What Does Bulletproof Coffee Contain? The Original Recipe Explained

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by Medical News Today, Bulletproof coffee is a trending beverage that combines coffee, oil, and butter. This article answers the question of what does Bulletproof coffee contain by breaking down the specific ingredients and explaining their roles in this popular high-fat drink.

Quick Summary

This article explains the core ingredients of the original Bulletproof coffee recipe: freshly brewed coffee, grass-fed butter or ghee, and MCT oil. It delves into the function of each component and compares the recipe to regular coffee. The guide also details the process of making it and offers insight into its high-fat, low-carb composition for sustained energy and mental focus.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Bulletproof coffee is made from high-quality coffee, grass-fed butter (or ghee), and MCT oil.
Sustained Energy: The combination of caffeine and healthy fats provides a slow-release energy source that helps prevent the energy crashes common with sugary breakfasts.
Enhanced Mental Focus: MCT oil, specifically, is converted into ketones, which are used as brain fuel and are associated with improved cognitive function.
Essential Blending: For the characteristic creamy texture, the ingredients must be blended until emulsified, not simply stirred.
Ketogenic Fuel: The drink is popular with those on a keto diet as its high-fat, low-carb profile encourages the body to use fat for energy.
High-Calorie Meal Replacement: With up to 400+ calories, it is often consumed as a breakfast replacement, but it lacks the balanced nutrition of a whole food meal.

Core Ingredients of Authentic Bulletproof Coffee

The iconic Bulletproof coffee, popularized by entrepreneur Dave Asprey, is more than just a regular cup of coffee with some additions. Its distinct texture, creamy flavor, and purported benefits come from a specific combination of quality ingredients. At its heart, the authentic recipe contains three essential components: high-quality coffee, grass-fed butter or ghee, and MCT oil.

High-Quality, Freshly Brewed Coffee

The foundation of the drink is, naturally, coffee. However, proponents like Asprey emphasize using freshly brewed, high-quality beans, often recommending organic and tested-for-toxin varieties. The brewing method can vary, from a French press to a pour-over, but the key is a strong, bold flavor to stand up to the rich fats. The caffeine provides the familiar energy boost, but the addition of fats helps regulate its absorption for a more sustained effect without the typical crash.

Grass-Fed, Unsalted Butter or Ghee

Unlike regular coffee, Bulletproof coffee contains healthy fats from grass-fed sources. The recipe calls for 1–2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter. This type of butter is richer in beneficial nutrients than its conventional counterpart, including omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and fat-soluble vitamins A and K2. For those with lactose sensitivities, grass-fed ghee (clarified butter) is a suitable alternative that provides similar healthy fats with less lactose.

MCT Oil for Rapid Energy

The third critical component is Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil. This specialized oil, often derived from coconut oil, is more easily and rapidly digested by the body than other fats. It is converted into ketones in the liver, which serve as a fast and efficient energy source for both the body and brain. This fast-acting energy is what many adherents claim is responsible for the heightened mental clarity and focus associated with the drink. A specific form, often trademarked as Brain Octane Oil, contains concentrated forms of the most ketogenic MCTs, C8 and C10.

How to Prepare Bulletproof Coffee

Creating Bulletproof coffee is a simple process, but blending is essential to achieve the signature creamy, latte-like texture and properly emulsify the fats. Simply stirring the ingredients will leave an oily film on top, which is less palatable.

Step-by-Step Preparation:

Brew 1 cup (8–12 ounces) of high-quality, hot coffee using your preferred method.
Add 1–2 tablespoons of grass-fed, unsalted butter or ghee to the coffee.
Mix in 1–2 teaspoons of MCT oil, starting with a smaller amount and increasing as your body adjusts.
Blend all ingredients in a blender for 20–30 seconds until the mixture is frothy and smooth.
Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy texture.

Comparison: Bulletproof Coffee vs. Regular Coffee


Feature	Bulletproof Coffee	Regular Coffee (Black)
Energy Source	Sustained from fats and caffeine. Fats are metabolized into ketones for long-lasting energy.	Quick burst from caffeine alone, which can lead to a crash.
Satiety	High in fat, which promotes a feeling of fullness and can suppress appetite.	Very low calorie, offering no significant feeling of fullness.
Nutritional Content	Contains healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K2), omega-3s, and CLA from grass-fed butter.	Very low calorie with limited nutritional value beyond antioxidants from the coffee itself.
Calorie Count	High, typically ranging from 230 to over 400 calories per cup, depending on fat content.	Negligible, usually fewer than 5 calories per cup.
Mental Focus	Claimed to enhance mental clarity and focus due to the brain-fueling effects of MCTs.	Can temporarily increase alertness but is often associated with more jitteriness and a harder 'crash'.

The Role of Fats in Bulletproof Coffee

While a high-calorie beverage, the fats in Bulletproof coffee are central to its purpose, especially for those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet. By providing the body with easily accessible, high-quality fats, it encourages the body to burn fat for fuel rather than carbohydrates. This process of shifting the body’s primary energy source is known as ketosis. The fats also slow down the absorption of caffeine, extending the stimulant's effects and helping to avoid the sudden energy spikes and crashes associated with sugary breakfast items. For this reason, many people use Bulletproof coffee as a breakfast replacement, though nutritionists caution that it lacks the balanced nutrients of a complete meal.

Conclusion

What does Bulletproof coffee contain? The original recipe is a specific formula of brewed coffee, grass-fed butter or ghee, and MCT oil. These ingredients are blended to create a creamy, emulsified drink that is high in calories and healthy fats. The purpose is to provide a long-lasting energy source and enhanced mental focus, particularly for those on a ketogenic or low-carb diet. While popular among wellness communities, it is important to remember that it is a meal replacement that lacks fiber, protein, and other essential micronutrients found in a traditional breakfast. Moderation and listening to your body are key, as its high saturated fat content can be a concern for some individuals. Understanding the specific components and their effects is crucial for deciding if this popular drink aligns with your personal health and dietary goals.

Visit the official Bulletproof website for more information on their proprietary ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

MCT oil stands for Medium-Chain Triglyceride oil, a rapidly digestible fat derived from coconut oil. It is used because the body quickly converts it into ketones, which serve as an efficient energy source for the brain and body, leading to improved focus and sustained energy.

While you can use regular butter, the original recipe specifies unsalted, grass-fed butter. Grass-fed butter contains a better nutritional profile, including more omega-3s, CLA, and fat-soluble vitamins compared to standard butter.

Nutritionists caution against replacing a complete breakfast with Bulletproof coffee, as it lacks essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is very high in calories and saturated fat, so it's best to consume in moderation.

When properly blended, Bulletproof coffee does not taste like butter but instead has a creamy, smooth texture similar to a latte. Blending is key to emulsifying the fats and avoiding a greasy consistency.

To make a vegan version, you can substitute the grass-fed butter with high-quality coconut oil or coconut butter. Some recipes also suggest using nut butter or full-fat coconut milk to achieve a creamy texture.

No, simply stirring will not work well. Blending is necessary to emulsify the fats with the coffee, creating the desired creamy texture. Without blending, the oil and butter will separate and float on top, resulting in an unpalatable drink.

For some, the high fat content and MCT oil can cause gastrointestinal issues such as upset stomach, bloating, or diarrhea. It can also significantly raise daily saturated fat intake, potentially increasing LDL cholesterol levels in some individuals.