Can you make yogurt with almond milk? Yes! This vegan Instant Pot almond milk yogurt recipe is easy to make and comes out thick and creamy without thickeners! You’ll love this homemade 2-ingredient almond milk yogurt because it’s cheap and delicious. Learn the secrets on how to make a thick almond yogurt Instant Pot recipe that’s keto, gluten free, and vegetarian.
If you own a multicooker and have not tried making Instant Pot yogurt with almond milk, you are missing out! Instant Pots (also known as multicookers) are awesome for making all sorts of homemade yogurt recipes.
There are two major challenges with almond milk Instant Pot yogurt. One is nutritional and the other is related to texture. We’re going to solve both of these problems today:
- Almond milks are typically very low in protein. Because of this, they aren’t a suitable substitute for the dairy and calcium-fortified soymilk group. Homemade almond milk tends to be even worse, because it’s usually low in calcium too.
- Most Instant Pot dairy free yogurts made with almond milk are thin. Since almond milk tends to be little more than vitamin-enhanced nut water, almond milk yogurt is too thin. Many recipes thicken almond milk yogurt with gelatin, agar agar, arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or xanthan gum to make it thicker.
The problem with using thickeners for homemade almond milk yogurt is that they can make yogurt lumpy or grainy. Additionally, some yogurt thickeners (specifically gelatin) are not vegetarian or vegan diet friendly.
Luckily, there's an easy way to make an almond milk yogurt recipe for the Instant Pot that's thick without thickeners. And even better, this vegan yogurt is packed with plant-based protein! Keep reading to get the scoop from this registered dietitian nutritionist on how to make it.
Jump to:
- ⭐ Benefits of Almond Milk Yogurt
- 🥘 Instant Pot Almond Yogurt Ingredients
- 🍽 Equipment
- 🔪 How to Make Almond Milk Yogurt (Instant Pot)
- ️⏲️ Cooking Time and Temperature
- 🥛 How to Thicken Almond Milk Yogurt That is Too Thin
- 🌡️ How to Store Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt
- 🥣 How to Serve Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt
- 📋 Calories, Net Carbs, Protein
- 💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
- 🤔 What’s the healthiest type of yogurt?
- FAQs
- 👩🏻🍳 Other Dairy Free Instant Pot Recipes
- 👩🏾🍳 Recipes with Yogurt
- The Disclaimer...
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐ Benefits of Almond Milk Yogurt
Why make Instant Pot almond milk yogurt? If you eat vegan almond milk yogurt, here’s why you need this recipe in your life:
- Cheap vegan yogurt: Vegan almond milk yogurt from the store is expensive! You will likely save money making your own yogurt compared to store-bought yogurt. Almond milk tends to be a lot cheaper by volume than almond milk yogurt.
- Vegan probiotic yogurt: This homemade almond milk yogurt has live, active yogurt cultures. These are beneficial bacteria known as probiotics that help you have a healthy GI system.
- Low sugar: You can make unsweetened almond milk yogurt, or add sweetener if you’d prefer. Though most almond milks (even plain ones) usually contain some added sugar, this will be a low sugar vegan yogurt. The almond milk I’m using only contains 2 grams of added sugar per cup.
- Protein: A huge benefit of this Instant Pot almond milk yogurt recipe is that it’s packed with protein! You get about 10 grams of protein per cup of this Instant Pot almond yogurt.
- Meal prepping: Homemade almond yogurt is great for breakfast meal prep! Make a batch and store it in jars in the fridge. You can use it for breakfasts (along with other foods) for the next few days.
- Special diet friendly: Like dairy yogurt, almond yogurt fits many special diets, including low carb, keto, gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian. It’s a great plant based alternative to dairy yogurt.
- DELICIOUS: I think you’ll find this almond yogurt to be mild and not super tangy. It tends to be a hit with kids because homemade yogurt just tastes better!
🥘 Instant Pot Almond Yogurt Ingredients
What do you need to make almond yogurt in the Instant Pot? Here’s your shopping list:
- 4 cups Silk Original Almond & Cashew Protein Milk
- 3 tablespoons Plain Almond Milk Yogurt
The type of almond milk and yogurt you use is critical to the recipe! Regular almond milk will not make thick almond milk yogurt without thickeners. You must use a protein almond milk to get this recipe to work.
