If you’re anywhere near the health food or fitness circles, you’ve no doubt heard of coconut oil by now.
But have you ever heard of coconut butter?
Until about a month and a half ago, I hadn’t. And oh my gosh is it good.
It tastes like the most delicious, decadent, oh-so-bad-for-you treat.
Except, it’s not. It’s actually good for you. In fact, coconut butter packs a crapload of benefits:
- It’s rich in lauric acid, which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and funguses.
- It actually boosts your metabolism, which aids in weight loss and increases energy levels.
- It’s packed with healthy fats, so you feel full longer.
- It’s full of essential amino acids, calcium, and magnesium.
Basically, coconut butter is just plain awesome.
Coconut butter vs. coconut oil
Like me a few months ago, most people have never heard of coconut butter. But they have heard of coconut oil.
The main difference between coconut butter and coconut oil is that coconut oil is oil extracted from the coconut while coconut butter is made from the meat of the coconut, and includes actual pieces of coconut meat in it.
It’s becoming popular so more and more brands are making it, but my favorite so far is this one made by Artisana because it’s raw, organic, and incredibly delicious. Plus, it’s fairly cheap on Amazon, which is always a bonus.
Yum.
What to do with coconut butter
Wondering how to actually use coconut butter? Here are a bunch of delicious ideas for you:
1. Spoon coconut butter straight from the jar and eat it. Yes, it’s that good.
2. Melt it and pour it over a sweet potato or winter squash. Trust me on this one.
3. Use it in a curry dish or stir fry for an extra amazing flavor.
4. Add it to a smoothie like this piña colada one. This is one of my absolute favorite uses for coconut butter.
5. Spread it over toast in place of real butter and add add some almond butter for a satisfying snack.
6. Drizzle it melted over berries in a bowl for an amazing dessert.
7. Toss it with some shrimp or chicken and add some hot sauce (I haven’t tried this because I’m a vegetarian, but I’ve heard it’s pretty mouthwatering).
8. Add a spoonful to some cacao nibs for an antioxidant-bursting treat.
9. Use it in place of dairy butter in baking for a healthier fat (this tends to make baked goods a little dryer, so you’ll need to add a little more of a moist ingredient such as fruit puree or oil).
What are your favorite ways to use coconut butter?
Wow those are amazing facts and uses of coconut butter. I so love anything that’s good for the body – especially if it has the “good” fats that don’t make me gain weight as well as makes me feel full for longer times.
Thanks for sharing this info and thanks also for simple yet effective ways of adding coconut butter to day-to-day eating.
I love to mix 2 TBSP with fruit. I’ve mixed it with blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, strawberries and apples.
Delicious!
I just tried about half a teaspoon in a cup of coffee this morning and wow! It was amazing. No need for coffee creamer ever again!
Alykhan
Yum!
I ALSO HEARED IT IS GOOD FOR RHEMAUTIC PAINS OR ARTHRITIS WHEN ROBBED INTO THE AFFECTED AREA(THE COCONUT BITTER)
How can I use coconut butter or oil for a flaky pie crust?
tried a spoonful—taste terrible–had to spit it out
Haha! Sorry Don. Coconut butter is definitely not good just by itself 🙂
G
Gosh, how can you say you def can’t eat it by itself???? Its so yummy! Yes it can be an acquired taste, but def good by itself as well
Sorry Kathy, it really is gross. Lol! Maybe it is just a matter of taste.
It’s definitely good by itself! I agree Kathy!
Your #1 way to use it is straight out of the jar by the spoon. Why do you say here the opposite?
I was thinking the same thing.
I mix mine with iced green tea and melt the butter first then shoot it back
Did you try Artisana’s Coconut Butter?- it is perfectly delicious on the spoon by itself … if you like the taste of raw coconut that is. I’m not sure why Krista said it wasn’t. ???
I’m guessing that those who thought it was gross from a spoon didn’t stir it up first. If the room is warm coconut butter can separate, just like natural raw peanut butter does. When it’s properly stirred up, it’s thick and creamy like peanut butter. If you like a spoonful of peanut butter you should love a spoonful of coconut butter.
