Monkey Butter is a sweet, tropical fruit spread made with ripe bananas, crushed pineapple, coconut, sugar, and lemon juice. Despite its funny name, this homemade spread is seriously delicious. It has a thick, jam-like texture, a beautiful golden color, and a wonderful combination of sweet banana and bright pineapple flavor.
It is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed on toast, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, muffins, or even spooned over vanilla ice cream. You can also swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal for an easy breakfast or snack.
The recipe is simple enough for beginners and makes a lovely homemade treat to keep in the refrigerator.
Why You’ll Love This Monkey Butter
If you enjoy tropical flavors, this recipe is definitely worth trying. The bananas provide natural sweetness and help create the thick, creamy texture. Crushed pineapple adds a delicious tangy flavor, while coconut gives the spread a subtle tropical taste.
A little lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and adds freshness to the finished spread.
Another reason to love Monkey Butter is that you don’t need any special equipment. Everything cooks together in one pot, and the fruit naturally breaks down as it simmers.
Ingredients
For this homemade Monkey Butter, you’ll need:
- 5 ripe bananas, preferably without brown spots
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple with juice
- 2 ¾ to 3 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened ground or finely shredded coconut
- 3 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
- Pinch of salt, optional
The classic versions of Monkey Butter commonly use bananas, crushed pineapple, sugar, coconut, and lemon juice.
Choosing the Best Bananas
For the best texture, choose bananas that are ripe and yellow but still reasonably firm. Bananas with a few small spots can work, but very overripe bananas may make the finished spread overly soft and intensely sweet.
The bananas should be easy to slice without being mushy.
Step 1: Prepare the Bananas
Peel the bananas and place them on a cutting board.
Slice them into thin rounds. The slices don’t need to be perfectly identical, but thinner pieces will break down more quickly during cooking.
If you want a smoother Monkey Butter, you can mash the bananas slightly before adding them to the pot. For a more rustic texture, simply leave them sliced.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
Place the sliced bananas into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.
Add the crushed pineapple along with all of its juice. Do not drain the pineapple because the juice contributes both flavor and moisture to the recipe.
Add the sugar, coconut, and lemon juice.
Stir everything together gently until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 3: Bring the Mixture to a Boil
Place the pot over medium-high heat.
Stir frequently as the mixture heats. The sugar will dissolve and the fruit will begin releasing additional moisture.
Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Be careful when stirring because hot fruit mixtures can bubble and splatter.
Step 4: Simmer Until Thick
Allow the Monkey Butter to simmer for approximately 15–25 minutes, stirring frequently.
As it cooks, the banana slices will begin breaking down and blending with the pineapple. The mixture will gradually become thicker and more spreadable.
Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to break down larger pieces of banana as it cooks.
You are looking for a thick, spoonable consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon rather than looking watery.
Cooking time can vary depending on the size of your pot, the moisture in your pineapple, and the ripeness of the bananas.
Step 5: Adjust the Texture
Once the Monkey Butter has thickened, remove it from the heat.
For a slightly chunky texture, simply leave it as it is.
For a smoother spread, carefully mash the mixture further. You can also use an immersion blender if you prefer a very smooth consistency.
The coconut may remain slightly visible, depending on whether you use ground or shredded coconut.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
Allow a spoonful to cool slightly before tasting.
If you want more tropical flavor, you can add a little additional coconut.
If the spread tastes extremely sweet, a small amount of additional lemon juice can provide more balance, but add it gradually.
Keep in mind that the flavor becomes slightly more concentrated as the mixture cools.
Step 7: Transfer to Jars
Allow the Monkey Butter to cool slightly, then spoon it into clean glass jars or other suitable food-storage containers.
Don’t fill the containers completely to the top.
Place the lids on the containers and allow the spread to cool properly before refrigerating.
For a homemade recipe like this, refrigeration or freezing is the simplest storage method. Some versions found online provide water-bath canning instructions, but the canning safety of this particular recipe is not established by a USDA-tested recipe, so I recommend treating it as a refrigerated or frozen spread rather than presenting it as shelf-stable canned food.
How to Store Monkey Butter
Keep Monkey Butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within a reasonable period while it remains fresh.
For longer storage, you can freeze it in freezer-safe containers. Leave some space at the top because the spread will expand slightly as it freezes.
When you’re ready to use frozen Monkey Butter, thaw it in the refrigerator and stir well before serving.
Delicious Ways to Serve Monkey Butter
One of the best things about this recipe is how many ways you can enjoy it.
Spread It on Toast
Spread Monkey Butter over warm toast, English muffins, bagels, or biscuits for a delicious breakfast.
The sweet tropical flavor pairs especially well with butter and creamy cheeses.
Serve With Pancakes
Spoon warm Monkey Butter over pancakes or waffles instead of traditional syrup.
Add sliced bananas, toasted coconut, or a little powdered sugar for an extra-special breakfast.
Add It to Ice Cream
One of my favorite ways to serve Monkey Butter is over vanilla ice cream.
Warm a small amount of the spread and drizzle it over the ice cream. Add chopped nuts or toasted coconut for a simple dessert.
Mix It Into Yogurt
Stir a spoonful into plain or vanilla yogurt. Add granola and fresh fruit for a quick breakfast parfait.
Use It in Desserts
Monkey Butter can also be used as a filling or topping for cakes, cupcakes, crepes, muffins, and other desserts.
Its banana-pineapple flavor works especially well with vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and cinnamon.
Helpful Tips for the Best Monkey Butter
Don’t drain the pineapple: The juice is important for the correct consistency and tropical flavor.
Use ripe but firm bananas: They provide sweetness without making the mixture overly mushy.
Stir frequently: Sugar can stick to the bottom of the pot, so regular stirring helps prevent scorching.
Use a heavy-bottomed pot: This helps distribute heat more evenly.
Don’t rush the cooking: Let the mixture slowly thicken so the fruit has time to break down and develop flavor.
Adjust the texture: Mash the fruit more for a smooth spread or leave some pieces intact for a rustic texture.
Use unsweetened coconut: Since the recipe already contains sugar and sweet fruit, unsweetened coconut provides better control over the final sweetness.
Can You Make Monkey Butter Without Coconut?
Yes. Coconut adds a wonderful tropical flavor, but it can be omitted if you don’t like coconut or don’t have it available.
The banana and pineapple combination is flavorful enough on its own.
You can also use finely shredded coconut instead of ground coconut, although the finished Monkey Butter will have a little more texture.
Can You Reduce the Sugar?
You can adjust the sweetness for a refrigerator-style homemade spread, but remember that changing the sugar level can affect the texture and preservation characteristics of a jam-like recipe.
For the most consistent result, follow the stated ingredient proportions if you’re making the full recipe.
Final Thoughts
Homemade Monkey Butter is a fun and delicious way to turn simple fruit into a tropical spread that the whole family can enjoy. The combination of bananas, pineapple, coconut, sugar, and lemon creates a rich, fruity flavor with a smooth and spreadable texture.
It’s perfect for breakfast toast, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, yogurt, ice cream, and desserts. You can make a batch in one pot and store it in the refrigerator for an easy homemade treat whenever you’re craving something sweet.
If you’ve never tried Monkey Butter before, this recipe is a great place to start. The unusual name may grab your attention, but the delicious banana-pineapple flavor is what will make you come back for another spoonful!
