Bulletproof Coffee: What It Is and How to Make It
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Bulletproof coffee is hot brewed coffee blended with unsalted butter (usually grass-fed) and MCT oil until it turns frothy and creamy, like a latte without milk. The name comes from the Bulletproof brand founded by Dave Asprey, who published his buttered coffee recipe online in 2009. To make it, blend 1 cup of hot coffee with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of MCT oil for about 20 seconds.
Below we cover where the drink came from, exactly how to make it, how many calories it adds, and a few common mistakes. One note up front: this is a recipe and flavor guide. We are not making any health claims about butter coffee.
What Is Bulletproof Coffee?
At its core, bulletproof coffee is a three-ingredient drink:
- Coffee: freshly brewed, hot and fairly strong.
- Butter or ghee: unsalted, often from grass-fed cows, for a rich, creamy flavor.
- MCT oil: a flavorless oil made of medium-chain triglycerides, usually derived from coconut or palm kernel oil.
The key is the blender. Simply stirring butter into coffee leaves an oily slick on top. Blending emulsifies the fat into tiny droplets suspended in the coffee, which creates a thick, foamy, cappuccino-like texture. That texture is a big part of why people enjoy it.
“Bulletproof” is technically a brand name, so you will also see the drink called butter coffee, buttered coffee or keto coffee.
Where Did Bulletproof Coffee Come From?
Butter and tea have been combined for centuries in the Himalayas. Tibetan butter tea, made by churning tea with yak butter and salt, is a traditional everyday drink in the region. According to his Wikipedia biography, American entrepreneur Dave Asprey drank yak-butter tea while traveling in Tibet, experimented with buttered drinks after returning home, and posted his buttered coffee recipe on his blog in 2009. He later founded the Bulletproof company in 2013.
The drink spread quickly through the low-carb and keto communities in the 2010s and is now a regular sight in home kitchens and some cafés. It is worth knowing that many claims made about it over the years, such as boosts to brainpower, have been questioned by dietitians, who point out that any alertness you feel is the caffeine at work.
How to Make Bulletproof Coffee
Makes one 8 to 10 oz (240 to 300 ml) mug.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz / 240 ml) hot, freshly brewed coffee
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter or ghee
- 1 tsp to 1 tbsp (5 to 15 ml) MCT oil
- Optional: a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Brew your coffee using your usual method. French press, drip and pour-over all work. Brew a little stronger than normal, since fat softens coffee flavor.
- Warm the blender jar with hot water for a few seconds, then empty it. This keeps the drink hot.
- Add the hot coffee, butter and MCT oil to the blender.
- Vent the lid (most blenders have a removable center cap) and cover it with a folded towel. Hot liquids expand when blended.
- Blend on medium-high for 15 to 20 seconds, until a thick layer of foam forms.
- Pour into a mug and drink right away, while the emulsion holds.
No blender? A handheld milk frother or immersion blender works well. Shaking in a sealed jar is not recommended with hot liquid.
Start Small With MCT Oil
If you have never used MCT oil, begin with 1 teaspoon and work up over several days. Many people find that a full tablespoon right away upsets their stomach.
An Honest Note on Bulletproof Coffee Calories
Black coffee has almost no calories. Butter coffee is a different story, because both butter and oil are pure fat. Here are typical approximate values; check the labels of the products you use.
| Ingredient | Amount | Approx. calories |
|---|---|---|
| Black coffee | 8 oz (240 ml) | About 2 |
| Unsalted butter | 1 tbsp (14 g) | About 100 |
| MCT oil | 1 tbsp (15 ml) | About 100 to 130, depending on brand |
| Total, classic recipe | 1 mug | About 200 to 230 |
| Double butter version | 2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp MCT | About 300 to 330 |
In other words, a mug of bulletproof coffee carries roughly the calories of a small meal, almost entirely from fat, much of it saturated fat from the butter. That is not good or bad in itself, but it is something to factor in if you watch your intake or follow advice from a doctor or dietitian. For comparison with other additions, see our breakdown of how many calories are in coffee. And if you drink it during a fast, note that butter coffee is not the same as black coffee in that context; our article on whether black coffee breaks a fast explains the difference.
Best Coffee for Bulletproof Coffee
Because butter and oil coat the palate, a timid coffee gets lost. Bold, full-bodied beans with chocolate and caramel notes work best.
- Dark roasts stay recognizable through the fat and give a rich, toasty flavor.
- Medium-dark blends keep some sweetness and body without tasting burnt.
- Bright, fruity light roasts can taste oddly sour against butter, so save them for black coffee.
Freshness matters too. Freshly roasted beans brewed within a few weeks bring the aroma and sweetness that make a buttery mug taste rich rather than greasy.
Variations and Common Mistakes
Easy Variations
- Ghee coffee: ghee has a nutty, toasted flavor and is a common choice for people who avoid milk solids.
- Coconut oil instead of MCT: cheaper and easy to find, with a light coconut flavor. It is less neutral than MCT oil.
- Spiced: blend in 1/4 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of cardamom or a little cocoa powder.
- Iced: blend the hot version first, then pour over plenty of ice immediately. Cold butter re-solidifies, so drink it fast.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Stirring instead of blending: you will get an oil slick, not a creamy drink.
- Salted butter: the salt is noticeable. Use unsalted.
- Weak coffee: the fat mutes flavor, so brew strong.
- Letting it sit: the emulsion breaks as the drink cools.
Bulletproof Coffee FAQ
Does bulletproof coffee taste like butter?
Not really. When properly blended it tastes like a rich, creamy, slightly nutty latte. The butter flavor is subtle, especially with a bold roast. Stirred instead of blended, it does taste greasy.
Can I use regular butter?
Yes. Grass-fed butter is popular because of its flavor and color, but any good unsalted butter emulsifies the same way. The taste difference is small once blended into strong coffee.
How much caffeine does bulletproof coffee have?
The same as the coffee you brew; butter and MCT oil add none. For reference, the FDA lists 12 oz of brewed coffee at roughly 113 to 247 mg and advises up to 400 mg a day for most healthy adults. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition or take medication, ask your doctor.
Is bulletproof coffee keto?
The classic recipe has essentially no carbs, which is why it became popular with people following keto diets. Adding sweeteners or milk changes that.
Make Your Own Butter Coffee
Bulletproof coffee is simple once you know the trick: strong, hot coffee, good butter, a little MCT oil and a quick blend. Treat it as a rich, occasional indulgence and be honest with yourself about the calories. For a bold base that stays front and center under the butter, try our dark roast 6 Bean Blend or the smoky French Roast, or explore our best sellers. Every Feel Espresso order is roasted 1 to 5 days before delivery.