It’s simple to make your own coconut dairy free yogurt in an Instant Pot. You only need two basic ingredients and a pressure cooker with a yogurt program.
When I bought my Instant Pot, I made sure I got the 7-in-1 model that has the yogurt function. There’s also a 6-in-1 model, but it doesn’t have the yogurt maker program.
I was pretty impressed at how easy it was to turn regular whole milk into low carb yogurt using the Instant Pot. And, you can even turn heavy cream into a higher fat yogurt.
What’s even better is that it’s even easier to make dairy free yogurt in the pressure cooker from coconut cream. Since I started the AIP paleo diet, I’ve been making my own coconut yogurt almost weekly.
To make the yogurt, I’ve been using the Let’s Do Organic heavy coconut cream. It’s the only brand that I’ve found which doesn’t contain any guar gum. I found the best price for it at Thrive Market.
You could make the yogurt from coconut milk. However, you have to read the labels to find one without guar gum. My favorite is the unsweetened Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk Simple.
If you do choose to make dairy free yogurt out of coconut milk instead of cream, it may be thinner. The extra fat in the cream makes it thicker when chilled.
I’ve seen some recipes add either grass-fed gelatin or agar agar to the yogurt as a thickener. However, if you use the coconut cream, it’s not needed. You’ll get a thick yogurt without it.
You only need two ingredients to make a delicious low carb yogurt using coconut cream. It’s just canned coconut cream and a probiotic supplement.
You could use a yogurt starter if you prefer. It’s basically just a powdered probiotic. I’ve been using the RenewLife Extra Care Ultimate Flora probiotic supplement.
I use two cans of coconut cream and four probiotics capsules to make the yogurt. The batch lasts me through the week. There’s plenty of room in the Instant Pot to double or triple the recipe if needed.
You can probably use any similar probiotic capsules. The RenewLife open up easily and I just dump the powder out into the coconut cream and whisk it in.
I’ve tried upping the probiotic to five capsules and the yogurt did seem to get thicker, but the taste wasn’t as good as when I used only four capsules. However, you may need to adjust the amount if you use a different brand.
A lot of people refrain from eating yogurt on a low carb diet. But, when you use coconut cream, you know it’s got to be very low in carbs.
There’s debate on the the accuracy of carb count listed on yogurt anyway. Just take a look at this post to see why regular dairy yogurt is usually okay.
And, if you want the perfect sized glass jars for storing individual servings, check out the Ball 4oz jars with plastic lidsBall 4oz jars with plastic lids.
Low Carb Coconut Dairy Free Yogurt in the Instant Pot
Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt
It's simple to make your own dairy free coconut yogurt in an Instant Pot. You only need two basic ingredients and a pressure cooker with a yogurt program.
Ingredients
- 27 ounces coconut cream 2 cans
- 4 capsules probiotic
Instructions
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Pour coconut cream into Instant Pot. Put the lid on, then click the “Yogurt” button and use the “Adjust” button until “boil” is displayed.
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When the boil temperature has been reached, the Instant Pot will beep. At that time, open the lid and check the temperature. Once it reaches 115°F, empty the powder from the probiotic capsules into the pot. Stir the powder into the coconut cream using a whisk.
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Place lid back on Instant Pot and push the "Yogurt" button again. Use the "+" or "-" buttons to adjust the culture time. I like to let it sit anywhere from 15 to 18 hours.
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When the time is up, open the lid. The yogurt may seem thin, but don't worry. It thickens up in the refrigerator. Just pour it into a glass container with a lid and let it chill for a day.
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Maryann says
Hi. Something went wrong. My yogurt was soured at the end of the 15 hours. Any ideas what may have happened?
Lisa says
It should be sour. I add fruit and or sweetener to mine.
Taisha says
So far I’ve only found regular coconut cream in a can but not the *heavy* coconut cream you use. How would I use regular canned coconut cream so it’s thick enough?
Thanks!