I recently tasted coconut butter and love it…of course, I also love coconut everything! The saying, “There’s no disputing taste” applies. If you care not for coconut, you probably won’t like it. And texture is a matter of taste as well. Interestingly, I seem to have more energy recently…I’m going to continue eating this stuff!
Yeah, I guess you’re right, whether you like it or not. We think it’s awesome 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying it too!
I do eat it by the spoonful and love it. I’m wondering if the health benefits of eating 2 Tbsp daily of coconut oil are the same for coconut butter. The butter definitely is easier to eat plain.
I have been using coconut oil for the last 2 years this time I switched to coconut butter ; take every morning along with chai seed powder ; I even give my dogs at least once a week some of this on their dry kibble
I love Coconut Butter and have used it for years since we lived on Maui! I not
only eat it, but I melt it down until it is just warm., and smooth it all over my face and neck for a relaxing, fabulous facial! I put it on warm, let it set for about 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. My skin is in the best condition it has ever been. It is soft and clear and radiant, plus it smells good! I am 50 years old and people tell me I look like I am in my late 30’s. Plus I use it on my legs the same way, leave on 15-20 minutes, then shower. Makes skin so, so soft!! I also buy the same brand shown here. I get it at Haggens Foods or Whole Foods. Love it!!
I use coconut butter for cooking but it doesn’t seem melt lately it burns up and turns brown so I don’t know what to so can u help me?!:(
Maybe you’re cooking it at too high of a heat?
mine burns up too, and it’s on low heat…. the first time I used it, it was perfect now it doesn’t melt just looks like soft goo
Coconut butter is like almond butter or peanut butter – it’s a whole food, not an oil, and it’s raw. It’s the whole coconut with the water drained out, then it’s ground to a paste just like any other nut or seed butter. You wouldn’t try to fry an Egg in raw peanut butter, would you? If you want to cook with it, just stir it in after you take it off the heat. It’s wonderful, wonderful stuff- just treat it nicely, and you should love it.
Hi,
The fist line of your post says that it is so good that you can eat it with a spoon…
…and your reply for Don says: ‘Haha! Sorry Don. Coconut butter is definitely not good just by itself’
What is the truth?
Artisana Coconut Butter is DEFINITELY delicious on the spoon all by itself! ABSOLUTELY! I didn’t see her reference to Don, but it is that good. Hope that helps.
I just got my first jar of the coconut butter. I tried it at a friends house and loved it. I have Hashimotos and have read that one tablespoon in the morning helps with your metabolism and gives you energy. I can’t wait to try it. I was reading some of the comments about it tasting nasty. I opened mine when I got home and tried it and it did NOT taste like the one my friend had. I read the jar and it said that the oil can settle on the top and if it does to just heat the jar and mix it well. After doing that it taste great. So I recommend anyone that buys it to melt it and stir it very well. I also have the same brand that is shown at the top. I can’t wait to see how it works and to try it in place of regular butter. I am thinking I may put it on popcorn next lol.
I love it plain right out of the jar. If I’m craving something sweet, a teaspoonful of it seems to take care of the craving…to me…it’s just delicious. Also great on toast instead of butter. Only just recently got it for the first time so haven’t had time yet to try other ways…but definitely will try it melted over berries, will add some to my curry recipe, and can’t wait to try it in my coffee! (I’m worried I like this stuff a little too much!)
I mix it (using blender) with cocoa powder and some agave syrup, sometimes some crunchy peanut butter (unsweetened of course), then refrigetate and eat a couple of squares when I want chocolate….it’s divine!!
Mmm, that sounds amazing!
put it in your oatmeal with some fresh fruit. really makes a great breakfast out of an ordinary packet of oatmeal!
Omigosh – I tried this last night after trying coconut butter for the first time yesterday and it is HEAVENLY! I made steel cut Irish oats with a little stevia for sweetening and a tablespoon of coconut butter and it was SO GOOD. The coconut butter made my oatmeal rich and creamy and honestly, I probably could have left out the stevia. Delicious!!!
