When to Use Coconut Butter vs. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil and coconut butter are products with similar appearances, especially at room temperature, but there are differences in consistency and usage. Coconut oil is solid and white at room temperature. Heating coconut butter will cause the solids of coconut meat to separate from the coconut oil, creating a clear oil that behaves similarly to cooking oils. Coconut butter is a thick, creamy, spreadable food, while coconut oil is most often an ingredient.

Coconut butter, also known as coconut manna, is a smooth, flavorful spread made from the meat of fresh coconuts. Coconut butter has a vibrant coconut flavor and works well as a garnish or a key ingredient in sweet and savory dishes alike. Coconut butter contains all the fiber and nutrients found in the whole coconut flesh, including calcium, potassium, and iron. You can purchase coconut butter at a grocery store, or puree unsweetened shredded coconut in a food processor to make your own.

You can use coconut butter like virtually any nut butter, though it’s texture is a bit waxier than most nut butters and its flavor is unmistakably coconut. Consider these applications of coconut butter:

1. 1. Spread: Like peanut butter or almond butter, you can spread coconut butter on a piece of toast, a rice cracker, or even fruit. You can also add coconut butter to main dishes as a spread for baked sweet potatoes or sautéed greens.
2. 2. Smoothies: Blend a dollop of coconut butter into a smoothie for added fiber and flavor.
3. 3. Desserts: You can swap coconut butter for dairy products to make many baking recipes vegan. Use coconut butter in place of frosting for cupcakes, or make dairy-free fudge with coconut butter.

Coconut oil comes from the fruit of the tropical coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera), which yields meat that is about 35 percent oil by weight. Oil made from coconuts is very high in saturated fat (about 86 percent), which makes it very stable, resisting oxidation and rancidity. With a melting point of 78 degrees Fahrenheit, coconut oil is often solid at room temperature, a quality cooks take advantage of to make chocolate truffles and other no-bake desserts.

Coconut oil is best as a cooking oil or baking ingredient. Depending on the type of coconut oil you’re using, it can be a superior choice for sautéeing vegetables. Refined coconut oil has a very high smoke point, meaning that it can be heated to around 356 degrees Fahrenheit (much higher than olive oil) before it starts to smoke and break down. You can add virgin coconut oil to baked goods instead of butter, drizzle it on popcorn, or use it to make stir-frys.

Outside of the kitchen, coconut oil is a popular beauty product. You can use it as a moisturizer, rubbing a small amount on your hands or face to protect your skin’s water content. You can also use coconut oil as one of the ingredients in DIY hair conditioners.

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