Homemade Monkey Butter

Sweet, tropical, and incredibly easy to make, Homemade Monkey Butter is a delicious fruit spread made with bananas, pineapple, coconut, and a little lemon. It’s creamy, jammy, and perfect for toast, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, or even spooning over yogurt.

Homemade Monkey Butter

A sweet tropical fruit spread made with bananas, pineapple, coconut, and lemon.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 35–40 minutes
Servings: About 3 cups

Ingredients

• 4 large ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the fruit: First, peel the bananas and mash them with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small pieces are perfectly fine.
2. Combine everything: Next, add the mashed bananas, crushed pineapple with its juice, sugar, shredded coconut, lemon juice, and salt to a large heavy-bottomed saucepan.
3. Start cooking: Stir everything together and place the saucepan over medium heat. Continue stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble gently.
4. Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Then cook for about 25–30 minutes, stirring frequently so the fruit doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
5. Check the consistency: As it cooks, the mixture will become thicker and more jam-like. If you drag a spoon through the mixture and it briefly leaves a clear path, it is ready.
6. Add vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
7. Cool: Allow the monkey butter to cool for several minutes. It will thicken more as it cools.
8. Store: Spoon the cooled monkey butter into clean jars or airtight containers. Refrigerate until ready to use.

How to Serve Monkey Butter

Spread it over:

• Toast or English muffins
• Biscuits and scones
• Pancakes and waffles
• French toast
• Oatmeal
• Greek yogurt
• Cheesecake
• Ice cream

You can also use it as a filling for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or sweet breakfast sandwiches.

Recipe Tips

• Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor and smoothest texture.
• Stir regularly while cooking because the natural sugars can make the mixture stick to the bottom.
• For a smoother spread, blend the finished monkey butter with an immersion blender.
• If you prefer a stronger coconut flavor, add an extra 2–3 tablespoons of shredded coconut.
• Fresh pineapple can be used instead of canned, but you may need to adjust the cooking time because the liquid content can vary.

Storage

Keep homemade monkey butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within about 1 week for the best quality.

For longer storage, freeze it in freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Nutrition Information

Approximate per 2-tablespoon serving:

• Calories: 85
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Sugar: 18g
• Fat: 1g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 20mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called monkey butter?
The name is commonly associated with this tropical-style fruit spread because bananas are one of its main ingredients. The combination of banana, pineapple, and coconut gives it a sweet tropical flavor.

Can I use unsweetened coconut?
Yes. Unsweetened coconut works well if you prefer a less sweet spread.

Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce the sugar, although it will change the sweetness and final texture of the spread.

Can I make it without coconut?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the coconut. The banana and pineapple will still create a delicious fruit spread.

How do I make it smoother?
After cooking, use an immersion blender until the monkey butter reaches your preferred consistency.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Monkey Butter is one of those easy recipes that turns simple pantry ingredients into something special. The combination of creamy banana, juicy pineapple, sweet coconut, and bright lemon makes every spoonful taste wonderfully tropical.

Make a batch for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, and keep a jar in the refrigerator whenever you want an easy homemade fruit spread.