How to Make Bulletproof Coffee Without a Blender (5 Easy Methods)

Bulletproof coffee is hot coffee mixed with butter and MCT oil until it turns creamy and frothy. The usual tool is a blender, but you do not need one.

A small handheld frother, a jar with a lid or even a French press can do the job. Here are five methods, the right ratios and the mistakes that leave an oily film on top.

The short version: Brew hot coffee, add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of MCT oil, then mix hard for 20 to 30 seconds. A handheld milk frother gives the closest result to a blender. A sealed jar, a French press or a whisk also work.

What Is Bulletproof Coffee?

Bulletproof coffee was popularized by entrepreneur Dave Asprey, who said the idea came from yak-butter tea he drank in Tibet. He published his recipe around 2009 and later built the Bulletproof brand around it.

The drink has three parts:

• Hot brewed coffee
• Unsalted butter or ghee, traditionally from grass-fed cows
• MCT oil, a concentrated oil made from coconut or palm oil

Many people drink it in place of breakfast, especially on low-carb or keto diets. It is high in fat and calories, so think of it as a meal rather than a regular coffee.

Why Mixing Matters

Fat and coffee do not mix on their own. If you just stir butter into a mug, it melts and floats in a greasy layer.

A blender spins fast enough to break the fat into tiny droplets. These droplets spread through the coffee and make it creamy and smooth. This is called an emulsion.

Every method below works by creating that emulsion. The harder and faster you mix, the creamier the result.

Ingredients and Ratios

Ingredient	Beginner	Standard
Hot brewed coffee	8 to 12 oz	8 to 12 oz
Unsalted butter or ghee	1 to 2 teaspoons	1 tablespoon
MCT oil	1 teaspoon	1 tablespoon

Start small with MCT oil. Large amounts on an empty stomach can upset digestion, so build up over a week or two.

Coffee quality matters. Strong, fresh coffee stands up to the fat best. A coffee maker with a grinder makes fresh coffee easy, and an espresso machine is a good option if you like a stronger, smaller cup.

Method 1: Handheld Milk Frother (Best Option)

A battery or rechargeable milk frother is the best blender substitute. It is small, cheap, easy to clean and very fast.

Steps:

1. Brew your coffee into a tall mug. Leave at least 2 inches of space at the top.
2. Add the butter and let it melt for 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Add the MCT oil.
4. Put the frother whisk into the coffee before switching it on.
5. Froth for 20 to 30 seconds, moving it up and down slightly.
6. Switch it off before lifting it out, or you will spray coffee.

Our pick is the Zulay Froth N Go. It charges by USB-C, so there are no spare batteries to buy, and it comes with three whisk heads and a travel case. It has enough power to blend melted butter into coffee, which weaker battery frothers struggle with.

Method 2: Shake It in a Jar

A glass jar with a tight lid works surprisingly well. Shaking hard creates a decent emulsion.

Steps:

1. Brew the coffee and let it cool for one minute so it is very hot but not boiling.
2. Pour it into a heat-safe glass jar, filling it no more than halfway.
3. Add the butter and MCT oil.
4. Screw the lid on tightly and wrap the jar in a towel.
5. Shake hard for 20 to 30 seconds.
6. Open it slowly, pointing it away from you, as steam builds pressure.

Safety note: Hot liquid in a sealed jar builds pressure. Never fill the jar more than halfway, and always hold it with a towel. If you are not comfortable with this, use a different method.

Method 3: French Press

A French press is a handy tool for this job. The plunger acts like a manual frother when you pump it fast.

Steps:

1. Brew the coffee in the French press as usual, then press it down.
2. Pour the coffee into a mug, rinse the press and pour the coffee back in.
3. Add the butter and MCT oil.
4. Pump the plunger up and down quickly for 30 to 45 seconds.
5. Pour into your mug.

You can also brew the coffee in a separate machine and just use the French press for mixing.

Method 4: Whisk

A whisk is the most basic tool and takes the most effort. It works best with a small balloon whisk in a wide mug or bowl.

Steps:

1. Pour the coffee into a wide mug or small bowl.
2. Add the butter and wait for it to melt.
3. Add the MCT oil.
4. Whisk fast in a back-and-forth motion for 45 to 60 seconds.

The result will be less frothy than other methods, but the fat will be well mixed. Drink it straight away before it separates.

Method 5: Immersion Blender

An immersion blender is technically a blender, but many people own one without a countertop blender. It gives the creamiest result after a full-size blender.

Use a tall container to avoid splashes, and keep the blade fully under the surface. Blend for 15 to 20 seconds. See our guide on how to use an immersion blender and the best immersion blenders if you want one.

Which Method Is Best?

Method	Froth Level	Effort	Cleanup
Handheld frother	High	Low	Very easy
Jar	Medium to high	Medium	Easy
French press	Medium to high	Medium	Medium
Whisk	Low to medium	High	Easy
Immersion blender	Very high	Low	Medium

For daily use, a handheld frother is the best balance of froth, speed and cleanup.

Butter vs Ghee vs Coconut Oil

Each fat changes the taste and texture a little.

Fat	Taste	Mixes Easily?	Notes
Unsalted butter	Rich and creamy	Yes, when coffee is hot	The classic choice
Ghee	Nutty, toasty	Yes	No milk solids, so good for some dairy-sensitive people
Coconut oil	Light coconut flavor	Yes, once melted	Cheaper than MCT oil
MCT oil	Almost no taste	Yes	Liquid at room temperature

Butter gives the creamiest, latte-like result because its milk solids help the froth hold. Ghee is smoother and keeps longer in the pantry.

