Being able to make homemade yogurt is the all the rage in the Instant Pot world. If you’re wondering how to put that “Yogurt button” to use, this Homemade Instant Pot Yogurt is the simple, easy-to-follow recipe you need.
It’s the easiest way to make your own yogurt and it tastes better than the yogurt from the grocery store. Don’t be intimidated by that yogurt setting or yogurt function on your Instant Pot, grab the simple ingredients and after your first time you’ll never go back to the store-bought yogurt.
Making creamy yogurt at home is more nutritious and gives you health benefits with good bacteria, it also saves you from unhealthy additives and sugars in the store bought tangy yogurt.
Cold Start Yogurt or No Boil Yogurt
The traditional way of making yogurt requires you to heat your milk temperature of 160 – 180 degrees and then to cool it before adding your yogurt starter. This “scalding” of the milk kills bacteria in the milk before making yogurt.
This step is not necessary with the cold start method, because we use a ultra pasteurized, ultra high temp, or shelf stable milk such as Fairlife milk. These milks have already been heated to a very high temperature before being packaged and sold.
Ingredients needed to make Instant Pot Yogurt:
- 52 ounces ultra pasteurized, ultra high temp, or shelf stable milk such as Fairlife milk ½ gallon of milk or 1 carton
- 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt (this is your yogurt culture starter, make sure it has live active cultures)
Optional (Choose ONE of the following for best results)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 16 ounces Natural Bliss Creamer
- 2 cups heavy cream or half and half milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and choice of sweetener after yogurt has chilled/strained
How to make Instant Pot Yogurt:
- Pour milk into clean Instant Pot liner.
- Stir in your optional ingredient (sweetened condensed milk, creamer, etc.) if desired. Whisk well.
- Whisk in 1-2 Tablespoons of yogurt.
- Lock the Instant Pot lid and turn the valve to sealing, not venting.
- Press the Yogurt button (for the ULTRA model: Medium or any temp in the 100°F-110°F range).
- Set the incubation time for 8 hours. Increasing the incubation time (up to 24 hours) by pushing the + button will result in a tangier yogurt.
- The Instant Pot will beep, and then count up. When finished, the Instant Pot will beep and display YOGT.
- Remove the Instant Pot liner (the inner pot), cover, and chill in the fridge for 4-6 hours.
- Do not stir your yogurt mixture until fully chilled or strained.
- After chilling for 4-6 hours, stir 1 spoonful of yogurt into a bowl. It will thin out. If a thicker yogurt is desired, you will need to strain.
- strain yogurt if desired.
- Add vanilla extract and/or choice of sweetener if desired.
- Store yogurt in a large bowl or glass jars in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.
What is a Fresh Yogurt Starter?
To make yogurt, you need to add live yogurt cultures! This is easier than it sounds.
For our yogurt starter, we use 1-2 Tablespoons of a plain yogurt with live cultures. Check the ingredient list to see if it has live/active cultures– this is a must!
The brand doesn’t matter, but we recommend one low in sugar and additional ingredients.
The Best Milk for this Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe:
What Kind of Milk do I need to make instant pot yogurt, Regular Milk, Skim Milk, Whole Milk, Raw Milk?
You need a ultra-pasteurized milk, ultra high temp, or shelf stable milk. Fairlife milk is the most popular brand.
Do not use regular, pasteurized milk for this recipe. These milks may contain bacteria that will grow along with your yogurt cultures if the milk is not heated prior to making the yogurt.
Milks that are higher fat and protein will yield a thicker yogurt. Low fat milks may need additional straining to reach the thicker consistency you may desire.
What toppings can you add to your next batch:
Now that you’ve mastered making yogurt in your Instant Pot, what are you going to do with it? Here are some of our ideas:
- Add Maple Syrup
- Top with granola
- Add fresh fruit for a parfait.
- Dip apples or graham crackers in it.
- Layer yogurt with fruit compote in containers for a quick breakfast on the go!
- Freeze into popsicles for the kids.
Other Instant Pot Recipes you’ll love:
- Instant Pot Dulce de Leche (Homemade Caramel)
- How to Cook White Rice in the Instant Pot
- How to Cook Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Strawberry Jam
- Instant Pot EASY Cinnamon Applesauce
- Instant Pot Mini Cheesecakes
- Instant Pot Cherry Dump Cake
Love cooking as much as we do? Join our FREE private Facebook Group: Six Sisters’ Dinner Club!
Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe
Ingredients
- 52 ounces ultra pasteurized, ultra high temp, or shelf stable milk such as Fairlife milk, ½ gallon or 1 carton
- 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt, or vanilla yogurt
Optional (Choose ONE of the following)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 can
- 16 ounces Natural Bliss Creamer
- 2 cups heavy cream, or half and half milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and choice of sweetener after yogurt has chilled/strained
Equipment
Instructions
- Pour milk into clean Instant Pot liner.
- Stir in your optional ingredient (sweetened condensed milk, creamer, etc.) if desired. Whisk well.
- Whisk in 1-2 Tablespoons of yogurt.
- Lock the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the valve to sealing, not venting.
- Press the Yogurt button (for the ULTRA model: Medium or any temp in the 100°F-110°F range).
- Set the incubation time for 8 hours. Increasing the incubation time (up to 24 hours) by pushing the + button will result in a more tangy yogurt.
- The Instant Pot will beep, and then count up. When finished, the Instant Pot will beep and display YOGT.
- Remove the Instant Pot liner, cover, and chill in the fridge for 4-6 hours.
- Do not stir your yogurt until fully chilled or strained.
- After chilling for 4-6 hours, stir 1 spoonful of yogurt into a bowl. It will thin out. If a thicker yogurt is desired, you will need to strain.
- strain yogurt if desired.
- Add vanilla extract and/or choice of sweetener if desired.
- Store yogurt in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.
Notes
- Optional Ingredients not included in Nutritional Information
Nutrition
Be sure to not miss another recipe! Follow Six Sisters’ Stuff on Instagram|Facebook|Pinterest|YouTube
If you made our recipe be sure to tag us on Instagram so we can see your hard work using #sixsistersstuff.
Questions & Reviews