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How to make bulletproof coffee, a rich and creamy coffee drink packed with healthy fats and popular within Keto and Paleo diets for weight loss. And all with just two base ingredients and 2 easy steps!
If the idea of enjoying coffee with butter makes you recoil, don’t worry; I had a similar first reaction. However, as an avid golden milk drinker for the past couple of years (which usually contains a spoonful of coconut oil and has a fantastic smooth and rich mouthfeel), I’ve come around. So, I took the plunge on this keto-friendly morning brew. Aka bulletproof coffee.
It isn’t just Keto dieters that can enjoy this butter coffee as a quick breakfast or pick-me-up, either. In fact, swapping it out with sugar-heavy drinks like orange juice is a great way to avoid sugar crashes, and the addition of butter helps to make a super foamy, creamy, rich butter coffee that any coffee lover would enjoy!
What’s in This Post
What Is Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof coffee (also called butter coffee or keto coffee) came about with the rise in interest in the Keto diet. It was originally promoted by Dave Asprey, the creator of the Bulletproof Diet (hence the name).
However, it is also permittable with other diets such as intermittent fasting, One Meal A Day (OMAD), and Paleo. It is a coffee drink combining coffee with a fat (usually butter or ghee), often with added MCT oil.
The combination of ingredients makes for an energizing beverage that can replace or supplement (I prefer the latter) a carb-heavy breakfast. It also keeps you satiated for longer and steadies energy levels, meant to help you avoid a typical “coffee crash” (thanks to the additional fats).
The Bulletproof Coffee Benefits
Learn how to make bulletproof coffee to provide a healthy energy boost and for starting your day right. Here are just a few potential benefits of this creamy butter coffee.
- The added fat will help to keep you satiated until your next meal.
- This also means reduced “snack” cravings, to potentially help lose weight.
- It also helps you to reach your keto fat macros.
- A sugar-free alternative to other breakfast drinks (like fruit juice and smoothies).
- Using MCT oil in coffee will help to boost brain function/mental clarity and keep you focused.
- MCT oil also reduces the risk of a coffee “energy crash,” providing a longer, steadier energy boost.
Did I mention that it’s also simple to make and delicious with a creamy, foamy mouthfeel from the added fat? Best of all, this bullet proof coffee recipe requires minimal ingredients.
Potential Downsides
While looking at the benefits, I think it’s also important to mention the potential downsides of this keto coffee drink.
It’s low nutrient: If you plan to replace breakfast with keto bulletproof coffee, then note that aside from fat and the micronutrients within that fat, this brew has little nutritional value. For that reason, I’d highly recommend only doing so occasionally or supplementing the coffee with a light breakfast.
It’s high in saturated fat: I won’t get into a debate on the benefits vs. potential pitfalls of a ketogenic diet. Instead, I’ll just point out that this recipe is high in saturated fats, which many health authorities advise limiting. Especially if you have elevated cholesterol levels.
If you plan to introduce this bullet coffee into your diet often, it may be worth contacting a medical professional to have occasional blood markers measured.
Bulletproof Coffee Recipe Ingredients
You need just two bulletproof coffee ingredients for the base recipe, with several optional add-ins (listed below).
- Coffee: You can use regular coffee or cold-brew coffee. I recommend medium or dark roast coffees and stick to high-quality coffee for the best flavor and results. Decaf would also work if necessary.
- Unsalted butter: I recommend organic, grass-fed butter (homemade or store-bought). Alternatively, grass-fed ghee or coconut oil (both Whole30 compliant) would work.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt will help to elevate the flavor, but it is technically optional.
What Else Could I Add?
You can play around with several potential add-ins in this bullet proof coffee recipe, whether to add more health benefits or flavor to make the best bulletproof coffee you can!
- MCT oil: I like to use a high-quality MCT oil (or brain octane oil) sourced from just coconuts.
MCT oil is a popular addition to a butter coffee recipe. Standing for “medium-chain triglycerides,” this ingredient (sourced from coconuts) is said to help boost ketone production by up to 4x the amount of coconut oil.
A bulletproof coffee recipe with coconut oil will help improve cognitive performance and provide sustained energy minus the coffee crash. Even better, it has no taste or odor, perfect for adding to coffee, smoothies, and more!
I recommend starting with just one teaspoon if you’re new to consuming this oil (to avoid stomach upset). You can then build up the amount over time to 1-2 tablespoons.
- Collagen protein: This healthy keto-friendly protein benefits skin and joint health and could add flavor if you use a vanilla or chocolate version.
- Creamer: If needed, rely on a Keto creamer (or the thick cream from a can of full-fat coconut milk) for a low-carb keto bullet coffee recipe. Otherwise, use the creamer of your choice for a richer, creamier drink.
For Flavor
- Sweetener: If you need some sweetness to make your morning brew palatable, then add a small amount of erythritol, stevia, or any other keto-friendly sweetener (including flavored syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel). If you aren’t keto, maple syrup and other unrefined sweeteners will work, too.
