Need an easy, vegan version of your favorite creamy snack? We’ve got your back!
I have a confession: I go through store-bought coconut yogurt way too quickly. Not only does it make a great breakfast; I also like to use it in sauces and dips for chips and veggies. But I’ve reached the point where I’d like to make my own, so I can have big batches that last longer than just a couple days. Plus, groceries are expensive, and we could all use the most bang for our buck right now!
Say “hello” to coconut yogurt: vegan creamy goodness, easily crafted in your own home. In four simple steps, this dish takes about two days to make… and it’s totally worth the wait! Why? Well, there’s a personal touch to it, for starters. Unlike store-bought coconut yogurt, you get to taste it as you go (especially during step 2) so you can choose how tangy it is. The longer it ferments, the tangier it will be, so keep an eye on it with your (clean) taste-test spoon handy.
It boggles my mind that there was once a time when coconut yogurt wasn’t even conceived of, let alone sold in stores. With this recipe, we have an awesome opportunity to DIY one of the yummiest plant-based snacks out there. God willing, I’ll never run out of coconut yogurt again!
Is Coconut Yogurt Healthy?
This coconut yogurt is naturally sweetened and full of probiotics, which are good for gut health. With only three simple ingredients, this recipe is wholesome and agreeable for many diets. Along with being vegan, it’s also gluten-free.
The Coconut’s Journey from Fruit to Milk
Despite its name, the coconut isn’t actually a nut, but rather a “drupe” – a fleshy one-seeded fruit with a hard shell. It’s also considered a stone fruit, like plums, nectarines, and peaches. At first glance, one might wonder how something so creamy and rich can come from a hairy brown coconut, but don’t let its appearance fool you. Coconut milk is made from the tender, sweet flesh of the coconut, which is bright white and super delish. It’s usually mixed with hot water and then pressed through a cheesecloth, although there are other methods as well. This results in a thick coconut cream, while a second pressing of the coconut pulp will create the coconut milk.
When I crack open a can of coconut milk to use in this recipe, I’m always grateful that someone out there does all that work for me!
How to make ahead and store
Coconut yogurt is best stored in mason jars in the fridge, where it will last for up to 7 days. If you want to turn it into an icy treat (frozen yogurt), you can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Keep in mind though that this does change the texture, so if you want it fresh, light and fluffy, keep it in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Create a tantalizing plant-based brunch by serving this yogurt alongside Vegan Granola Bars, Vegan Crêpes, Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies, or Vegan Cinnamon Rolls. I don’t know about you, but I would eat a little piece of each of these, with a bowl of vanilla coconut yogurt on the side.
Alternatively, you could use it as a replacement for regular yogurt in baked goods like Yogurt Banana Bread or Fluffy Yogurt Pancakes. I also find that this yogurt can be used to whip up a delicious dairy-free Tzatziki Sauce. Just use it instead of Greek yogurt, and you’re good to go!
Ingredients
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk 13.5 ounces
- 2 probiotic capsules vegan-friendly
- Maple syrup or preferred sweetener, to taste
Instructions
- Shake the can of coconut milk well to mix. Pour into a clean glass jar. Open the probiotic capsules and empty the powder into the jar. Stir with a non-metal spoon.
- Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a clean dish towel. Secure with a rubber band. Place in a warm area of your kitchen, such as the oven with the light on, for 24 to 48 hours, depending on your taste preference for tanginess.
- Once the desired tanginess is achieved, cover the jar with its lid and refrigerate to thicken the yogurt. This will take a few hours.
- Once thick, add maple syrup or other preferred sweetener, mixing to combine until well blended. Serve or store.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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