Lisa says
Regular coconut cream is fine as long as it’s the unsweetened kind.
Gary says
The yogurt default on my 7-1 Instant pot is 24hrs. Have you tried to leave it for 24 hrs? Why only 15-18hrs in the recipe? Sour? Rotten? Personal preference?
Thanks.
Lisa says
I have left it in longer, it’s not much different.
Tina says
I have the Renew Life ultimate flora 15 billion capsules…same 12 probiotic strains as the 50 billion…I would need about 12 or 13 to equal your 4 capsules, should I use that many or lower the dose?
Lisa says
I’m not really sure. Just experiment to see what works.
Becky says
Are you talking about after the 15 (or however many hours) or after it boils, and the temperature comes down?
Lisa says
Temperature needs to be reduced after boiling before adding the culture before the longer yogurt cycle.
Katelyn says
Do you increase the time if doubling the batch?
Lisa says
I never do and it comes out fine.
Kelli says
I have some coconut cream but it doesn’t contain guar gum. However, it contains xantham gum? Is that permissible?
Lisa says
It’s fine for making yogurt. I just prefer the kind without any additives.
Amber says
Lisa, thank you for posting this recipe. I have an IP with a valve seal that is missing and it is my dedicated yogurt IP… I’m following a Keto diet and this recipe is perfect for me. I use it every couple of weeks
Ashley D Weimer says
Hi! Thanks for the recipe, I’m excited to try it! I’m not sure if once “cooked” the coconut cream nutritional contents break down the same? Would you say yes-ish? I’m prepping to start keto so I’m wanting to figure out the nutritional breakdown per serving. What would consider this fat/net carb/calorie wise? Any protein? Thanks!
Lisa says
The carb count goes down due to the sugar being consumed by the culture. I’m not sure if any other macros are impacted.
Cheryl Daniels says
Can I use an unsweetened canned coconut milk yogurt as a starter? Would I use 2 TBL like I do when making dairy yogurt?
Lisa says
You can use cultured coconut yogurt as a starter.
April Tarantino says
Doesn’t the probiotic “die” in the high heat while cooking?
Lisa says
The temp doesn’t get hot enough for that on the yogurt setting.
Holly karpinski says
Can you use couple table spoons of coconut yogurt insteadbof probiotics
Lisa says
Yes. A starter coconut yogurt should work too. I’ve used a couple tablespoons of regular yogurt instead of culture to make whole milk yogurt.
ChristineDeane says
I want to use low calorie (low fat) Almond-Coconut milk by SILK. I see you are suggesting an addition of a thickener. Can you be specific with amounts and exactly when to add the thickener?
I love your posts and answers to people’s questions – so helpful. Thanks for taking the time!
Lisa says
I’d add about 2 teaspoons agar agar or gelatin in with the probiotic.
Jordan says
At what point do you add the thickener?
Lisa says
I typically add it after the yogurt cycle.
Harriet says
Do you make this with the vent sealed or open?
Lisa says
It’s not done under pressure so it doesn’t matter.
R says
How much does this make in cups?
Lisa says
I get about 6 servings that are about a cup each.
Anne says
Hi! Is a 420-cal serving a cup as you say here or a 4-oz ball jar?
Lisa says
It’s more like a half cup serving size.
Maureen says
Is there a preferred type of probiotic(not brand, but strain) necessary to make yogurt? Thanks!
Lisa says
Any strains should work, but a lot of commercially made yogurt contains lactobacillus acidophilus.
Rose says
From the research I have done on gut health acidophilus is not good for gut health. You can use it to make yogurt, but if you are concerned with the health of your gut you should us another strain, for example bigidobacterium breve, bofidobacterium longing, lactobacillus rhamnosus. There actually many strains of probiotics that are beneficial. Read the label.
Casey says
A question about the temperature, as I’m new to using my Instant Pot for this. When you put the yogurt back on after adding the probiotic, won’t it get too hot? I don’t understand why you would need to cool it down to add just to heat it back up again, or does it not get too hot at any point? Thanks.
