This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
3 ingredients are all you need to make this vanilla yogurt that contains much less sugar than the store-bought yogurt. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and 100% vanilla-y!
Easy Vanilla Yogurt
Yogurt is packed with calcium, vitamin D, protein, and gut-friendly probiotics—but many store-bought flavored versions come with more sugar than you’d think.
That’s why I always recommend going for plain yogurt and sweetening it yourself. It takes barely any time, and the best part? You’re in charge of the flavor and the sweetness.
Enter this dreamy, creamy vanilla yogurt.
It comes together in just 2-3 minutes, and once you try it, you might just skip the store-bought versions for good.
Want to try other flavored yogurts? Here’s how to make strawberry yogurt, blueberry yogurt, and mango yogurt!
And you can certainly add these to make Greek yogurt smoothies! Or turn them into the most delicious fruit yogurt dip! Endless possibilities.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Yogurt – My family loves Greek yogurt so that’s what we always have on hand, but you can use regular yogurt or dairy-free yogurt. Here are the best yogurt for babies and toddlers. Just be sure to get the PLAIN flavor. I also recommend getting whole milk yogurt (4% or 5%) especially for young kids. Fat plays a critical role in optimal brain development.
- Real Vanilla – be sure to use pure vanilla extract, NOT imitation, for best flavor.
- Honey – Just a little goes a long way in sweetening unsweetened plain yogurt! Leave it out if serving to your baby (honey before 1 year can lead to botulism) or if avoiding added sugar. You can also try adding date syrup.
- Cinnamon – this is optional but will complement and enhance the vanilla flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This just may be the easiest recipe I’ve ever written!
Add yogurt in a bowl and combine with honey and vanilla. I find using a spoon is easier and quicker than a whisk.
Recipe Tips
- My go-to ratio: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract per 1 cup of yogurt. Add more if you like a stronger vanilla flavor.
- For sweetness, start with 2 teaspoons of your preferred sweetener and adjust to taste. 1 tablespoon is the sweet spot for us.
- Or skip the sweetener altogether and top with fresh, frozen, or dried fruit for natural sweetness.
Ways to Use Vanilla Yogurt
Yogurt Toppings
While delicious as is, the creamy yogurt pairs so well with all kinds of flavors and textures!
- Fresh fruit
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Seeds (hemp, flax, chia) – here’s how to serve nuts and seeds to babies
- Granola (try this homemade no added sugar granola)
- Cereal
- Chocolate chips
- Coconut flakes
- Peanut butter (or nut/seed butter)
Add to Recipes
You can also add vanilla yogurt to your favorite recipes, like:
- Add to frozen treats – Use in frozen yogurt bars, strawberry yogurt clusters, or frozen yogurt blueberries for fun, kid-friendly snacks.
- Stir into overnight oats – Makes your oats extra creamy and flavorful. Try it in banana overnight oats.
- Bake into muffins – Adds moisture and protein to healthy yogurt muffins.
- Whip up custard toast – A quick breakfast made with custard yogurt toast.
- Mix with nut butter – Combine with peanut butter for a protein-packed peanut butter yogurt treat.
- Make it seasonal – Blend with pumpkin and spices for cozy pumpkin pie yogurt.
Storage Suggestions
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Glass jars or meal prep containers work great.
Bulk prep – If you’re flavoring a whole 32 oz container, portion it out into single-serve containers to grab and go during the week.
You can also freeze for up to 3 months. Here’s how to freeze yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! First cut off the end then slice through the bean lengthwise. Scrape the tiny black vanilla bean seeds from inside. Since they’re more potent than vanilla extract, start with 1/2 teaspoon. You can always add more, but you can’t take away.
While it is a great source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and probiotics, most store-bought vanilla yogurt and other flavored varieties contain high amounts of refined sugars.
That’s why I recommend getting plain yogurt and adding a little bit of honey to sweeten it up. If you desire even more sweetness, you can top with your favorite fruit, granola, etc.
Store-bought vanilla yogurt contains high amounts of added sugar, which is recommended to be held until 2 years of age.
To make this recipe baby-friendly, I suggest just adding the vanilla and serving with super ripe, pureed, or mashed fruit, such as fresh berries or this homemade unsweetened applesauce. This 2 ingredient Date syrup is a great no-added-sugar sweetener as well.
Yes! Any plain plant-based alternative will work well!
More Yogurt Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Easy Vanilla Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt (460g)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean)
- 1 tablespoon honey, see note
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients until well incorporated. Taste and add more vanilla or honey as desired.
Notes
- For a no added sugar option, leave out the honey and enjoy with fresh, frozen, or dried fruits. You can also add date syrup.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
We love this recipe!! I make at least 1 or 2 tubs of yogurt with this recipe weekly! My twin toddlers love having for breakfast. We serve in a bowl, plate, or in reusable yogurt pouches! This recipe has saved lots of $$$ and love that we can avoid the refined sugar & additives of store bought yogurt!
I’m so glad!!
Thank you for this recipe! Just wondering why it’s only good for 5 days in the fridge?
hi! Once opened, yogurt can start to grow mold and develop off-flavors and texture. So most experts recommend using within 5-7 days for peak quality. Having said that, I’ve eaten yogurt past 7 days and was still ok. If you notice any spots, sour smell, or off taste then def toss it.
Love love love this yogurt! I can only find vanilla yogurt that has a ton of sugar or is artificially sweetened, and i don’t feel good about either of those options, but my son loves vanilla yogurt. This is the perfect solution, i think it tastes great too! Thanks!!!
Yay! So glad you guys love this as much as we do!
Do you worry about the alcohol in vanilla extract? Am I overthinking? Thanks!!
Hi! It’s a very small amount so I wouldn’t worry about it. Having said that, non-alcoholic vanilla extract is available (Sprouts and Trader Joe’s store brand as well as Simply Organics)
YUM!! What a great way to start the day! These all look so pretty and fun! 🙂
hope that you have a great weekend!
xoxo Cailee!