This Instant Pot Yogurt recipe is easy, budget-friendly, and absolutely delicious! Serve it with fruit, granola, or use it to make desserts or muffins and breads.
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Why This Recipe Works
I think by now, we know that there is not much that the Instant Pot can't do. Did you know you can make delicious yogurt with a push of a button, right in your pressure cooker? It's really easy! All you need is milk and yogurt. It may seem weird that you make yogurt with yogurt but it's the easiest way to get the active cultures necessary to make it. You will only need the store-bought kind once because you can use the homemade version to make the next batch!
We love this yogurt plain, with fruit jams, granola, and honey! It is also wonderful for baking. Your Instant Pot can make delicious oatmeal, jam and even yogurt! Perfect breakfast ideas made easily from scratch.
Ingredients
- whole milk
- yogurt
Instructions
- Pour the milk into the Instant Pot.
- Press the YOGURT button, then "display" until it displays "boil". It will cook for ½ hour.
- Once the cooking cycle is done, remove the lid and check the temperature of the milk. It should read at least 180 degrees F.
- Remove the insert with milk and set it aside to cool. You can speed up this process by placing it in an ice-water bath. Cool the milk to 105 degrees F.
- Stir in the yogurt. (see recipe box for note)
- Place the pot back in your Instant Pot. Press the YOGURT button until it shows 8:00. The IP should be set to normal pressure. The Instant Pot will incubate the yogurt.
- Once the cycle is done, cool the yogurt to room temperature, then place it in a container or jars. Cool in the fridge.
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What if I don't have the yogurt button?
- Place milk in your Instant Pot and press the "keep warm" setting. Let it sit for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Press the "saute" setting and cook the milk until it reaches 180 degrees F.
- Remove the pot with milk from your Instant Pot and cool it to 105 degrees F.
- Proceed with the recipe as written below (step
Expert Tips!
- make sure the seal ring does not smell like the last thing you made in your Instant Pot, or your yogurt will taste funny
- make sure to use yogurt with active cultures (check the packaging)
- save a few tablespoons of the fresh yogurt for the next batch (yes, you can freeze it!)
- use a kitchen thermometer to make sure the milk reaches the needed temperatures (it has to reach at least 180 degrees F during the first boil to kill off any bad bacteria).
- make sure the milk cools to 105 degrees F BEFORE adding the yogurt, otherwise, the high temperature will kill the cultures
- while the yogurt incubates, the display will count up (unlike during pressure cooking when it counts down)
- lower fat milk will make thinner yogurt, so keep that in mind;
Recipe FAQs:
I don't add sweeteners until after the yogurt is done, because they can cause issues during the process. I suggest adding honey, fruit jams, sweet sauces, vanilla extract, etc.
I recommend a container with a lid, small jars with lids, or even squeeze tubes if you are making this yogurt for your little ones (you can find them on Amazon). Always keep dairy products in the fridge.
Homemade yogurt will last up to 1 and ½ weeks in the fridge.
More Instant Pot recipes:
For more recipes using the digital pressure cooker, feel free to browse our Instant Pot Category. Also, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Yogurt
Ingredients
- ½ gallon milk 8 cups
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
Instructions
- Pour the milk into the Instant Pot.
- Press the YOGURT button and then the "adjust" button until it displays "boil". It will take about 30 minutes. It is done when the display shows "yogt".
- Once the cooking cycle is done, remove the lid and check the temperature of the milk. It should read at least 180 degrees F.
- Remove the insert with milk and set aside to cool. You can speed up this process by placing it in an ice-water bath. Cool the milk to 105 degrees F.
- Place yogurt in a small bowl. Add ¼ cup of the milk from your Instant Pot and stir. Add the mixture to the rest of milk and stir together.
- If you used ice water bath, wipe the bottom and sides of the pot to make sure it is not wet. Place the pot back in your Instant Pot.
- Press YOGURT button until it shows 8:00. The IP should be set to normal pressure.
- Once the cycle is done, remove the pot with yogurt and set aside to cool. Do not stir. Once cooled completely, you can place it in the fridge to chill or place in jars or containers with lids.
Notes
- If you want the Greek yogurt texture, strain the yogurt through a cheesecloth, by setting it over a bowl and letting it sit in the fridge overnight.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
- The total time does not include the cooling time.
Debbie says
Do you think this will work with Coconut, Flax, or Almond milk? I can not eat dairy but I would really like to make my own yogurt. I am really enjoying your site. I recently ordered my Instant Pot and excited to get it and try it out.
Thank-You
Anna says
Hi Debbie! I did not test this recipe with non-dairy milks. So sorry! From my quick research, if you use coconut milk you will need to add probiotic.
Laura Reese says
I’ve always wanted to make yogurt in my instapot! This is delicious and surprisingly easy. Thanks so much.
Anna says
Thank you, Laura!
Jen says
I didn’t realize how easy it actually was to make until this recipe. Thanks for all the tips to getting it right.
Anna says
Thank you, Jen!
Jennifer says
I have always wanted to try yogurt in the IP! Thanks for the easy directions!
Anna says
Thank you, Jennifer!