This is a Silk almond milk yogurt Instant Pot recipe. You can find the Silk protein almond milk in many regular grocery stores in the United States. (This milk is actually a combination of almonds and cashews, so I guess we can also call this a cashew yogurt Instant Pot recipe.)
I’ve also made this recipe using plain soymilk with no issues. Soy milk also works for yogurt making because it is high in protein. Remember, that 30-calorie unsweetened almond milk will not work here.
We’re using the small amount of almond milk yogurt in this recipe as a yogurt starter. You must use a brand of plain almond milk yogurt with live active cultures in this recipe.
I recommend using this plain and unsweetened Kite Hill almond milk yogurt. One container is enough to make several batches of Instant Pot almond milk yogurt. You may also be able to save some yogurt from your first batch to use as a starter in subsequent batches.
🍽 Equipment
Here's the kitchen equipment you need to make almond milk yogurt in an Instant Pot:
- Instant Pot with the yogurt function
- Candy thermometer
- Whisk
- Container(s) to hold the finished yogurt
I use a Crock-Pot Express 6-Quart Pressure Cooker to develop my Instant Pot recipes. Other Instant Pots, such as the Ninja Foodi, can make almond milk yogurt too. If your multi-cooker is small, you may need to make the yogurt in multiple batches.
Many Instant Pots have a “yogurt” setting, so you don’t have to experiment to find the right temperatures. However, a candy thermometer is critical to ensure the almond milk reaches the right temps for yogurt making. Sometimes the high yogurt setting on my Instant Pot runs a bit low, and yours may too.
Multicookers really streamline the yogurt-making process. If you don’t have one, check out my instructions on homemade yogurt without fancy equipment. It’s another way you can make yogurt, using a heating pad.
IMVHO, the very best yogurt containers are wide-mouth glass canning jars. Of course, any food-safe container with an airtight lid will work for holding yogurt.
🔪 How to Make Almond Milk Yogurt (Instant Pot)
Make sure your Instant Pot is cleaned thoroughly before beginning this recipe. This will help to decrease the chances of bad bacteria contaminating your batch!
Keep in mind that the rubber ring in the lid of the Instant Pot can hold odors. If needed, use a dedicated ring for yogurt making to help prevent odor transfer.
New silicone sealing rings are available quite inexpensively online. Make sure to get ones that are the right size for your InstaPot.
To make yogurt, pour the almond milk into the Instant Pot. With the lid off, set the pot to the "yogurt, high temperature" setting. Whisking occasionally, let the milk come to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82C).
If you whisk the almond milk every so often, no skin should form on it. The high yogurt setting should turn off when the milk reaches 180F (82C). Check the temp with a candy thermometer.
If your Instant Pot runs a little cold like mine does, use the high sauté setting to finish getting the milk to 180F (82C). Whisk the milk constantly when using this setting so it doesn’t burn. Remove the inner pot of the Instant Pot from the heat when it reaches the desired temperature.
Let the milk cool on the counter to 105-110F (40.6-43.3C), whisking occasionally. After cooling, remove one cup of the almond milk and add in the yogurt, whisking until smooth. Then whisk this yogurt mixture back into the larger pot of milk.
It is very important NOT to add the yogurt until the milk cools to 105-110F (40.6-43.3C). Adding the yogurt too early will kill the live and active cultures, resulting in a failed batch. Put the lid on the Instant Pot but leave the vent open.
️⏲️ Cooking Time and Temperature
How long do you incubate almond milk yogurt in the Instant Pot? Incubate almond yogurt for 8.5 hours using the “low yogurt” setting of the Instant Pot.
After the incubation period, the yogurt should be thickened. Put the yogurt in glass mason jars with lids and refrigerate for 6-8 hours before enjoying.
If your yogurt still looks like milk after the incubation period, you have a failed batch. (No worries, it happens to the best of us.) I recommend throwing it out and starting again.
One of the most common errors in yogurt making is not getting the temperatures right; that is why the candy thermometer is a must. Using yogurt that contains live, active cultures as a starter is also critical.
But what if the yogurt is slightly thick, but not thickened to your liking? No worries, I have tips on thickening it up in the next section.
