Learning how to make bulletproof coffee could be the single most impactful upgrade you make to your morning routine. This rich, energizing drink has taken the wellness and performance world by storm — and for good reason.
Bulletproof coffee is not your average cup of joe. It combines high-quality coffee with healthy fats to deliver sustained energy, mental clarity, and appetite control that can last for hours.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step — from what bulletproof coffee is, to ingredients, to the technique — so you can make a flawless cup every single time.
So let’s start.
What is the Bulletproof Coffee
At its core, bulletproof coffee is a nutrient-dense, fat-forward drink engineered to stand in for a traditional breakfast — and it has earned a loyal following in both ketogenic and paleo communities for good reason.
The formula is straightforward: clean, low-toxin brewed coffee blended smooth with one to two tablespoons of grass-fed unsalted butter (or ghee for the dairy-sensitive) and a measure of MCT oil.
The result is a creamy, satisfying cup that clocks in at roughly 230 calories, delivers around 25 grams of healthy fat, and contains zero carbohydrates — making it a powerful tool for sustained energy and razor-sharp mental focus.
Bulletproof coffee was popularized by entrepreneur and biohacker Dave Asprey in the early 2010s, inspired by a traditional Tibetan butter tea he encountered during a trek through the Himalayas.
Asprey noticed a dramatic boost in mental clarity and energy after drinking yak butter tea at high altitude. He spent years refining the concept into the recipe millions now swear by.
The core idea is deceptively simple: replace a carbohydrate-heavy breakfast with a high-fat, zero-sugar coffee drink that fuels your brain and body without a glucose spike.
It became a cornerstone of the ketogenic and intermittent fasting communities, though you don’t need to follow either to enjoy its benefits.
Compare: Benefits of Coconut Oil in Coffee and What’s the Right Dosage
Why Bulletproof Coffee is Different from Regular Coffee
Standard coffee gives you a quick energy hit followed by a mid-morning crash. Bulletproof coffee, by contrast, combines caffeine with healthy fats — specifically grass-fed butter and MCT oil — which slow the absorption of caffeine into your bloodstream. The result is a smoother, longer-lasting energy curve without the jitters or the 10 a.m. slump.
Beyond energy, the fats in bulletproof coffee support cognitive function and help keep hunger at bay.
Many people use it as a complete meal replacement during intermittent fasting windows, as it provides calories without triggering an insulin response the way carbohydrates do.
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Bulletproof Coffee Ingredients
In this section, you’ll learn about three core ingredients that form the basis of bulletproof coffee.
At its foundation, a proper bulletproof coffee recipe requires just three ingredients, and the quality of each one matters enormously.
- Freshly brewed coffee — ideally single-origin, low-acid, and free from mold toxins (mycotoxins). We’ll go deeper on this below.
- Grass-fed unsalted butter — or grass-fed ghee for a dairy-sensitive option. Grass-fed butter is higher in omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) compared to conventional butter.
- MCT oil — a concentrated source of medium-chain triglycerides derived from coconut oil. MCTs are rapidly converted by the liver into ketones, which serve as an efficient fuel source for the brain.
Together, these three ingredients create a creamy, frothy, latte-like drink that is surprisingly satisfying.
The key is blending them — not just stirring — to properly emulsify the fats into the coffee.
Optional Add-Ins to Elevate Your Cup
Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can customize your cup to suit your taste preferences and health goals.
A touch of raw, unfiltered honey — like the kind we source from our own farm at CoffENZO — adds a subtle natural sweetness and provides antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds that refined sugar simply cannot offer.
Other popular add-ins include collagen peptides (great for skin, joints, and gut health), a pinch of cinnamon (which can help regulate blood sugar), and a splash of vanilla extract for warmth and depth of flavor.
These additions are completely optional, but they can transform a functional drink into something genuinely craveable.
The Right Coffee for Bulletproof Coffee
This section unearths the importance of knowing why coffee quality matters more than you think.
This is where most people cut corners — and it makes a bigger difference than you’d expect.
Conventional commercially grown coffee can contain mycotoxins, which are harmful byproducts of mold and fungi that can develop during poor harvesting, drying, or storage processes.
These compounds are linked to brain fog, fatigue, and inflammation — the exact opposite of what bulletproof coffee is designed to deliver.
Beyond toxins, the overall quality of your beans directly affects the flavor and the experience.
A stale, over-roasted, or low-grade bean will produce a bitter, flat cup that no amount of butter can rescue. For a drink this simple, the coffee must be excellent.
