The EASIEST Instant Pot Yogurt – Just 3 Ingredients “No Boil” Method

4.70 / 5 ( 49 Reviews )
31 Comments Jump to Recipe

easiest instant pot yogurt recipe

How to make yogurt in the Instant Pot

This is my favorite way to make yogurt in the Instant Pot! I was intimidated to try making yogurt, but this recipe makes it easy. No boil, no straining, no thermometer needed, and it is delicious! It is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe. And you only need 3 ingredients for this homemade Instant Pot yogurt!

The only trick to making this Instant Pot “No Boil” Yogurt work out PERFECTLY, is using the right ingredients. It’ll make it or break it. I take you STEP BY STEP through the process of making instant pot yogurt AND tell you the “why” for these essential ingredients, right here:

Scroll down for the recipe, and if you prefer reading… just read the following instant pot yogurt directions:

instant pot with yogurt setting

First of all, check to make sure your Instant Pot has the yogurt button! Not all models have the yogurt (or boil) setting. Also, you will want your Instant Pot insert and any utensils you will be using to be nice and clean, free of residue. I like using my trusty OXO silicone whisk so I don’t scratch up the Instant Pot insert.

easiest instant pot no boil yogurt

 

Plan ahead on this yogurt recipe. Let it cook in the Instant Pot for 8 hours, then chill covered in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 4-6 hours. If you let it cook for longer than 8 hours, it will be more tangy.

Now let’s talk ingredients…

instant pot yogurt ingredients

What milk should I use for Instant Pot yogurt?

Fairlife ultra filtered whole milk works really well to make a nice, thick and creamy yogurt. A key to quick start Instant Pot yogurt is using ultra pasteurized milk. Because Fairlife is also ultra filtered, it has more protein, more calcium, and less sugar. The reason Fairlife whole milk makes a thicker yogurt is the high protein and fat content.

You can try any brand of ultra pasteurized milk, but your results may vary as the nutrition and ingredients of the milk may vary.

If you want to try a dairy-free milk, like coconut milk or almond milk or soy, you will probably want to add a thickening agent to the milk before adding it to the Instant Pot.

instant pot yogurt with sweetened condensed milk

How to add flavor to Instant Pot yogurt?

A 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk is an easy, great sweetener for the yogurt and you can just add it to the Instant Pot with the milk. You can use our easy homemade sweetened condensed milk too! Sixteen ounces of Natural Bliss creamer is another option.

For many added flavorings, it is better to add it after the yogurt has chilled. Feel free to skip the sweetened condensed milk and add warmed honey, fruit, jam, lemon curd, flavored syrup, vanilla, drink mixes, or protein powder after the yogurt is done. Or add savory herbs and garlic or Ranch seasoning to make it a veggie dip! This savory lemon yogurt dip recipe is excellent with zucchini fries. 😉

If you leave the yogurt plain and omit the sweetened condensed milk (or other sweetener), you can use it just as you would any plain yogurt. Substitute plain yogurt for mayo or sour cream! You can even use your homemade plain yogurt as a starter – freeze tablespoon portions of it for your next batch.

instant pot yogurt

What kind of yogurt starter do I need to make homemade yogurt?

A store-bought yogurt is the easiest way to start homemade yogurt. Make sure the yogurt you use includes live active cultures. (Not just “made with live active cultures.”) You can use dairy-free, Greek, powdered yogurt, etc., but be sure to choose a plain yogurt with flavor and texture that you like! Fat content of the yogurt doesn’t matter.

Fage and Oui brands and most Greek style yogurts are considered mild, while Chobani, Siggis, and Greek Gods are more tangy. Oikos brand can be considered to be either, depending on how it tastes to you! Different brands may have different blends of cultures so your results may vary a bit.

Yogurt with L. Casei may be thicker and set up more quickly. Fresher yogurt is better for those cultures to get to work!

Go for a plain yogurt that hasn’t been opened for longer than 7 days. You can use vanilla yogurt, if you need to, but don’t expect it to be a source of flavor for your Instant Pot yogurt.

make yogurt in instant pot

I place a glass lid from my pots and pans on top of the Instant Pot while the yogurt cooks. You can use a dinner plate, silicone lid, or the Instant Pot glass lid instead. The lid does not need to seal.

homemade yogurt

Once it is done in the Instant Pot, just cover the pot insert and place it in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours. Do not stir until it is fully chilled.

This Instant Pot yogurt is so thick and creamy! Especially, right out of the pot after chilling. It will thin out when you stir it because you are breaking up the protein strands.

homemade instant pot yogurt

How to store homemade yogurt?

Any food safe containers with an airtight lid will work! Canning jars, mixing bowl with a lid, and yogurt tubes or pouches are all great options. I ordered some of these cute yogurt containers for myself!

When storing your Instant Pot yogurt covered in the refrigerator, it should stay good for about 2-3 weeks. If you add fruit or syrups, then it will keep for about 4-10 days.

how to make yogurt in instant pot

If the Instant Pot yogurt isn’t thick enough for you, try using a milk with higher fat and protein next time. Also, you can strain the yogurt to make it thicker.

How to strain Instant Pot yogurt?

Use a strainer lined with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or high quality paper towel. Then pour the yogurt into the lined strainer over a container and let the liquid drain off, while in the refrigerator, for about 2 hours.

One of my favorite ways to eat yogurt is with homemade granola and chopped strawberries. Yum!

