Did you know that you can make Instant Pot Yogurt with only 3 ingredients? And the best part -- it's a no-boil recipe, making it super simple and super easy.
Ever since I have been working on cleaning up my diet, I have been researching new foods to make. I recently ran across some talk of making Instant Pot yogurt, and I knew I was going to have to give it a try.
The results? A super fantastic and delicious homemade yogurt.
I have always been intimidated by trying to make yogurt at home because I thought it was too hard to do. However, now that I have tried it, it is one of the easiest I have done.
What is the best way to cook my yogurt?
There are several methods that you can use to make homemade yogurt in your Instant Pot. One method is to boil the milk and then add in your yogurt starter. If your Instant Pot does not have a yogurt button, then this is the method you will want to use.
The other method I read about is the one I am going to show you, because to me, it was easier because you just mix up your ingredients, throw them in the Instant pot and press the yogurt button and the Instant Pot does all the work for you.
What ingredients will I need?
There are many different opinions out there when it comes to sweetening your yogurt mixture. Of the recipes I read, some used raw sugar, others used coffee creamer (which is what I used), and then others used sweetened condensed milk.
Since I am working on cleaner ingredients in my diet, I decided to opt for Coffee-mate Natural Bliss vanilla coffee creamer.
Don’t want a sweet yogurt? Skip the coffee creamer or sweetened condensed milk.
Why do I need a yogurt starter?
Just like anything you are making from scratch, whether it is Amish Friendship bread, sourdough starter, or even making yogurt, you need a starter. For this, you will be using yogurt that has live cultures.
Now, what can you use as a starter for your yogurt? The answer is simple. Any yogurt from the grocery store that says active cultures on the label.
Once you make yogurt, you can save 2 tablespoon of your yogurt as a starter. It’s called an heirloom starter, and you can freeze it for 30 days.
Does it matter what type of milk I use?
Yes, it does. If we were boiling our yogurt, the milk would not matter as much. But since we are not boiling, we need to use ultra-filtered pasteurized milk.
The most common milk available in most grocery stores is Fairlife. The more fat that is in the milk, the thicker the yogurt. This is why you want to use whole milk.
Will this recipe make Greek yogurt also?
This recipe will make a regular style of yogurt. However, if you want it to be thicker -- like Greek-style yogurt, all you will need to do is strain the yogurt through some cheesecloth to remove some of the liquid. When you do, you will have a beautiful, thick yogurt.
What type of Instant Pot do I need?
For this recipe, you can use a 6-quart Instant Pot, which is what I have. You will also need this Instant Pot glass lid. Because you are using the yogurt button, you won't be using the same lid you normally do when you are making food in your Instant Pot.
My Instant Pot Yogurt did not thicken. What did I do wrong?
Here are a few questions to troubleshoot why your yogurt may not have thickened.
- Did you use ultra-filtered milk?
- Did you use pasteurized milk?
- Was your starter older than 30 days?
- Was your yogurt expired?
- Did your yogurt say live cultures on the label?
- Does your Instant Pot have a yogurt button?
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check these out
- Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
- Instant Pot Garlic Herb Pork Loin
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
- Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
3 Ingredient Instant Pot Yogurt
This easy recipe for making yogurt at home only has 3 simple ingredients and your Instant Pot will do all the work for you.
Ingredients
- 52 fl. oz. of Fairlife Whole Milk Ultra-Filtered
- 2 cups (16 oz) of Coffeemate Natural Bliss Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- 2 tablespoon of Oui Vanilla Yogurt (or yogurt with live cultures)
Instructions
- Set up your Instant Pot and make sure your metal insert liner is clean.
- Pour in ¼ of the milk and whisk in the 2 tablespoons of yogurt.
- Once you have those two well-combined, whisk in the remaining milk and the entire 16 ounces of creamer.
- Press the yogurt button on your Instant Pot for 8 hours. The timer will show zero because it counts up this time and not down.
- Cover with Instant Pot glass tempered lid (there will be no sealing or venting here).
- Do not stir or disturb during the 8-hour process. Once the 8-hour process has finished, allow the yogurt to cool for about 20 minutes.
- Place paper towels between the lid and the yogurt and then chill in the Instant Pot liner for 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- When the 4 hours are up, transfer the yogurt to containers and place them in the fridge.
- This yogurt should keep in the fridge for 3 weeks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
35Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 31Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g
If you are looking for a slow cooker method for making yogurt, check out this recipe from Mommy's Kitchen for how to make yogurt in the slow cooker.
Hello, what can you use instead of coffee-mate?
You can use sweetened condensed milk but if you don't want to use that, you can add in honey, maple syrup or sugar adjusted to your desired level of sweetness. I would start with no more than 1/4 cup, and increase by a tablespoon at a time.
