how to make yogurt in a ninja speedi

3 min read 18-01-2025

Making yogurt at home offers several advantages: it's healthier, cheaper, and you can customize the flavor to your liking. The Ninja Speedi, with its versatile functions, is surprisingly well-suited for yogurt making. This guide will walk you through the process, providing tips for perfect results every time.

What You'll Need:

Ninja Speedi: Obviously! Ensure yours is clean and ready to go.
Milk: Whole milk works best for a creamier yogurt, but you can experiment with 2% or skim milk. The fat content impacts the final texture.
Yogurt Starter: This is crucial. You can use store-bought yogurt with live and active cultures (check the label!), or a yogurt starter powder. Look for strains like Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Thermometer (optional but recommended): Accurate temperature control is vital for successful yogurt making. A candy or instant-read thermometer is ideal.
Clean Jars or Containers: Choose containers that can withstand high temperatures and are easily sealed. Mason jars are a popular choice.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Yogurt in Your Ninja Speedi:

1. Heating the Milk:

Pour your chosen milk into the Ninja Speedi bowl. The amount will depend on the size of your Speedi and desired yogurt quantity. Start with about 4 cups.
Use the Speedi's "Sauté" or "Simmer" function to gently heat the milk. Do not boil! You want to reach a temperature of around 180-185°F (82-85°C). This is important to kill off any unwanted bacteria. A thermometer is essential here.
Once the milk reaches the target temperature, immediately remove it from the Speedi.

2. Cooling the Milk:

Carefully transfer the warm milk to a separate container. Allow it to cool to 110-115°F (43-46°C). This cooling step is crucial; if the milk is too hot, you'll kill the beneficial bacteria in your starter. Use an ice bath to speed up the cooling process.

3. Incorporating the Starter:

Once the milk has reached the correct temperature, stir in your yogurt starter. The ratio will depend on your starter type, but usually, 2-4 tablespoons of store-bought yogurt or the amount specified on the starter powder instructions is sufficient for 4 cups of milk. Mix thoroughly.

4. Incubation in the Ninja Speedi:

Important Note: The Ninja Speedi doesn't have a built-in yogurt setting. We'll use its warming capabilities for incubation. Never use the "Keep Warm" setting for this process. Instead, we'll use the "Sauté" or "Simmer" function at the lowest possible setting.
Transfer the milk and starter mixture back into the Ninja Speedi bowl.
Turn the Speedi on its lowest "Sauté" or "Simmer" setting and use the thermometer to monitor.
Cover the bowl loosely with a lid or a clean kitchen towel (for airflow). Incubate the mixture for 6-8 hours, or until it has set to your desired consistency. The temperature should remain between 100-110°F (38-43°C) throughout this process.

5. Cooling and Storage:

After incubation, carefully remove the yogurt from the Speedi. Let it cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers.
Refrigerate the yogurt for at least 4 hours to further set and cool.

Tips for Success:

Cleanliness is paramount: Ensure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent contamination.
Experiment with flavors: Once your basic yogurt is ready, get creative! Add fruits, honey, or other sweeteners after the yogurt has cooled.
Patience is key: Yogurt making takes time. Don't rush the process; allow for proper incubation.
Monitor the temperature: Regularly check the temperature throughout the heating and incubation phases to avoid killing the beneficial bacteria.

By following these steps, you can easily make delicious, homemade yogurt using your Ninja Speedi. Enjoy experimenting with different milk types and flavor combinations to find your perfect yogurt recipe!