Vegan bulletproof coffee can be made with MCT oil or coconut oil instead of butter. In this post, we’ll cover how to make a vegan version of the popular buttery coffee drink as well as ingredients like cashews and protein you can use to create your own delicious variations.

What is Bulletproof Coffee?

So what’s the deal with Bulletproof Coffee anyway? Well, Dave Apsprey’s original version is made with unsalted, grass-fed butter, MCT oil and low-toxin coffee. I don’t eat butter but using just 1 tbsp of MCT oil is working great for me. Regular coconut oil works too.

The original Bulletproof Coffee was meant to be used as a replacement for breakfast. I don’t use it that way. I usually drink this early morning before the gym as a pre-workout, or after the gym for cognitive enhancement and improved focus as I start working. I still eat regular meals even if I have this drink.

What is MCT oil?

MCT oil is medium chain triglycerides and it’s found in coconut oil as well as other foods. Supplementation with MCT oil began as a fat source to help treat disease, obesity and fat malabsorption. Recently, athletes and bodybuilders have been touting it’s fat burning and energy sustaining powers.

Why add fat to coffee?

More Sustained and Stable Energy

The reason I like adding a bit of fat to my coffee is that the fat helps slow down the absorption of the caffeine and provides a more stable and prolonged source of energy. This helps the effects of caffeine last longer too, so you should never feel like you want a second or third cup.

Drinking coffee with a bit of fat can help prevent spikes in insulin and consequent blood sugar crashes,  meaning you’ll have more stable energy levels for hours after drinking it.

Of course, you can make bulletproof coffee with decaf coffee as well, in which case, no need to worry about a caffeine crash. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee also works well and it has half the amount of caffeine as regular coffee. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, I’d recommend checking them out. I love it.

Better for your Gut

Coffee tends to be very acidic which can be hard on the gut and digestive system. Adding fats like coconut oil, MCT oil or even full-fat coconut milk helps to neutralize the acidity in the coffee making it more digestion-friendly. MCT oil also contains CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Make Vegan Bulletproof Coffee

1. Brew your favourite organic coffee. I love brewing coffee in my Chemex.
2. Blend about 1.5 cups of coffee with 2 tsp to 1 tbsp of MCT oil, coconut oil or coconut butter in a high-speed blender for at least 30 seconds, up to 60 seconds, until foamed and frothy.
3. Pour into a mug and enjoy.

How to Sweeten Bulletproof Coffee

I don’t use sweetener in mine but if you like you can use a dash of maple syrup, stevia, xylitol, coconut sugar or another sweetener of choice. You can add a little sweetener if you prefer. I don’t like my coffee sweet so I just drink it as is. You can also add a little non-dairy milk if you like.

This homemade date paste also works well as a natural sweetener.

Do your Own Research

Before jumping on the bulletproof coffee train, keep in mind that it is in no way a superfood, cure-all or magic fat burner. It’s simply one more way to enjoy what can be healthful foods, in a way that you love.

I bulletproof coffee or matcha as a pre-workout drink or when I have a lot of work I want to get done. The caffeine provides energy and helps me focus and the fat prolongs the effects and prevents any jittery feeling.

Asprey’s original recipe for Bulletproof Coffee contains a very high amount of fat and is meant to be a meal replacement. With 2 tbsp of butter plus 1 tbsp of MCT oil, you’re looking at quite a calorie-laden drink.

If you have any health concerns, you may want to check with your doctor before trying it. It may work for some people depending on their activity level, current diet and if they have any health issues however, I wouldn’t just jump right into that without further research.

My version only contains much less fat since it only has 1 tbsp of MCT or coconut oil and I do not recommend it as a meal replacement. Do your own research, experiment and then make a decision as to whether it’s something that would be enjoyable or beneficial for you.

Upgrade Your Coffee

I enjoy a cup of bulletproof coffee a few times a week for the taste and improved focus and energy but I rarely drink it with just MCT oil. I usually choose one of the bulletproof coffee variations we’re going to cover below.

These are the ingredients I enjoy using to upgrade my coffee:

• MCT oil or coconut oil
• maca
• coconut milk
• homemade oat milk
• mushroom powder such as chaga or cordyceps
• plant-based protein powder
• cashews
• almond butter
• cacao paste
• spices like cinnamon or nutmeg

Bulletproof Coffee Variations

I rarely make bulletproof coffe with just MCT oil. Here are some of my favorite variations for enjoying a little fat with your coffee. My favorites are cashew coffee and cashews or MCT oil plus vanilla protein.

Cashew Coffee

As an alternative to MCT or coconut oil, I love making coffee blended with raw cashews. To make cashew coffee, blend 1.5 cups of brewed coffee with 2-3 tbsp of raw cashews until smooth and frothy. Option to add 1-2 tbsp of vanilla plant-based protein powder, which is what I usually do. A pinch of sea salt is really good too.

Cacao Mocha

Love mocha? Instead of MCT or coconut oil, try using cacao as a source of fat. I would recommend using cacao paste for an ultra-creamy homemade mocha. You’ll need a sweetener with this one though since cacao is very bitter on its own. You can use a medjool date, raw honey, stevia, agave or maple syrup.

To make a cacao mocha, use about 1.5 cups of brewed coffee and 15 grams of cacao paste then sweeten to taste.

As an alternative to cacao paste, you can combine up to 1 tbsp MCT oil with 1-2 tbsp of cacao powder. Cacao butter also works as an alternative to MCT oil or coconut oil. It does have more of a distinct taste though.

Protein Coffee

This is another one of my favorite ways to make bulletproof coffee. I like to do 1-2 tsp of MCT oil and up to 1/2 a scoop (15 g) of vanilla plant-based protein powder. It tastes like a vanilla latte and gives me energy for hours. I like this one before the gym in the morning.

Coconut Milk Latte

For an extra creamy latte-style bulletproof coffee, add 2-3 tbsp full-fat coconut milk.

Maca Coffee

Maca is an adaptogen that may help balance mood and helps support healthy hormones. Blending it into coffee is an easy way to get it into your diet if you’re using it. Try 1 tsp blended with the MCT oil and coffee.

Bulletproof Matcha

I also like making this with matcha instead of coffee. To make bulletproof matcha, add 1.5 tsp of matcha powder to a high-speed blender with up to 1 tbsp MCT oil or coconut oil and 1.5 cups just boiled hot water.

Blend on high until frothy and foamy then pour into a mug and enjoy. This is really good with some vanilla plant-based protein as well.

This also works as an iced matcha if you blend ice, MCT oil and matcha powder.

Golden Milk

For a caffeine-free alternative to bulletproof coffee, try my golden milk recipe made with almond milk and turmeric.

Originally Posted: March 2, 2015 Last Update: May 17, 2019