Homemade Coconut Butter Cost Calculator

Find out if blending your own coconut butter saves money per jar.

$
$
$

Is Making Homemade Coconut Butter Worth It?

Coconut butter — also sold as coconut manna — is simply whole coconut flesh blended until it becomes a rich, creamy spread. At specialty grocery stores and health food shops it often runs $12 to $18 for a 16-ounce jar. A bag of unsweetened shredded or desiccated coconut costs a fraction of that, which is why so many home cooks wonder: should I just make it myself?

The answer depends on three numbers: what you pay for coconut, how much finished butter you get from each batch, and what the store version costs in your area. This calculator pins down all three so you can see the real savings.

What Goes Into the Cost

Shredded coconut is the dominant cost. Unsweetened desiccated coconut from a bulk bin or an online retailer typically runs $3 to $7 per pound. One pound of dry shredded coconut yields roughly 12 to 16 ounces of finished coconut butter depending on your blender and how long you process it.

Blender energy is almost negligible. A high-powered blender drawing 1,200 watts run for 10 minutes uses about 0.2 kWh, which at a national average rate of roughly $0.14 per kWh comes to less than $0.03 per batch.

Tips for a Better Yield

  • Use finely shredded or desiccated coconut rather than large flakes — it breaks down faster and smoother.
  • Warm the coconut slightly in a low oven (200°F for 5 minutes) before blending to help fat release quickly.
  • Scrape the sides frequently and blend in short pulses to avoid overheating your motor.
  • Store finished coconut butter at room temperature — it solidifies below 76°F but softens in warm conditions just like coconut oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coconut butter does one pound of shredded coconut make?
One pound of unsweetened desiccated or finely shredded coconut typically yields 12 to 16 ounces of finished coconut butter. The exact yield depends on how dry the coconut is and how thoroughly you blend it.
Is homemade coconut butter the same as coconut manna?
Yes. Coconut butter, coconut manna, and creamed coconut all refer to the same product: whole coconut flesh (including the fat and fiber) blended into a thick, spreadable paste. It differs from coconut oil, which is pure extracted fat with the fiber removed.
What kind of blender works best for making coconut butter?
A high-powered blender (Vitamix, Blendtec, or similar running 1,000 watts or more) produces the smoothest result in the shortest time — typically 5 to 10 minutes. A standard blender or food processor can work but may take 15 to 25 minutes with frequent scraping and rest breaks.
Does the electricity cost matter much?
Electricity is a very small factor. Even a powerful 1,500-watt blender running for 15 minutes uses only 0.375 kWh — about $0.05 at average US rates. The cost of your shredded coconut is by far the largest driver of your total batch cost.
Where can I buy shredded coconut cheaply to maximize savings?
Buying in bulk is the key. Online retailers, ethnic grocery stores, and natural food co-ops often sell unsweetened desiccated coconut for $3 to $5 per pound compared to $6 to $9 for small retail bags. Buying a 5- to 25-pound bag can cut your ingredient cost nearly in half.