- Cacao powder: (or unsweetened cocoa powder) For a mocha bullet coffee with added antioxidants.
- Cinnamon: And/or other warming spices like nutmeg, cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, etc., to add extra flavor. Cayenne would also work. Combined with cinnamon and cacao, it makes for a delicious Mexican Mocha-style bulletproof coffee.
- Vanilla: Use real vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract to add subtle flavor to the bullet coffee.
- Nut butter: For additional heart-healthy fats and flavor, you could add a teaspoon of nut butter like hazelnut butter or almond butter to the butter coffee OR use it to replace the butter entirely.
How to Make Bulletproof Coffee
Learning how to make bulletproof coffee is particularly simple, requiring just a simple ingredient ratio and a blender or milk frother.
The Fat to Coffee Ratio
1 Tablespoon fat + 300ml (around 10oz but up to 12oz works) Coffee per serving
Once you have the ratio, all you need to do is:
- Brew 1 cup of black coffee using your favorite brew method (French press, pour-over, cold-brew, etc.).
- Add the butter and use a blender or milk frother (for around 20-30 seconds) to combine the prepared coffee and melted butter!
It should look like a creamy latte when it’s ready! Drink it immediately, as it doesn’t store well.
FAQs
The keto diet focuses on increasing fat intake while decreasing carbohydrate intake. This combination is said to induce a fat-burning state called ketogenesis, where the body uses its fat reserves when there isn’t enough energy from carb sources for improved weight loss.
This keto coffee is perfect for that as it’s high in fat and contains 0 carbs. More so, caffeine is naturally an appetite suppressant, too.
You can enjoy bullet proof coffee with hot coffee or as cold-brew coffee.
It’s traditional to enjoy this bullet coffee as either a replacement or supplement to a keto-friendly breakfast.
Many people consume butter coffee in place of a carb-heavy breakfast. However, depending on your macros/calorie goals (if you have any), you may also want to top that up with a light meal.
I recommend you always drink it alongside a small meal to ensure you’re not missing out on extra nutrients in your diet.
If you aren’t a fan of coffee, you can still take advantage of this keto-friendly beverage by turning to hot chocolate instead or other creamy hot drinks like a matcha latte.
More Warm Soothing Drinks
- Golden milk (turmeric milk)
- Healing mushroom coffee (adaptogen coffee)
- How to make chamomile tea
- Easy cinnamon tea
- How to make British tea
- Anti-inflammatory pineapple skin tea
If you try this easy bulletproof coffee recipe (butter coffee), I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
How to Make Bulletproof Coffee (Easy Steps)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 oz brewed coffee medium or dark roast is best; any brew method; cold brew also works
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter organic, grass-fed; OR ghee or coconut oil
- 1/8 tsp salt optional, but it elevates the flavor
Instructions
- Brew 1 cup of black coffee using your favorite brew method (French press, pour-over, cold-brew, etc.).
- Add the butter and use a blender or milk frother (for around 20-30 seconds) to combine the prepared coffee and melted butter!It should look like a creamy latte when it’s ready! Drink it immediately, as it doesn’t store well.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ingredients: While putting butter in your coffee might seem mad and unhealthy, it’s all about using the “right” butter. In this case, organic, grass-fed. This is far more nutrient-dense than other butter and margarine.
- For cold-brew keto coffee: Gently heat a small amount of the coffee to melt the butter, then add that back into the remaining cold-brew.
- Make sure to blend it enough: If you don’t correctly emulsify the fat and coffee, you’ll end up with a cup of coffee with a layer of fat over the top.
- Be careful when blending: If you’re using a traditional blender jug, hold the top down but allow the steam to vent occasionally, so steam doesn’t build up and blow the top off your jug.
- MCT oil: I like to use a high-quality MCT oil (or brain octane oil) sourced from just coconuts. See the blog post for more information on this oil.
- Collagen protein: This healthy keto-friendly protein benefits skin and joint health and could add flavor if you use a vanilla or chocolate version.
- Creamer: If needed, rely on a Keto creamer (or the thick cream from a can of full-fat coconut milk) for a low-carb keto coffee recipe. Otherwise, use the creamer of your choice for a richer, creamier drink.
- Sweetener: If you need some sweetness to make your morning brew palatable, then add a small amount of erythritol, stevia, or any other keto-friendly sweetener (including flavored syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel). If you aren’t keto, maple syrup and other unrefined sweeteners will work, too.
- Cacao powder: (or unsweetened cocoa powder) For a mocha bullet coffee with added antioxidants.
- Cinnamon: And/or other warming spices like nutmeg, cardamom, pumpkin pie spice, etc., to add extra flavor. Cayenne would also work. Combined with cinnamon and cacao, it makes for a delicious Mexican Mocha-style bulletproof coffee.
- Vanilla: Use real vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract to add subtle flavor to the bullet coffee.
- Nut butter: For additional heart-healthy fats and flavor, you could add a teaspoon of nut butter like hazelnut butter or almond butter to the butter coffee OR use it to replace the butter entirely.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
