Coconut Butter Vs Coconut Oil: What’s The Difference?

There’s no doubt that coconuts are having a moment. They’re popping up everywhere, from
the beach to the grocery store to our kitchen cabinets. But with all of the different
coconut products on the market, it can be hard to know which one to use for what.
Should you be cooking with coconut butter vs coconut oil? What’s the difference between
the two, anyway?

Coconut oil and coconut butter are both made from coconuts, but the similarity pretty
much ends there. Coconut oil is just that – oil. It’s extracted from the flesh of the
coconut and is 100% fat. Coconut butter, on the other hand, is made by grinding up the
entire coconut, flesh and all. This results in a thick, creamy paste that’s packed with
fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So, which one should you use? If you’re looking for a healthy cooking oil, coconut oil is
a good choice. It has a high smoke point, so it can be used for frying or sautéing without
smoking or burning. Coconut oil is also gaining popularity as a healthy alternative to other
cooking oils like vegetable oil. Plus, it has a subtle coconut flavor that can enhance the
flavor of certain dishes.

If you want something that’s more versatile, go for coconut butter. You can use it in place
of peanut butter or other nut butters, spread it on toast or fruit, or even use it in baking.
Coconut butter also makes a great moisturizer for skin and hair. Just rub a small amount into
dry skin or apply it to damp hair as a leave-in conditioner.

So there you have it – a quick guide to coconut oil vs coconut butter. Now that you know the
difference, you can decide which one is right for you.

What Is Coconut Butter?

​Coconut oil and coconut butter are two completely different things, despite their similar names.

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of the coconut, while coconut butter is made from grinding up the whole coconut, meat and all. This makes coconut butter much richer in vitamins, minerals, and fiber than coconut oil.

Coconut oil is basically just pure fat. It’s composed of about 90% saturated fat, making it solid at room temperature. Coconut butter, on the other hand, is a lot more than just fat. In addition to fat, it also contains water, protein, and fiber.

Coconut oil is great for cooking because it can withstand high temperatures without breaking down. Coconut butter, however, should not be used for cooking since its water content will cause it to splatter and smoke.

Coconut oil is also good for your skin and hair. It can help to moisturize and protect against damage. Coconut butter can also be used in this way, but because it contains water, it’s not as effective as coconut oil.

If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious spread for your toast or a nutritious addition to your smoothie, reach for coconut butter. But if you need a cooking oil that can stand up to high heat, coconut oil is the way to go.

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is the oil that is extracted from the flesh of coconuts. It’s solid at room temperature but melts quickly when heated. Coconut oil has a high smoke point, making it a good choice for cooking.

Coconut oil is made up of mostly saturated fats, which are the type of fats that are solid at room temperature. Saturated fats are not all bad–in fact, they are necessary for our bodies to function properly. However, too much saturated fat can lead to heart disease and other health problems.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been touted as a “miracle” oil with many health benefits, but these claims are mostly anecdotal and not supported by science. Some of the claimed benefits of coconut oil include:

Weight loss: Coconut oil is said to boost metabolism and help you lose weight. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Heart health: Coconut oil is claimed to improve cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. However, the evidence is mixed and more research is needed.

Skin health: Coconut oil is often used as a natural moisturizer for skin. It can also be used to treat psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions.

Hair health: Coconut oil is sometimes used as a natural treatment for dry scalp and dandruff. It can also help to improve the health of your hair.

Diabetes: Coconut oil is claimed to improve insulin sensitivity and help to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Alzheimer’s disease: Coconut oil is sometimes claimed to improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Cancer: Coconut oil is sometimes claimed to help prevent or treat cancer. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Despite the claims, there is little scientific evidence to support the health benefits of coconut oil. More research is needed to confirm any potential health benefits.

Coconut Oil vs Other Oils

Coconut oil is mostly made up of saturated fats, which are the type of fats that are solid at room temperature. These types of fats are not all bad–in fact, they are necessary for our bodies to function properly. However, too much saturated fat can lead to heart disease and other health problems.

Other oils, such as olive oil and avocado oil, are mostly made up of unsaturated fats, which are the type of fats that are liquid at room temperature. These types of fats are generally considered to be healthier than saturated fats.

So, should you use coconut oil or other oils? It really depends on your individual health goals and needs. If you are trying to lose weight or improve your heart health, you may want to limit your intake of coconut oil. If you are trying to improve your skin or hair health, you may want to use it in moderation. You should always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Nutritional Comparison of Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil

 Coconut butter contains more fiber than coconut oil. Coconut oil is 100% fat, while coconut butter is about 60-80% fat.

Despite the difference in fat content, both coconut butter and coconut oil are rich in saturated fats. In fact, about 90% of the fat in both products is saturated. This high saturated fat content is what has made coconut oil controversial in the past, as some experts believe that saturated fats can increase your risk of heart disease. However, more recent research suggests that saturated fats from coconut oil may actually be beneficial, as they can help raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and improve lipid profiles.

When it comes to calories, both coconut butter and coconut oil are similar, with around 100 calories per tablespoon. Coconut oil is a bit higher in carbs than coconut butter, with 4 grams per tablespoon compared to 3 grams in coconut butter. However, both products are low in carbs overall, and they do not contain any protein or fiber.

Coconut oil is more heat-stable than coconut butter, meaning it can withstand higher temperatures without breaking down. This makes it better for cooking, as it can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, and baking. Coconut butter is better for spreading on toast or adding to smoothies and other recipes where you don’t need to heat it up.

