Super Simple Homemade Coconut Yogurt with Chia Strawberry Jam
Have you ever wondered how to make Homemade Coconut Yogurt? This recipe is so easy! I like to serve this thick, dairy-free yogurt with a simple strawberry jam. It's delicious at brunch or packed in mini jars for quick and healthy grab-and-go breakfasts on busy weekday mornings.
Homemade Coconut Yogurt
This three-ingredient healthy breakfast is a game-changer. It's naturally vegan + gluten-free + paleo + Whole30 + all those healthy things that we just LOVE love love.
It'll also up your badass kitchen status. But don't worry, making your own coconut yogurt is so easy that 5-year-old you could have pulled it off. ← We just won't tell anyone else that.
Serve this coconut yogurt for:
- Mother's Day brunch. Seriously, how impressed would your mom be if you told her you made your own vegan yogurt? She'd know she'd done well.
- Weekday mornings. Yes, it's true! Pack up your yogurt in mini jars with some jam and you've made your own fruit on the bottom yogurt. Nicely done.
- Work/school snacks. See above!
- As a healthy dessert. Creamy coconut yogurt + fruit = the perfect light treat.
How to make coconut yogurt
I know that making your own homemade yogurt sounds scary but I promise you that it's super simple. Here's what you do:
1. Pour a can of full-fat coconut milk into a jar. So far so good, right?
2. Twist apart three probiotic capsules and stir the powder into the coconut milk with a plastic, wooden, or ceramic spoon. Easy!
3. Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a piece of paper towel and secure it with an elastic band. Now set the jar aside on your counter. After two days, move the jar to your fridge and let it get cold. Waiting is the hardest part!
4. Eat!
Do you believe me now that coconut milk yogurt is so easy to make? I've even taken pictures of each of the four steps:
Tips for making Homemade Coconut Yogurt:
→ Unless you want runny yogurt (no one wants that!) use full-fat coconut milk only.
→ Make sure that there are no additives in the brand of coconut milk you buy. There should only be coconut extract (60% or higher) and water. That's it. If there's guar gum or other additives, look for another brand. I use the brand Aroy-D.
→ The freshness of your probiotics can affect its ability to ferment the coconut milk. Make sure it's not past expiration and that it's been kept in the fridge.
→ Make sure you wash your hands and clean your jar and spoon well before starting. Bacteria + fermented foods is not a good combo.
→ If your coconut yogurt turns a funny color or develops a strong bad smell, toss it. Try again making sure that everything you use is squeaky clean.
If you love this Homemade Coconut Yogurt recipe as much as I do, make sure to give it a 5-star review in the comments below!
Super Simple Homemade Coconut Yogurt with Chia Strawberry Jam
If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!
Ingredients
Homemade Coconut Yogurt
- 15 ounce can full-fat coconut milk, see notes
- 3 probiotic capsules, dairy-free, if needed
Simple Strawberry Jam
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- Optional: 2 tablespoons maple syrup, omit for Whole30
Instructions
- Shake the can of coconut milk then open it and pour it into a 2-cup glass jar. Twist open the probiotic capsules and empty the powder into the coconut milk. Discard the capsules.15 ounce can full-fat coconut milk, 3 probiotic capsules
- Stir the probiotic into the coconut milk using a plastic, ceramic, or wooden spoon. Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a piece of paper towel and secure it with an elastic band.
- Set the jar aside in a warm spot that is out of direct sunlight. After two days, move the jar to your fridge. It will take 8-12 hours for the yogurt to chill and thicken.
- Serve your coconut yogurt on its own, with a little maple syrup, or with the chia strawberry jam.
Chia Strawberry Jam
- Place the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, chia seeds, and (if using) the maple syrup in a small pot. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the jam cool.1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon chia seeds, Optional: 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Store in a clean jar in your fridge for up to one week.
I dont get the PLASTIC spoon???
There’s a ceramic spoon in the pictures. Is that what you’re referring to?
What brand Probiotic capsules do you use for making the yogurt?
I’ve made this with a few different brands. It’s been a while though so I don’t remember exactly which ones.
