This homemade Coconut Yogurt Recipe is better than the few store brands you can find. Plus, it’s much healthier and only uses 3 ingredients.
When I first gave up dairy, coconut yogurt was extremely rare to find in stores. I heard of people attempting to make their own yogurt, but ending up with thin, liquid outcomes.
Coconut Yogurt Recipe Maker
Last year, I discovered Luvele. Luvele is an incredible company who creates yogurt makers with a perfectly steady temperature to foster the live, active cultures from your favorite probiotic!
Luvele offers multiple coconut yogurt recipes on their blog to help you get started, but the one I’m sharing today uses Aroy-d coconut milk.
Choosing the Right Coconut Milk
Many coconut milk and cream brands are either thin, or use filler in order to achieve their thick texture. Somehow, Aroy-d manages to offer a super thick cream, without any of the junk!
NOTE: If you do not have access to this brand, you’ll need to add a vegetable-based gelatin powder to the recipe in order to get the right consistency, such as Agar Agar Powder. Here is a great article that talks about the need of adding a thickener to plant based yogurts when not using Aroy-d coconut milk to make your coconut yogurt.
How to Make Coconut Yogurt Recipe
I love this recipe in particular for it’s simplicity, and no-fail instructions. It’s a guaranteed great outcome for everyone, and is SCD, paleo, AIP, vegan, and more!
Step#1: Put the Aroy-d Canned Coconut Milk in Fridge Overnight
Chilling the coconut milk allows the cream content to set firm at the top allowing easy separation from the fluid coconut water at the bottom.
Step #2: Scoop out the Thick, White Coconut Cream
Open the cans and spoon only the thick, white coconut cream into your glass yogurt making jar. The bottom quarter of the can will be clear coconut water which is not required in the recipe.
Step #3: Add the Start Culture or Probiotic
Add the starter culture or probiotic and sugar or honey and stir it in. The chilled coconut cream is quite thick so does not stir easily. Don’t worry.
Step #4: Put the Canister in the Yogurt Maker and Set for 24 hours
Put the lid firmly on the glass yogurt jar and place the jar into your yogurt maker. Then, Pour water slowly into the base and close the maker lid. Adjust the time to 24 hours and then press ‘confirm’ to begin making your own homemade coconut yogurt recipe.
Step #5: Place Coconut Yogurt in Fridge for 6 hours
When complete, switch the maker off and place the jar in the fridge for at least 6 hours to chill and set. Once chilled, the coconut yogurt will be firm. It may have a small amount of separated coconut water and appear ‘cracked’ in places–this is normal.
Step #6: Enjoy your Coconut Yogurt Recipe
Thick, Creamy Coconut Yogurt Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 400ml cans of Aroy-D coconut milk
- 1 tsp cane sugar or 1 Tbsp pasteurized honey
- 1 yogurt starter culture or probiotic powder
Instructions
- Place the Aroy-d canned coconut milk in the fridge overnight or in the freezer for 30 minutes prior to opening. Chilling the coconut milk allows the cream content to set firm at the top allowing easy separation from the fluid coconut water at the bottom.
- Open the cans and spoon only the thick, white coconut cream into your glass yogurt making jar. The bottom quarter of the can will be clear coconut water which is not required in the recipe. Don’t throw it away though-coconut water is wonderful added to smoothies, chia puddings & curries. Store the coconut water in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze for several months
- Add the starter culture or probiotic and sugar or honey and stir it in. The chilled coconut cream is quite thick so does not stir easily. Don’t worry.
- Put the lid firmly on the glass yogurt jar and place the jar into your yogurt maker.
- Pour water slowly into the base. (The water must not be filled over the ‘tall line’ indicated on the inside wall of the maker). Then place the cover lid on top.
- Use the digital control panel to set the temperature to 38° C, the time to 24 hours and then press ‘confirm’ to begin incubation.
- When complete, switch the maker off and place the jar in the fridge for at least 6hours to chill and set.
