Bulletproof Coffee - Brain Boosting Keto Coffee Recipe (2024)

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You’ve never had a coffee like this! Unbelievably rich and creamy, our version ofKeto Bulletproof Coffee Recipe will be your go-to pick me up! Only 3 ingredients and ZERO carbs!

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Keto Bulletproof Coffee

I don’t feel completely ready to start the day until I’ve had my morning coffee. But if I drink coffee on an empty stomach, I tend to feel light-headed.

That’s why I love bulletproof coffee – the butter and coconut oil provide some serious substance so you don’t get the “coffee jitters!”

I know what you might be thinking…butter?!

I was skeptical too until I tried it!

After my first cup of keto coffee, Igot it.

I really did feel “bulletproof!” I had so much energy and I actually felt satisfied…I wasn’t hungry again until lunchtime. That was a total lifesaver in the early days when I was trying to avoid the keto flu!

And the foam, oh the foam! Just heavenly!

I don’t know if I’ll ever look at coffee the same!

Related: Try our decadent Keto Vanilla Latte too!

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What is Bulletproof Coffee?

The name “Bulletproof Coffee” is actually trademarked by the people behind the Bulletproof Diet (more on that in a minute), but it’s a term that’s become super common to describe a keto coffee made with butter and coconut oil. Kind of like when people say “Kleenex” when they’re referring to tissues.

I usually say bulletproof coffee out of habit, but just so ya know, I’m not associated with or paid by that company. I just really really like their drink idea so much that I wanted to make my own recipe for bulletproof coffee!

So what exactly IS bulletproof coffee or keto butter coffee or whatever it’s called??

Bulletproof Coffee is a low-carb, high fat coffee drink created to be a breakfast replacement. It’s a coffee with substance that you can drink before breakfast without getting caffeine jitters.

Describing a drink as hight fat or high calorie sounds like it would be a bad thing, but on the keto diet, fat is our friend! That’s because when the body is in ketosis, it burns fat for fuel!

Traditional keto coffee contains 3 ingredients:

  1. Black coffee
  2. Butter
  3. MCT Oil or Coconut Oil

Coffee —Provides caffeine, which provides energy (yay!) and a metabolism boost (double yay!)

Butter — Supplies the fats our body uses as fuel in ketosis (more energy!) and delicious creamy texture that will remind you of a decadent latte.

Coconut Oil or MCT Oil — Is a source of MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) which are metabolized quickly by the liver for lasting energy and increased focus. More on that below…

What is MCT Oil?

MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride, which is a type of “good fat” that your body converts to fuel when you’re in ketosis.

What is the Difference Between MCT Oil and Coconut Oil?

MCT oil is often derived from coconut oil, though there are other food-based sources. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides, but in relatively small amounts.

MCT oil is popular with keto dieters because it is highly concentrated and thought to provide more fat burning and brain boosting properties.2

That translates to increased energy, faster weight loss, and focus!

You can use coconut oil interchangeably for MCT oil in our keto bulletproof coffee recipe. Because MCT oil contains more MCTs (hence the name), it is usually more expensive.

Coconut oil still provides many of the nutritional benefits of MCT oil, at a lower cost.

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What Does Bulletproof Mean?

The term “bulletproof” comes from the Bulletproof Diet, created by Dave Asprey. The goal of the Bulletproof Dietis “biohacking” our bodies and brains into performing at full capacity.

The Bulletproof Diet is similar to the Keto Diet in that it is high-fat and low-carb; however, there is more focus on food quality and cooking methods.

Most (if not all) “bulletproof” recipes, like this Bulletproof Coffee Recipe, will be keto-friendly. However, all keto recipes are not necessarily bulletproof.

Related: Try our Bulletproof Iced Coffee too!

Why I Love This Bulletproof Coffee Recipe:

  • Keeps you feeling full
  • LOTS of energy
  • Jump-starts brain function
  • Lactose free
  • Ready in minutes

What You’ll Need:

For your convenience in re-creating our Keto Bulletproof Coffee recipe at home, we’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products and supplies used. Read our disclosure policy here.