Tried to make this. Used whole fat coconut milk containing no other ingredients (I am particular about this!) and 3 probiotic capsules … a big bust. I followed the directions exactly. Used parchment paper and a rubber band so my jar would get some air. I am so disappointed.
I may try it again because I have had to cut out most dairy for dietary reasons. So sad it failed.
I’m sorry to hear that the recipe didn’t work out. Some probiotics are definitely stronger than others. I suggest trying again the next time you buy a different brand.
Hi, is there a reason for the cheesecloth vs a lid? I have a glass jar with a screw on lid. Would using it get in the way of the coconut milk fermenting properly?
The reason is that the bacteria that ferment the yogurt need to breathe. I’m pretty sure that if you simply place the lid on top without screwing it on tight, that should work. It’s what I do with my sourdough starter (which also needs to breathe) and it works well.
this recipe is not working out for me. i had to throw away 1st attempt and 2nd attempt is failing , too 🙁
I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling with it. Probiotics vary greatly and are the reason this recipe either ferments properly or does not. Make sure to use a good-quality, high strength probiotic.
Hello. What strength probiotic capsules do you use please? I’ve got 50 billion CFU
That is what we used. 🙂
Hey can you make this with homemade coconut milk (Blended coconut and water)?
I suspect that it would work but I’ve never tried it before so I really can’t say for sure.
I use full-fat organic coconut milk and on my first attempt, was very successful, however, every other time I have tried, my coconut yoghurt won’t thicken, even after leaving it in a warm area of my house for more than 48 hours, and then putting it in the fridge. I used well-cleaned jars and wooden spoons and just don’t understand why it’s still runny…Any suggestions? Thanks!
Did you switch brands of probiotics? Or had it been a while between the first and subsequent times you made it? The strength of probiotics diminishes with time. Maybe that was it?
As stated, very easy. Just not sure where to get the probiotic capsules???
Most health food stores carry them. Or try Amazon. Aso some pharmacies and grocery stores carry them too.
Hi! I sterilized everything and followed the recipe instructions yesterday but this morning I checked on my jars and they seemed to have exploded! The paper towels were soaked and the “yogurt” was all expanded and oozing our. What did I do wrong?
I suspect that you didn’t do anything wrong. It sounds like the probiotics you used were very potent. 🙂
Can you feed this to babies? My bub is 7 months and dairy free. Supermarket coconut yoghurt is expensive
I fed it to my daughter when she was a baby. 🙂
Can you make this with Aroy coconut cream as well?
I haven’t tried it but I suspect that coconut cream would make it extra rich and delicious.
Haven’t tried yet, but wondering if anyone has tried using the batch just made as starter for the next batch. That’s what I do for dairy yogurt and curious if it would be the same for coconut based. Thanks.
For how long can I store the yoghurt, before it gets too old?
I’ve never kept it long enough to find out for sure. I would guess a week for sure but quite possibly longer.
Hi,can i use fresh coconit milk ,how long will it last to consume,thanks
Do you mean from a coconut? That’s something I’ve never tried so I don’t know how it would work.
What type or brand of probiotic should I purchase
The ones that I usually buy are called Progressive HCP70. But I have used other brands successfully, too. 🙂
Wonderful, easy recipe! Was delicious!!
I’m happy to hear it was a hit!
24 hours…should it be seoerating while sitting on counter? Top looks thicker & bottom looks runny….
The top can sometimes thicken first. 🙂
Hi. If you make your own coconut milk what should the consistency then be? I use 1 cup coconut flakes with 2 cups water, blend it and then use a nut milk bag to squish the milk out. After its cooled can I use the milk or should my consistency be 1 cup flakes with 1 cup water or thicker for the yoghurt?
I’ve never tried making this with homemade nut milk but I would think you would want it to be the same consistency as canned coconut milk.
How did it go with the homemade coconut milk? I was going to ask the same question about using homemade milk so I’m glad to see someone else may have tried it!
