Rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, yogurt is a fantastic healthy kid snack. People who have issues with milk often can tolerate yogurt because the lactose is converted into glucose and galactose during the fermentation process, making yogurt easier for them to digest.
Personally, I prefer to give my kids homemade yogurt or plain store bought yogurt made by Stonyfield or a local yogurt company like Seven Stars. Stonyfield is the only national company I’ve found that offers whole milk yogurt, my yogurt of choice for my kids. I don’t think healthy kids need to worry about fat. I make my yogurt with whole milk or chose whole milk yogurt at the store, and avoid the added sugar and chemicals from flavored yogurts.
How to Make Yogurt in the Crockpot
I make yogurt in a crockpot weekly. Since we usually go through 2 32 ounce containers of yogurt each week, making the yogurt at home is more frugal than buying it at the store. With a gallon of whole milk currently priced at $4.41, I need 8 cups for $2.20. Stonyfield is $3.99 and Seven Stars is $4.99.
When I make the yogurt, I use 2 Tablespoons of yogurt from the previous batch, or start with fresh yogurt. I usually can use my own yogurt as starter for about 4 batches before using fresh starter. Another option is to use freeze-dried starter. I prefer to keep my yogurt making as simple as possible. Thanks to the crockpot, I am able to make consistent batches of yogurt.
- 8 cups whole milk
- 1 T unflavored gelatin
- 2 T yogurt from previous batch or fresh yogurt
- 1½ cups of hot water.
- 1. Put the whole milk and unflavored gelatin into the crockpot and turn on low for 2.5 hours.
- 2. Turn off the crockpot and unplug. Allow the milk to cool in the crockpot with the lid on for 3 hours.
- 3. About 10 minutes before the cooling period is finished, set up the Yogourmet yogurt maker on the counter in a place where it can remain undisturbed for 4 to 6 hours.
- 4. Warm up the water for the yogurt maker. I warm mine in the microwave on the Express setting for 2 minutes. You can also warm it on the stove to almost boiling. The yogurt maker will keep the water warm during the incubation time. When the water is ready, put it in the yogurt maker.
- 5. In the batch jar, put the yogurt starter along with ½ cup of the warmed milk and whisk together. Add in the remaining warmed milk and whisk thoroughly.
- 6. After securing the lid on the batch jar, place it in the yogurt maker. The water level should rise up to be above the milk inside the batch jar. Place the yogurt maker cover on top, and let the yogurt incubate for 4 to 6 hours.
- 7. When the incubation period is finished, place the yogurt batch jar in the fridge to cool. It will need about 12 hours to cool.
If you use raw milk for this method, you'll find specks of cream at the top of the final yogurt product.
Yogurt Making Resources
  3-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker |
  Yogourmet Casei Bifidus Acidophilus Probiotic Yogurt Starter, 1 Ounce, 6-Count Boxes (Pack of 2) |
  Yogourmet Electric Yogurt Maker |
Yogurt Snacks: Easy Yogurt Toppings
Walk into any yogurt bar and you’re overwhelmed with an array of toppings which of course add to the weight and cost of your yogurt purchase. You can make your own yogurt toppings at home for healthy kid snacks and skip the sugar and preservatives at the yogurt bar.
- Dried fruit (stick to organic for the Dirty Dozen) – remember dried fruit will be higher in concentrated sugar
- Fresh Fruit (stick to organic for the Dirty Dozen)
- Frozen Fruit (stick to organic for the Dirty Dozen)
- Nuts – Almond, Walnut
- Peanuts
- Sunflower Seeds
- Granola
- Maple syrup
- Raw Honey
- Wheat Germ
More Yogurt Snack Recipes
3 Ingredient Smoothie | A Life in Balance
Frozen Smoothie Pops | A Life in Balance
Cheaper Ingredients for Smoothies | A Life in Balance
Greek Chocolate Frozen Yogurt | A Life in Balance
Strawberry Yogurt Bites | Squash Blossom Babies
Fruit Parfait in Ice Cream Cone | Deliciously Healthy
CREAMY FROZEN YOGURT CHIPS | One Good Thing by Jillee
How to Make Yogurt Bars | Kids Activities Blog
Autumn Fruit Salad with Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Dressing | Kitchen Treaty
Frozen Yogurt Banana Dippers | oh, sweet basil
Shared at The Super Mommy Club
Wow. I learned something today. I never knew yogurt can be made in a Crock Pot. Great idea! Love all the snack options too.
Melissa recently posted..Apple Cranberry Crisp
I’ve always been afraid to make my own yogurt. But this recipe looks like a no-fail one! Thanks!
Cindy recently posted..Writing comfort
Thank you for this! Ive been scouring the aisles looking for lower sugar yogurts. My go-to is stony field as well but never considered making it. What aisle is gelatin in??!
Lindsey recently posted..Halloween Outfits for Moms (cool ones).
Gelatin will be with the jello. Knox is the brand you’re looking for. It’s usually in a white and orange box.
I’ve been told to make my own. I haven’t attempted as I do not want to buy anything else.
Melinda recently posted..Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Butterscotch Cookies #kidsinthekitchen
I had no idea you could make your own yogurt!!!!! I need to try some of these, my kids love yogurt! I only buy the Stonyfield Squeezers
Sarah Hughes recently posted..Friday’s Fresh Picks: Funky Owls
Love, love Stonyfield!
I had no idea it was that easy to make yogurt. I feel silly for buying it every week now!
It truly is that easy and fool proof. When I heated the milk in a pot on the stove, I almost always burned it because I would get distracted.
I need to give this a try. We still haven’t used the yogurt maker we got as a wedding gift.
Becky recently posted..International Can-It-Forward Day
I would never have thought to make yogurt in the crock pot! This is really interesting!
Celeste @Leapfrog and Lipgloss recently posted..Peanut Butter Breakfast Quinoa Recipe and Skippy #Giveaway
It’s so easy!
Delicious love this yogurt snacks, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop.pinning.
swathi recently posted..Bael fruit Tea
Great snack for the kids, (and big kids too). Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted..Roasted Pumpkin Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce
I should make my own! Can I use store bought plain yogurt as a starter the first time? Thanks for linking up to the Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party at Creative K Kids. I have pinned this post to the Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party.
Tammy @ creativekkids recently posted..Tasty Tuesdays: Carrot Bread Recipe with food #linky