So, which one should you choose? If you’re looking for a healthy fat to add to your diet, either coconut butter or coconut oil can be a good option. Both products have similar nutritional profiles and offer potential health benefits. However, coconut oil is more versatile and can be used in cooking, while coconut butter is best for adding to recipes that don’t require heating.

Uses For Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil

​Coconut oil and coconut butter have a lot of similarities, but there are also some key differences that make them each unique. Here’s a look at the benefits and uses of both coconut oil and coconut butter.

Coconut oil has a variety of uses, both in the kitchen and out. It is easy to substitute coconut oil for melted butter in most recipes that allow for coconut taste.

Coconut oil can be used as a cooking oil, since it has a high smoke point. It’s also good for baking, since it gives baked goods a nice coconut flavor. Coconut oil can also be used to fry food, although it’s important to keep in mind that it does add calories.

Coconut oil can also be used for skin care and hair care. It’s often used as a natural moisturizer, and it can also help to treat dandruff and dry scalp. Coconut oil can even be used as a natural sunblock, since it has SPF properties.

Coconut butter is similar to coconut oil, but it’s thicker and has a creamier texture. Coconut butter can be used in the same ways as coconut oil, but it’s also good for spreading on toast or using as a dip.

Coconut butter is also a good natural moisturizer, and it can be used to treat dry skin and lips. It can also be used in hair masks or as a natural conditioner – rub a dime-sized dollop of coconut butter through damp hair with a leave-in conditioner.

Benefits of Coconut Butter Vs Coconut Oil

​Coconut butter and coconut oil both have their own unique benefits that can be helpful in our everyday lives. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at the benefits of each to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you.

Coconut oil is comprised of 90% saturated fats, making it one of the most stable oils at high temperatures. This makes it ideal for cooking, as it doesn’t break down and oxidize like other oils. Coconut oil can also help to boost your metabolism and promote weight loss.

Coconut butter, on the other hand, is a great source of healthy fats and fiber. It’s also a delicious vegan alternative to butter. Coconut butter can help to improve your digestion. It is easy to make your own coconut butter.

So, which one is right for you? If you’re looking for an oil that’s great for cooking and can help with weight loss, then coconut oil is the way to go. If you’re looking for a butter that’s packed with healthy fats and fiber, then coconut butter is the better choice.

Which One Is Better for Cooking and Baking?

​When it comes to cooking and baking, there are a lot of different oils and butter that you can use. But, two of the most popular options are coconut oil and coconut butter. So, which one is better for cooking and baking? Let’s compare the two and see.

Coconut oil is made from the meat of the coconut. The meat is then dried and pressed to extract the oil. Coconut oil is a great option for cooking and baking because it has a high smoke point. This means that you can use it to cook or bake at high temperatures without the oil burning. Coconut oil is also a good choice because it is solid at room temperature. This means that it will hold up well in baked goods.

Coconut butter is also made from the meat of the coconut. However, the meat is not pressed to extract the oil. Instead, it is blended into a butter. Coconut butter has a lower smoke point than coconut oil, which means that you need to be careful when cooking or baking with it. Coconut butter is also softer than coconut oil, so it might not hold up as well in baked goods.

So, which one should you choose? It really depends on what you are looking for. If you want an oil that has a high smoke point and is solid at room temperature, then coconut oil is a good choice. If you want a butter that is softer and has a lower smoke point, then coconut butter is a good choice.

Precautions When Using Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil

​When using coconut butter or coconut oil, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to avoid any complications. Both coconut butter and coconut oil can be great for your health, but if not used correctly, they can cause problems.

Coconut butter is a solid at room temperature, while coconut oil is liquid. This means that if you’re using coconut butter, you need to be careful not to overheat it. If you do, the butter may cause burns due to its lower smoke point. Coconut oil, on the other hand, can be heated without any problems.

Another thing to keep in mind is that coconut butter is much more calorie-dense than coconut oil. This means that if you’re watching your weight, you need to be careful not to eat too much of it. A good rule of thumb is to use coconut butter sparingly.

Make sure you know how you’re going to use the coconut butter or oil before you buy it. There are different types of each, and some are better for certain uses than others. For example, virgin coconut oil is better for cooking, while refined coconut oil is better for baking.

The Final Verdict: Coconut Butter vs Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an excellent source of healthy saturated fats. These fats can help to boost your metabolism and help you to lose weight. Coconut butter is also a good source of healthy saturated fats, but it also contains some unhealthy saturated fats.

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain fatty acids, which are easy to digest and are metabolized quickly by the body. Coconut butter is also rich in these medium chain fatty acids, but it also contains some long chain fatty acids, which are more difficult to digest.

Coconut oil is a good source of lauric acid, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut butter contains some lauric acid, but it’s not as rich in this fatty acid as coconut oil.

Coconut oil can help to improve your cardiovascular health by reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol. Coconut butter can also help to improve your cardiovascular health, but it’s not as effective as coconut oil.

Coconut oil can help to boost your immune system and help to improve your cognitive function and memory. It can also help to protect your skin and hair from damage. Coconut oil can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Coconut butter can also help with these things, but not as effectively as coconut oil.

So, what’s the final verdict? Coconut oil is the clear winner, because it is more effective in everything from weight loss to skin care. If you’re looking for a healthy, versatile product, coconut oil is the way to go. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil

​Coconut butter and coconut oil are two very popular ingredients in the kitchen these days. Both have a very unique flavor and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some frequently asked questions about these two ingredients:

Photo by Dana Tentis: