Homemade Lactose-Free Yogurt: The Ultra Simple 5-Minute Recipe
Homemade Lactose-Free Yogurt: The Ultra Simple 5-Minute Recipe
Lactose intolerant but love yogurt? Good news: making your own lactose-free yogurt at home is easy, quick and affordable. Five minutes of prep, a little patience, and you get creamy yogurt that's far better than anything you'll find at the store.
What You Need
For about 7 jars of yogurt, you only need two ingredients: one litre of lactose-free milk and one tablespoon of plain store-bought yogurt.
The milk: choose lactose-free semi-skimmed or whole milk depending on the texture you're after. Whole milk will give a creamier result. Go for UHT milk, which tends to work better for yogurt making.
The starter yogurt: a simple plain yogurt from the shop will do, even one with lactose. One tablespoon per litre of milk is a tiny amount. Not nearly enough to trigger any reaction, even for the most sensitive among us. The live cultures in the yogurt will multiply and do all the work. Personally, I use Pur Natur, which works really well and gives a great taste. Here's where it gets interesting: your choice of starter yogurt doesn't just affect the flavour. The cultures it contains also influence acidity, texture, aroma, shelf life and sometimes even the probiotic benefits of your yogurt. Each brand gives a different result, so don't hesitate to try a few to find the one you like best.
Preparation
Pour the litre of lactose-free milk into a bowl. Add the tablespoon of plain yogurt and mix well until the starter is fully incorporated. Then pour the mixture into your yogurt jars. That's it. Really.
Fermentation
Place the jars in your yogurt maker and let it do its thing. The minimum is 8 hours, but the longer the fermentation, the firmer the yogurt. Personally, I leave mine for 15 hours and the result is exactly how I like it: nice and firm, yet smooth.
Feel free to experiment with different times to find the texture that suits you. Between 8 and 15 hours, there's a whole range of consistencies to explore.
Once Fermentation Is Done
Take the jars out of the yogurt maker, put the lids on and place them in the fridge for at least 4 hours before eating. This chilling time allows the yogurt to fully set and develop its full flavour.
Why It's a Great Idea
It's affordable. A litre of lactose-free milk and a spoonful of yogurt cost a fraction of the price of 7 lactose-free yogurts from the shop.
It tastes better. No additives, no thickeners, no added sugar. Just milk and cultures.
It's simple. Five minutes of active preparation. The yogurt maker does the rest while you sleep.
It's adaptable. Want creamier yogurt? Use whole milk. Firmer? Extend the fermentation time. You can also add jam, honey or vanilla when serving.
In a Nutshell
Making lactose-free yogurt at home requires no fancy equipment and no special skills. Two ingredients, five minutes, a yogurt maker and a bit of patience. Once you've tasted the result, chances are you'll never buy lactose-free yogurt from the shop again.