Hack your EasiYo yoghurt maker
Easy and cheap homemade yoghurt
We all know homemade yoghurt is better but the cost of powdered yoghurt packets makes it hardly worth the effort as there is very little saving if you follow the instructions on the packet.
The thing with these packets is that they are practically 90% powdered milk. There is a small amount of powdered yoghurt culture in there too, but really you’re paying for powdered milk. Here’s how to get 12 litres of yoghurt out of one EasiYo (or similar) yoghurt packet.
What you’ll need:
- 1 kg full cream powdered milk
- 1 EasiYo (or similar brand) packet
I do this in batches and make up my own yoghurt packets in zip-lock bags so that I can make yoghurt in minutes whenever I need it.
The mix for each packet is:
- 1.5 tablespoons of powdered yoghurt
- 1.5 cups powdered milk
Combine in a zip lock bag, seal and stash for whenever you need to make up a batch of yoghurt.
To make up, it’s exactly the same as if you used a full packet. Add the contents of the zip lock bag to the yoghurt container, add lukewarm water, shake to combine well and add to the insulated container. I allow 12 hours for thickset yoghurt.
The live bacteria in the yoghurt powder will multiply just as well from 1.5 tablespoons as it would from a whole packet. The bacteria is live, it will just keep on multiplying.
Now, a small caveat to this – if you prefer the flavoured yoghurts, you won’t get the deep flavour you would if you used an entire packet. We only ever make Greek yoghurt as I use this as both sweet and savoury yoghurt, as a sour cream substitute, as well as blend into dressings for salads and dolloping. I find it so much more versatile making it plain and then adding whatever flavours I want.
Here’s how the savings stack up:
1 serving = 1kg of homemade yoghurt
1kg Coles brand full cream powdered milk $5.70 (makes 6 servings, so $0.95 per serving)
1 EasiYo packet $4.60 (makes 12 servings, so $0.38 per serving)
That equals $1.33 per 1 kg of yoghurt
If you compare that to the Coles brand 1kg Greek style yoghurt at $3.90, at just one tub a week, you’re saving $133.64 a year. That’s just on one grocery item. What if your family devour 2 or 3 tubs a week! Not to mention you can make it super quick and whenever you want (no unnecessary trips to the shops), and you know exactly what’s in the yoghurt you’re eating.
I find the EasiYo yoghurt maker an easy way to do this but you can use any insulation method you wish.
What do you make from scratch that saves you money?
12 Comments
I’m not sure the bacteria would work the same way but would love to know if you’ve tried it!
Morning. can you replace the powdered milk with powdered coconut milk
Thanks for sharing this hack. Much more economical. Great
Would this work for the plant based ones? Using coconut milk powder as the base?
Yes, can certainly do this as well 🙂 This hack is handy for those just starting out making their own and wanting to try with things they can get from the supermarket.
Hi Janet. I add vanilla bean paste but only after the yoghurt has set. If you add it to the mix the vanilla sets at the bottom so it doesn’t work (I’ve tried!).
I add vanilla bean paste, honey, jam or pureed fruit but only to the set yoghurt. I prefer to keep it plain and add different flavours as I eat it. Can also be used for savoury flavours, so can add spices or chilli sauce.
Any tips/ideas for flavouring home made yogurt please?
How would l make vanilla flavoured Greek yogurt using your hack ?
Or just buy the culture direct from green living australia. Enough for 100 serves at about $20.
This is a great hack! I made some yoghurt using the Thermomix recipe but found it way too much fuss and time consuming. With this hack I prepped 6 packets of dry mix in about 10 minutes. Now it’s as simple as emptying one packet into the water, shake it up, top it up with water, shake it again and place the jar in the Easiyo Thermoflask. I’m getting deliciously creamy yoghurt every time, and at about $1.48/kg.
Thanks worked great