What to Look For in Your Beans
Start with single-origin coffee from a reputable, traceable source. Single-origin beans tend to have cleaner, more complex flavor profiles and are easier to quality-control throughout the supply chain.
Look for beans that have been third-party tested for mycotoxins if that’s a concern for you.
Medium roasts are generally the sweet spot for bulletproof coffee — they preserve more of the bean’s natural flavors and antioxidants than dark roasts, while being smoother and less acidic than light roasts.
Always grind your beans fresh before brewing. At CoffENZO, our beans are sourced with quality and clean processing in mind — exactly what this recipe demands.
Easy Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
Now that you understand the why behind each component, let’s get into the step-by-step process. This easy bulletproof coffee recipe takes about five minutes and produces a result that rivals anything you’d find at a specialty café.
Equipment You’ll Need
- A quality coffee brewer (French press, pour-over, or espresso machine all work well)
- A high-powered blender (pictured above)
- A handheld milk frother
- A large mug (12–16 oz)
How to Make Bulletproof Coffee Step-by-Step
- Brew 8–12 oz of freshly ground, high-quality coffee using your preferred method. Aim for a strong brew.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of grass-fed unsalted butter or ghee to your blender.
- Add 1 tablespoon of MCT oil. If you’re new to MCT oil, start with 1 teaspoon to let your digestive system adjust.
- Optional: Add a small drizzle of raw honey, a pinch of cinnamon, or a scoop of collagen powder.
- Pour the hot coffee into the blender over the other ingredients.
- Blend on high for 20–30 seconds. The mixture should become light, creamy, and frothy — similar in texture to a latte.
- Pour into your mug and enjoy immediately.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Blend
Never skip the blending step. Simply stirring the butter and MCT oil into your coffee will leave an oily layer floating on top, which is both unpleasant to drink and less effective — proper emulsification is what creates that creamy texture and ensures the fats are absorbed efficiently.
If you’re using a handheld frother instead of a blender, froth the butter and MCT oil in your mug for at least 30–60 seconds before adding the coffee.
Always keep the blender lid slightly vented when blending hot liquids to prevent pressure buildup — hold the lid down firmly with a folded towel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is bulletproof coffee actually good for you?
A: For most people, bulletproof coffee can be a beneficial addition to their routine, particularly when used as a meal replacement within a low-carbohydrate or intermittent fasting lifestyle. The healthy fats from grass-fed butter provide fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K2, while MCT oil supports cognitive function and metabolic health. That said, it is calorie-dense and high in saturated fat, so it’s worth consulting a healthcare provider if you have existing cardiovascular concerns or dietary restrictions.
Q: Can you make bulletproof coffee without a blender?
A: Yes, though the result won’t be quite as creamy. A high-speed handheld milk frother is the best blender alternative — froth the fats directly in your mug for at least 45–60 seconds to create a reasonable emulsion. Shaking the ingredients vigorously in a tightly sealed jar also works in a pinch, though exercise caution with hot liquid. Avoid simply stirring, as the fats will not integrate properly and the drink will be oily.
Q: Does bulletproof coffee break a fast?
A: This is a nuanced question that depends on your fasting goals. Bulletproof coffee does contain calories — primarily from fat — so it technically breaks a strict caloric fast. However, because it contains zero carbohydrates and does not raise insulin levels, many practitioners of intermittent fasting consider it “fasting-compatible.” If your primary fasting goal is metabolic flexibility, fat adaptation, or mental clarity rather than strict caloric restriction, bulletproof coffee is generally considered acceptable during a fasting window.
Q: How much butter do you put in bulletproof coffee?
A: The standard recommendation is 1 to 2 tablespoons of grass-fed unsalted butter per cup. If you’re just starting out, begin with 1 tablespoon and adjust based on taste and how your body responds. Similarly, start with 1 teaspoon of MCT oil and work up to a full tablespoon over the course of a week or two, as too much MCT oil too soon can cause digestive discomfort in some people.
Final Thoughts: Make Every Morning Count
Now that you know exactly how to make bulletproof coffee — from choosing the right beans to nailing the blend — there’s nothing standing between you and a cleaner, sharper, more energized morning.
The difference between a mediocre cup and an exceptional one comes down to the quality of your ingredients and the care you put into the process.
At CoffENZO, we’ve built our brand around the belief that great coffee starts at the source. Our carefully sourced beans, combined with our farm-fresh raw honey, give you everything you need to craft a bulletproof coffee that’s not just functional — it’s something you’ll genuinely look forward to every morning.
Ready to upgrade your cup? Visit CoffENZO.com to explore our premium coffee blends and pure raw honey. Your best morning yet is one blend away.