Note: I’ve seen cold start almond milk yogurt Instant Pot recipes where you skip the heating and cooling steps. This method increases the risk of bad bacterial contamination in your almond yogurt batch, so I don’t recommend it.
🥛 How to Thicken Almond Milk Yogurt That is Too Thin
You can fix almond milk yogurt that is too thin! Put a few tablespoons of the cold liquid yogurt in a bowl. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum over the top.
Whisk the yogurt and xanthan gum mixture to make a paste with no lumps. Next, slowly whisk in more liquid yogurt until you reach the desired consistency.
Keep in mind the xanthan gum takes around 30 seconds to thicken. Also, if you try to mix in too much yogurt at once, you’ll end up with tapioca-like lumps.
It’s important to use xanthan gum as the thickener in this cooking hack because it can thicken cold liquids. Potato starch, arrowroot powder, and other thickeners need heat for thickening.
🌡️ How to Store Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt
Almond milk yogurt stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Some readers say almond milk yogurt can be frozen, but the texture changes a bit with thawing. If the defrosted yogurt is too lumpy, try whisking it well to help make it smooth again.
🥣 How to Serve Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt
What side dishes go with almond milk yogurt made in an Instant Pot? I love this yogurt with strawberries and granola. The granola in the photos is my vegan Air Fryer Granola; it’s so good with the yogurt!
Some other sides for almond milk yogurt include blueberries, raspberries, and this Chocolate Hazelnut Granola. You can also serve yogurt with eggs or use it in overnight oats recipes. (How about my Low Sugar Peach Jam Overnight Oats?)
📋 Calories, Net Carbs, Protein
One cup of Instant Pot almond milk yogurt has 139 calories, 3.4 grams net carbs, and 10.3 grams protein. In addition, this yogurt is an excellent source of calcium.
💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Plain, unsweetened yogurt is protein-packed and an excellent choice for weight loss. This recipe makes four 1-cup servings. Cut your portion down to ½ cup if you want a snack that is under 100 calories.
Plain yogurt is one of the most versatile ingredients around, excellent in both sweet and savory recipes. Try it as a replacement for sour cream or mayo, or enjoy with some fruit and 1-2 tablespoons of nuts. Yum!
🤔 What’s the healthiest type of yogurt?
Nutritionally speaking, my top pick for healthy yogurt goes to plain, unsweetened dairy yogurt. Dairy yogurt provides high quality protein and naturally contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin B12. Dairy yogurt is also low in lactose, and can be enjoyed by many people with limited lactose tolerance.
My top nutritional pick for plant-based yogurt goes to plain, unsweetened, calcium-fortified soy yogurt. Soy is a legume that usually provides higher protein than almond and oat yogurt alternatives. Ideally, the soy yogurt is fortified with nutrients such as calcium and vitamin B12 to be similar to dairy milk.
Calcium-fortified and protein-fortified almond milk can be a good alternative for those on dairy free and soy free diets. The almond protein milk used here is fortified with pea protein. (Important! This almond milk is NOT fortified with vitamin B12, a nutrient that should be supplemented in vegan diets.)
One thing to note is that protein almond milk is 130 calories per cup. This is much higher than regular almond milk which is only 30-40 calories per cup. However, just because it’s higher calorie doesn’t mean it’s bad.
If you don’t eat dairy or soy, you need more calcium and protein-rich foods to replace that food group. Spinach is not high in bioavailable calcium, and the greens that are (e.g., turnip greens) are less common in the U.S. Plus, greens are not a protein food.
Protein-fortified and calcium-fortified almond milk can be an easy way to get those nutrient needs met in soy- and dairy-free diets. It’s not a whole food, but ensuring you’re meeting your essential nutrient needs is more important than perfectly “clean eating.” This Instant Pot almond milk yogurt recipe is likely more nutritious than most almond yogurts from the store.
FAQs
Place the yogurt in a cheesecloth-lined colander over a bowl. Allow it to strain for 24 hours in the fridge for an even thicker and creamier Greek yogurt!
Absolutely! Almond milk heats up nicely, and unlike cow’s milk, you don’t have to worry that it will curdle.