Many people use both butter and MCT oil. Others use only one. Try a few mixes and see which you like best.

How to Brew Coffee for Bulletproof Coffee

The coffee is the base of the drink, so brew it well.

• Brew it strong. The fats mellow the flavor, so a slightly stronger brew tastes balanced.
• Use fresh beans. Grind just before brewing if you can.
• Use hot water just off the boil. Around 195°F to 205°F is the usual range for brewing.
• Pick your method. Drip, pour-over, French press, pods and espresso all work.

If you use espresso, add hot water to make an Americano first. A single shot is too small to mix with a tablespoon of fat.

Choosing a Handheld Frother

If you plan to make bulletproof coffee often, a frother is worth buying. Look for these features:

• Rechargeable battery. Saves buying AA batteries, and charging over USB is handy.
• A strong motor. Butter and oil need more power than milk.
• A stainless steel shaft and whisk. These resist rust and are easy to clean.
• A stand or case. Keeps it tidy on the counter or in a bag.

The Zulay Froth N Go mentioned above ticks these boxes. Any well-made frother will work, though.

Making It Ahead of Time

Bulletproof coffee is best fresh. If you must make it ahead, store it in a sealed thermos, which keeps it hot and slows separation.

Give the thermos a good shake before drinking to mix the fat back in. Do not reheat it in a microwave in a sealed container.

Common Mistakes

• Using cool coffee. Butter will not melt fully, and the fat will clump. Use freshly brewed coffee.
• Not mixing long enough. A quick stir is not enough. Mix for at least 20 seconds.
• Too much MCT oil too soon. Start with a teaspoon and build up.
• Using salted butter. It can make the coffee taste odd. Choose unsalted.
• Letting it sit. The emulsion starts to break as it cools, so drink it fresh.
• Overfilling the mug. Frothing adds volume, and coffee can spill over.

Variations to Try

• Ghee instead of butter. Ghee has a nutty flavor and no milk solids.
• Coconut oil instead of MCT oil. It is cheaper and easy to find. Melt it fully first.
• Cinnamon or vanilla. Add a pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of vanilla extract.
• Collagen or protein powder. Mix it in at the same time as the fats. For a creamier shake-style drink, see the best blender for protein shakes.
• Iced bulletproof coffee. Mix it hot first, then pour over ice. Cold coffee will not emulsify the butter.
• Dairy-free. Use coconut oil and a splash of coconut cream. See the best coconut milk substitutes and substitutes for whole milk for more options.

Nutrition Basics

Bulletproof coffee is almost all fat. A tablespoon of butter has roughly 100 calories, and a tablespoon of MCT oil adds roughly 100 to 130 more, depending on the brand.

That means one standard cup can have more than 200 calories. If you add it to a normal breakfast, those calories add up.

Health claims about bulletproof coffee are mixed. It is high in saturated fat, and it lacks the protein and fiber of a balanced breakfast. If you have heart concerns or a medical condition, speak to your doctor before making it a daily habit.

Making Coffee in a Small Kitchen

A frother takes up almost no space, which makes it a good fit for small kitchens. If counter space is tight, see countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen and small kitchen gadgets worth buying when you cook for one.

For quick coffee, a pod brewer works well too. Here is how to use a Keurig coffee maker and our pick of the best Keurig coffee makers. If you prefer Nespresso, these are the best Nespresso pod flavors.

A kettle gives you hot water for a French press or pour-over. Learn how electric kettles work, find the best tea kettle for a gas stove, and keep it clean with how to clean an electric kettle.

Cleaning Up

Butter and oil can leave a film on mugs, jars and whisks. Wash them in hot, soapy water right away.

For a handheld frother, run it in a cup of hot, soapy water for a few seconds, then rinse it in clean water. Wipe the handle and never put the motor part in water.

For a French press, take apart the plunger and wash the mesh filter so fat does not build up between the layers.

Do You Need a Blender at All?

For bulletproof coffee alone, no. A frother does the job well and costs far less than a blender.

A blender is worth it if you also make smoothies, soups or sauces. See the best blenders for smoothies, our NutriBullet vs Ninja comparison and the difference between a food processor and a blender.

Related Guides

• Best Iced Tea Maker
• How to Use a Double Boiler
• How to Stock a Small Kitchen for Solo Cooking
• Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Cooking for One
• Easy Meal Prep Ideas for One Person in a Small Kitchen
• How to Crack Open a Coconut
• Most Energy-Efficient Small Kitchen Appliances

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make bulletproof coffee without a blender?

Yes. A handheld milk frother, a sealed jar you shake, a French press or a whisk can all mix the butter and oil into the coffee. A frother gives the closest result to a blender.

Why does my bulletproof coffee separate?

The fat was not mixed hard enough to break into tiny droplets, or the coffee cooled down. Use hot coffee, mix for at least 20 to 30 seconds and drink it soon after making it.

Can I use coconut oil instead of MCT oil?

Yes. Coconut oil contains some MCTs and works well. It is solid when cool, so melt it in the hot coffee before mixing. It can taste slightly of coconut.

Can I use regular butter in bulletproof coffee?

Yes. The original recipe calls for unsalted grass-fed butter, but any unsalted butter will mix in. Ghee is a good choice if you want a nuttier taste and no milk solids.

How many calories are in bulletproof coffee?

A cup made with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of MCT oil has roughly 200 to 230 calories, almost all from fat. More butter or oil adds more calories.