When I want to send a lunch box parfait to school with my dairy-free son, I use this dairy-free yogurt recipe. It’s also perfect for breakfast, or to add to your favorite smoothie recipe for a little bit of extra creaminess without any dairy.
You could say that I have a house filled with food restrictions. My oldest son is on a gluten-free diet, my youngest is on a dairy-free diet, and I eat grain-free and mostly Paleo. It took a while, but I am finally not a short-order cook!
I began using our grain-free meal plan, and all I have to do is add some rice to a couple of meals to make everyone happy. Small switches like today’s yogurt make everything easier too. Dairy free yogurt is just as creamy and delicious as it’s traditional dairy-filled counterparts, so this is a quick recipe I can make for everyone in our house, even the people with no dairy sensitivities.
One of the reasons I love this recipe is that you can use any non-dairy “milk” you like. For the creamiest version equivalent to traditional full-fat yogurt, use canned coconut milk. I like to use this particular brand that doesn’t contain gums as stabilizers.
How to Make Dairy-Free Yogurt
For a real yogurt-like texture, I recommend using full fat coconut milk. Other options such as almond milk, cashew milk, or soy milk don’t compare to the creamy texture it gives this yogurt.
- Start by stirring gelatin and warm water together in a small bowl. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes until it forms a gel-like substance
- Meanwhile, warm the milk and maple syrup or honey in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.
- Add ¼ cup of the warmed milk to the gelatin and stir to combine, before adding to the saucepot. Whisk to combine. If you are using active cultures in this yogurt recipe, add them here
- Divide the liquid between 4 yogurt ramekins or mason jars. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate overnight.
Now that you know how to make plain yogurt try adding fruit preserves or fresh fruit to the bottom of the dish or jar a homemade fruit-at-the-bottom yogurt.
Is this Yogurt Lactose-Free?
Since we use coconut milk or another dairy-free milk, this yogurt contains no lactose. But it does have a creamy, delicious texture your family will love, thanks to the coconut milk.
Recipes with Yogurt
Yogurt isn’t for breakfast only; I also like to pack it in lunch along with fruit and crackers. Not sure how to pack yogurt in a lunchbox? Check out these smart hacks on how to pack yogurt for lunch and keep it cold.
- Fruit and yogurt parfait
- Yogurt Pancakes
- Fresh Fruit Yogurt
- Red, White & Blue Parfait
- Fruit & Yogurt Breakfast Pizza
I like making recipes like the Fresh Fruit Yogurt with diced strawberries or blueberries, whichever I have on hand. It’s an easy way to use up fresh berries in a healthy snack.
Have a problem keeping those berries fresh for recipes like this one, try out this solution to keep berries fresh longer. I think you’ll be surprised how much longer your berries will keep.
Homemade, dairy-free yogurt is a lot more simple to make than it sounds, right? Give this recipe a try in any of the yogurt lunch ideas above, you won’t be able to tell the difference!
Your kids will love having this treat around and it’s made with real ingredients, no artificial flavors and sweeteners, which is a winner for me.
It’s recipes like this dairy-free yogurt and others that make the Family Kickstart Program, a success with kids. Unlike other clean eating programs, Kickstart gives healthy, real-food meals kid appeal by recreating their favorite dishes in a wholesome way. For instance, Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice or Pizza Chicken and what about Chicken Burrito Bowls? I think you get the picture.
For a better look at what Kickstart brings to the table pick up your free clean eating eBook to get you started.
Dairy-Free Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1 ½ teaspoons powdered gelatin
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, optional
Instructions
- Place warm water and gelatin in a small bowl. Stir to combine and let it sit for 10 minutes to form a jelly-like mixture.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, whisk coconut and almond milk with maple syrup over medium heat. Allow it to come to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Remove the warm milk from heat and whisk gelatin mixture into the milk until it completely dissolves.
- If using active cultures, add it here and whisk to incorporate.
- Divide yogurt mixture between 4 6-ounce glass yogurt ramekins or mason jars. Allow the yogurts to cool down to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Nutrition
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Aviela Emmanuel
Hi please can i make it with rice milk only without any probiotics or culture I need answer as soon as possible
MOMables-Laura
Hi Aviela, you can try it with rice milk but it may be a little runny. No probiotics are needed.
Lindi
Can this be frozen?
