Every so often, I get flipped off by a cheese glove.
Not metaphorically. A literal glove.
A thick, haunted-dishwasher-beige, vaguely damp cheese glove sitting in the café window at 6:12 AM giving me the middle finger like it pays rent there.
And somehow… this ridiculous little daily insult got me thinking about forgotten kitchen tools.
Because most of us have at least one appliance buried in a cabinet that used to feel life-changing.
And now?
It lives behind travel mugs, mystery lids, and Tupperware with no lids.
For some (and I mean me), that appliance is the Instant Pot.
Remember when everyone was making yogurt, cheesecake, boiled eggs, broth, rice, and apparently entire new personalities in theirs?
Then one day we collectively moved on to the air fryer.
But honestly?
The yogurt setting alone deserves a Instant Pot comeback.
Because homemade yogurt is one of those rare kitchen things that feels weirdly impressive while also being ridiculously simple.
And when eating well starts feeling expensive, complicated, or exhausting… simple matters.
Now, if you’re just here for the quick homemade yogurt version:
- Homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot is shockingly easy
- It’s cheaper than buying individual yogurt cups every week
- It makes eating well feel simpler instead of harder
- Your forgotten appliance might actually deserve another chance
Why Homemade Yogurt Is Having a Quiet Comeback
There’s something oddly satisfying about making food that normally feels “store-only.”
Yogurt feels like one of those foods.
Like somebody in a factory wearing gloves and hairnets is supposed to handle that situation — not you standing in your kitchen half-awake waiting for the coffee to brew.
But homemade yogurt is surprisingly low effort.
And once you do it once, you realize:
This is basically just warm milk with confidence. That’s it.
No complicated ingredients and no more spending $9 on four tiny jars labeled “artisan.”
Just simple food made simply.
That kind of eating feels really good right now and who doesn’t want to be the one to bring back a kitchen trend.
Kitchen trends are funny:
One year everybody owns an air fryer.
The next year it’s bread machines.
Then sourdough starters and let’s not forget about protein ice cream.
And suddenly we all pretend we never bought any of it.
I’m really hoping your Instant Pot is still sitting quietly in the cupboard like:
“I literally still work, hello!”
We don’t need more complicated systems. We need easier defaults and things that quietly support real life.
Homemade yogurt checks a surprising number of boxes:
- high protein
- budget friendly
- easy breakfast option
- customizable
- less packaging waste
- works while you sleep
That last one really feels important.
Anything that helps future-you without requiring midnight motivation deserves respect.
Unlike the cheese glove. Which deserves exile. (read the full cheese glove story here)
What Most People Get Wrong About Eating Well
A lot of people think eating well has to mean:
- expensive groceries
- perfectly organized meal prep
- complicated recipes
- “clean eating” rules
- spending your Sunday roasting seventeen vegetables
But usually? The habits that last are the boringly simple ones.
The things you can repeat without turning your entire personality into wellness.
Homemade yogurt works because it removes friction.
You already need breakfast. You already need snacks.
And you absolutely need something easy to throw fruit, granola, honey, or frozen berries onto when life gets chaotic.
This just makes that easier.
And easier matters.
Instant Pot Homemade Yogurt Recipe:
This is the homemade yogurt we make regularly at the café — and honestly, once you realize how simple it is, it’s hard to go back to buying tiny expensive yogurt cups every week.
It’s creamy, tangy, ridiculously versatile, and makes you feel like the kind of person who has their life together.
What You’ll Need
- 4L whole milk (yields about 2 liters)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt starter (Astro brand works best)
- Instant Pot
- Thin tea towel or coffee filters
- Strainer
How to Make Café-Style Instant Pot Homemade Yogurt
Step 1: Warm the Milk
Pour 4L of whole milk into the Instant Pot.
Using the “porridge” setting, heat the milk to about:
40-42°C / 113°F
You want the milk warm — not overheated.
(If you overheat the milk, I haven’t found a way to recover from that…)
Step 2: Temper the Yogurt Starter
While the milk is warming, place:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt starter
into a small bowl.
Spoon 3–4 spoonfuls of the warm milk into the bowl slowly, whisking after each spoonful to temper the starter gently.
This helps the yogurt blend smoothly without shocking the cultures.
Which sounds dramatic, but yogurt cultures are apparently sensitive little beasts.
Step 3: Combine Everything
Pour the tempered yogurt mixture back into the Instant Pot.
Stir gently until combined.
Then place the Instant Pot on the yogurt setting for 12 hours and then… leave it alone.
Step 4: Strain the Yogurt
After 12 hours, pour the yogurt into a strainer lined with:
- a thin tea towel
or - a few strategically placed coffee filters
Let it strain for about 8 hour or until it reaches your preferred thickness.
The longer it strains, the thicker and creamier it becomes. We let our yogurt strain for 24 hours.
(And yes, this is how you accidentally end up making yogurt that tastes wildly expensive.)
Step 5: Refrigerate
Once the yogurt reaches your desired thickness:
- scoop into a container
- refrigerate
- enjoy for up to 2 weeks
And now you officially own homemade yogurt!
Don’t Throw Out the Whey!
The liquid that strains from the yogurt is whey — and it’s very useful.
You can use it in:
- bread
- muffins
- smoothies
- baking
- watering flowers and plants
If you find your yogurt is too thick after straining it, you can add a bit of whey back in.
Save Some for Your Next Batch
Before you eat all of it:
Save 1/2 cup of your homemade yogurt to use as the starter for your next batch.
Which means your yogurt basically becomes self-sustaining. Love that part.
Ways to Use Homemade Yogurt During the Week
One of the best things about homemade yogurt is how flexible it is.
Here are a few easy uses:
Breakfast Bowls
Add:
- berries
- granola
- hemp hearts
- cinnamon
- peanut butter drizzle
Quick Lunches
Use it in:
- wraps
- creamy dressings
- chicken salad
- dips
Simple Snacks
Top with:
- honey
- nuts
- frozen fruit
- dark chocolate chips
Cooking Swaps
Use yogurt instead of:
- sour cream
- mayo in some recipes
- bottled creamy sauces
The Real Reason Simple Habits Matter
There’s a certain kind of exhaustion that comes from overcomplicating health.
Tracking everything.
Optimizing everything.
Trying to become a completely different person overnight.
But small things?
Small things quietly change your life.
A walk after dinner. A better breakfast. Drinking water before coffee number three.
Making yogurt while you sleep because your neglected appliance still has one glorious purpose left?
Making one substitute to your recipes to cut back or eliminate sugar ? (this is a must read!)
That’s real-life wellness. Not perfect. Not aesthetic. Just sustainable.
And that tends to work better anyway.
👉 Sometimes the best habits aren’t dramatic.
They’re just repeatable.
Simple meals. Real walks. Tiny routines that make life feel a little easier.
Instant Pot Homemade Yogurt FAQ’s
Is homemade yogurt cheaper than store-bought yogurt?
YES! Especially if you regularly buy single-serve yogurt cups or high-protein yogurt products.
Do I need an Instant Pot to make yogurt?
You don’t, but the yogurt setting makes it incredibly easy because it keeps the temperature consistent.
How long does homemade yogurt last?
Homemade yogurt can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge when stored in a sealed container.
Can I make Greek yogurt in the Instant Pot?
Yes. Straining the yogurt after fermenting creates a thicker Greek-style yogurt texture.
GOOD LUCK with your yogurt and send pics please!
Nat – your Instant Pot homemade yogurt lover
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