How to Make Coconut Butter (2024)

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Coconut butter is a creamy coconut spread made from dried coconut. It can be quite expensive to buy at the store, but you can make it at home in just minutes!

How to Make Coconut Butter (1)

What is coconut butter? Just like peanut butter is made from ground peanuts, and almond butter is made from ground almonds, coconut butter is made from ground coconut.

Be sure to use shredded, unsweetened coconut for the best results. (Not the flaked sweetened coconut commonly used in baking.) This spread is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, and since it has no added sugar, it’s also Paleo and Keto-friendly.

How to Make Coconut Butter (2)

How to Make Coconut Butter

Add 16 ounces of shredded unsweetened coconut to a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade. (I use a 12-cup machine.) Don’t use less than this amount unless you have a smaller machine, as there won’t be enough quantity to keep everything blending smoothly.

Secure the lid on the machine and start processing. It will take 5 to 10 minutes of blending for the coconut to change into a butter-like consistency.

How to Make Coconut Butter (3)

Stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula as needed, to make sure no coconut flakes are missed.

Once the coconut butter looks smooth and will drip off of a spoon, it’s ready to use. Don’t be surprised if it has a slightly fibrous texture when you taste it; this is simply the nature of coconut butter.

How to Make Coconut Butter (4)

Transfer the homemade coconut butter to a jar with a lid. Coconut butter can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month at room temperature, or for up to 3 months in the fridge. It will harden when chilled, but you can warm it up to make it pourable again.

Storage Tip: Keep moisture out of your coconut butter jar for the longest shelf life. Don’t add any additional flavorings and always use a clean, dry utensil to remove the coconut butter, so you won’t introduce any moisture or bacteria into the jar.

How to Make Coconut Butter (5)

Note: If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix) to make coconut butter instead. Be sure to use a machine with a tamper, so the coconut will be pushed towards the blades often when you blend it.

How to Use Coconut Butter

Coconut butter can be used as a spread on toast, waffles, and pancakes. Drizzle it over a bowl of oatmeal to make it more filling or over your favorite desserts.

It can also be used as a swap for nut butters in many cases! I don’t recommend adding it to smoothies, however, as the coconut butter will harden when chilled and may make the texture unappealing.

To reduce the oil or butter in a recipe, you can replace up to half the amount called for with coconut butter. This will add extra fiber to the recipe, so it may taste slightly “healthier” in that case.

If you’d like to use coconut butter in a recipe, start with Coconut Macaroons or swap it for almond butter in Chocolate Coconut Macaroons.

Note: I’ve replaced the coconut oil in my Vegan Fudge recipe with coconut butter, and results were not bad! (It’s a little less melt-in-your mouth with the extra fiber added.) While I might not make it this way for guests, my family devoured it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter?

Coconut oil is extracted from the plant, so it has no fiber and is in liquid form when melted. Coconut butter is made from pulverized coconut, so it includes the fiber and has a thicker texture, similar to a nut or seed butter.

Does coconut butter get hard?

Yes, just like coconut oil, coconut butter is solid when it’s cooler than 78ºF. You can warm it up again for easier measuring and mixing.

What does coconut butter taste like?

Coconut butter tastes like straight coconut. It’s lightly sweet and nutty, and I find it to be very pleasant! But, if you’re not a coconut fan, this recipe probably isn’t for you.

Looking for more coconut flavor? Try Coconut Flour Brownies, Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream, and Coconut Panna Cotta.

How to Make Coconut Butter (6)

How to Make Coconut Butter

4.75 from 8 votes

Coconut butter is a creamy coconut spread made from dried coconut. It can be quite expensive to buy at the store, but you can make it at home in just minutes!

prep10 mins cook0 mins total10 mins

Servings:16

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Ingredients

  • 16 ounces shredded unsweetened coconut (about 4 1/2 cups)

Instructions

  • Pour the shredded coconut into the bowl of a large food processor (I use a 12-cup machine) fitted with an "S" blade. Secure the lid and begin processing. After 5 minutes, stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl, to make sure everything is incorporated evenly. (You mustn't use less than 16 ounces of coconut unless you have a much smaller food processor.)

  • Continue processing, until the coconut looks pulverized, almost like a paste. After 2 to 3 more minutes, it should have a drippy consistency, with a slightly grainy appearance.

