1. First things first, make sure that all of your equipment is sterilized. You can do this by using boiling water or running the items through a dishwasher cycle. This is crucial as it helps prevent any bad bacteria from forming on your yogurt.
2. Now it’s time to combine your ingredients. In the bowl of your Instant Pot, pour in the coconut milk and sprinkle in the agar flakes. Stir the mixture well to combine the ingredients.
3. Next, turn on your Instant Pot and press the sauté button to bring the mixture to a boil. Make sure to whisk continuously to help the agar flakes dissolve completely as the mixture heats up.
4. Keep an eye on the mixture until it reaches a rolling boil or 180ºF on your thermometer. At this point, turn off the Instant Pot and give it a good stir to ensure everything is well combined.
5. Now, add the maple syrup to the hot mixture and stir it in. This step adds a lovely sweetness that balances the tanginess of the yogurt.
6. Once combined, let the mixture cool down to 110 to 115ºF. You can test the temperature by touching the bowl or using a thermometer. The mixture should feel warm but not hot to your finger.
7. If you want to speed up the cooling process, place the Instant Pot bowl in an ice water bath, but be careful not to let it cool down too much.
8. When the mixture has cooled to the right temperature, add in the probiotic powder and stir well to ensure it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
9. Now it’s time to ferment! Press the “Yogurt” button on the Instant Pot and use the arrows to set your desired fermentation time. For a tangier yogurt, I recommend 18 to 24 hours, but if you prefer a milder flavor, 8 to 10 hours will do.
10. Once the fermentation time is complete, taste your yogurt to check if it’s tart enough for your liking. Remember, it might still look watery and separated, but that’s completely normal.
11. If all is well, pour your yogurt into a clean jar with a lid and store it in the fridge to set. The yogurt will thicken as it chills.
12. When ready to serve, stir the yogurt well if it has separated a bit. Enjoy it for at least a week, if not longer, in the fridge!
