Ghee in Coffee: What Is Bulletproof Coffee and Is It Worth Trying?

By InstaCuppa Team  |  May 2026  |  7 min read

You have seen it online. Ghee in coffee. Or butter in coffee. They call it bulletproof coffee.

It sounds strange. But millions of people drink it every morning. And there are good reasons why.

In India, we actually have been mixing ghee into hot drinks for centuries. Adding ghee to coffee is just a modern version of an old idea.

Here is what ghee coffee does, how to make it, and who it is — and is not — good for.

What Is Ghee Coffee?

Ghee coffee is simply coffee blended with ghee (and sometimes coconut oil or coconut butter). The blending creates a smooth, creamy drink without any solid fat lumps.

The original "bulletproof coffee" was made popular in the West. It used grass-fed butter and coconut oil in black coffee. In India, many people use ghee instead of butter. It works the same way and is easier to find.

The result: a rich, frothy, filling morning drink that is completely different in taste and effect from regular chai or plain coffee.

Benefits of Ghee Coffee

1. Long-Lasting Energy Without a Crash

The fat in ghee slows how fast caffeine enters the blood. This means you do not feel the sharp rush-and-crash of a sugary coffee. Instead, you get steady alertness for 4 to 5 hours.

This is the number one reason people try ghee coffee. Once you experience a steady 4-hour energy period from your morning drink, it is hard to go back to regular coffee.

2. Reduces Morning Hunger

Fat is the most filling of all food types. One cup of ghee coffee with 1 tsp of ghee has about 50 to 60 kcal of fat.

That small amount of fat signals to the brain that the body has fuel. Hunger hormones reduce. Most people who drink ghee coffee do not feel hungry for 2 to 3 hours after.

This is useful for people who do not eat breakfast early — ghee coffee keeps you satisfied for 2 to 3 hours without any food.

3. No Sugar Needed

Ghee makes coffee taste naturally creamy. You do not need sugar or milk. The fat adds a richness that many people prefer over sweet, milky coffee.

Removing sugar from your morning coffee is a small but powerful change. One cup of coffee with 2 tsp sugar, twice per day = 16 g of sugar removed. Over 30 days, that is nearly 500 g of sugar.

4. Good for People Who Cannot Have Milk

Many Indians have a mild dairy sensitivity. Milk in coffee causes bloating or stomach discomfort for them. Ghee has almost no lactose and no milk protein. Most people who react to milk tolerate ghee very well.

Ghee coffee is also completely suitable for people who are following a dairy-free diet — as long as they are fine with pure clarified butter fat (no milk solids).

5. Supports Gut Health

Ghee has a natural fat called butyric acid. This feeds the cells that line the large intestine. It also reduces swelling in the gut. Even a small amount of ghee each morning helps the gut stay healthy.

People with sensitive stomachs or loose stool often notice improvement after adding ghee to their morning routine.

How to Make Ghee Coffee

Time: 5 min  |  Calories: 80 to 120 kcal per cup

Classic Ghee Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly brewed black coffee (hot)
• 1 tsp desi ghee (start here — build to 2 tsp over time)
• Optional: 1/4 tsp coconut oil or coconut butter
• Optional: a tiny pinch of cinnamon or cardamom

Steps:

1. Brew your coffee as usual. Black coffee, no milk, no sugar.
2. Pour hot coffee into a blender. Add 1 tsp ghee.
3. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until frothy.
4. Pour into your cup. Drink immediately.

No blender? Add ghee to coffee in a tall glass. Use an immersion blender or a milk frother. Or just stir very well — it will not be as frothy but it still works.

Spiced Indian Ghee Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strong black coffee
• 1 tsp ghee
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• A pinch of cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp raw honey (optional, adds sweetness)

Blend all together. Drink warm. This version has an Indian-spiced flavour that many people prefer to the plain Western version.

Ghee Chai Variation

Not a coffee drinker? Try ghee in masala chai instead.

Brew your chai as usual without milk. Add 1/2 tsp ghee. Blend or stir well. Add honey to sweeten. The ghee gives the same steady energy effect in chai as in coffee.

Who Is Ghee Coffee Good For?

Ghee coffee works best for:

• People who want steady morning energy without a sugar crash
• People who do intermittent fasting (IF) — ghee coffee keeps you full without breaking a fast
• People who are reducing sugar and sweet chai
• People with mild dairy sensitivity who cannot have milk coffee
• People on low-carb diets

Ghee coffee is not ideal for:

• People with high cholesterol who need to limit saturated fat — check with a doctor first
• People who need a lot of calories in the morning — ghee coffee is low-calorie and very filling, so you may eat less food overall
• Children — ghee coffee has caffeine. Not suitable for children

Common Mistakes with Ghee Coffee

1. Not blending it. If you just stir ghee into coffee, the fat floats on top. The drink feels greasy. You must blend it. Blending creates an emulsion — the fat mixes evenly with the coffee. The result is a smooth, creamy texture.
2. Starting with too much ghee. Start with 1 tsp. Some people start with 1 tbsp right away and feel nauseous. Fat on an empty stomach takes getting used to. Build up over 2 to 3 weeks.
3. Adding sugar and milk too. Ghee coffee works because it is pure fat and caffeine. Adding sugar brings back the blood sugar spike and crash. Adding milk dilutes the effect. Try it without anything else first.
4. Using processed ghee. The benefits come from the butyric acid and nutrients in good quality desi ghee. Use pure, natural desi ghee — not the cheap "vanaspati ghee" (which is actually hydrogenated oil and is harmful).

How to Start with Ghee Coffee — A 7-Day Guide

Most people find ghee coffee unusual at first. The key is to start small and build up over a week.

Day 1 to 2: Add just 1/2 tsp of ghee to your regular black coffee. Blend it. Taste it. Notice the creaminess and the longer energy.

Day 3 to 4: Increase to 1 tsp ghee. This is the maintenance dose for most people. Notice if you feel full longer and have less desire to snack before lunch.

Day 5 to 7: Try a full morning of just ghee coffee — no breakfast for 2 to 3 hours after. See if your energy is steady or if you need to eat earlier.

Week 2 onwards: Most people settle at 1 to 2 tsp per morning. Some add coconut oil. Some prefer the spiced Indian version with cardamom.

If you feel nauseous at any point, reduce the amount. Fat on an empty stomach takes getting used to. Some people need 2 to 3 weeks before they feel fully comfortable.

Ghee Coffee vs Regular Coffee with Milk and Sugar

Common Questions