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You can make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot by blending soaked almonds with water, stirring in a starter culture, and letting the mixture ferment on the Yogurt setting until thick and tangy.
It takes a little patience, but the process is surprisingly simple and way cheaper than buying those tiny store-bought tubs every week.
If you’ve been wondering how to make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot without a fancy setup, you’re in exactly the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through why the Instant Pot makes almond yogurt so easy, how to make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot step by step, and the common mistakes to avoid along the way.
Let’s get to it.
Why Make Almond Yogurt in an Instant Pot
Making almond yogurt in an Instant Pot works so well because the appliance gives you steady, low, controlled heat, which is exactly what fermentation needs.
Here’s why so many people make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot at home:
1. Consistent Temperature Means Reliable Results
The Yogurt setting holds your almond milk at a gentle, even warmth for hours.
That steady heat is what lets the cultures thrive and turn your almond milk into thick, creamy almond yogurt.
No oven light tricks, no wrapping jars in towels, and no guesswork.
2. It’s Hands-Off and Budget-Friendly
Once you press start, the Instant Pot does the work while you get on with your day.
And because almonds and water cost far less than store-bought vegan yogurt, making almond yogurt in an Instant Pot saves real money over time.
3. You Control the Ingredients
When you make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot, you decide what goes in.
No gums, no added sugar, and no mystery additives unless you want them.
That control is a big reason home cooks love making almond yogurt themselves.
How to Make Almond Yogurt in an Instant Pot
So how do you actually make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot?
Follow these steps and you’ll have a fresh batch ready in under a day:
1. Soak and Blend Your Almonds
Start by soaking 1 cup of raw almonds in water overnight, then drain and rinse them well.
Blend the almonds with about 3 to 4 cups of fresh water until completely smooth.
For silkier almond yogurt, strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or fine cloth.
2. Thicken the Almond Milk
Pour your almond milk into a saucepan and warm it gently, then whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tapioca starch or arrowroot powder.
This step is what gives almond yogurt its creamy body instead of a watery texture.
Heat until it just thickens, then let it cool to room temperature.
3. Add Your Starter Culture
Once the milk is lukewarm, stir in 2 tablespoons of plain vegan yogurt or the contents of a probiotic capsule.
Whisk thoroughly so the culture spreads evenly through the mixture.
4. Ferment on the Yogurt Setting
Pour the mixture into clean glass jars and place them in the Instant Pot with the lid on.
Set it to Yogurt and let it ferment for 8 to 12 hours, depending on how tangy you like your almond yogurt.
5. Chill Before Eating
Once fermentation is done, refrigerate your almond yogurt for at least 4 hours.
It will thicken further as it chills, giving you that perfect creamy spoonful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Almond Yogurt
Even with an easy method, a few slip-ups can ruin a batch of almond yogurt.
Watch out for these common mistakes:
1. Using Hot Milk
Adding your starter culture to hot almond milk kills the bacteria before fermentation even begins.
Always let the mixture cool to lukewarm before stirring in the culture.
2. Skipping the Thickener
Homemade almond milk is naturally thin, so without a thickener your almond yogurt may turn out runny.
Tapioca starch or arrowroot makes all the difference.
3. Fermenting Too Short or Too Long
Under-fermented almond yogurt tastes flat, while over-fermenting makes it overly sour.
Start with 8 hours, taste, and adjust from there.
4. Stirring During Fermentation
Keep the lid closed and resist the urge to peek and stir.
Disturbing the jars interrupts the culturing process and can leave you with uneven results.
5. Not Saving a Starter for Next Time
Always set aside a couple of tablespoons of your finished almond yogurt to use as the starter for your next batch.
It keeps the process going and saves you money on cultures.
So, How Do You Make Almond Yogurt in an Instant Pot?
You make almond yogurt in an Instant Pot by blending soaked almonds with water, thickening the milk, adding a starter culture, and fermenting it on the Yogurt setting for 8 to 12 hours.
The Instant Pot’s steady warmth does the hard part, so all you need is a little patience and a few simple ingredients.
Once you’ve made almond yogurt in an Instant Pot a couple of times, the whole routine becomes second nature.
Hope this post has helped you with making almond yogurt in an Instant Pot, and here’s to many creamy, tangy batches ahead.