You can easily make thick, creamy yoghurt in your Thermomix - whether you have a TM31, TM5 or TM6. Learn how to make homemade yoghurt in your Thermomix successfully every single time.
No matter which model of Thermomix you own, it is totally possible to make thick, creamy homemade yoghurt with a 100% success rate. You just need to know a few tricks of the trade. Armed with this knowledge, you'll never have to buy yoghurt again! And your savings will add up fast - meaning your Thermomix will pay for itself in no time.
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If you have the newest version of the Thermomix, the TM6, you'll have a fermentation mode which will hold temperature for long periods of time enabling yoghurt cultures to flourish. The TM5 also has an automated yoghurt function. It's still possible to use your TM31 to make yoghurt, you'll just need to keep the yoghurt warm for around 12 hours.
You'll find instructions for all 3 Thermomix models at the end of this post.
What's In Thermomix Yoghurt?
You can literally make Thermomix yoghurt with just milk and a starter yoghurt or yoghurt culture. However to make your Thermomix yoghurt deliciously thick and creamy, you will need to add some milk powder and possibly even some cream if you want to be really decadent.
One of the advantages to making homemade yoghurt in the Thermomix is that you can tailor your yoghurt to suit the needs and taste of your family.
Making Thermomix Yoghurt Super Thick
The secret to making Thermomix yoghurt super thick is bulking up the milk powder. This helps to create a "pot set" texture, similar to what you will get from your starter yoghurt. There are some notes on milk powder further down in our FAQ section.
You can also strain your yoghurt if you want to. Straining your yoghurt through a muslin cloth at the end of the fermentation period will separate the yoghurt from the whey, giving you a thicker texture. Some people like to do this instead of using milk powder. Some people like to do both to ensure their yoghurt is super thick. It's up to you whether you strain it or not.
What Can I Use As A Starter Yoghurt For Homemade Yoghurt?
To successfully make thick, creamy yoghurt in the Thermomix, you'll need to start the process off with a good quality, commercially produced yoghurt. It must be a natural, pot set yoghurt - preferably a Greek or natural plain yoghurt. It must not be Greek style yoghurt. Basically you want the starter yoghurt you use to have as few ingredients as possible.
I love using Jalna yoghurt as a starter as I find it is the best commercially produced yoghurt available at the supermarket. You'll only need to buy it once because you'll be able to use your Thermomix yoghurt to start your next batch (as long as you remember to set some aside).
Can I Double The Thermomix Yoghurt Recipe?
Yes you can, but only if you are using a TM5 or TM6. The TM31 bowl is not big enough to double the recipe safely. If you are using 2 litres of milk, you'll need to add 20% more to the cooking time.
Thermomix Yoghurt Hack
If you're using your TM5 or TM6 to make your Thermomix yoghurt, your bowl will be in use for around 12 hours. If you only have one bowl and use your Thermomix regularly throughout the day, this can be a real pain.
A simple way to get around this is to use your Thermomix to heat the milk and start off the yoghurt making process and then transfer the mixture to your Thermoserver or glass jars to complete the fermentation process.
This will free up your Thermomix bowl for other things while your yoghurt ferments happily elsewhere. It's easy to keep your yoghurt warm in your oven, an esky or a dehydrator.
You'll find the full process at the end of this blog.
Flavouring and Sweetening Thermomix Yoghurt
You might want to add some flavours or sweetener to your yoghurt. For flavours, it's best to wait until the entire fermentation process is over before you add any flavours. This will ensure that the flavours don't upset the process and cause you to have an unsuccessful batch. Some of our favourite flavours to add to our Thermomix yoghurt are:
- Homemade apple sauce
- Raspberry coulis
- Stewed apples or pears flavoured with cinnamon
- Pureed dates
- Peanut butter
For sweeteners like honey, Maple syrup, vanilla or sugar - you can add these to the yoghurt when you add the milk powder at the beginning of the process. You don't need to add a lot - but adding a little vanilla or honey can make homemade yoghurt more palatable for younger children. My boys love Thermomix yoghurt with a little honey in these reusable pouches. It's not only great for our budget, but for the environment too!
Why Is Thermomix Yoghurt Better Than Store Bought Yoghurt?
There are so many reasons why making yoghurt for your family in your Thermomix is so much better than supermarket yoghurt! Commercially produced yoghurt often has many additives, including high amounts of sugar, preservatives and even thickeners. Many supermarket yoghurts don't have much of the beneficial bacteria that should be in our yoghurt. Low fat yoghurt is particularly misleading as often the fat is replaced by high amounts of sugar.
And on the flip side, if you do find a good quality yoghurt with few ingredients and lots of the good bacteria, it's really expensive!
Thermomix yoghurt allows you to feed your family great tasting, preservative and additive free yoghurt, that's also gluten free, for a fraction of the cost of store bought yoghurt. It will also be teaming with good bacteria including
Health Benefits of Homemade Yoghurt
There are so many health related reasons to make your own yoghurt in the Thermomix. Healthline states that the health benefits of homemade yoghurt include:
- it contains calcium, vitamin B12, magnesium and potassium.
- homemade yoghurt is high in protein.
- homemade yoghurt is teaming with good bacteria including bifidobacteria and lactobacillus which are beneficial for gut health.
Thermomix Yoghurt FAQ
How do I make my yoghurt less sour and tangy?
You may need to experiment with the time that your yoghurt is fermenting for. The longer it ferments, the more sour or tangy it will be. The tanginess is also impacted by the starter yoghurt that you use.
Do I have to use milk powder?
No you don't, however the milk powder is what makes your yoghurt thick and creamy. If you don't use milk powder, your yoghurt will not be as thick as you'd like it to be. You can strain it for 12 hours through a muslin cloth or a yoghurt strainer like this {affiliate link}. This will make your yoghurt thicker. If you need your yoghurt to be lactose free, you can buy lactose free milk powder from a health food store.
Can I make lactose free yoghurt?
Yes you can. You'll need to find a high fat lactose free starter yoghurt and use lactose free milk. You can purchase lactose free milk powder from a health food store or online.
Can I use Eziyo sachets in the Thermomix?
Yes you can. You need to prepare the sachet and additions as directed on the package. You can use the function on the TM5 or TM6 to hold it at temperature until it sets. You can use Eziyo yoghurt as a starter yoghurt if you want to.
My yoghurt isn't as thick as I'd like - what can I do?
The more you use your yoghurt to make new batches, the thicker and creamier it will become. It may just take a little while. In the meantime, you can add extra milk powder and or cream to your yoghurt to help with the texture.
How do I store my Thermomix yoghurt once it's finished fermenting?
You need to store your Thermomix yoghurt in an airtight container in the fridge. A large glass jar works really well.
What is the liquid on the liquid on the top of my Thermomix yoghurt?
Once your yoghurt has been in the fridge for a few days, you may notice a slightly milky liquid form on the top of the thicker yoghurt. This is called the whey. It's perfectly fine to stir it back into the yoghurt, or you can pour it off. It's great to use when you are lacto-fermenting vegetables.
Are Yoghurt Cultures the same as a starter yoghurt?
A yoghurt culture is different to a starter yoghurt because it's actually a dried culture that you'll need to order. It works in a similar way though and is a good way to store yoghurt culture indefinitely in the pantry.
We love adding our homemade Thermomix yoghurt to these sourdough pancakes. It is also fantastic for making 2 ingredient dough - it makes it even cheaper!
