How to Make Coconut Butter
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Learn how to make coconut butter at home in your blender or food processor! Once you figure out how easy, inexpensive and delicious it is you’re going to want to spread coconut butter on everything.
Ohh coconut butter! This delicious spread made from coconut meat. You’re likely familiar with peanut butter and coconut butter is basically the same sort of thing, just made with coconut instead of peanuts. You can enjoy it the same way you’d enjoy any nut butter: as a spread for bread, as a dip for your favorite fruit, in smoothies, protein balls or simply by the spoonful.
I was first introduced to coconut butter a few years ago when I stumbled upon a raw dessert recipe that called for it. I searched my local grocery stores without much success and ultimately just ended up figuring out how to make my own coconut butter at home.
Now you can find coconut butter at almost any natural grocery store (or order it online). That said, one jar can set you back around $15 so making your own is an easy and inexpensive alternative.
Coconut Butter vs. Coconut Oil
Before we get started with how to make coconut butter I just want to point out that there is a BIG difference between coconut butter and coconut oil and they’re used for different things.
Coconut butter is made by grinding dried coconut meat into a paste. So a jar of coconut butter is the pureed meat but it has some coconut oil in there too — just like almond butter has a little almond oil in it.
Coconut oil on the other hand is JUST the oil that’s been extracted from the coconut meat.
When you think of it like almond butter and almond oil or tahini and sesame seed oil it makes a ton of sense!
How to Make Coconut Butter
Making coconut butter couldn’t be easier. All you need is a bag of dried shredded coconut or coconut flakes and a food processor or blender.
Place coconut shreds or flakes in a food processor or high powdered blender and process until a smooth, runny butter forms.
It takes about 15 minutes in a food processor and about 2 minutes in high powered blender. (I’ve found that my Vitamix works best for this.) You may need to scrape the sides of your food processor or blender mid-way through the processing, but that’s it. The process is so simple!
How to Soften/Melt Coconut Butter
Like coconut oil, coconut butter is solid at room temperature so in order to use it as a spread or drizzle you have to warm it up. I like using the water bath method — placing the sealed jar in hot water for 5-10 minutes until it’s melted and you’re able to stir it. If you’re in a rush the microwave also works.
Once melted, you can use coconut butter to replace cream, cream cheese and butter or blend it into smoothies, sauces, dressings, desserts and baked goods. I’ll do a roundup post soon with lots of coconut butter ideas. For now, let’s make some!
Recipes That Use Coconut Butter:
More Coconut Recipes:
- Coconut Flour Banana Bread
- Coconut Flour Cookies
- 4-Ingredient Almond Coconut Cookies
- Healthy Coconut Macaroons
- Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Coconut Butter
Ingredients
- 4 cups unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut
Instructions
- Place coconut shreds or flakes in a food processor or high powdered blender and process until a smooth, runny butter forms. It will take about 15 minutes in a food processor and about 2 minutes in high powered blender. (I’ve found that my Vitamix works best for this.) You may need to scrape the sides of your food processor or blender mid-way through the processing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
I couldn’t get it to become butter even in my food processor and I used I sweetened flakes.
Hi Sydnee – How long did you blend it for? In the food processor it’ll take at least 15 minutes. If you use a blender, I recommend a high powered one like a Vitamix.
I can only express a word of thanks! Nothing else. Because your topic is nice, you can add knowledge. Thank you very much for sharing this information.
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Thank you!! Glad it was helpful 🙂
I first tried it in my Vita-mix for about 10 minutes, when that didn’t work I switched to my food processor for 15minutes. No butter
What am I doing wrong?
It’s clumpy but not liquid.
I did use sweetened coconut flakes, does that make a difference?
Hey Darla! I’m so sorry you’re having troubles. I think the sweetened coconut flakes must be the issue. The sugar is clumping it and not allowing it to become liquidy.
Hi Brittany,
I am using unsweetened organic coconut flakes and my Vitamix on its highest speed. It’s clumping, but no runniness or liquid.
Thanks,
Dana
Hi Dana! Thanks for giving the recipe a try! A few tips that might help: sometimes it just takes a bit longer than expected, even with a Vitamix. I’d recommend stopping to scrape down the sides every so often and giving it a little rest if the motor’s getting too warm. Also, make sure you’re using enough coconut—if the batch is too small, it can be hard for the blades to catch and blend it properly. If it’s still super stubborn, you can try adding just a tiny bit of melted coconut oil to help it along (but usually it’ll get creamy on its own with enough patience!). Hope that helps—let me know how it goes! 🙂
Just gave this a try tonight. I have been buying coconut butter for years and never knew how easy it would be to make my own. It is delicious and easy! Thank you so much for yet another wonderful recipe.
Can I use fresh coconut?
I made this yesterday. Super easy and I’m sure it’s a fraction of the cost compared to buying premade. I purchased the shredded coconut in bulk and reused an 8-ounce mason jar.
Hooray!! I’m so glad to hear that the recipe worked well for you! Enjoy your butter!
Yum! How long does this keep?
Love the thought of this ! Bravo ~ *
Noting that you mentioned adding in a little bit of coconut oil. . . .not seeing quantity in recipe. A dite ?! Is there a certain point when you find it best to add it in ? At the beginning ? Just when all becomes work for the blender or cuisinart ?
Thanks !
Aaiyn
There’s no need to add any coconut oil to the recipe. Just blend the shredded coconut until it’s creamy.
Thanks for this post. I just saw a recipe today that called for coconut butter. Definitely giving this a try. What high speed blender do you have/use?
Awesome. You’ll have to let me know what you think of the coconut butter. I have a Vitamix (the 5200 series) and love it.
This looks so good. A little store bought hack if you ever need to buy it is to by creamed coconut which comes in the little cardboard packs, it’s the same thing but WAY cheaper!
Love homemade coconut butter! I have a recipe on my site as well =)
It’s easy to make and SO very versatile! I love, love, love it
I had no idea you could use coconut butter to replace cream cheese in recipes!! I’m intrigued!!!
I haven’t really tried using it as sub for cream cheese in recipes. I was more meaning using it as a replacement spread instead of cream cheese on bagels, toast and the like. You’ll have to let me know if you experiment. 🙂
Is the serving size 140 calories per 1 tablespoon?
Coconut butter is usually about 100 cals for 1 Tablespoon so the serving size here is a little less than 1 1/2 Tablespoons. Hope this helps!
I have never thought to make my own coconut butter. Thanks for the great idea!
Of course, Emily!! I hope you love it.
I love coconut butter, especially all by itself on some toast! But you’re right, it’s so expensive to by. This is the perfect alternative (and along with some fancy jars, makes a great gift!).
Can’t believe how easy this is! Definitely will be trying this soon! 🙂