Lisa says
You don’t want to kill any bacteria if the temperature is too hot after boiling. That’s why it’s cooled. The yogurt cycle is a lower temp that doesn’t kill the bacteria.
Kristine says
Do you mind telling me where you got those cute little cups with lids for the yogurt?
Lisa says
They are just Ball 4oz jars that are often used for baby food.
Nikki Isakson says
Just wondering, if you use culture instead of the probiotic capsules, how much culture equals 4 capsules? Thanks!
Lisa says
I’m not sure what the equivalent would be. It’s best to experiment and see how much works best for you.
Linda says
Can I use the whey from greek yogurt that I made with Fairlife Milk as a starter?
Lisa says
You have to have enough culture which is usually in the yogurt so I’m not sure how much you’d get from the whey.
Susan says
IF you want it to have a fruit flavor – when do you add the fruit? I was thinking of mixed berries.
Lisa says
I mix them in to the finished product.
Dash says
I made this twice now and it separates in fridge & top layer gets so hard, I can’t eat it. What am I doing wrong?
Lisa says
I wonder if it’s the coconut cream used. I only use the kind that has no additives. You could add in a little gelatin or agar agar to stabilize it.
Holly karpinski says
I was trying to find the “let do organic coconut cream” and came across lets do organic creamed coconut, which i think is different but it says with this one it will harden in cold temperatures. Maybe you used this instead of the heavy coconut cream
Lisa says
I have used the coconut cream and it comes out thicker than the coconut milk. I like to use half and half.
Christine says
Great recipe! Hoever, can you explain what the cocern is with the added AgarAgar, Guar Gum and cargreen? I know they are natural substances but do they contain sugar? Can you do a post dedicated to this please? Knowledge is power! Thanks in advance!
Lisa says
Guar gum is usually safe in small quantities, but it comes from guar beans (a legume) which is avoided on AIP paleo. A lot of people have trouble digesting it (including myself) which is why I use products without it. Agar Agar is generally safe as long as it’s consumed with adequate water. Carrageenan has been shown to cause inflammation which is why I stay away from it.
Rosie says
After finishing the boil cycle, do you put it in an ice bath (as in This Old Gal) to bring the temp down to 110 before adding the probiotics and putting it on the yogurt cycle?
Lisa says
I only do that if the temperature is too high after the boil cycle to speed it up. The thing is that you don’t want to add the probiotics if the temperature is too high.
Chris says
I have a question: in the recipe, you say to mix in the probiotic as soon as the coconut cream has reached ‘boil’. Won’t that heat kill the little critters?
Thanks.
Lisa says
You add the probiotic when the temperature gets below about 115F. I’ll fix that.
Kristen says
Can you cook this in a crock pot or stove top if you don’t have an IP?
Lisa says
You need to let it sit at the right temperature which is 110-115F. In a crock pot, the temperature gets higher than that. So, it’s not going to work properly.
1empyre says
Nice Recipe! I have a Chefman pressure cooker which can do yogurt, but the culture growing temp needs to be manually set. Is 110-115F correct?
Lisa says
I’m pretty sure the temp is 110 for an Instant Pot.
Suzan says
Can you make this with the 6 in 1 Instant Pot? Ugh – that’s the only one I have!
Lisa says
I’m pretty sure that one doesn’t have the yogurt function which keeps it at the right temperature.
Diane Wesson says
I love yogurt, but don’t tolerate dairy anymore, even yogurt. Does thus taste like coconut? Can it be made with almond milk? I’m also a lover of ice cream, and every sugar free, dairy free ice cream I can find is made with coconut . I like coconut, but every flavor taste like coconut.
I’d love a vanilla or plain yogurt.
Thank you, Diane
Lisa says
It does have a coconut taste which doesn’t bother me as I love coconut. Almond milk might work, but it’s so thin you may need to add in a thickener like gelatin or agar agar.