Love making this yoghurt and even better I love to eat it! I was never a dairy yoghurt eater and when I became gf and df for digestive health reasons, I saw this easy recipe and wanted to give it a go and it is so easy to make and very easy to eat! So, yum.. thank you for sharing!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit!!
Hi! Love your recipe! Just curious, I know it’s better to have a higher strain of probiotic and I see you’ve used around 100 billion in your yogurt. I already take a probiotic and it’s 15 billion, would I be able to just use 7 pills to have the right amount or will that mess with the consistency? Just thought, if I already have them might as well use what I got. Thanks!
To be honest, I haven’t tried this recipe with multiple types of probiotics. I would guess that if you added extra capsules (like you’ve said) that it should work. 🙂
I’ve been trying to make coconut yogurt for about a year now with absolutely no luck. I’ve tried different types of coconut milk and no matter which brand I use, i always have a thick hard layer of coconut oil that never mixes with the rest of the coconut milk. And although my “yogurt” smells and tastes like yogurt, it’s just a hard rock of coconut oil floating in a yogurt liquid. My home is above 75º and I keep it in the warmest part of my home. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong.
By oil do you mean the harder layer of coconut cream that is often at the top of a can of coconut if it is cold? If you are, I bet you could simply mix it into the coconut yogurt.
Hi-I haven’t tried your recipe but I am forever in search of the easiest and least amount of ingredients. I have watched scores of videos and have decided I only want to use full fat coconut milk, not have to boil it and put it in a mason jar. The only confusion on all of the videos are the probiotics. I do not want to use store bought yogurt as my starter, and I would like for my yogurt not to be greek but regular thickness and less tang. I bought some yogurt starter packs half a gram each packet-do I use one packet with one can of coconut milk or is that too much or too little. I did try two cans with 8 capsules of one billion each and my yogurt was runny. 30 billion, 50 billion, 100 billion yikes, very expensive. I just want to make yogurt and add some vanilla flavoring-am on Keto and need to stay away from fruits. Thanks for your input.
You might want to leave your yogurt a little longer if it is still runny. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with yogurt starter packets so I can’t give you suggestions about using them.
Do you use the probiotics from fridge compartment as I’ve heard & it makes sense that they are the only ones that are alive
I do keep my probiotics in the fridge. 🙂
What strength probiotic capsules do you use?
The ones I currently have on hand and have used in this recipe are called Progressive HCP70. I have used others successfully before but unfortunately I don’t remember the brand names of the others I’ve tried.
How long will the yougrt last in the fridge?
I’ve never kept mine more than a couple of days cause I always eat it quickly. It’s so good. I would think a week but quite possibly more.
Hi. What brand probiotics do you use? Why does the yoghurt have a yeasty smell but doesn’t look like it’s bad?
I’ve used a few different brands and they’ve all worked. It will take on a fermented smell. If it smells bad to you I would start over again. 🙂
Hi Kristen, I have some yogurt starter capsules. Are they basically the same thing as the probiotics? Can I use them 1 for 1 here? Excited to make this! Trying to stay away from dairy and the dairy free yogurts in the stores are too expensive. I’m hoping this is a cheaper route. And tastes better too. ?
I suspect they will work very well!
Can we keep the yogurt in the oven with the light on for 8 hours? No drafts or cold air
I would think that would work to speed things up but I haven’t tried it myself to see if it works. If you do, let us know!
I have made milk yogurt for years. I always heat the milk and use my handy yogurt maker.
Why do you not heat the coconut milk?
Do you think using the yogurt maker would work with the coconut milk?
Looking forward to trying your recipe.
I don’t heat the milk when I make yogurt even when I make regular dairy yogurt and it always works well for me. I do like to keep my house pretty warm so that may be the reason it still works.
If you try this recipe in your yogurt maker I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Hi! I have made this recipe several times, using Aroy-D coconut milk, and while it certainly ferments and sours, it does not thicken. Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong? Thanks so much.
Fermenting can be finicky! It could be due to the brand of probiotics. Have you tried different brands?
Where do you get your probiotic capsules?
Any health food store will carry them. Some larger supermarkets or pharmacies with health products should carry them, too. 🙂