Instant Pot Yogurt - Cold Start & Lactose Free

How to make thick and creamy yogurt easily in your Instant Pot! Store bought yogurt may be convenient but nothing compares to the creaminess and taste of homemade yogurt. 
Making yogurt is one of the best features of the Instant Pot! It's super simple to make and one of the main reasons I purchased the Instant Pot from the start. Before the Instant Pot, I was making homemade yogurt in my Slow Cooker. I loved the yogurt, but the whole process was a bit too time - consuming. By using the Instant Pot, I can have thick, creamy Greek yogurt in 8 hours. It's a simple process and practically hands free.  

I use the cold start method, so there is no need to boil the milk first. The most important step in making cold start yogurt is the type of milk used. The milk must be Ultra - filtered, Ultra- Pasteurized or Lactose Free Pasteurized Milk. You also need to make sure that the yogurt you use as a starter is a plain or Greek yogurt with Live Active Cultures

Once you have all your ingredients together, simply add everything to the instant pot and push the yogurt setting. I prefer 8 hours for my yogurt to incubate, but use your preference. The longer the yogurt incubates, the tangier it is. Once the yogurt is done, chill and enjoy! 

We love our yogurt topped with maple syrup or honey, fresh fruit, berries and granola. My favorite way is to top mine with fresh berries and raw honey. Once you taste homemade yogurt, you'll never go back to store bought yogurt. This recipe makes a good amount and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if stored in a covered air - tight container. 

If you want Lactose free yogurt (like me) you will need Lactose free whole milk, plain Greek yogurt (with live cultures and  Lactose free sweetened condensed milk or dairy free Coconut sweetened condensed milk. and vanilla extract. I have used whole or 2% lactose free milk with the same results. 

To start rinse the instant pot liner with hot water and dry the insert. Place the insert back into the Instant Pot and pour 1/2 gallon ultra filtered milk or lactose free milk into the instant pot. Add the container of plain yogurt (must have live active cultures) and gently mix using a wire whisk. 

If you would like to add a sweetener add it now, I use sweetened condensed milk (it gives the perfect amount of sweetener) and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, whisk everything together to make sure it is all  combined. 

Close and lock the instant pot lid in place, leave the steam release valve open.  Push the "yogurt" button until it reads 8 hours then push start. I have the DUO so I just push the yogurt button and 8 hours will appear on the display and the incubation time will begin. Make sure the pressure is on the normal setting. 


The time on the display will count up. The yogurt will start to thicken as soon as 3 hours, but wait to check the thickness at around 6 hours. To test the thickness gently dip a spoon into the yogurt, but DO NOT stir. 8 hours of incubating will yield a perfectly thickened yogurt. 

Incubation process is complete  is when the display reaches "0" the instant pot will display "yogt" indicating the yogurt is done. 

Remove the insert and give the yogurt the spoon test. Take a spoon and insert it into the middle of the yogurt. If the spoon stands up straight without help the yogurt is thick enough. Do not stir the yogurt before chilling.  

Place a napkin over the top of the insert (to collect moisture as it cools) and cover with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate the yogurt overnight. The yogurt will thicken a bit more as it chills.  

Remove the insert from the refrigerator and lightly stir!!! Look how thick and creamy the yogurt is. If you would like more of a thick Greek yogurt consistency strain the yogurt to remove the whey using a yogurt strainer. This is the strainer I have and I love it!  

Transfer the yogurt to an air tight container for long term storage. Yogurt can be refrigerated for up to 2 - weeks.  


Enjoy! 




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