How to Make Coconut Butter - Easy Recipe! | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Sauces, Dressings and Seasonings How to Make Coconut Butter

by Lisa Bryan

59 Comments

Updated Apr 28, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

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Coconut butteris 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.

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Coconut Butter

You may not realize how incredibly easy it is to make coconut butter at home. So I’m here to tell you (and show you) just how easy it is. And the best part – it’s far more cost effective than buying it in the store.

What do you need to make coconut butter? Just one ingredient – shredded or flaked coconut.

By using the pure, raw flesh of the coconut you’ll have a creamy, smooth, rich coconut flavor spread that’s full of healthy fats, minerals and nutrients. You can then eat this straight from the jar or use it in numerous recipes – and I’ll give you a few ideas below.

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Tips for the Best Coconut Butter

  • When using your Vitamix to make coconut butter you need a minimum amount of shredded coconut in the blender to allow the blades to work properly. If you don’t have enough shredded coconut, you’ll just splat the ingredients to the side of the container and the blades will spin air. You need at least 6 cups of shredded or flaked coconut (though you can use up to 8 cups or a full container).
  • You can use shredded coconut or flaked coconut (both unsweetened), either works just fine. Though I’ve found coconut flakes tend to make for a slightly smoother finished product.
  • Remember that the tamper is your friend when it comes to many Vitamix recipes. Use the tamper to push the shredded coconut into the blades until a liquid has formed.
  • When you first start blending some coconut will get pushed to the sides. Just scrape down the sides halfway through to ensure all of the coconut is near the blades. If you feel that your coconut butter is too thick, you can add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to thin the mixture and help the blades.
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How to Make Coconut Butter in Your Vitamix

The benefits of making coconut butter in your Vitamix rather than a food processor is two-fold: 1) speed, and 2) smoothness.

It takes approximately 15-20 minutes to make coconut butter in a food processor and it takes 1 minute to make in a Vitamix. The power of the Vitamix motor also ensures an ultra creamy and smooth coconut butter. Far smoother than you’d ever get in a food processor.

In terms of consistency, the coconut butter will be fairly liquid immediately after its made, due to the heat and friction from blending. But it firms up as it cools. To soften it back up in the future, just place the glass container in a bowl of warm water and give it a stir.

What’s the Best Way to Store it?

Unlike homemade nut butters which need to be stored in the fridge to prevent them from going rancid, homemade coconut butter can be stored at room temperature. Just place it in a sealed container in the pantry. You can store it for several months.

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Ways To Use Coconut Butter

Coconut butter is frequently used in dessert recipes, like my Chocolate Peppermint Slice or Lemon Donuts with Blackberry Glaze. It can also be used when making fudge, ice creams, raw desserts and chocolate truffles.

Coconut butter can also be used in savory recipes such as curries and stews and dolloped on roasted veggies and sweet potatoes. It’s delicious as a spread on toast or added to your favorite green smoothie.

More Easy Vitamix Recipes to Make

  • Almond Butter
  • Cashew Milk
  • Almond Milk
  • Hummus
  • Basil Pesto
  • Tahini
  • Vegan Alfredo Sauce

How to Make Coconut Butter - Easy Recipe! | Downshiftology (6)

Easy Coconut Butter Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Prep: 2 minutes mins

Total: 2 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

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Description

Homemade coconut butter is extremely easy to make – it only takes one ingredient and one minute in your blender! Watch the video below to see how quickly it comes together.

Video

Ingredients

  • 6 cups unsweetened shredded coconut or flaked coconut
  • Optional: 1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

  • Add the shredded coconut or flaked coconut to your Vitamix. Add the lid, remove the cap and insert the tamper. Turn the Vitamix on high and use the tamper to push the coconut into the blades. You may need to scrape down the sides halfway through, then continue blending until it’s creamy. For a smoother consistency, you can add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.

  • Pour the coconut butter into a glass storage container and store in the pantry.

Lisa’s Tips

  • My favorite Vitamix blender (and the one I’m using) is the VitamixAscent 3500.
  • These are my favorite glass storage containers.
  • This recipe makes approximately 1 cup of coconut butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Sodium: 10mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: coconut butter, coconut butter recipe, how to make coconut butter

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

This post was created in partnership with Vitamix, a brand I’ve used and loved for years. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

How to Make Coconut Butter - Easy Recipe! | Downshiftology (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.

Do I need to refrigerate coconut butter? ›

It does not have to be refrigerated as it will get too cold and not be spreadable. In the cooler months, store coconut butter in a warm place in the kitchen but away from sunlight so that it is creamy and spreadable. While in storage, you may notice some oil separation.

Why is my coconut butter hard? ›

It will become very hard during storage. To use again, you will need to warm it first, so that it becomes a liquid again. To do this, heat the glass container for 15-30 seconds just until it is soft enough to stir it around. Stir until it becomes soft and chunky.

What is a substitute for coconut butter in baking? ›

If you're looking for a spread, then the best substitute for coconut butter is tahini or cashew butter or even simple plant-based butter will work well. They are both more neutral in flavor than say almond butter or peanut butter.

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 taste like real butter? ›

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.

What is the shelf life of homemade coconut butter? ›

Store homemade coconut butter in a sealed container or glass jar. There is no need to refrigerate it, and the coconut butter will last for at least a few months in the pantry… that is if you don't eat it all first!

How to tell if coconut butter is bad? ›

Once opened, it should be consumed within six to 15 months. Over time, signs that coconut butter has gone bad include changes in color, texture, or smell.

Why is my coconut butter brown? ›

Those clever folks over at Cooks Illustrated figured out that if you melt and cook the coconut butter, it becomes brown and nutty and delicious. Right out of the jar, it's almost pure white. Give it some heat and about 7 minutes and this is what happens.

Is coconut butter good for your skin? ›

There are various benefits to using coconut butter on the skin. Since coconut butter is high in fatty acids, it can keep the skin moisturized, reducing dry skin and wrinkles as a result. Coconut butter also contains lauric acid, which is a fatty acid that's known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

How much coconut oil is equal to 1 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.

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.

What's the difference between coconut cream and 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.

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

Coconut oil is made entirely of fat, mostly saturated. One tablespoon has around 14 grams. Coconut butter is made from the whole coconut, so it also contains saturated fat, around 10 grams per tablespoon. It has nutrients coconut oil doesn't, most notably fiber.

Is cocoa butter and coconut butter the same? ›

Cocoa butter has a mildly sweet flavor and aroma that is reminiscent of chocolate; the scent is stronger than the taste. It is never eaten on its own but only used as an ingredient in recipes. The texture of coconut butter is like coconut oil and coconut butter combined.

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