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DIY coconut butter is a healthy, easy-to-make, and frugal alternative to nut and seed butter! It is naturally vegan, keto, paleo and sugar-free.
If you like coconut, you need to make some coconut butter. The sooner, the better. Afterwards, spread it on to everything, fingers included.
What is Coconut Butter?
Coconut butter is a spread made from coconut meat, just like peanut butter (in its purest from) is made from peanuts. It has a luscious, velvety texture and subtle natural sweetness that can be further enhanced with a hint of added sweetener.
Because coconut butter is made with whole coconut meat, it is rich in coconut oil, so it boasts all of the benefits of coconut oil (namely, medium chain fatty acids–great for instant energy) with the added bonus of high fiber.
Make Your Own Coconut Butter to Save Money
You can purchase coconut butter in jars for a faint-inducing amounts. Don’t do it. Instead, make your own.
Homemade coconut butter is frugal, more delicious (IMHO), and incredibly simple to make. All that you need is
- unsweetened, dried flaked/shredded coconut,
- a bit of coconut oil (or another neutral vegetable oil) to make it blend more easily
- (optional) a pinch of salt
How to Make Your Own Coconut Butter
You will need either a high speed blender or food processor to make coconut butter. I find that a bullet size blender is ideal.
Place the coconut (flakes or shreds) in the blender or food processor container and begin blending. Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender at regular intervals.
If you are using a food processor, stop every so often to avoid having the food processor overheat.
Once the coconut is very fine and beginning to clump together, add the coconut oil and (optional) salt, then continue blending until smooth.
Continue to blend until the fat begins to release from the coconut shreds and the mixture becomes loose and creamy in appearance.
Go ahead and make a big batch while you are at it; it will be easier to blend than if you try to blend a small portion.
How Long Can I Store DIY Coconut Butter?
Coconut butter can be stored in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to 6 months, but keep in mind that, due to its high oil content, the consistency of the butter will vary depending on the temperature. It will be
- hard when it is very cold
- soft and runny when it is warm
You can easily make it softer or harder by microwaving for 5 to 10 seconds for the former or refrigerating for 15 minutes or more for the latter.
How to Serve Coconut Butter
As a Spread
Coconut butter can be used in so many ways! For a start, think of it as an all around substitute for peanut butter or other nut or seed butters. Coconut butter and jelly sandwich, anyone? It is delectable!
As a Peanut Butter Substitute in Recipes
You can also use coconut butter in recipes calling for peanut butter or other nut butters, especially no-bake recipes. For example, energy balls, energy bars and sauces.
As a Topping or Bonus Ingredient
Coconut butter is also a nutrient-rich addition to smoothies, or topping for oatmeal. It is pretty great stuff!
Happy eats!
More Delicious DIY Vegan Spreads:
- 1-Ingredient Pepita Butter (keto)
- Oil-free Tapenade
- DIY Almond Butter
- 4-Ingredient Chickpea Flour Mayonnaise
- Easy Cashew Mayonnaise
- Vegan Cashew Boursin Cheese
- Creamy Broccoli Hummus
- Green Pea & Basil Spread
DIY Coconut Butter (Easy, 2 ingredients)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces shredded or flaked coconut, (about 2 cups, lightly packed)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Optional: 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- In a food processor or high speed blender, process coconut for 1 minute; scrape down sides of bowl. Continue to process in 30 second intervals until mixture begins to clump together. Add coconut oil and salt. Process in 30 second intervals for about 10 minutes until mixture is smooth.
can this be made into Chocolate coconut butter to use as a nut free replacement for Nutella?
Hi Janet,
Yes, definitely! You could add cocoa powder and maple syrup (or another liquid sweetener), all to taste. Just keep blending a blending until creamy. You could add a bit of vanilla extract, too 🙂