Check out more of our favorite Instant Pot recipes!

easy instant pot yogurt recipe

To calculate accurate nutrition info for your yogurt, you will want to use an app like My Fitness Pal and enter in the exact ingredients you use and how many servings you will get out of it.

easiest instant pot yogurt recipe

The EASIEST Instant Pot Yogurt - Just 3 Ingredients "No Boil" Method

Set it and forget it! This Instant Pot yogurt is so easy and delicious! Give it a try!
4.70 / 5 ( 49 Reviews )
Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Serves: 16
Adjust Servings: 16

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 52 ounces ultra filtered ultra pasteurized Fairlife whole milk
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces) (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt containing live active cultures

Instructions

  • Make sure the Instant Pot insert is clean and free of residue.
  • Pour about half of the milk into the Instant Pot insert. Add the sweetened condensed milk and whisk until combined. You can tell it is combined well enough when you tilt the pot and don't see any sweetened condensed milk on the bottom of the pot. Pour in the remaining milk and whisk to combine. Whisk in the yogurt, until smooth.
  • Place pot insert into the Instant Pot, if it isn't already, and cover with a glass or silicone lid or plate. Does not need to seal. Press the yogurt button and verify it is set on normal pressure for 8 hours. Instant Pot will count up to the 8-hour mark, then beep and display "YOGT" when it is done.
  • When done, remove the lid and remove the insert pot. Cover pot and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4-6 hours. Do not stir yogurt until it is fully chilled.

Recipe Notes

Store Instant Pot yogurt in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 68mg | Sugar: 18g

Recipe Source: Frieda Loves Bread

Ingredients: Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Yogurt
Meal Type: Appetizers and Snacks, Breakfast, Desserts, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Meatless
Categories: DIY, Instant Pot

Comments & Reviews

  • i do this love it

  • My ex made this for the kids and they loved it, so I thought I’d give it a try. It is super easy to make and unbelievably creamy and smooth! We love vanilla, so I think my next batch, I’m going to use Natural Bliss creamer.

    • YES! It’s so good! Enjoy it! The creamer just gives it some light flavoring so it won’t be as sweet as it turns out with the sweetened condensed milk added.

  • The flavor is good, but this turned out way too runny for me. :/ I’m currently trying to strain it with coffee filters. I used organic horizon brand ultra pasteurized.

  • The best and easiest instant pot yogurt recipe I have tried to date, thank you!
    Katy

  • Please, help me double this recipe.
    Thanks galore!
    Julio

  • What setting do you use if your pot doesn’t have a yogurt setting?

  • This was the best ever yogurt, It was great even before chilling it. Will be making this alot

  • I am a beginner at Using an Instant Pot. Why should we use a glass lid instead of the Instant Pot lid?

  • I was not smart and left out the sweet and condensed milk. It is way to tart now, can I by any chance add that now that it is complete?

    • Oh dear I hate when I forget ingredients! It happens to all of us. I don’t think that adding it now would completely work, but mix a small amount and try it! Alternatively, if you have any liquid stevia, I would recommend that. I use liquid stevia to sweeten plain Greek yogurt. let us know how it goes?!

  • This is fabulous! I was trying to figure out the protein per 1 cup serving. I think it’s a lot more than 3g as shown in the nutrition part of your recipe. Fairlife 52 oz whole milk has 13 gram per serving ( x ~6 servings) so that would be 78g, another 2-3 per the 2 T. of yogurt (I used Chobani which is 12g per 5.3 ounces, so maybe 2 grams for 2 T?). Then add 24 grams in the whole can of sweetened condensed milk (estimated 1 cup per can). 78 + 2 + 24 = 104 grams of protein in the whole batch, divided by about 8 cups would be 13g per cup serving of the finished yogurt. I knew it had to be more than 3g. I ate some for breakfast at 4:30 am and didn’t get hungry until 11:30. I usually am hungry by 9am! You might want to correct this on your website. It is amazing, and I’ll be making this from now on.

    • Hi Rachel! Thanks for your awesome review and comment. I looked into the recipe’s nutritional information and you are right, some of it wasn’t calculating correctly. I’ve now updated it, thank you!

  • Is this yogurt lactose free?

  • Hi, can this yogurt be considered a good probiotic?

  • I made this with the lactose free Fairfield. Added 1Tsp vanilla, 1 cup of French vanilla coffee creamer similar brand to natural bliss. My husband threw out the container so I don’t remember brand I used but it came out amazing! My friend gave me the recipe but not enough directions so I got on YouTube and your video came up first! It was almost identical to her recipe. Without your directions I am sure it would have failed. Like taking the ring off the lid! Thank you so much! Next time I will reduce the condensed milk as it was too sweet.

  • I saw this on YT recently and am curious to try. I’ve been making IP yogurt for over a year now, using the boiling method and it always turns out. I use 1/2 gallon of milk, either whole or 2%, depending on my mood. If I need a fresh starter I always buy a small container of Fage. I’ve used all percents of Fage with success.
    The Fairlife milk is twice the cost of 1/2 gallon of milk in my area, so that is a consideration.
    In the YT video you commented you didn’t know what to do with the whey. I strain my yogurt after letting it chill, and obviously get more than what you showed. I use the whey in smoothies, and substitute for half the liquid when making bread.

  • I’m excited to try this!! A question….. If I want to strain the yogurt, should I do that after the overnight cooling or immediately after the 8 hours of cooking while it is still warm? Thanks!!

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