Coconut butter is super easy to make and only requires coconut and a food processor or high-speed blender! Naturally paleo, vegan, and gluten-free. With a video.
While I’ve got quite a few dessert recipes ready to post, I know that a lot of people aren’t super into baking just yet after the holidays. So here’s something a little different!
A few people have mentioned in my recipes with coconut butter that they didn’t know you could make your own. So here we go!
What is coconut butter?
Coconut butter is just the ground up dried meat of a coconut. It’s also known as coconut manna.
Is coconut butter the same as coconut oil? Coconut butter vs. coconut oil.
It’s very different than coconut oil, which is the oil that is pressed out of coconut meat. When you buy a jar of coconut butter, there’s usually a layer of coconut oil at the top that has separated.
You just warm it up and stir it back together. In the summer, it’s so warm in our kitchen that it’s liquid enough and can be just be stirred.
Coocnut butter is not interchangeable with coconut oil.
You have to use it in recipes that specifically call for coconut butter. Like these vegan coconut macaroons, which is probably my favorite cookie recipe of the last several years and my go-to cookie recipe (but I always dip them in chocolate and drizzle more on top!).
If you need some other recipe ideas, try this healthy vegan peanut butter and jelly fudge or this paleo vegan chocolate fudge!
Is there a coconut butter substitute?
Other articles about how to make coconut butter suggest using another nut / seed butter, coconut oil or regular butter but I’ve tried all of these subs in several recipes and can say that the results are never even similar.
I’ve made at least 50 attempts at converting several of my recipes to be nut-free / AIP-friendly using coconut butter and none of them worked. So I really don’t recommend it. They come out dry and crumbly.
What kind of coconut should I use?
Pretty much anything except fresh coconut. You can use shredded coconut like I did or coconut chips, flaked coconut, coconut flakes and desiccated coconut. All of that works.
Desiccated will just take a bit longer than the other kinds because it has less moisture in it. And make sure to use unsweetened and full-fat! None of that reduced-fat stuff.
The amount of coconut you use will depend on how big your food processor or high-speed blender is. A regular blender will not work! You have to use a Blendtec, Vitamix or something similar.
You need to fill the food processor at least halfway with coconut. You’ll have a hard time processing if it’s not at least halfway full.
Do you need to add some coconut oil?
I’ve been making homemade coconut butter for 8 years and have never needed to do that. If yours absolutely won’t come together after 10-15 minutes, you could add maybe a teaspoon of coconut oil at a time to see if that helps.
How do you store coconut butter? How long does it last?
Coconut butter stays good for ages at room temperature. I would say as long as your shredded coconut (or whatever coconut product you’re using) is good for. I’ve found hidden jars that were over a year old and they were perfectly fine.
So don’t worry about making too much! That’s just not possible once you try these coconut lime macaroons (which call for coconut butter) because you’ll want a constant supply. ;)
It hardens as it cools unless your kitchen is very warm. There’s unfortunately no way to prevent this.
I’d love to hear what you think of this homemade coconut butter!
Homemade Coconut Butter (naturally vegan, paleo)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: a little less than 1 cup coconut butter
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 grams or almost 6 cups) or more full-fat unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut flakes or flaked coconut
Directions
- If using a food processor: fill the food processor at least halfway with coconut flakes. You'll have a hard time processing if it's not at least halfway full. Process until very liquidy, almost like water. Stop every few minutes to scrape down the sides and let it cool a little if it feels too warm. Don't kill your food processor! Depending on your food processor, it could take 15-20 minutes.
- If using a Blendtec, (you can also use a Vitamix), use the Twister Jar and start processing while twisting the top of the jar counterclockwise. I start off on 1 and work up to about medium power. Process until very liquidy, almost like water. It'll only take about a minute.
- Place in a jar and stir every hour or so until firm and solid (this may take up to 6-8 hours depending on how warm your kitchen is. If it's very warm in your kitchen, it might not become solid. If you're in a hurry, refrigerate). Store at room temperature. To soften, place the jar in hot water or microwave (provided it's in a microwave-safe jar) at 50% power for 15 seconds at a time.
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47 comments on “Coconut Butter – Easy 1-ingredient Recipe” — Add one!
4 comments are awaiting moderation!
Why can’t fresh coconut be used? I live in the Caribbean and we have lots of coconut. Would love to use it fresh instead of store bought.
I’m sorry for just now seeing your question! For this recipe to work, you have to use dried coconut. Using a fresh one won’t give you the right texture. So you can use a fresh coconut, but you’d have to first shred it and then dehydrate it.
hi,I am a Taiwanese,also a blogger.Yesterday I found a cookie called brown butter cookie,made with coconut butter,coconut butter is rare in Taiwan,I want to make this cookie,so I found your web and make it,the coconut butter is so amazing to me.
I’m glad you found the recipe and that you like the coconut butter! I hope your cookies came out well, too. :) Thanks for your comment!
This is my first time making homemade coconut butter. I thought I had bought unsweetened until I started making it, it’s sweetened!! So no clue if it will work still. Has anyone ever made it with sweetened flakes?
I’m so sorry for just now seeing your question! It should work totally fine with sweetened. Did it? Sorry again for just now seeing your comment. Things have been crazy!