  • Continue processing the coconut, until you hear a "sloshing" sound. This is a sign that the coconut butter is much smoother. It may still feel slightly grainy when you taste it, but it should easily drip off of a spoon. It should take 10 minutes or less to achieve this texture, from start to finish.

  • Store the coconut butter in a sealed glass jar at room temperature for up to a month. Be sure to avoid adding any moisture to the jar for best shelf life, and you can store it for up to 3 months in the fridge, if you prefer. Please note that it will turn solid if stored in a cool place. You can set the jar in a bowl of hot water or melt it over a double-boiler to use it again.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 ounce of coconut butter, or roughly 2 tablespoons. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: vegan

Keyword: Coconut Butter

If you try this coconut butter recipe, please leave a comment below letting me know how it works out for you!

How to Make Coconut Butter (7)

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

Read More

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How to Make Coconut Butter (2024)

FAQs

What is coconut butter made of? ›

Coconut butter is simply shredded coconut turned into creamy coconut butter. It's just one ingredient – shredded coconut – and only takes one minute with a high-powered blender, like my favorite Vitamix.

Can you whip coconut oil into butter? ›

Note: Do not melt the coconut oil first. It will only whip up if it is solid. Whip on high speed with a wire whisk for 6-7 minutes or until whipped into a light, airy consistency. Spoon the whipped coconut oil body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly.

Is creamed coconut the same as coconut butter? ›

Creamed coconut, also known as coconut butter, is a coconut product made from the unsweetened dehydrated fresh pulp of a mature coconut, ground to a semi-solid white creamy paste. It is sold in the form of a hard white block which can be stored at room temperature.

Is coconut butter good or bad for you? ›

Coconut butter is a rich source of medium-chain fatty acids. Unlike long-chain fatty acids, the burning of this fat supports energy generation inside the body making it a metabolism booster. It increases calorie burn and energy levels at the same time.

Is coconut butter healthier than olive oil? ›

Olive Oil Is Healthier and More Nutritious

That is because it is rich in good fat (polyunsaturated fat) and low in bad fat (saturated fat). Coconut oil contains 80 to 90 percent saturated fat. According to the experts, a tablespoon of coconut oil contains about six times as much saturated fat as olive oil.

Does coconut butter get hard? ›

A: Coconut oil and coconut butter hardens as the temperature drops, it will be soft and smooth when it warms up again. It does not effect the products flavor or usefulness.

Does coconut butter go bad? ›

How long will the coconut butter keep? Although we don't have any preservatives, coconut butter is naturally very stable and has a shelf life of a year or more, although we've never met anyone who was able to keep it around that long!

How much coconut oil do I put in a stick of butter? ›

A good rule of thumb is to replace about 3/4 of the butter in a recipe with olive, canola, or vegetable oil. (If the recipe calls for 1 cup butter, use ¾ cup oil.) You can use a 1:1 ratio when it comes to coconut oil.

Where can I find cream of coconut in the grocery store? ›

You'll sometimes find cream of coconut—including brands like Coco López and Coco Reàl—near the mixers in your grocery store, but if you don't see them, the cans can also be ordered online.

What is a good substitute for coconut butter? ›

If you can't find coconut butter and don't need to make the cake vegan then you can use normal unsalted butter as an alternative. To keep the cake vegan you can also use a plant-based margarine as an alternative. For both of these alternatives use the same quantity as for the coconut butter.

What is another name for coconut butter? ›

Coconut butter is often referred to as creamed coconut. That's a fitting name, because it's really just coconut that's been blended until it's creamy.

Does coconut butter taste like regular butter? ›

Coconut butter is similar to nut butter in concept – it's dried desiccated coconut ground down, until it releases its oils and becomes a buttery paste. It tastes quite naturally sweet, and almost has a fudge or shortbread type texture to it.

Can vegans eat coconut butter? ›

ZERO CHOLESTEROL - Coconut butter has no cholesterol, and is great as part of a keto and vegan diet.

What's the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter? ›

Coconut oil is JUST the oil that is extracted from the meat. Coconut butter is the whole meat of the coconut pureed into a creamy butter. And just a little FYI, coconut meat (by nature) is approximately 65% oil.

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