You're going to love this Easy Instant Pot Vanilla Yogurt Recipe. If you're tired of spending a ton of money on yogurt at the store, I'm right there with you. Why spend a bunch of money when you can easily make your own?
This simple yogurt recipe takes just a few hours of time but will give you a ton of great snacks and breakfast ideas to feed yourself and the family.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Healthful Snack: Homemade yogurt is a great source of probiotics and calcium.
- Simple Process: The Instant Pot makes creating your own yogurt easy and fuss-free.
- Fully Customizable: Add your favorite fruits, nuts, or sweeteners to personalize your yogurt.
📋 Ingredients
- Whole Milk: Provides a creamy, rich base that's essential for making yogurt.
- Full-fat Greek Yogurt with Active Bacterial Cultures: Acts as the starter, introducing the necessary bacteria to ferment the milk and create yogurt.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor that elevates the taste of the homemade yogurt.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Plain Yogurt: If you want a plain yogurt with no flavor you can skip the vanilla and just make regular plain yogurt.
- Condensed Milk: Add a little sweetened condensed milk if you prefer sweet to tangier yogurt.
🔀 Optional Toppings
There are so many fun options for toppings! This is one way that you can easily change up the flavor and taste of this vanilla yogurt recipe. Some topping suggestions are:
- Fresh Berries: Provide a natural sweetness and a burst of fresh, tangy flavor that balances the creaminess of the yogurt.
- Frozen Berries: When thawed, these create a sweet, juicy sauce that seeps into the yogurt, adding a different texture and a cool contrast to the warm granola and nuts.
- Granola: Adds a delightful crunch to the dish, offering a satisfying contrast to the smooth, creamy yogurt.
- Nuts: Contribute a hearty, earthy flavor and additional crunch, while also providing beneficial fats and proteins.
- Honey: Lends a natural, floral sweetness that can be adjusted to taste, making your yogurt even more delectable.
- Maple Syrup: Offers a rich, deep sweetness with a hint of caramel that pairs exceptionally well with the vanilla yogurt.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds a tropical twist to your yogurt, along with an extra layer of texture and a subtle, natural sweetness.
- Chocolate Chips: Are perfect for those who enjoy a touch of indulgence; they melt slightly when sprinkled on top of the warm yogurt, creating irresistible, chocolatey pockets.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Vanilla Yogurt
Here is a step by step guide for Instant Pot Vanilla Yogurt:
Step One: Add Milk To Instant Pot
Add your milk to the Instant Pot. Press the yogurt button twice for the display to show the word “boil”.
Step Two: Set The Pot To Boil
Use the lid for the Instant Pot to cover and close. It will take about 30 minutes.
Check your milk to make sure that it has reached a temperature of 180°. If it has not reached 180°, press cancel on your instant pot, and turn it on sauté mode until it reaches that temperature.
Remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot to cool to 105°. I placed my inner pot in the sink with water and ice which sped up the process very fast. (You can allow it just to drop in temperature by sitting on the counter, or water in the sink without ice.)
Step Three: Place Pot In Ice Bath
Once you have reached the temperature, remove your inner pot from the ice bath. Remove any skin that might have started forming on the top.
Step Four: Add Vanilla And Mix
In a small bowl, add your vanilla, 2 tablespoons of yogurt, and a little bit of the milk from your pot. Mixed together until you have a thin consistency.
Once completely mixed together add back to the pot. Mix well.
Step Five: Set Yogurt Button
Add your inner pot back to your Instant Pot. Close the lid and close the sealing valve.
Press “yogurt” on your Instant Pot and set to 8 hours.
Step Six: Refrigerate Overnight
Once the time has completed, turn off your Instant Pot, and transfer the inner pot to the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight.
Step Seven: Garnish And Serve
Top with fresh fruit, frozen fruit, granola, and honey! Enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- No yogurt Button:If you don't have a yogurt button then use the Keep Warm Button and set for 8 hours.
- Airtight Containers: Transfer the yogurt into airtight containers before refrigerating. This helps prevent the absorption of other odors from the fridge and keeps the yogurt's flavor intact.
- Avoid the Door: Store yogurt towards the back of the fridge rather than in the door. The temperature in the door fluctuates more than in other parts of the fridge, which can impact the yogurt's consistency.
