Plant-based yogurt: why you should make the switch today

Going vegan doesn't mean missing out on taste. Cutting out dairy just means getting to try all the delicious plant-based alternatives out there! Keep reading to find out what you can try instead of traditional cows’ milk yogurt.

What is vegan yogurt made of?

There are many dairy-free yogurts available on the market, and you can easily buy vegan yogurt online. You’ll find yogurts made from soya, as well as many soya-free alternatives. Koko yogurts are made using coconut cream and non-dairy yogurt cultures. Nush makes yogurts with almond milk. The company Freaks of Nature uses cashews and flax seeds in their products, and Swedish-based Oatly offers dairy-free alternatives made from oats – Oatgurts!

For those who love fruity flavours, there are strawberry, raspberry, peach, passion fruit, pear, banana, mango or blueberry yogurts... any fruit you can imagine! But what if you want something deliciously creamy? Caramel and hibiscus, double chocolate ganache, choc caramel cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate fudge pudding, salted caramel, vanilla bean – no matter what your vibe is, we guarantee you’ll find the perfect vegan yogurt alternative for you.

Is plant-based yogurt good for me?

Vegan yogurt isn’t made from cows’ milk, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less nutritious than dairy yogurt. Vegan yogurts are full of probiotic bacteria, which is great for your digestive system. Yogurts made from nut milk are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, protein, fibre, calcium, vitamins C and E, zinc, iron and magnesium. Soya yogurt can help in blood sugar regulation and is suitable for people with diabetes. Coconut-based yogurts can decrease bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol and promoting fat burning.

On top of being nutritious, vegan yogurts are cruelty-free! And if you want even healthier options there are plenty of organic, unsweetened plant-based yogurts without artificial flavourings or colourings – letting you enjoy your creamy dessert without health or moral concerns. 

Can I make my own vegan yogurt?

Yogurt is made from fermented milk, and it is quite simple to prepare at home. You only need two ingredients: unsweetened plant-based milk and bacteria cultures – the most common are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

First, heat your milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the milk so that it doesn’t stick or boil over, and remove from the stove just before it reaches a boil. Let the milk cool while stirring so a skin doesn’t form. Add your probiotics, and let the yogurt set for at least eight hours in the fridge (ideally overnight). Finally, remove any liquid on top if you prefer a thicker consistency or whisk it in for a thinner yogurt. Use within one week.

Homemade vegan yogurt is the perfect ingredient for smoothies and breakfast bowls. Whether you choose to make your own or buy one of the many plant-based yogurts available on the market, you’re sure to love this cruelty-free alternative.