15 Food and Coffee Pairings for Every Meal

Just like finding the perfect cheese to complement your favorite wine, food and coffee pairings matter, too! While a cup of hot (or cold) coffee certainly tastes great on its own, why not make it a part of a delicious and nutritious meal?

Whether you’re looking for coffee pairing ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, we have something for you. Bulletproof has a wide range of coffee products that fit well with any meal. But before we dive into the 15 coffee food pairings below, let’s explore the matchmaking process!

Tips on how to pair coffee with food

Doughnuts, scones and croissants are classic coffee pairings, but there are many other ways to tantalize your taste buds—without all those carbs!

But, how exactly do you go about pairing coffee with food?

Here are a few useful tips:

• Practice tasting often: Just like any skill, practice makes perfect (or close to it). By conducting coffee tastings on a regular basis, you can get a better grasp on the flavor profile of each type of coffee, which will make pairing it with food much easier.
• Emphasize similarities: Don’t be afraid to make food and coffee pairings based on their similarities. For example, dark roasts and espressos often bring hints of chocolate, which matches up well with a slice of Keto Chocolate Cake.
• Contrast can be key, too: You might be surprised that pairing opposite flavor profiles can yield some tasty results. A light roast with bright acidity can actually work well with a more decadent dessert. Balance is the name of this tasting game!

Bulletproof’s robust coffee collection

For all our coffee lovers out there, Bulletproof has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for a light roast or you prefer a darker, fuller-bodied option, you won’t be disappointed.

Bulletproof’s robust coffee collection covers all the bases. Care to grind your coffee at home? There are plenty of whole-bean varieties available. Need something more convenient? Choose from a wide range of ground coffee. If you only need to make one mug at a time, you’ll definitely want to take a look at our single-serve pod offerings.

Newsflash: You don’t have to drink your coffee hot, either. Bulletproof offers several, tasty cold brew options, too.

Plus, our 100% Arabica high-quality coffee beans originate from small farms in Colombia, Guatemala and El Salvador. So whether you enjoy a cappuccino, a latte, or just a plain cup of traditional, hot black coffee, you can sip with confidence knowing your product has been handled with care.

Related: Inside Bulletproof: How Our Clean Coffee is Made

Breakfast and coffee pairings

Looking for the perfect way to start your day? Give one of these tasty breakfast and coffee pairings a try.

Believe us, you’ll feel much better about heading to the office once you do…

1. Keto Coffee Cake 

Gluten-free, low-carb but full of flavor, this keto coffee cake packs plenty of quality fats courtesy of Bulletproof Grass Fed-Ghee. And with just 2.2g of sugar per slice (naturally occurring; not added), you really can have cake for breakfast after all!

Suggested coffee pairing: Enjoy your guilt-free slice of cinnamon-flavored cake with a steaming mug of coffee brewed with Bulletproof Original Ground Coffee. This medium-roast variety pairs perfectly, since it features distinct notes of cinnamon, plum and orange, along with a cocoa-hazelnut finish.

2. Collagen Breakfast Cookies 

Cookies for breakfast, too? Don’t fear that this is too good to be true. Forget biscotti, made with nutrient-packed ingredients like almonds, pecans and Bulletproof Vanilla Collagen Protein, each cookie contains 10.7g of protein and less than 10g of net carbs!

Suggested coffee pairing: Ditch the “milk and cookies” approach for something more sophisticated. Wash down your warm, crunchy breakfast cookie with a perfectly chilled Bulletproof Vanilla Cold Brew Latte for a tasty (and macro-packed) start to the morning.

3. Fluffy Almond Flour and Vanilla Pancakes With Chocolate Drizzle

Pancakes are one of those breakfast foods that just hits the spot. Stack up a batch of these fluffy, pillow-like delights (complete with the chocolate drizzle) and you’ll be left wondering how something so delectable could be so simple.

Suggested coffee pairing: Chocolate lovers will truly appreciate how the smooth, dark-bodied goodness of French Kick Ground Coffee pairs with this easy-to-make pancake recipe.

4. Carrot Cake Collagen Muffins With Cashew Icing 

These muffins taste exactly like carrot cake and still manage to be paleo, gluten-free and grain-free. Beyond having no added sugar, they also contain plenty of quality fats and collagen protein.

Suggested coffee pairing: Pick up a Bulletproof Coffee Pod Variety Pack so you can have three different coffee flavors on rotation! Whether you prefer a sweet coffee (The Original) or a darker one (French Kick), you can brew up the perfect single cup of coffee to enjoy alongside your carrot cake collagen muffin.

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5. Chocolate Cinnamon Keto Donuts

Coffee lovers must give this recipe a go. After all, you can’t go wrong with a gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, sugar-free and grain-free doughnut recipe that takes less than 12 minutes, from start to finish!

Suggested coffee pairing: Your morning doughnut fix deserves a cup of coffee that rivals any that shop can offer! Control your grind and intensity by picking up a bag of Bulletproof French Kick Whole Bean Coffee to get your day started on the right foot.

Lunch and coffee pairing ideas

Ready for a midday pick-me-up?

The best coffee and food pairings for lunch combine fresh ingredients with Bulletproof products to create a delicious meal that will fuel you throughout the rest of the afternoon.

6. Keto BLT Sandwich 

Make this classic sandwich keto-friendly by swapping out traditional bread for two slices of Paleo Coconut Bread. Crispy strips of pasture-raised bacon, creamy avocado and juicy slices of tomato make this a mouth-wateringly delightful lunch option.

