Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, also known as Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt, is a thick, creamy yogurt that you can make faster than the boil method. Electric pressure cooker yogurt uses a yogurt setting that is built in, to make it easy, with no babysitting required! And did I mention that this Instant Pot yogurt is delicious?!
Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt
Making yogurt is something I never did until I bought my first Instant Pot® electric pressure cooker. I used the boil method, where you heat the milk to 180, cool it to 110, then add the starter (yogurt), then incubate for 8+ hours. It's not hard, and you can use regular milk.
It comes out a little thinner than the "cold start" or "no boil" method. It is still good though!
When I first made Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, I was thrilled, as this method appealed to my lazy side, and it came out thick enough that I didn't have to strain it (another point for my lazy side)! Not having to boil & cool it meant that I saved time, too.
Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, or sometimes called "Fairlife yogurt", "Cold Start yogurt" or a loose version of Vietnamese yogurt, comes out creamy and thick.
This version of Instant Pot Yogurt uses a milk that has already been boiled and is filtered. There are several brands out there, but Fairlife® is by far the most popular. It comes in whole, 2%, and nonfat.
How to Make Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt
- Use ultra pasteurized milk, such as Fairlife® - You can use whole, 2%, etc. The reason you can get away with not boiling it for this method is that they already boiled it. The milk gets heated enough to kill the bacteria that fights against the cultures that make the yogurt. That's why you have to add starter with active/live cultures.
- Add a starter with active/live cultures - You need a starter (I use Fage yogurt), since all of the live stuff was killed off in the boil. Just whisk it in. I use 2 heaping Tbsps for ½ gallon of milk. Make sure it's fresh, and actually says "Active Live Cultures" on the carton.
- Sweetening your yogurt - Completely optional. Sometimes I do, and use a can of sweetened condensed milk, whisked in well. Sometimes I don't want a sweet batch, or I just don't have the SCM, so I leave it out. I like to use honey and vanilla when I serve it.
- Heavy Cream - Sometimes I add a cup to make my yogurt even creamier. Totally optional (and so decadent!).
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Instant Pot No Boil (cold start) Yogurt is thick, creamy, and delicious. Pressure cooker yogurt is fun to make and tastes so good!
- 52 oz Fairlife® Ultra Filtered Milk, divided
- 2 Tablespoons Yogurt Starter (use a yogurt with live, active cultures)
- 1 14-ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk (optional), such as Eagle Brand®
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (optional)
- 2-3 teaspoons Vanilla (optional)
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Pour ¼ of the milk into the inner liner (stainless pot).
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Add 2 heaping Tablespoons of the yogurt starter (I like to use Fage brand). Whisk to incorporate completely.
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Add sweetened condensed milk (if using), and whisk very well to dissolve and combine.
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Add the heavy cream and vanilla (if using) and the remainder of the milk and whisk well to combine.
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Place a lid on the pot. You can use the IP lid (on venting), a glass lid, silicone, a dinner plate, etc.
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Press the Yogurt button (or dial), and set time, using the +/- button, or dial, for either 8 hours (default) or 9 hours (for a more tart flavor). Longer incubation time equals tarter yogurt.
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When incubation time is finished, cover the inner liner with a paper towel, and a lid over that, and place it in the fridge to chill. Do not stir until chilled, for best results.
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Remove from fridge and stir. Yogurt should be nice and thick*.
*If you want it even thicker, you will need to strain it.
To strain, place coffee filters in a strainer set over a bowl and pour the yogurt in the lined strainer (or use a yogurt strainer). Place in fridge and strain until desired thickness is achieved.
If you get it too thick, just stir some of the whey back into it.
Resources to Make Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt Recipe and more
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Holly
This is amazing! We made ours with the SCM, the heavy cream, and the vanilla. My husband said it's the best yogurt he's ever had. I normally don't like yogurt but I agree with him! I could eat all of it. Is the 235 kcal per serving listed above for the recipe with all the options (SCM, heavy cream, and vanilla)?
Kathy
I don't like store bought yogurt, but this is great!!! I kept reading that this was better, but didn't really believe it. I'm a convert! So rich, thick, creamy with less of the tartness of store bought. I used the Fairlife, SCM, a point of half and half that I needed to use, and my starter was 2 tbs of blueberry yogurt (never send a husband with a list ?). Even if you are so-so about store bought yogurt, as I was, you've got to try this!
Tammie
This recipe is fantastic!
I looked and haven’t seen this question yet.
Have you ever frozen it to make frozen yogurt?
Thanks!
Tammie
Sandy
Thanks, Tammie! Yes, I have frozen small amounts for my grandkids to snack on! They love it!
Diane
Can this recipe be doubled? Does the time change?
Sandy
Hi Diane, the most I have made at once is 64 oz (1 gallon). The Fairlife comes in a 52 oz bottle, so about 12 oz less. I think you could, if your pot is large enough. You may need to add a little time, maybe an extra hour.
Suzanne L Craft
If the recipe is cut in half, do I use only 1 Tablespoon of yogurt in my starter or still use two???
Sandy
I would use 1.
Natasha
Instead of SCM can I add raw sugar cane?
Thanks
Sandy
I would add it after chilling the yogurt.
Connie
I used heavy whipping cream and followed someone elses similar recipe. Pressed the yogurt button but didnt ask me to “adjust” the time. The display did t default to 8 hours, it s just showing the time elapsed. Will it still be ok? Waiting for 8 hour mark
Sandy
Yes, 8 to 10 hours is a good incubation time. The longer it incubates, the more tart it will get. I do 9 hours and it's not that tart to me.
Carole
I’m excited to try this, can I do the cold method with skim milk?
Sandy
As long as the milk is ultra pasteurized, you can use skim or any fat percentage.
Linda
Hi Sandy, could I use Danone Activia probiotic yogurt as my yogourt starter.. it has active probiotic culture and active bacterial cultures.. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Sandy
Yes, as long as it has active live cultures!