I have made this in the past, probably because you posted it. I made mine in a food processor and it worked fine. Took it about 4-5 minutes before turning into coconut butter. I’m not a huge fan of coconut butter but I like that if I need it, I can make it a lot cheaper than I can buy it pre-made.
Same here! I’m not wild about it on bread and such but I love baking / making no-bake treats with it. I hope you’re having a great start to the year. :)
I was wondering if I could use my “Nutri Bullet” instead of a food processor? I don’t have a high powered food processor. I tried to make this in a blender, it didn’t work at all.
I wasn’t sure so I googled it and found people saying it takes about 5 minutes in a Nutri Bullet. I’m not sure if there are huge differences in the different models but I’m assuming it’ll work in all Nutri Bullets. :)
Thanks Erin for your quick response.
Ciao,
I made it with a Nutribullet ad it’s been really hard to get an acceptable quite-creamy texture, then I’ve been using several times my magimix (I ‘m sure it’s the cuisinart twin) and I’ve never be disappointed from the result. It depends anyway from the quality of the coconut, i.e. how much fat it contains
Thanks for the info! Good to know. :)
Great post! I always thought it would be too much of a hassle to make my own but I have shredded coconut and a Vitamix so why not! Thanks for the how-to!! We always love your videos!
Thanks! I make those macaroons so much that I needed a cheaper option for coconut butter. ;) Although I was looking on US Amazon and it looks like the price has gone down a lot! So that’s good. Thanks for saying you like the videos. They take a ton of time (despite only being 1 minute long!) so I really appreciate it.
I am just begiinning to leatn about coconut and am inteeseted in learning how I can use it in various ways.
Looking forward to learning more –
Pat Stamps
I have so many coconut recipes! I hope you’ll find some you like. :)
I’ve made coconut butter several times in a Nutribullet Pro, 900W motor. I’m pretty sure the standard model would never do it. Even so, I have to add 5 to 8 tablespoons of coconut oil BEFORE I start reducing it, or it just sits there and spins. Every couple of minutes you need to stop, rap it upside-down on the counter to settle the butter AWAY from the threads, then crack the seal to release the pressure. Go slowly when you crack the seal, and don’t forget to do it every few minutes or it’ll build up a dangerous amount of pressure. After about 20 minutes of run time you’ll either have coconut butter or you’ll blow the thermal fuse on the Nutribullet. Just kick back and wait 10 minutes and it’ll reset. The manna itself is pretty hot by the time it’s finished.
Here’s my latest batch, done a few days ago: https://imgur.com/JWJr3aA That’s the coconut oil separating out on top; I just pour it back into the jar of oil. I started with 5 cups of shredded coconut to get 2 cups of butter. You can’t pack that much into a Nutribullet at first, you can only start with about 2-3 cups, then add the rest one cup at a time once it starts to reduce.
If you’re having trouble getting it to go, add even more coconut oil. That thins it out and lubricates it, making it easier to blend. You’ll recover most of the oil later once it settles out. There’s no way my regular blender or food processor have motors powerful enough to do this.
Sorry again for just now seeing your comment! Thanks for the tip on how to make coconut butter in a Nutribullet. I’m sure that’ll be a big help for the others! I’ve never used one so I have no idea what it’s capable of. My regular food processor can make coconut butter but it takes a LOT of time. Way more than the Blendtec. But I don’t have to add any oil to either one! It just takes time. Thanks again for your tips!
How long does it stay in room temperature
I’m so sorry for just now seeing your comment! I didn’t realize I wouldn’t have internet at my in-laws over the holidays. :/ Coconut butter stays at room temperature for several months. Enjoy!
Will this work in a Nutribullet? I have a Kitchenaid blender but it’s not that powerful for this – I don’t believe.
Thanks!
Karen
I don’t have one so I have no idea but I googled “nutribullet coconut butter” and several people have said that they made coconut butter with it and were successful. :) I don’t think a Kitchenaid would work, either.
Thank you! :)
My kitchen aid did just fine
Thanks for the tip!
I just made this for the first time yesterday for a recipe–I hadn’t ever heard of it before! But I only used 1 1/2 cups of coconut in my 7 cup food processor, and it worked just fine. Just fyi. ☺
That’s great! So happy it worked out well for you. :) Thanks for your comment and so sorry for just now seeing it! I’m in the process of moving and things are chaotic.
With your tips seems so easy to make homemade coconut butter! Thanks!
It’s definitely worth trying out!
I love that this is so easy!
It really is!
What a great idea and I love how super easy it is!
Thanks a bunch!
I have to try this and make my own! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! :)
What a great idea! I’ve never used coconut butter before but this looks so easy!
You should definitely give it a try!
Love this! Coconut butter is so $$$. A homemade option sounds like a great idea!
Right?! Sooo expensive.
I can’t wait to try this! I use coconut oil not only in the kitchen but also for applying essential oils so we go through a lot!
Note that Erin says this is different from and not interchangeable with coconut oil.
This is different than coconut oil, though! Definitely don’t want to use this in the same way. :)
I love that you’ve shown us how to do this! I’ll be trying this soon.
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
I’ve never thought to make my own but this is brilliant! A must-try!
I hope you will!