Can you make yogurt in an Instant Pot without a yogurt setting? Yes! Heat the milk to 180F (82C) and cool to 110F (43C) as directed in the recipe. After stirring the milk and yogurt starter together, put it back in the warm (but turned off) Instant Pot. Put the lid on with the vent open. Wrap a heating pad around the Instant Pot to keep it at 105-110F (41-43C) for 8.5 hours.
Instant Pot yogurt made with dairy milk is even cheaper to make than almond milk yogurt. Since it thickens so easily, you can follow the recipe below using 8 cups of cow’s milk instead of four. Lactose free milk works, and whole milk makes yogurt that’s extra creamy!
Most oat milks will not make thick yogurt without thickeners, including protein oat milk. Don't miss my recipe for making thick and creamy oat milk yogurt in an Instant Pot.
The Silk protein almond milk I’m using contains pea protein, a legume which is not allowed on some Paleo diets. Since Paleo isn’t a formal medical diet, there’s disagreements on what Paleo is. Most almond milks are ultra-processed foods, and some of the additives used aren’t Paleo friendly.
👩🏻🍳 Other Dairy Free Instant Pot Recipes
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes that are dairy free? Why not try one of these next:
👩🏾🍳 Recipes with Yogurt
Yogurt is delicious in so many things! Here are some of my favorite ways to use yogurt:
- Strawberry Cucumber Smoothie
- Banana Split Fruit and Yogurt Bowls
- Cloud Bread with Greek Yogurt
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The Disclaimer...
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.
For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking!
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups almond milk (see article for tips on choosing the best almond milk for yogurt)
- 3 tablespoons almond yogurt with live, active cultures (plain, unsweetened)
Instructions
- Pour the almond milk into the Instant Pot. With the lid off, set the pot to the "yogurt, high temperature" setting. Whisking occasionally, let the milk come to 180°F (82°C).
- The high yogurt setting should turn off when the milk reaches 180°F (82°C). Check the temp with a candy thermometer. If your Instant Pot runs a little cold, use the high sauté setting to finish getting the milk to 180°F (82°C). Whisk the milk constantly when using this setting so it doesn’t burn.
- Remove the inner pot of the Instant Pot from the heat. Let the milk cool on the counter to 105-110°F (40.6-43.3°C), whisking occasionally.
- After cooling, remove one cup of the almond milk and add in the yogurt, whisking until smooth. Then whisk this yogurt mixture back into the larger pot of milk. It is very important NOT to add the yogurt until the milk cools to 105°-110°F (40.6-43.3°C). Adding the yogurt too early will kill the live and active cultures, resulting in a failed batch.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot but leave the vent open. Incubate almond yogurt for 8.5 hours using the “low yogurt” setting of the Instant Pot.
- If your yogurt still looks like almond milk after the incubation period, you have a failed batch. I recommend throwing it out and starting again. One of the most common errors in yogurt making is not getting the temperatures right; that is why the candy thermometer is a must. Using yogurt that contains live, active cultures as a starter is also critical.
- If the yogurt has thickened nicely after the incubation period, put it in glass canning jars. Let cool in the refrigerator for at least 6-8 hours before eating.
Janet says
Can you use probiotic capsules instead of plant based starter in almond/cashew yogurt in instant pot???
Summer Yule says
Hi Janet, great question! I've heard of people successfully using probiotic capsules to make dairy yogurt, so it should work for plant-based yogurt too. I haven't tried it, but I think it would be a fun experiment 🙂
Kristen says
I really wanted this to work, but it was a disaster. I used fresh ingredients and followed the instructions to the letter, but the result was still warm milk. After adding nearly a tablespoon of xanthan gum, I finally gave up. Oh well!
Summer Yule says
Hi Kristen, you have to use the type of almond milk I mentioned in the article for this recipe to work. You can't use freshly made almond milk or another brand (though another brand of protein almond milk may work). Also, making yogurt is tricky, and unfortunately even experienced yogurt makers get a failed batch on occasion. I've made this one many times now, so I know it works!
Nima says
Mine did, too, but this is also just out of the Instant Pot. Does the yogurt thicken in the fridge?
Summer Yule says
Hi Nima, it should thicken a bit more in the fridge! The most important thing is to use the protein almond milk I talked about in the article. The thinner almond milks and homemade almond milk will likely not work.