💭 FAQs
The best type of milk for making yogurt in an Instant Pot is typically whole milk. Whole milk contains a higher fat content than skim milk, which contributes to a creamier and thicker yogurt texture.
Making yogurt in an Instant Pot is a convenient and efficient process due to its ability to maintain a consistent temperature for fermentation, a crucial step in yogurt production.
Extend the life of your homemade Instant Pot Yogurt by storing it in the refrigerator. Enjoy its freshness for up to seven days by placing it in a sealed container after it has cooled completely.
Need a longer shelf life? Freeze your Instant Pot Yogurt for up to three months. Ensure it reaches room temperature before thawing to preserve its creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot Vanilla Yogurt:
- Enjoy it chilled with a drizzle of honey, granola, and fresh berries for a satisfying breakfast or snack.
- Use it as a base for a parfait layered with fruit and nuts.
- Blend it into smoothies for a creamy, tangy twist on your favorite drink.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Easy Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Liters Whole Milk I used Fair life milk
- 2 Tablespoons Full Fat Greek Yogurt With Active Bacterial cultureC I used Fage yogurt
- 2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Add your milk to the Instant Pot. Press the yogurt button twice for the display to show the word “boil”. Use the lid for the Instant Pot to cover and close. It will take about 30 minutes.
- Check your milk to make sure that it has reached a temperature of 180°. If it has not reached 180°, press cancel on your instant pot, and turn it on sauté mode until it reaches that temperature.
- Remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot to cool to 105°. I placed my inner pot in the sink with water and ice which sped up the process very fast. (You can allow it just to drop in temperature by sitting on the counter, or water in the sink without ice).
- Once you have reached the temperature, remove your inner pot from the ice bath. Remove any skin that might have started forming on the top.
- In a small bowl, add your vanilla, 2 tablespoons of yogurt, and a little bit of the milk from your pot. Mixed together until you have a thin consistency. Once completely mixed together add back to the pot. Mix well.
- Add your inner pot back to your instant pot. Close the lid and close the sealing valve. Press “yogurt” on your Instant Pot and set to 8 hours. If you don’t have a yogurt button then use the keep warm button and set for 8 hours.
- Once the time has completed, turn off your Instant Pot, and transfer the inner pot to the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight.
- Top with fresh fruit, frozen fruit, granola, and honey! Enjoy!
Notes
- No yogurt Button:If you don't have a yogurt button then use the Keep Warm Button and set for 8 hours.
- Airtight Containers: Transfer the yogurt into airtight containers before refrigerating. This helps prevent the absorption of other odors from the fridge and keeps the yogurt's flavor intact.
- Avoid the Door: Store yogurt towards the back of the fridge rather than in the door. The temperature in the door fluctuates more than in other parts of the fridge, which can impact the yogurt's consistency.
Nutrition
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Can you tweak this recipe for an instant pot that doesn’t have a yogurt button? I have the Duo Crisp.
You can use the Duo ...simply use the manual button..set for 8 hours on high pressure.
“Add your milk to the Instant Pot. Press the yogurt button twice for the display to show the word “boil”. Use the lid for the Instant Pot to cover and close. It will take about 30 minutes.”
For this part of the directions do I press High Pressure then add 30 minutes for the time?
yes that means 30 minutes at the start
I love how vanilla yogurt sounds. I'm sure this smells amazing. My wife and I eat a lot of yogurt for dessert at home because we like how it tastes.
I'm so glad I saw this recipe. I have been wanting to make yogurt in the instant pot.
Same here. I don't like wasting a bunch of money but I love yogurt so I'll definitely try your recipe.
I never knew you could make yougurt on the instapot but now I will try this recipe and make my own yogurt at home
I love yogurt but I have never tried preparing my own. I will have to try this. Looks delish!
Same here. I am definitely giving it a shot. This was very explanatory
I've not been brave enough to try making yogurt before. I do eat yogurt regularly so it would be good to learn to make it.
I've noticed the yogurt setting on my instant pot. Thanks for. sharing an easy recipe.
Making yogurt in the Instant Pot is such a great idea! I need to give it a try!
I eat yogurt every day, love it so much! I am seeing so many easy instant pot recipes these days, I need to buy one asap! Thanks for sharing the recipe ❤️
Wow, I don't think I've tried or thought of making yogurt in an instant pot before but that sounds interesting. That yogurt is looking delicious as well