How to Make Yogurt in Bread Machine

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If you love yogurt but find the idea of making it yourself too scary, you are in for a special treat. Guess whatYou can make probiotic rich (depending on which culture you use) yogurt with your bread machine. That appliance on your counter that does a lot more than bake bread; well it can also do the work of making fresh, nutritious yogurt at home!

In this guide, I will take you through the advantages of how to make yogurt in bread machine at home. And the process step by step along with some tips to help you in preparing yogurt perfectly every time. So whether you are a health nut, love to DIY or just want to save a few bucks on your grocery bill — here is all the “how to” you need to whip up activated yogurt in the yogurt maker function of your bread machine.

Why Make Homemade Yogurt?

So before we dive into the specifics, is there any reason to make yogurt at home rather than just purchasing it from the store? Well, here are few why you should.

Control Over Ingredients

Yogurt that we see in the store is usually filled with extra sugar, binders, flavours etc. If you do it yourself, you have complete control on the ingredients used; milk, starter culture, and smokey topping or sort of things you take up.

Customizable to Your Taste

Like something that is creamy and rich? Want a tangier bite? Or you might want to try using plant-based products such as almond or soy milk? When you do it yourself at home, the space for customization is unlimited.

Health Benefits of Probiotics

Yogurt is rich in probiotics — beneficial bacteria that support digestion and the immune system – and homemade yogurt has much higher levels of those bacteria. It is more fresh and does not contain unnecessary additives.

It’s Budget-Friendly

Of course, buying yogurt on a regular basis can become expensive, but the cost per batch is much lower if you make your own. And, no more need to throw away disposable plastic containers–eco-friendly and economical!

Why Make Yogurt in a Bread Machine?

Yogurt needs to be kept at an equally warm temperature for hours, which makes it a great job for a bread machine with a yogurt setting. Here is where the magic of the bread machine comes in:

Hands-Free Convenience

Add the ingredients, turn the program on, and leave the yogurt to ferment by itself while you continue with your day.

Temperature Consistency

This is especially important for fermentation, where the temperature needs to be retained (traditionally ~ 110°F). If you use a bread machine, it removes all the guesswork because it controls this for you.

Dual Use that Saves Space

Now your bread maker needs to be a yogurt? You already have enough things cluttering up your counter.

Item list for Preparation and Tools Used

Before you get going make sure you have the following:

Ingredients

Dairy Milk (Whole, 2%, skim, or plant-based*)
Starter Culture (A few tablespoons of plain yogurt with active live cultures or pre-purchased dried yogurt culture)
Vanilla, honey, fruits, or sweeteners (optional flavorings)

Equipment

This yogurt maker also doubles as a bread maker
A whisk for mixing.
A thermometer for checking milk temperature that is food grade
Glass/ceramic jars with airtight lids to keep the final product

NB: Find out if the yogurt starter specifies compatibility with plant-based milk.

How to Make Yogurt in Bread Machine – A Simple Tutorial

So to help you create your first perfect batch:

Step 1: Preparation

Clean Tools: Use freshly washed tools (container, whisk, and thermometer) to avoid contaminating the product after pasteurization.
Ingredients Measure: Take the milk needed in the bread machine bowl.

Step 2: Heat the Milk

Briefly turn on the milk setting of the bread machine (or on a stovetop in advance) to heat the milk to about 180°F (82°C). This has the effect of denaturing the proteins in the milk, making for a thicker, creamier yogurt.

Step 3: Cool the Milk

Let the milk cool down to 110°F (43°C) or so. If you have a thermometer, use it for this temperature, because anything hotter will kill the beneficial bacteria from the starter culture.

Step 4: Add Starter Culture

In a separate bowl, combine the yogurt starter with a small amount of the cooled milk to form a smooth slurry. Add this mixture to the machine bowl and slowly stir it in the milk.

Step 5: Fermentation

Choose yogurt making from the menu on your bread machine, for 8-12 hours (mine was 8 hours a first go as I wanted it nice and tangy, but the longer you can leave it in for, the more tang you will get). Get the lid on and allow the machine to do its thing.

Step 6: Check and Store

The next step after fermentation time has passed is checking for the right texture. It likes to be a little bit thick, a little bit creamy yogurt. Store it in your airtight containers, where it can rest in the fridge for up 7 days.

Customizing Your Yogurt

Making yogurt at home has many advantages but one of the best things about it is being able to make it just how you like it. Here are a few ideas:

Greek Your Yogurt: strain your yogurt in a fine cheesecloth
Add Flavors: You can add honey, vanilla extract, or crushed fruits 2-3 days after fermentation has been completed.
Experiment with Different Types of Milks — Use almond, coconut or oat milk for vegan options! Adjustments may be required depending on the type of milk you have, specifically fat and protein content.

Solving Common Yogurt Problems

Too Watery? Allow longer for fermentation or drain the yogurt for excess whey.
Too Sour? Next batch, make it a shorter fermentation time.
Weird Smells? Sanitization is critical! Step 2: Sterilize all necessary tools and equipment ahead of time.

Storing and Serving Tips

Storage: Store your yogurt in clean and sealed containers in the refrigerator. It can usually stay for around 5–7 days in your refrigerator.
Uses: Use your yogurt in smoothies, granola parfaits, or yogurt-based dips.

Making your own yogurt also has a few additional benefits for the environment

Selecting homemade yogurt is noble for your body and the planet. Think about how much single-use plastic waste would be reduced from buying yogurt at the store in containers. And there is a huge reduction in carbon footprint from transportation and packaging.

Go Ahead, Take the Plunge into the Wonderful World of Making Your Own Yogurt!

Yogurt in a bread machine is an easy sustainable step to taste, healthy staple food. Apart from saving up some bucks, it also empowers you to play with flavors and textures while cutting down on waste.

Take it for a spin this weekend, would ya? You will never go back to store bought after having your own homemade, fresh yogurt. Got the lowdown on crafting the ultimate picnic experience or an unusual recipe? Share it in the comment — we wanna hear from ya!