I just bought my second jar of Artisana Coconut Butter today. I put a tablespoon in my my morning smoothies & my energy level stays strong for at least 6 hours. Here’s my recipe:
4 oz. orange juice
2 oz coconut water (raw from Harmless Harvest or Exotic Superfoods is the best freshest tasting)
a large handful of blueberries & maybe a few strawberries (I always keep quantitites in the freezer from local farms)
1 T Artisana Coconut Butter
1/2 c. raw rolled oats (I like to soak them overnight w/ a Tbls of yogurt, water & my 1 t. of chia seeds)
3 T Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro + Fiber (non-soy isolate – w/ 13 gr. of all hemp protein & 11 g. fiber!)
1 serving of Blessed Herbs Organic Superfood (fruits, veggies, greens, grains, sprouts, mushrooms)
1 tsp chia seeds (unless I already had them soaking with the oats)
1 T honey or several drops of Stevia
1T sunflower lecithin
2 ice cubes
Vitamix it all together.
I have just made my first batch of coconut butter but I added a few tablespoons if coconut.oil when I blended it because it wasn’t turning into a paste. Will it still be healthy and will it produce the.same result in my recipes as regular butter?
Spoon coconut butter out on parchment paper. Drop frozen blueberries into it. Place in freezer for ten minutes. Take out, break into pieces and get ready to freak out! It’s the best treat ever!
I have the same brand shown above and was really excited about trying it since I love coconut. I did the spoon right out of the jar thing and had to spit it out. I don’t think it’s good by itself at all. I am looking forward to cooking with it anf trying it in my coffee though.
Great with coffee! Easily dissolved and has a slight sweetness though not exceedingly great, I will purchase this item on a more Consistent Basis.
Super food – 1-2 tubs (primal greens, primal reds). When our body p – H ( becomes more and
more acidic it starts to set up defense mechanisms to keep the damaging acid from entering our
vital organs. You need to have a number of superfoods in your diet daily.
Love love love coconut butter! I just melt it and cool it in chocolate forms and eat it like candy! It’s a perfect snack for energy boost before running- it makes me feel light, but full of energy.
It is also a great way to treat dry skin! I use some as a hand cream (mix it with some almond oil) and as a mask straight from the jar before washing my hair-my hair feels like silk after shampooing.
I have the brand mentioned. I love it out of the jar- I agree it is a bolt of energy for me during the day. I don’t eat much fat and very little meat and find nothing wrong with eating one full teaspoon of this a day. It tastes great and it’s benefits are boundless just talk to any elderly person 70-80+ and they will tell you about Coconut butter or oil.
Enjoy this product I will as long as I can find it available.
I have fallen in love with Coconut Butter. Just had it on ice cream. yumm.
Had it on top of coffee. yumm.
In a smoothy, with pineapple and banana.
On Cinnamon Raisin Millet, Flax Bagel with natural blubbery jelly.
On Rice Cakes All yumm!
Will try it on my Gluten free Oatmeal in the morning.
I love Coconut butter for all the reasons above, but in particular I like it on my toast with Marmite or strawberry jam. The thing with the coffee creamer is also good too. I add this butter to breadmaking in lieu of oil or regular butter and the results are good. If you are cooking rice or pasta, it helps to separate the sticky grains from each other and adds to the flavour. When cooking/frying, allow for the fact that it has a melting point below in the 20’s Centigrade and gets smoky quicker than other frying. (Beware the smoke alarm) I think it arrests balding in men if you rub it on your pate. The butter melts in our hands because our body heat is higher than its melting point. My bald spot seems to at least stay small. I have not noticed any regeneration yet though, but it does contribute to a healthy scalp and shiny hair if you smear a little on instead of conditioner before washing your hair.
I buy Artisana by the gallon on Amazon. It’s fairly cheap and good! When you get it it’s partially separated so I take off about two cups of oil, and store for cooking. Then put the container in the microwave and nuke until almost liquid again, Stir it all back up and pour into quart sized jars. It will set up harder. You can then scoop it out in chunks, put in cup and crush with a fork until it resembles parmesan cheese. Matter of fact if you have an empty Kraft sprinkle cheese container put your coconut butter that you just crushed up into it and you can then sprinkle it on everything you eat. You can eat it direct, it’s easier to melt in your mouth and it won’t stick to your store boughts like it does straight from jar as it originally comes. You do however have to use a fork to crush it (easy!) as a mixer or even a bullet just gums up and won’t work. Good eatin!!
