Keto Bulletproof Coffee
Published August 4, 2019 • Updated February 21, 2026
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I've been making this every morning since 2013. Bulletproof coffee (grass-fed butter, MCT oil, and fresh brewed coffee blended until frothy) keeps me full and focused straight through to lunch.

I’ve been starting my mornings with this coffee for over ten years, and I still look forward to it every single day. Bulletproof coffee is freshly brewed coffee blended with grass-fed butter and MCT oil until it turns into a rich, frothy drink that honestly tastes like a latte. No cream, no milk, no sugar. Just healthy fat and coffee, and it keeps me full until lunch without even thinking about food.
The concept behind butter coffee is simple. You brew your favorite coffee (or espresso), toss in a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of MCT oil, and blend for about 30 seconds. That’s it. The blending is what creates that creamy foam on top, and I promise it does not taste like you just dropped a stick of butter in a mug. The texture is smooth, almost velvety.
I started making this when I went keto back in 2012, and it solved my biggest morning problem: I was never hungry for breakfast but needed something to keep my energy steady. This was the answer. The fats from the butter and MCT oil are absorbed quickly and used as fuel rather than stored, so you get a sustained energy boost on top of the caffeine. No crash at 10 AM. No reaching for snacks by 11.
If you’re new to MCT oil, start with one teaspoon and work your way up to a full tablespoon over a week or two. I learned this the hard way. Too much MCT oil on an empty stomach can cause digestive issues, and nobody wants that first thing in the morning. Your body adjusts, but give it time.
One thing I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make your own variations. I keep mine plain most mornings, but when I want something different, I’ll make a keto mocha or try a dalgona coffee with whipped topping. When the weather gets hot, I pour everything over ice or go all out with a keto frappuccino. And on cold winter mornings, a peppermint white mocha is hard to beat.
For anyone following a keto diet, this is the ideal morning drink. Zero carbs, 37 grams of healthy fats, and enough sustained energy to power through the whole morning. I genuinely cannot imagine starting my day any other way.
How to make butter coffee
- Brew coffee using your favorite beans or method. I use a standard drip maker, but pour-over and espresso both work.
- Pour the hot coffee into a blender. Add grass-fed butter and MCT oil.
- Blend for about 30 seconds until a thick, frothy head forms. This step is everything. Stirring won’t do it. You need the blending action to emulsify the fat into the coffee.
If you don’t have a blender, a handheld milk frother works. I keep one in my travel bag for mornings away from home. It doesn’t get quite as frothy, but it mixes everything well enough.
The key is blending, not stirring. When the fat gets properly emulsified, the drink turns creamy and smooth with a foam layer on top. Skip the blending and you end up with an oily film floating on your coffee.
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Ingredients
8 ounces of fresh brewed coffee or espresso
2 tablespoons unsalted, grass fed butter
1 tablespoon MCT oil or coconut oil
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
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Get My Macros (Free) →Frequently Asked Questions
What is in bulletproof coffee?
Three ingredients are all I use: fresh brewed coffee, a tablespoon of grass-fed butter, and a tablespoon of MCT oil. I blend everything together for about 30 seconds until it gets frothy and creamy, almost like a latte. Some people swap coconut oil for the MCT oil, and that works fine, but I prefer pure MCT for the sharper energy boost.
How many cups can I drink per day?
I stick to one bulletproof in the morning, and that's plenty for me. Each cup has around 300 calories from the butter and oil alone, so multiple cups add up fast. On especially long days, I'll make a second cup in the early afternoon with slightly less butter and oil. But most days, one cup keeps me satisfied straight through to lunch.
Does butter coffee break a fast?
Technically, yes. The butter and MCT oil contain calories and fat, which triggers some insulin response. That said, I drink mine during my intermittent fasting window and still see results because the fat keeps me from eating actual meals until noon or later. If you're doing a strict water-only fast, skip the butter and oil. But if you follow a fat-fast approach where pure fat is allowed, this fits right in.
Should I start with less MCT oil if I'm new to it?
I always tell people to start with one teaspoon, not a full tablespoon. When I first tried MCT oil, I went straight to a tablespoon and my stomach let me know that was a mistake. Your body needs time to adjust to processing that much concentrated fat at once. Start small, give it a week, then gradually increase. Most people I've talked to can handle the full tablespoon within two weeks.
Can I use ghee instead of butter?
I've used ghee plenty of times, and it works well. Ghee is clarified butter with the milk solids removed, so it's a solid option if dairy bothers your stomach. The coffee still gets creamy and frothy when blended. The flavor is slightly different (a little nuttier), but I actually like the change. My one note is that ghee tends to be pricier than regular butter, so I save it for days when I know dairy won't sit well.
Can I use coconut oil instead of MCT oil?
You can, and I did for my first year before switching to pure MCT oil. Coconut oil contains MCTs naturally, but it's only about 55-65% medium-chain fats. The rest are longer-chain fats that don't convert to energy as quickly. So you'll still get some of the benefits, but the effect is milder. I also find that coconut oil leaves a slight coconut flavor in the coffee, which I don't mind but some people do. If you're just getting started and don't want to buy a separate MCT oil, coconut oil is a fine place to begin.
Is this meant to replace breakfast?
For me, yes. I drink my cup around 7 AM and don't eat solid food until noon or later. With 37 grams of fat per serving, it's calorie-dense enough to function as a meal. I used to force myself to eat breakfast even when I wasn't hungry, and switching to keto coffee was one of the best changes I made. That said, if you're someone who needs solid food in the morning, you can have this alongside your meal. Just factor in the extra calories.






This coffee is delicious! Its the best thing that I've put into my mouth since I started keto!! How many would be too many in a day?! Lol thank you
I stick to one. Each cup is close to 300 calories just from the butter and oil, so a second one adds up quick. On a really long day I'll make another around noon, but that's about as far as I go.