Last Updated on April 17, 2023

Have you ever purchased coconut yogurt at Whole Foods or another grocery store? Oh my word, it’s expensive! Most of the store-bought coconut yogurts contain gums and various other ingredients that I try to avoid. That’s why I love making homemade yogurt using coconut cream and my Instant Pot. This Instant Pot coconut yogurt recipe is sure to hit the spot when you are craving a smooth and creamy dairy-free yogurt.

AIP Coconut Yogurt

I’ve been missing yogurt so much lately, so I just had to get in the kitchen and try to make it for myself. Since there’s been some controversy over Aroy-D being totally free of guar gum or thickeners (see Chris Kresser’s article called “Three Reasons Why Coconut Milk May Not Be Your Friend“), I decided to try making it using Natural Value Coconut Cream.

Store-bought yogurt has nothing on my Instant Pot coconut milk yogurt! To top it off, it’s such a simple recipe!

Ingredients for Coconut Milk Yogurt

I’ve used Natural Value coconut milk in the past for other things because it is free from any gums or thickeners and Natural Value uses BPA-free cans. Nature’s Greatest Foods is another brand that is good to use.

I also decided to use two capsules of Kirkman Pro-Bio Gold probiotic powder capsules. I’m pretty sure you could substitute any allergen-friendly probiotic, as long as it has about 20-22 CFUs of live cultures. (If you order probiotics online, make sure they are packed with ice to keep the cultures alive.)

After culturing the yogurt, I use Great Lakes Gelatin to make a thicker yogurt. If you like how thick greek yogurt is, you can add enough to get that consistency. But to keep it vegan, just omit that part.

What You’ll Need to Make AIP Coconut Yogurt in the Instant Pot

This easy recipe makes a delicious non-dairy yogurt and uses just a few simple ingredients.

coconut cream (not cans of coconut milk)
probiotics (live active cultures – good bacteria!)
grass-fed gelatin (omit for vegan)

Of course, don’t forget the Instant Pot and jars! I use 2 pint-sized Ball jars, sterilized and dried well.

How to Make Instant Pot AIP Coconut Yogurt

The Instant Pot makes yogurt-making a breeze. Using the yogurt setting, you basically “set it and forget it” until the timer goes off. The Instant Pot keeps everything at the correct temperature during the process. I personally do not boil the milk prior to culturing it. For typical yogurt-making using cow’s milk, that step is recommended to kill off any bacteria before culturing.

In the case of using coconut milk, I consider it an unnecessary step.

1.) First, start by sanitizing your Instant Pot and jars. You don’t want to have to throw away your homemade coconut yogurt due to bacteria messing it up!

2.) Next, give your cans of coconut cream a good shake. Then pour one can into each jar.

3.) After your jars are filled, open the probiotic capsules and add them to the jars. Stir well.

4.) Then place your jars of coconut cream and probiotics in your the bowl of the Instant Pot, without the Instant Pot lid.

Please note: The recipe card at the bottom contains a full list of ingredients and steps for making coconut yogurt.

Incubate Coconut Milk Yogurt

I like to start making my yogurt at 9PM and incubate it for 12 hours, so that it’s ready at 9AM for the next step. The first time I made it, I did it in the afternoon and I had to stay up late to wait until it was ready for the fridge.

1.) Press the yogurt button on the Instant Pot and the “+” button to increase the time to 10-12 hours, depending on desired tartness.

2.) Once the timer is finished, open the lid and remove the yogurt.

3.) Add yogurt to a blender along with the gelatin. Mix well in the blender, then pour back into the jars.

Refrigerate Dairy Free Yogurt

Place jars into the refrigerator without lids and allow to cool and thicken. After several hours, place caps on jars.

If you prefer a tangy flavor, let the yogurt sit an additional 3 to 5 hours. The result will be a tangier yogurt with a creamy texture.

There may be some separation after the yogurt has completely cooled. I just mix it all together. Sometimes, depending on what I want to make, I may pour the coconut “water” into another container and scoop out the plain yogurt. This works especially well when I am using the yogurt to make coconut sour cream.

Adding Sweeteners to Coconut Yogurt

In case you were wondering, I do not add any sweetener while culturing. Many people will add maple syrup or sugar of some kind to feed the probiotics during the fermentation process.

It is my opinion that there is plenty of sugar in the coconut cream itself off of which the bacteria will live and eat until their little tummies are full. If it makes you sleep better at night, however, to add in a little maple syrup for the little guys to feast on, you have my blessing – just do NOT add honey, as it has anti-bacterial properties and should never be used in fermentation.

How Long Does Coconut Milk Yogurt Last?

You can store coconut milk yogurt in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Although you can freeze it as well, the texture will be off a bit. That’s okay if you plan to use it for smoothies or something like that though. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Coconut Yogurt Recipe Notes

For best results, you must use full fat canned coconut cream that only has the ingredients coconut and water. Do not use light canned coconut milk. Look for organic coconut cream in a non-BPA can.

If the color of your yogurt looks off (perhaps slightly pink), that means that there may have been some sort of contamination and your yogurt is bad. Sometimes this happens when it’s not cooked on the proper setting or if the Instant Pot wasn’t sterilized first.

My favorite part of eating a delicious coconut milk yogurt is adding fresh fruit and some sliced tigernuts (think granola). A lot of people avoid cow’s milk, either due to an allergy or for some health reason. I personally think coconut yogurt is a good option for those who still enjoy that tangy yogurt taste but avoid dairy milk.

Delicious Ways Use Coconut Milk Yogurt

Top with fresh fruit
Add to smoothies
Stir in some jam
Make coconut sour cream

How can I make this into greek-style yogurt?

If you want a super creamy yogurt, grab a cheesecloth and strain the water out of it after the last refrigeration phase. Don’t discard that liquid though – it’s perfect for smoothies or to thin out the yogurt if you want to make ranch dressing.

Can I make coconut yogurt in my crock pot instead of the Instan Pot?

I do not recommend using a slow cooker instead of an Instant Pot because the heat setting (even on low or warm) is too hot and will destry your beneficial bacteria.

What sized jars should I use?

This recipe calls for 2 pint-sized jars.

Why use gelatin in coconut yogurt?

The gelatin acts as a thickener for the yogurt. I have made it without many times though, the results are a thinner yogurt.

Why has my yogurt separated?

This is a normal thing – don’t worry! If your yogurt has separated or is a bit lumpy, add it to a blender and blend it up.

Is this coconut milk yogurt keto-friendly?

Absolutely, yes. High-fat yogurt is compliant for the keto diet. This coconut yogurt recipe is low in carbs and has a great fat content.

Looking for more AIP Instant Pot recipes?