Save, eat & but more coconut butter, Randy. BUT get rid of the microwave – its radiation changes your food in ways that render it less nutritious and even not healthy to eat. Plus, microwave ovens do leak radiation, regardless of claims to the contrary. 🙂
If you put the coconut butter in a sprinkle container, doesn’t it dry if it comes in contact with the air too long?
Im dying to try this aftr losing my hair.&would like to find all its uses.where i live iv been hunting for it..yet to be found.i hope find some soon
I spread some on a piece of bread, then I put peanut butter on another piece of bread and I slice a banana in half and put that on the peanut butter (I can get three pieces of banana on the sandwich). Then I pour a glass of milk and get after it.
I can’t wait to try. I’mean a big user of coco oil and water, now time 4 the coco butter. I think I will buy the flakes and make my own with my bullet. Ps…. I tried coconut water in my oatmeal out of necessity. OMG it was so yummy. I’m sure adding the coco butter will make it even more heavenly
Thanks I can’t wait to try all yur ideas too.
I decided to try this last week and I thought it was amazing. Melt the coconut butter of some pancakes and blueberries. Just loved it…
I melt it with grapeseed oil and use it for frying, adds amazing flavor to meat and veggies stir fried. I also strain the excess oil blend back into the bottle and store it in the fridge for reuse. When deep frying, I normally get 3 uses from this method.
I have not heard anyone mention that coconut butter is a saturated fat. Not really considered to be a “healthy fat”. I have been using Artisana in my coffee. 3 x a day. Probably a tablespoon, or more each time. I am wondering, is this bad for me. ?
Do you know why home made coconut butter recipes wants you to blend the heck out of coconut oil? That’s it. Your explanation that it comes from the meat makes more sense. I’m wondering if the homemade version tastes just like the oil
I’m not sure Laurie, but I definitely think the non homemade version tastes a lot different than coconut oil!
i bought it today to put on my face but its falling of do i heat it first
Yeah I’d warm it first Bridie, but don’t put it on your face while it’s super hot 🙂 Also, it may be a little too heavy to put on your face, a lot of people prefer it as all over body lotion but then want a lighter face lotion.
Tony Romero
I’ve been using it for a while now but i make my own
just buy the coconut flakes at whole foods they have organic,raw
and vitamixet or blendtec it haha its awesome cheaper
and quick oh it taste awesome
Hi Tony, that’s a great idea! Homemade is almost always better 🙂
What are your sources for the health benefits? I use coconut oil and coconut butter and believe it to be good for you but I cant just say it and have it be true. I am having a hard time finding actual sources, just people without any degrees or studies done stating health benefits.
I eat my Coconut Butter from Nutiva on Medjool dates its amazing!
Yes, this is amazing. Sometimes I add a little dark chocolate to it as well.
The texture is so different from coconut oil and takes a little more finessing to work with and the melting point is higher. I have Nutiva. Smells great. Its not smooth and creamy like a nut butter. My house is 70° and it stays quite hard in the jar. With a knife I have to break it up into chunks. I just made energy squares using coconut manna\butter and cocoa butter. Mixed in sliced almonds, cocoa powder, coconut flakes and stevia. Cooling in the fridge as I type…
My wife and I are getting older (72 this month), as we gave aged we have sought good sexual lubricants, but nothing that fully works for our problem. Some friends recommended coconut butter. I remember using it as a suntan lotion back in the 1960’s and loved the scent it had, but did not know that it could be ingested until today’s search. I have not heard whether or not it can be used as a lubricant, or if it would be unhealty for my wife’s private places. can anyone shed any light on this issue?
I make my own and stuff dates with it. Yummy snack for when I want something. sweet
How do you liquify Artisana coconut butter safely? It gets to be as hard as rock. I was thinking of putting it in a low temp oven.
I think the more unhealthy you are the grosser it is.