@Sheri, fairlife used to make a natural creamer that I used (vanilla) to make this yogurt.
You can use any creamer you want for this recipe. I recommend using what I suggest though as I have not tried it with other creamers.
I didn't know you could make your own yogurt! I would love to try this one!
I've always wanted to try making yogurt in my instant pot but I've been too scared. Your recipe makes me think I just may be able to do it! Thanks!
My husband makes yogurt very often at home! We should try to make it in the Instant Pot!
This looks really good!! Would love to give it a try!
Oh, this is so easy to make! We do like yogurt because it's healthy and delicious!
I have never made yogurt in my Instant Pot but this looks pretty easy. I can't wait to try!
This would make the perfect treat. Saving this for the holidays when my mom comes to visit. she'd love this!
Wow. It is just amazing what you can do in an Instant Pot. I don't have one (yet) but I am going to get one soon. Your homemade yogurt is great. I am saving the recipe and this will be one of the first ones I will try making once I get my own Instant Pot.
Hello, I've made yogurt several times in my 8 quart IP.. I just came to comment on the fact that you DO NOT need a glass lid, I use my regular lid every time and it works perfectly!
Thanks for telling us that. I find it easier to use the glass lid with mine. I can keep an eye on things that way.
Is each serving 1/2 a cup?
Yes
I'm not a fan of fairlife but I understand why you are using it in this method. Do you think horizon organic milk would be safe with this method as well?
As long as the milk is ultra pasteurized, you can use any brand.
How much yogurt do you consider a serving?
About a cup
Hi! Do you think you could add the coconut milk creamer version of natural bliss to this? To give it a coconut flavor? Can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks!
Yes! Any of those creamers work great in this recipe.
@Jennifer Sikora, I loved the hazelnut creamer with the coconut yogurt.
I will have to give that a try.
Ehy didn't mine thicken
I am sorry. I have made this recipe numerous times and mine always thickens. Did you use the correct ingredients?
@Jennifer Sikora, I have made this 3 times, 1st time went perfect, last two times it didn’t thicken and yes, I used all the right ingredients. I also have a yogurt button on my instant pot so I can’t figure out what I did wrong. Any help?
I am not sure. I need to make some new yogurt myself so I will make it again and reach back out if I had issues.
I have made Fairlife yogurt about 20 times, with only one bad batch. Cleanliness is important, otherwise you will grow something nasty... I put the grate in the bottom, with water about 3 cm above the grate. I then put a 7 cup glass bowl into the IP, and fill the bowl with Fairlife. I hit the yogurt button. I then wait 1 hour and add the "starter". After 8 hours, I just take the bowl out, cover it, and stick it into the frig. No muss, no fuss. Looking forward to trying coffee creamer! -Dan
I made your yogurt, while very tasty it is runny. I used 2 percent Fairlife milk, would that make a difference
I think the 2 percent affects it that way. That is why I use the whole
This Yogurt is our favorite!!!
What size are the servings shown in the nutritional information?
They are one cup servings.
How do u get 31 cup servings of yogurt out of 68 oz of liquid? Maybe u mean 1/2 c servings? Trying to decide if I need to double the recipe as we eat lots of yogurt.
This yogurt recipe as is, will fill two 32 ounce tubs. The servings always wind up being off with this recipe app. I apologize for that.
I made this yogurt exactly twice. Followed all steps and used the exact same ingredients. It came out runny both times. Any idea why?
Not sure because I have made it numerous times and it turns out right every single time. Others have also made it and not had any issues.
I have made this 3 times now. Perfect every time. I only had 48 ounces of the Whole Milk Ultra-Filtered the last time and exactly 16 ounces of the creamer and this yougurt recipe came out thick and creamy with almost a light fluffy cheesy taste much like Siggy's. As good or better than Siggy's actually. I realize it is not exactly Icelandic Skyr but it is as close to it without the muss and fuss as anyone can get with 48 ounces of the milk instead of the 52. I almost bought The Ultimate Yogurt Maker in order to make Skyr because I love it until I discovered this recipe. I will just make this in my Instant Pot and save even more money and be very happy with it. Much cheaper too. Thank You very much!
So glad you liked it! It is my favorite way to make yogurt.
Think you for your recipe for the 3 ing. I.P. yogurt. What kind of granola did you use in the picture with the yogurt ? thinks [email protected]
I got a chocolate coconut granola from Aldi. It's really good but any granola will work
Can I successfully halve the recipe?
I am sure you could. I have never done it because I eat so much yogurt I usually have no problem eating it.
@Jennifer Sikora,
Thanks for the reply Jennifer. We are only two here and though we love yogurt (especially this since discovering it) this makes quite a bit and a smaller batch would be perfect for us.
We're going away tomorrow but I will let everyone who may be interested know the results about halving the recipe in a few days.
Thanks so much!