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.

How much MCT oil should I add to my coffee? ›

It doesn't matter whether you grind your own coffee beans or purchase ground coffee, it's simply a matter of personal preference. Put 8-12 ounces of the hot coffee in a blender, add 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil, and either 1-2 teaspoons of ghee or 1-2 tablespoons of grass-fed, unsalted butter.

Is it OK to drink bulletproof coffee everyday? ›

“Bulletproof coffee is OK to drink in moderation if you want to,” Kopp says, “but I wouldn't recommend drinking it every day, especially if you have gastrointestinal problems, diabetes or a heart condition.” So, definitely don't skip your morning meal in favor of bulletproof coffee.

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.

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).

What are the side effects of keto coffee? ›

What are keto side effects?
  • Dehydration and muscle cramps. Storing carbs takes a lot of water, and storing fat doesn't. ...
  • Low energy. Your body's preferred source of energy is glucose from carbohydrates. ...
  • Trouble sleeping. ...
  • Constipation. ...
  • Diarrhea. ...
  • Brain fog. ...
  • Keto rash.
Nov 1, 2023

Can you overdo MCT oil? ›

Though medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is considered beneficial to the body, consuming excess amounts of it may lead to certain side effects, such as: MCT oil increases the level of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels in the body and leads to cardiovascular diseases.

Does MCT oil have a laxative effect? ›

MCT oil does have a natural laxative effect so may stimulate a bowel movement. It may also soften stool, easing any discomfort from constipation. Taking too much MCT oil may result in diarrhea so ensure you do not take more than the recommended daily amount.

Can I just stir MCT oil in coffee? ›

If you stir the coffee and butter/MCT, it will quickly separate out again. It's not very appealing. However, if you mix them VERY vigorously (in a blender), then you essentially restructure the fats so that they form tiny little bubbles that will stay in solution much longer.

What is the best time to drink bulletproof coffee? ›

Bulletproof coffee helps with weight loss: Drinking this first thing in the morning could aid in weight loss and boost metabolism to enhance your morning workouts and burn more calories. Coffee will also boost your metabolism overall, leading to increased weight loss during your morning workout.

Is ghee or butter better for bulletproof coffee? ›

Ghee contains many of the same nutrients that butter does, but it contains less casein and lactose. Ghee is more useful for cooking because you can heat it to such high temperatures. Grass Fed Ghee tastes amazing and complements everything from roasted vegetables to Bulletproof Coffee.

Is bulletproof coffee inflammatory? ›

According to research, MCTs (one of the main ingredients of bulletproof coffee) are metabolized quickly. This makes them an effective weight loss tool. Additionally, grass-fed butter has high levels of omega-3s, whose anti-inflammatory properties can improve energy levels, brain function, and gut health.

What cancels ketosis? ›

Eating more than 50 grams of carbs may disrupt ketosis.

With keto diets, however, carb restrictions vary from person to person. Some people can eat more and still stay in ketosis, whereas others may need to restrict their carb intake more in order to stay in ketosis.

What puts you in ketosis fastest? ›

Fasting for 12 hours is the fastest way to get into ketosis. 3 When you're initiating a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet, the fewer carbs you eat in the first 24 hours and the next few days, the more quickly your glycogen reserves will get depleted and the faster you'll get into ketosis.

What alcohol is keto? ›

Keto-friendly alcoholic drinks

Many low carb alcohol options are available if you follow a keto diet. For instance, pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, and vodka are all completely free of carbs. You can drink them straight or combine them with low carb mixers for more flavor.

Does MCT oil put you in ketosis? ›

How MCT Oil Increases Ketone Production. MCTs go directly to the liver, and it's here where they are converted into ketones through a process called ketogenesis. MCTs can help you stay in ketosis or get to ketosis faster, because they're a healthy source of fat and are less likely to be stored as body fat.

Why put butter in coffee on keto? ›

Butter coffee is said to boost mental clarity and improve cognitive function. If you're following a keto diet, your liver converts MCTs into ketones. These ketones are a key source of energy for your brain cells ( 19 ).

Can bulletproof coffee stall weight loss? ›

Bulletproof coffee could have anywhere from 200-400 calories, so keep that in mind if you drink this in addition to eating breakfast. It could lead to weight gain, so consider using it as a replacement for breakfast or have it as a midmorning snack.

Is half and half keto friendly? ›

There are plenty of keto-friendly milk options. Your best choices are unsweetened, plant-based milk alternatives — with the exception of rice and oat milks. Half-and-half and heavy cream are solid choices as well.

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