Suggested coffee pairing: Remember when we said opposites work well with coffee and food pairings? In this case, the salty, fatty flavor of bacon works wonderfully with the medium-dark roast (and full-bodied flavor) of Bulletproof The Mentalist Coffee Beans.

More From Bulletproof

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7 Things You May Be Doing Wrong With Your Morning Coffee—And How to Fix Them

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7. Pasture-Raised Egg Bites 

Seeking a low-carb, protein-packed lunch item that you can customize? Look no further than these yummy egg bites. Feel free to throw in other veggies, herbs and spices, based on your taste preferences.

Suggested coffee pairing: Not only does Original Cold Brew Latte contain collagen protein, MCT oil and no added sugar*, but it has a smooth, creamy finish that pairs well with the egg bites. Plus, you can easily take this coffee and food pairing on the go for when you need to get back to the office in a pinch!

*Not a low-calorie food

8. Paleo Sweet Potato Fritters With Herb Aioli

The crispy, caramelized edges of these paleo-friendly sweet potato fritters are next-level in the flavor department. And don’t skip out on the herb aioli—which has the full potential to become a sauce staple…

Suggested coffee pairing: Bulletproof Breakfast Blend Coffee Beans feature vibrant notes of milk chocolate, orange, berry and citrus. This light roast accentuates the rich, earthy flavor of the sweet potato fritters and amplifies the yam, thanks to a fruity touch.

Related: Keto Brunch Recipes to Rock Your Weekends Right

Coffee and food pairings for dinner

If you work a typical 9 to 5, consuming coffee with dinner may not be the best choice. Cutting out caffeine by a certain time of the day is often a sound strategy if you don’t want to stay wired all night!

However, for those who work night shifts (we salute you), here are some dinner coffee and food pairings that work particularly well.

9. No-Bean Keto Chili 

A hearty bowl of low-carb chili that contains quality fats and plenty of protein? Sign me up! As for the secret to that stick-to-your-ribs thickness? All the credit goes to Bulletproof Collagelatin, which mixes easily in hot liquids—without affecting the flavor.

Suggested coffee pairing: Meat and coffee actually work well together, as both bring big-time flavors. To keep your nighttime coffee consumption under control, stick with Original Coffee Pods for a single serving of glorious medium-roast goodness.

10. Seared Steak With Ghee

Nothing beats a thick, juicy, grass-fed steak cooked to perfection in a hot cast-iron skillet. Actually, there is. Drizzle that steak with Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil before digging in!

Suggested coffee pairing: Rather than brewing up a cup of black coffee, try rubbing your steak with your favorite spice blend and a hint of The Mentalist for a truly one-of-a-kind flavor profile that will make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about marinating meat.

11. Slow-Cooked Lamb Barbacoa

Ready to make use of your Instant Pot or slow cooker? This tender, juicy lamb is tantalizing and can star in any dish—add to salads, low-carb wraps or atop a bed of seasoned cauliflower rice!

Suggested coffee pairing: Don’t think that Breakfast Blend grounds are only suited for the A.M. This light-roast variety has hints of orange and citrus that complement the lamb’s heavy-hitting spices like smoked paprika, dried cumin and chipotle powder. Talk about flavorful!

Dessert and coffee pairings

When it comes to dessert and coffee pairing ideas, it’s important to keep one thing in mind: timing. While dessert doesn’t necessarily need to follow dinner, if it is, opt for decaf!

12. Keto S’mores

Although they take some time to make, these keto s’mores are well worth the wait. How can you top the unmistakable ooey-gooey goodness of melted chocolate and fluffy marshmallow sandwiched between ‘graham cracker’ shortbread?

Suggested coffee pairing: Take this keto version of a classic dessert to another level by washing it down with a Dark Chocolate Cold Brew Latte. This coffee food pairing combo will surely satisfy any chocolate lover out there.

13. No-Bake Protein Brownie Bites 

With six total ingredients, these fudgy brownie bites somehow contain just 2.6g of net carbs per serving! More importantly, Bulletproof Dark Chocolate Complete Daily Energy Collagen Protein provides all nine essential amino acids and sustained energy, courtesy of MCT oil.

Suggested coffee pairing: These brownie bites are perfectly portioned, which makes The Mentalist Coffee Pods an ideal-sized coffee pairing for this sweet snack that packs plenty of brain-boosting quality fats.

14. Keto Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches 

Why settle for store-bought? A scoop of made-from-scratch ice cream nestled between two freshly baked keto chocolate chip cookies sounds almost too sinful to be called keto-friendly. (We would never lie to you…)

Suggested coffee pairing: Balance out your cool, creamy dessert with something that will warm you from within. If you enjoy dark roast coffee, French Kick Coffee Pods feature a smooth flavor and a smoky chocolate aroma.

15. Paleo Mexican Wedding Cakes 

Although typically enjoyed during the holidays, there’s never a bad time to make these buttery-pecan cookies. Only in this case, sugar and processed flour have been swapped out for more nutrient-dense ingredients like collagen protein and ghee. Now, that’s an idea worth marrying!

Suggested coffee pairing: Bring your day to a relaxing end with a hot mug of Bulletproof Original Decaf. By the time you take your last sip and finish your final bite of dessert, it’ll be time to wind down, get under the covers, close your eyes and catch those quality zzzs!

Looking for a way to take your coffee game to another level? Here are some keto coffee recipes that will keep you razor-sharp and ready to tackle any challenges ahead.