- Once chilled, the coconut yogurt will be firm. It may have a small amount of separated coconut water and appear ‘cracked’ in places–this is normal.
- Once stirred it will aerate and become creamy. *Note: The coconut water may continue to separate in the fridge. Just stir before using to incorporate.
- Return to the fridge or serve and enjoy
Need a Great Start Probiotic for your Coconut Yogurt Recipe?
We love this one by BioGaia or you can find other great options on Luvele’s website.
Coconut Yogurt is Great Anytime!
This coconut yogurt recipe is a great snack, breakfast, or added ingredient in so many recipes! I love adding it to my smoothies in the mornings, or using it as a secret ingredient in desserts.
Adding coconut yogurt to my daily diet has completely transformed my gut health, and I notice a huge difference if I stop eating it. It’s one of my favorite ways to show some love to my gut, and is an incredible source of probiotics.
Having this yogurt maker on my counter makes all the difference. I hope you’ll not only check out the yogurt maker, but consider the amazing things you can do with it. Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty more recipes joining the blog soon.
This Thick, Creamy Coconut Yogurt Recipe has helped me a lot.
Hello. Would like to try this recipe for my son. If I understand correctly, the sugar in the honey would be eaten by the beneficial bacteria in the starter? Would there be any sweetness left? Or is the amount of honey used too small to taste in so much coconut milk? He’s not liked yogurt for a long time and I’m hoping a little remaining sweetness might make it more palatable for him. I don’t really want to add any sugars or fruit after (skin issues). Thanks for your insight! 😊
Hi Amber,
You are correct! The bacteria will consume the sugar from the honey, leaving the yogurt tasting more like an unsweetened greek yogurt. In my opinion, there is no sweetness remaining.
I always add berries or bananas + honey afterwards, or add it to smoothies. However, if this is not an option for you, you could consider mixing it into a savory sauce, dressing, or dip! You can search these on Pinterest, and simply switch out the dairy-based yogurt for coconut yogurt.
I hope this helped!
Madison
Do you think Native Forest, No Guar added, is equivalent to the Arroyo d? I’ve been using Native Forest plus Agar plus Inulin plus a probiotic. However, I really like the minimal ingredients you use of just the milk and the starter
Yes — we also love Native Forest, it’s just not as easy to find. So glad you’re trying out this recipe.
Hello!
Can probiotic capsules be opened and used? If so, how many capsules do you suggest using?
Thanks!
Hi, Mary!
Personally, I have tried opening probiotic capsules and using them, but always end up with runny, gritty yogurt. However, I know many people have great success with this method, so it is very possible it is just the type of probiotic I am using. Luvele’s website references using one probiotic capsule for reference.
Hope this helps,
Madison
Hello!
Thanks for your response to my other question 🙂 I think I will try using the BioGaia chewable tablet that you use and crush it.
One more question, are you still using the Aroy-D coconut cream? The reviews on Amazon were not the best, with dented cans being delivered. Just wondering if you had any issues or if there was another brand to check out- thanks!
Hi, Mary!
I still use Aroy-D Coconut Cream, but I’ve actually began using their cartons instead. The cartons have been great, and I’ve never had an issue with these. Alternative options would be Nature’s Greatest Foods, Trader Joe’s, or Thrive Market’s brands!
Hope this helps,
Madison
I love eating this yogurt for a snack. You can really have it at any time of the day.
When the recipe calls for starter, is that when we add some of the yogurt already made?
Hi Carol,
Great question! Yes! If I already have yogurt made, I replace the probiotic or starter with 1/4 cup of my pre-made yogurt. I will add this to the instructions for others to see.
Thanks so much for your question,
Madison
Are you crushing up the pro-biotic pill that you recommend? If so, what is the best way to do that…
Hi Rebecca,
I crush and grind it using a mortar and pestle until it turns into a fine powder!
Hope this helps,
Madison