MOMables-Laura
Yes, you can check out how to freeze yogurt here: https://www.momables.com/freeze-yogurt/
Julie W
Looks yummy!
Have you considered adding probiotics to this to help with the gut?
Thank you! Julie
MOMables-Laura
You can add probiotics to this recipe. I’ve done so before. Make sure to add them just after stirring in the gelatin.
Chloe
Is there any type of probiotics that are recommended to use? Or can you use any? I’m making it for my daughter and she needs probiotics in the yoghurt.
MOMables-Laura
Hi Chloe you can use any of your favorite probiotic strains in powder form to make this yogurt. Just stir it into the gelatin mixture then add it to the warmed milk.
Erika higginson
I would use a dairy free one much better if dairy free
Jessica
I made this dairy free yogurt and I can’t believe how great it tastes! I omitted the maple syrup and used 4 packets of stevia to keep it lower carb.
Miss E
Can this recipe be made in a yogurt maker?
MOMables-Laura
Yes!
Amy
I finally tried this and it was really good. So easy to make. I used great lakes gelatin and coconut milk.
Dessi
how to make in yogurt maker?
Phyllis
Thank you for the great dairy free yogurt recipes. My 18 month old granddaughter has dairy issues. It wouldn’t be such a big deal except I live on smoothies. She has been helping me make smoothies since she could get around. Crawling or walker. At about 5 months I would help her stand on the counter & push the button on my Ninja blender. I just love my Ninja. My daughter would tell me NOT to give her any but being her Gigi, I’d always give her a taste. It was much later that we found out that milk was giving her problems. Finally, you have given me the solution. I haven’t tried making the yogurt yet but I’m sure she will love it. You mentioned putting LIVE CULTURE (if I remember correctly). Where do you get it and what name does it go by? Thanks. I’m looking forward to making her a healthy snack. Keep up the good work. People think I have all the answers or know everything, I don’t. I just ask other intelligent people or Google it. Thanks again
MOMables - Laura
Hi Phillis! You can buy probiotic pills and use those in the yogurt. get 1 million active cultures (amazon).
Amy Kohn
Would great lakes collagen work for the gelatin?
MOMables - Laura
Yes! absolutely. The orange container, not the green one.
Carrie
How long will the yogurt stay good in the fridge before it expires?
MOMables - Laura
A week. It’s non-dairy so the shelf life is longer than homemade dairy yogurt.
Elvie
Hi! Can I replace gelatin powder with agar-agar? Thanks!
MOMables-Laura
I’ve never tried this recipe with agar-agar but I’m sure it would work fine.
juli
What about the healthy live cultures and good bacteria? This does not really sound like yogurt.
MOMables - Laura
Hi Juli, I’ve updated the recipe for you since we updated our site it did not carry over.
Joi
I tried this and it turned out yummy. My kids loved it.
Thank you
Eri Godfrey
I started to make soy milk recently, would homemade soymilk work with your yogurt recipe. Interesting idea and less involved without using culture.
MOMables
yes it will work but make sure the “milk” is thicker to begin with. Enjoy!
Sue
Has anyone tried this using Agar Agar instead of gelatin so it’s vegetarian? Wonder if it would set.
MOMables
it’s not going to work. sorry!
shelby
I have tried this recipe three times now and my yogurt still won’t set. The first batch has been in the fridge for 5 days..
MOMables
what type of gelatin are you using? I made a batch last week.
MOMables
what type of gelatin are you using? I made a batch last week.
Robyn
There are no yoghurt cultures in this. I was looking for a recipe that used probiotics as trying to heal my daughters gut. Could these be added?
MOMables
You can add 1 – 50million capsule of probiotics to the recipe, after it has slightly cooled but before you pour into all the jars to create probiotic growth.
Brandi
I was curious what the consistency of this yogurt is? Is it creamy like dairy yogurt or is it more like jello? I’ve made another recipe with gelatin in it and it turned out more like jello than I had expected. I’m looking for something creamy so I can stir in fruit. My 2 year old loves yogurt and it’s been hard to find an alternative.
MOMables
It’s not “jello” but it has a thick texture. All you have to do is stir it prior to spooning out to eliminate the gelatin-like consistency.
J'Marinde
I signed up and confirmed in my emails, but still cannot get access to this recipe. HELP!!!
MOMables
J’Marinde, this is a paid members-only recipe.