  • High powered blender
  • Coffee — Black coffee only!
  • Unsalted Butter — Stick with unsalted butter or you’ll have a very salty tasting drink!
  • Coconut Oil orMCT oil — The traditional bulletproof coffee recipe uses MCT oil, but you can substitute with coconut oil if that’s what you have on hand, or for a cheaper option.

The original bulletproof coffee recipe is made with special coffee beans, grass-fed butter, and something the official Bulletproof people call “brain octane oil,” which is essentially their own specific version of MCT oil.

My version of a bulletproof coffee recipe uses whatever coffee I have on hand (usually espresso because I like it strong), regular ol’ butter, and coconut oil.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on fancy ingredients to reap the benefits of bulletproof coffee with this homemade keto coffee recipe!

KETO FAQ – Learn More

  • What is Keto?
  • How many carbs can you eat on keto?
  • Keto-friendly Food List
  • What is the Keto flu and how to avoid it?
  • What is a Targeted Keto Diet?
  • 8 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight on Keto
  • What are the Best Keto Sweeteners?

How to Make Keto Coffee at Home

First, I soften my butter and coconut oil in the microwave before adding to the blender with coffee. This helps everything mix up faster and smoother.

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The classic bulletproof coffee recipe contains MCT oil, but I substituted with coconut oil here because it is more readily available. You’ll still get brain-boosting benefits plus all the wonderful properties of coconut oil! (It’s my favorite oil!)

You only need to blend the bullet coffee for about a minute or so, until all ingredients are well mixed.

Whisking by hand won’t work as well because the fats don’t emulsify. That means instead of a delicious frothy foam on top, there would be a layer of oil. Not quite as tasty…

To achieve that luxurious foam and the creamy taste that a keto butter coffee is meant to have, you’ve got to use a blender or a milk frother. Ask me how I know… 😉

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We’ve tried a few different blenders and by far the Vitamix outperforms them all (more than one of our previous blenders burned up doing normal food prep). You can get a really good deal on arefurbished Vitamix– that’s how we bought ours and it’s worked like a dream!

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Related: Click here to see ALL of our favorite keto coffee recipes!

Free Printable Copy of Our Keto Bulletproof Coffee Recipe:

If you like this recipe, rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Keto Bulletproof Coffee Recipe

You've never had a coffee like this! Unbelievably rich and creamy, this Keto Bulletproof Coffee Recipe will be your go-to pick me up! Only 3 ingredients and ZERO carbs!

Prep Time1 min

Cook Time1 min

Total Time2 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bulletproof, coffee, gluten free, keto, lactose free

Servings: 1 serving

Calories: 223kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Coffee
  • 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

Instructions

  • Brew coffee.

  • Soften butter and coconut oil in microwave (about 20 seconds).

  • Combine coffee, butter, and coconut oil in blender and blend until frothy (about 1 minute).

  • Pour into mug and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 111mg | Vitamin A: 350IU

Pin our Keto Bulletproof Coffee Recipe on Pinterest:

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You might also like:

Low Carb Strawberry Lemonade

Bulletproof Coffee - Brain Boosting Keto Coffee Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is bulletproof coffee good on keto? ›

For those following a low-carb, high-fat diet, bulletproof coffee fits the ketogenic style of eating because it contains no carbs and the body converts the MCT oil to ketones. This effect is thought to be more effective in the absence of a meal.

Is bulletproof coffee good for the brain? ›

The combination of caffeine and saturated fats in bulletproof coffee provides an immediate boost in concentration and mental acuity that can help enhance productivity. The fats provide an additional source of sustained energy that can help fuel longer periods of focus.

What is a substitute for MCT oil in bulletproof coffee? ›

And MCT oil is one of the ingredients in a bulletproof cup of joe. (You can put coconut oil in there, if you prefer.) There's another important ingredient. Most keto coffee recipes call for the addition of some grass-fed butter (unsalted butter is preferable) or ghee (a form of clarified butter).

