I love coconut butter. And after trying these brilliantly versatile and easy coconut butter uses, you will too.

What is coconut butter?

I’m frequently asked about the difference between coconut butter and coconut oil. Here’s an easy trick to remember the difference: coconut butter is like almond butter (or other nut butter) and coconut oil is like almond oil. 

Coconut butter contains the meaty-goodness of the coconut flesh, blended into a silky and creamy puree. It shares a similar texture with nut butter. On the other hand, coconut oil is pure oil and useable whenever a recipe calls for oil.

Are there other names for coconut butter?

The many different names for coconut butter may be slightly confusing. The following popular brands are all types of coconut butter, and are interchangeable:

• Artisana Coconut Butter
• Nutiva Coconut Manna
• Tropical Traditions Coconut Concentrate
• Edward and Son’s Creamed Coconut (this is not as smooth as the above options and has more of a grainy texture)

 Where do I find coconut butter?

Actually, the most economical option is making coconut butter yourself! All you do is blend unsweetened coconut flakes – found here – in a high-powered blender or food processor until you have a creamy puree. It’s just like making almond butter from almonds. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for making coconut butter.

Alternatively, you can purchase coconut butter. These are the two that I use in my house interchangeably:

• Artisana Coconut Butter, found here on Amazon
• Nutiva Coconut Manna, found here on Amazon

How should I store coconut butter?

Pure coconut butter can be stored at room temperature. At room temperature (above 70 degrees), coconut butter is smooth and spreadable. When heated gently, it becomes silky and poureable. Placed in the fridge, it becomes hard as a rock.

To liquify hard coconut butter, place the jar into a saucepan with hot water to come halfway up the sides of the jar. Heat and stir until smooth. (You can also use a microwave, but I don’t.) Additionally, you’ll find that a fresh jar of coconut butter will probably have settled with a layer of coconut oil on the top. Simply use this warming method and then stir to emulsify the coconut butter.

What are coconut butter uses?

1. Drizzle coconut butter on fresh fruit

My favorite way to enjoy coconut butter? Drizzled over fresh fruit – pineapple is excellent – with a tiny sprinkle of salt to bring out the sweetness. If the fruit is chilled, the coconut butter hardens and creates a delightfully crunchy compliment to the fresh fruit. 

2. Make an Egg-Free Mayonnaise

Looking for an egg-free alternative to regular mayonnaise? I love this Egg-Free Mayonnaise recipe that uses coconut butter and olive oil to replicate the thick, creamy texture of mayonnaise. Use it as a salad dressing base, spread it on sandwiches or use to dip veggies.

3. Spread it on pancakes

Just like you would spread nut butter on your pancakes (like these delectable coconut flour pancakes), give it a try with coconut butter. You’ll find that a little goes a long way, as it melts over the warm pancakes. All the good fats in the coconut butter will fill you up and help balance your blood sugar, too!

 4. Make flourless pancakes with coconut butter

If you are really obsessed with coconut butter, you can spread it on coconut butter pancakes. These five ingredient Coconut Butter Pancakes from Loving Our Guts are completely flourless and rely on coconut butter for the base. 

5. Use coconut butter as a dairy free coffee creamer

Want an easy solution for a dairy-free coffee creamer? Just stir a spoonful of coconut butter into your hot coffee or tea! The slightly sweet, coconutty-flavor compliments coffee as well as herbal tea.

 6. Make an instant creamy tomato sauce

Coconut butter also creates a dairy-free creamy tomato sauce in an instant. Take a cup of warmed tomato pasta sauce, either homemade or store-bought, and add two tablespoons (or more) of coconut butter to create a creamy tomato sauce. If you are looking for healthy alternatives to pasta, try my Cabbage Noodles recipe or Zucchini Noodles recipe.

7. Make Magic Shell chocolate coating

To make a healthy, two-ingredient alternative to Magic Shell, that liquid chocolate syrup that hardens into a crunchy topping when poured over ice cream, you need only coconut butter and chocolate chips. Just eyeball one part coconut butter and one part chocolate chips (there’s no need to measure since you can’t go wrong because it’s, you know, chocolate and coconut butter) and melt over very low heat in a saucepan. Let cool to room temperature and pour over a bowl of ice cream. It will harden into a crunchy shell topping.

8. Prepare dairy free hot cocoa in a pinch

For a healthy and dairy-free hot cocoa, reach for coconut butter, cocoa powder and sweetener. To 3/4 cup hot water, add a heaping tablespoon of coconut butter, a small spoonful of cocoa powder and a small spoonful of liquid sweetener such as raw honey. (Adjust amounts to suit your taste.) Stir briskly to dissolve the cocoa powder and enjoy.

9. Try toasted coconut butter

Plain old coconut butter is pretty addicting. So what happens when you make toasted coconut butter? Well, you are a little bit ruined. But that’s okay, because this stuff is good for you! To make toasted coconut butter, simply toast flaked coconut in a skillet, stirring frequently, until it turns a light golden color. Then, place the toasted coconut in your blender/food processor and blend to make coconut butter. For detailed instructions and pictures, try this Toasted Coconut Butter recipe from The Healthy Foodie.

 10. Add coconut butter to a stir-fry

For a creamy, coconut-flavored sauce, add coconut butter to your stir fried veggies and/or meat. Simply stir-fry vegetables and meat as usual, then turn off the heat and swirl in a big spoonful  of coconut butter (use a scant tablespoon per serving). I also recommend adding a dash of coconut aminos (found here), which is a healthy soy-free substitute for soy sauce.

11. Add it to your morning oatmeal or porridge

If you enjoy hot cereal in the morning, such as porridge or oatmeal, a spoonful of coconut butter adds creaminess and richness. For double the coconutty goodness, swirl coconut butter into my No-Oats Paleo Oatmeal recipe.

12. Make Raw Orange Coconut Fudge

Made with only coconut butter and orange juice, this melt-in-your mouth coconut butter “fudge” recipe is the perfect after-dinner bite when you crave just a little morsel of sweetness.

13. Make 5-Ingredient Coconut Flour Bread

Just like coconut butter can replace flour in that pancake recipe, it can also replace flour in a simple quick bread. Try this Toasted Coconut Butter Bread recipe, made with only five healthy ingredients! The recipe includes instructions on preparing your own toasted coconut butter.

14. Make Coconut Berry Bites

For a simple kid-friendly finger food, simply dip berries into softened coconut butter, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Store in the freezer and enjoy when you want a healthy frozen treat. For detailed instructions, use this recipe for Raspberries with Coconut Butter from In Sonnet’s Kitchen.

15. Make personalized coconut butter cups

Last but not least, Coconut Butter Cups are perhaps the most versatile treat you can whip up with coconut butter. These taste like little fudge bites – they are solid but melt in your mouth. Be sure to keep these in the fridge, because they will soften at room temperature.

16. {Bonus} Eat it with a spoon

But I probably didn’t need to tell you that…

 Do you use coconut butter? What is your favorite recipe or use for coconut butter?