Air-Fryer Yogurt: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat

Making yogurt in an air fryer is a simple process. The first step is to warm milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches 185°F. It is then cooled to 110°F–115°F, either on the countertop or in an ice bath. Next, whisk in some yogurt, before transferring the mixture to jars. These jars are then placed in the air fryer for several hours. Once removed, the yogurt is cooled to room temperature and then chilled in the refrigerator.

Making Yogurt in an Air Fryer

Warm milk to 185°F

Warming the milk to 185°F is a crucial step in making yogurt in an air fryer, and it requires careful attention and patience. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

First, prepare your equipment by setting up a large bowl of ice. Place a second, smaller bowl on top of the ice, ensuring it's large enough to accommodate 4 cups of milk. This setup will be used to cool the milk later.

Now, pour the milk into a saucepan. The amount of milk you use can vary depending on your needs, but a typical quantity is 4 cups of whole, 2%, or skim milk. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, ensuring it's securely in place.

Turn on the stove to medium-low heat and place the saucepan on it. Warm the milk gently, stirring it often to prevent scorching and promote even heating. Keep a close eye on the thermometer as the milk warms up gradually. Your goal is to reach a temperature of 185°F, so be patient and adjust the heat as needed to avoid overheating.

Once the thermometer reads 185°F, it's time to remove the saucepan from the heat. At this temperature, the milk has reached the ideal temperature to kill any harmful bacteria and prepare it for the yogurt-making process.

Now, you'll need to cool the milk down to 110°F-115°F. This step is crucial because it brings the milk to a temperature range where the yogurt cultures can thrive and work their magic. Carefully pour the warm milk into the bowl sitting over the ice bath. Stir the milk occasionally as it cools to ensure even cooling.

By following these steps, you've successfully warmed the milk to 185°F and then cooled it to the optimal temperature for making yogurt in your air fryer. From here, you can continue with the next steps in the yogurt-making process, including adding the yogurt culture and incubating the mixture in your air fryer.

Cool milk to 110°F

To make yogurt in an air fryer, cooling the milk to 110°F is a crucial step in the process. This step ensures that the milk is at the optimal temperature for the yogurt culture to work effectively. Here is a detailed guide on how to cool the milk to 110°F:

Set up an ice bath by placing a large bowl of ice on your countertop. Place another bowl, large enough to hold the desired amount of milk, on top of the ice. This bowl-in-bowl setup will create a controlled cooling environment for the milk.

Now, you'll need to heat the milk. Pour the milk into a saucepan and attach a candy or liquid thermometer to the side of the pan. Warm the milk over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the thermometer reads 180°F to 185°F. Heating the milk to this temperature is important to denature the milk proteins, which will help achieve the right texture for yogurt.

Once the milk reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat. It's now time to cool the milk down to 110°F. Carefully pour the warm milk into the bowl sitting over the ice bath. Stir the milk gently as it cools to ensure even cooling and prevent overheating.

Keep an eye on the thermometer during this process. You are aiming for a temperature of 110°F, which is the ideal temperature for the milk to receive the yogurt culture. This cooling process may take around 15 minutes if using an ice bath or about an hour on a countertop.

Once the milk reaches 110°F, you can whisk in the yogurt culture, following your yogurt-making recipe. This step begins the fermentation process, which will transform the milk into delicious, creamy yogurt.

By carefully controlling the temperature and following these steps, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, homemade yogurt in your air fryer.

Whisk in yogurt

Whisking in yogurt is a crucial step in making yogurt in an air fryer, and it requires careful attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and delicious result:

First, prepare your yogurt mixture. Start by warming the milk to 185°F (85°C) in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Using a candy thermometer attached to the saucepan can help monitor the temperature accurately. This initial heating step is important to denature the milk proteins, which will then allow them to set properly during incubation. Ensure you do not scorch the milk; stir constantly and adjust the heat as needed.

Once the milk reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat source. At this stage, you'll need to cool the milk down to approximately 110°F (43°C). This temperature range is ideal for the growth of yogurt cultures, so it's important to be precise. To achieve this temperature, carefully pour the warm milk into a bowl that is sitting over an ice bath. Stir the milk occasionally as it cools to prevent skin formation and promote even cooling.

Now it's time to introduce the yogurt cultures. In a separate bowl, measure out your plain, unsweetened yogurt, which should also be at room temperature. For every cup of warm milk, you'll add a portion of the yogurt. The exact amount may vary depending on your recipe, but typically, it will be a small amount, such as a few tablespoons or a quarter cup.

Here comes the whisking! Slowly pour the warm milk into the bowl with the yogurt, whisking continuously as you do so. Add the milk in a steady stream, and keep whisking until the two are fully incorporated. This step ensures that the yogurt cultures are evenly distributed throughout the milk, which is essential for the fermentation process.

At this point, you should have a homogeneous mixture of warm milk and yogurt in your bowl. Give it a final stir to ensure there are no lumps or clumps remaining. Now, you're ready to fill your jars. Carefully pour the mixture into clean jars, filling them to about three-quarters full. Tighten the lids securely on each jar.

Finally, place the sealed jars directly into the basket of your air fryer. Set the air fryer to the Proof function, adjusting the temperature to 110°F (43°C) and the time to 9 hours, or as specified in your recipe. This prolonged incubation period allows the yogurt cultures to work their magic, transforming the milk into a delicious, creamy yogurt.

By following these detailed steps for whisking in yogurt, you'll be well on your way to creating a delightful, healthy treat. Enjoy the process, and get ready to indulge in some homemade yogurt perfection!

Fill jars 3/4 full

When preparing your yogurt mixture, it is important to fill your jars only 3/4 of the way full. This is because the yogurt mixture needs space to expand and breathe during the fermentation process. If the jars are filled to the brim, the yogurt may overflow or not set properly.

Before filling your jars, ensure your yogurt mixture is ready. This involves warming milk to a specific temperature, cooling it down, and then whisking in some yogurt. The milk should be warmed to around 180°F–185°F, and then cooled to around 110°F–115°F. You can do this by placing the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat and using a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Once the milk has reached the correct temperature, carefully cool it down by placing the saucepan in an ice bath or leaving it on the countertop.

Once your milk has cooled to the right temperature, whisk in the yogurt. For every cup of milk, you should add around two tablespoons of prepared yogurt with live cultures. Whisk this mixture thoroughly to combine, and then it is ready to be poured into your jars.

Now, you can fill your jars with the milk and yogurt mixture. Use clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids, and fill each jar with the mixture until it reaches about three-quarters of the way up the jar. Leave some air space at the top of the jar, as this will allow the yogurt to expand and breathe during fermentation. Once the jars are filled, secure the lids tightly on top.

Set air fryer to Proof function

Once you've heated the milk to 180°F and cooled it down to 110°F, it's time to add the starter culture. Whisk the starter culture into the milk until it is fully combined. Then, pour the mixture into a container that will fit inside your air fryer. Make sure the container is clean and has a tight-fitting lid.

Now, it's time to set up your air fryer. Remove the crisper plate from the air fryer basket and place the container of yogurt directly into the basket. Select the Proof function, which is ideal for maintaining a consistent temperature, which is crucial for fermentation. Adjust the temperature to 110°F and set the timer for 6 to 12 hours. The longer you let the yogurt culture, the thicker and tangier it will become.

Once the timer goes off, remove the container from the air fryer and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Your homemade yogurt is now ready to be enjoyed! You can eat it plain or add your favourite toppings, such as fruit, honey, or granola.

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