tested by Joan Velush
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Serving: 1 servings
Yield: 1 cup

Bulletproof coffee is named after the coffee company that developed the drink. It is also called butter coffee or keto coffee. Designed as a liquid breakfast, this simple mix of freshly brewed coffee, butter, and MCT oil is a popular option for people who fat-fast or follow a paleo or keto diet.

Founder David Asprey created this coffee recipe to promote Bulletproof Coffee in 2011. The theory is that blending grass-fed unsalted butter and MCT oil into your coffee can take the place of breakfast food. The added fats satiate the appetite, leaving you full and energized, ready to take on the day. As a bonus, butter coffee fans say it helps with mental clarity and eliminates mid-morning caffeine crash that many coffee drinkers know all too well.

bulletproof coffee in glass mugs

The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

The Bulletproof coffee recipe is very straightforward: brew coffee, then toss it in the blender with a bit of butter and MCT oil. The result is rich, slightly oily coffee with a creaminess similar to cappuccino and golden crema-like float on top. To make it even better, skip the drip coffee maker and brew an outstanding, boldly flavored coffee with pour-over, French press, or percolator brewers.

As Asprey has noted multiple times, you'll want to ease into the additives to see how they'll affect your system. Start with a tablespoon of butter and a teaspoon of MCT oil. If you like, gradually increase either to two tablespoons over a few days or weeks, following your body's tolerance and personal taste.

You can easily double the recipe for two people, though it is filling, so a serving each day is likely enough for one person. It's also fun to experiment with variations. For instance, switch to cold brew coffee, add sugar-free sweeteners, or create chocolate, vanilla, or other flavored versions of Bulletproof coffee.

"Part of keto and paleo diet trends, this bulletproof coffee recipe delivers a rich, creamy, delicious hot coffee drink with lots of healthy fats from the grass-fed butter and MCT oil. Bulletproof coffee is thought to boost energy, keep hunger at bay, and promote mental clarity. Since it's also delicious it's definitely worth a try!" —Joan Velush

Bulletproof Coffee/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (8-ounces) hot, freshly brewed black coffee

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons grass-fed unsalted butter or ghee, or to taste

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons MCT oil, or to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make bulletproof coffee

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

  2. In a blender, combine the coffee, butter, and MCT oil. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately.

    bulletproof coffee in a blender

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

Blender Warning

In a blender, hot ingredients can quickly create steam that may cause burns or splatter all over your kitchen. This is easily preventable: Avoid filling the blender more than one-third of the way and vent the top while covering it with a folded kitchen towel.

Tip

  • If you don't want to pull out a blender every morning, use a milk frother.
  • For a quieter morning experience, whisk the coffee in a bowl until the butter melts. Add the MCT oil and continue to whisk until the coffee gets frothy. Pour into a cup and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • Make cold-brew coffee, blend it with the butter and MCT oil, then serve it over ice for a refreshing iced coffee alternative.
  • Ghee (clarified butter) is a good alternative to grass-fed butter. Though it isn't as creamy and has a nuttier flavor, it is delicious in this coffee recipe and contains similar nutrients.
  • Sweeten your butter coffee with your favorite sugar-free sweetener (keto simple syrup is an excellent choice).
  • Add flavor with a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, flavored protein powder, or a sugar-free syrup (almond, caramel, chocolate, and hazelnut are perfect pairings for coffee). Alternatively, blend in 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.

How to Store

We don't recommend storing your bulletproof coffee. Instead, enjoy in the moment, as you would any coffee in order to experience the fullest flavor.

What Is MCT Oil?

MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. It's a popular dietary supplement that is said to help burn fat; the fat is absorbed directly by the liver and converted into energy rather quickly. Not only does this provide a boost of energy, but studies suggest that it helps people feel full, which decreases the appetite and may lead to weight loss. MCT oil is sold alongside other diet supplements in supermarkets, health food stores, and is available online. You'll find it in capsules, but the bottled liquid is much easier to add to food and drinks.

Is Grass-Fed Butter Healthier?

Several studies have examined the nutritional content of butter produced from cows raised in pastures compared to feedlot cattle. The milk and butter from dairy cattle who eat more grass, alfalfa, and similar foods in the field contain significantly higher levels of beneficial fatty acids (namely, conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, and Omega-3). In human diets, CLA is thought to have weight-loss and anti-inflammatory benefits, while Omega-3s are an energy source necessary for a healthy body and brain.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
287 Calories
32g Fat
0g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 287
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 22g 109%
Cholesterol 61mg 20%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 123mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)