What can I put in my coffee to stay in ketosis? ›

Easy Keto Coffee Recipe

Most keto coffee recipes are based on Asprey's original bulletproof coffee recipe: Combine a cup of hot coffee (decaf is fine), 1-2 teaspoons of MCT oil, and 1-2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter or ghee. Blend for 30 seconds so the MCT oil and coffee will combine.

Who shouldn t drink bulletproof coffee? ›

While saturated fat can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in reasonable amounts, it may be harmful in massive doses. If you're worried about saturated fat or high cholesterol levels, consider limiting your intake of Bulletproof coffee or avoiding it altogether. Bulletproof coffee is high in saturated fat.

Is it okay to drink bulletproof coffee every day? ›

Consuming too much saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and may cause your LDL cholesterol (sometimes called “bad” cholesterol) levels to spike. “Bulletproof coffee is very high in calories and saturated fats, so this drink isn't necessarily safe to be consuming every day,” Kopp states.

Which coffee is best for brain? ›

Dark roast coffee has an increase in phenylindanes, which creates a harsh, bitter flavor. The levels of this compound in dark roast coffees have been found to combat the formation of toxic proteins tau and beta-amyloid that build up in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

When should you not drink bulletproof coffee? ›

You're Eating a High-Caloric Diet

“Even though butter (or other Bulletproof coffee ingredients) does not contain any carbs, it is quite high in both fat and calories per serving,” says Beverly Friedmann, rom My Food Subscriptions.

What are the side effects of MCT oil in coffee? ›

Even in lower amounts, consuming too much MCT oil can lead to digestive side effects for some people. These include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and bloating. To reduce side effects, some people may need to start with smaller amounts and slowly increase MCT intake over time (64).

Can I skip butter in bulletproof coffee? ›

You don't have to use ghee or butter in your bulletproof coffee to reap the same benefit! The majority of the time, I use coconut oil only and skip the ghee or butter.

Can I just take coconut oil instead of MCT oil? ›

Can you substitute coconut oil for MCT oil? While coconut oil isn't a pure source of medium-chain triglycerides (because it also contains LCTs), it may serve as a good replacement for supporting weight loss and overall health. However, keep in mind that MCT oil is best for speeding up nutritional ketosis.

Can I just use coconut oil instead of MCT oil? ›

People can use both MCT oil and coconut oil in a variety of ways. Research suggests that MCT oils may be better for aiding weight loss, while people can use coconut oil for beauty applications.

Is cream or milk better for keto coffee? ›

Milk and creamers

If you want to add some creaminess to your coffee, your keto diet welcomes a big dollop of heavy cream, so go ahead, no need to feel guilty. Another option – one that is considered essential to the Bulletproof diet – is grass-fed butter or ghee.

What puts you in ketosis fastest? ›

Fasting for 12 hours is the fastest way to get into ketosis.

Does coffee with milk break ketosis? ›

“Both coffee and tea are low in carbs and can be enjoyed on a keto diet as long as they are unsweetened,” says Winnifred, noting that adding a bit of dairy milk or cream is fine as long as you stay within your daily carb limit. For those following a keto diet, feel free to drink unsweetened plant-based milks, too.

How many carbs does bulletproof coffee have? ›

A 'bulletproof coffee' delivers about 441 calories, 51 grams of fat (80% of which are saturated fat, which dietary guidance says to limit), and not much else. Bulletproof coffee also comes with 0 grams of carbs or fiber and a lowly 1 gram of protein.

Does MCT oil put you in ketosis? ›

Your body can convert MCTs into ketones, which provide a fat-based source of energy for the body when carbohydrate intake is low ( 14 ). If you're following a ketogenic diet, taking MCT oil could possibly help you stay in the fat-burning state known as ketosis.

Why put butter in coffee on keto? ›

Also, while there's no evidence to suggest that butter coffee can help you reach a state of ketosis quicker, it can provide additional fuel in the form of ketones for those in ketosis. Still, it may not raise your blood ketone levels any more than eating MCT oil alone.

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