Have you ever been in the position of not having any yogurt on hand, but you still want to bake something using yogurt?
Then this blog post is for you.
Yogurt is a great ingredient that can be used in many types of baking applications. From pancakes and waffles to muffins, cakes, and cookies, there are plenty of options.
I’ve put together this list below with my favorite substitute ingredients for when you need an alternative for yogurt in your baked goods.
These substitutions may or may not work as well as yogurt depending on what type of recipe it is (some recipes will require more than one substitution), so make sure to read the guide thoroughly before starting.
Read more: What To Do With Leftover Bbq Meatballs?
Best substitutes for yogurt in baking
In my experience, the best substitutes for yogurt in baking are source cream, buttermilk, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and Greek yogurt.
Now, let’s take a quick look at them.
Sour cream
You can use plain or Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Plain or Greek yogurt will give you the same texture and tanginess as sour cream does. You need to be careful if your recipe calls for fat-free yogurt though. If it is a cold recipe, you can use fat-free yogurt instead of sour cream. Otherwise, the taste will be different.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk can be used instead of Greek yogurt when making a recipe. Buttermilk is more acidic than Greek yogurt, so you need to either decrease the amount or increase the amount of flour in order to get it to the right consistency.
Cottage cheese
Some people do not like cottage cheese because it has a thick and gooey consistency. But there are many good things about it. It is high in protein, low in sugar, and full of calcium.
To make your cottage cheese smoother, you can blend it with milk as Greek yogurt does. Cottage cheese can be used in many foods such as pancakes, cheesecakes, salads, and toast (just to name a few).
Cream cheese
Yogurt toast is becoming popular. I don’t like it as much because I think cream cheese tastes better. You can use the same amount of cream cheese in baked goods instead of yogurt.
Greek yogurt
This is a good substitute for regular yogurt. It is good for baking, dips, and sauces. If you want a sour cream replacement, this can be used as a 1-to-1 substitute. There are many benefits to eating this product as well.
What does yogurt replace in a cake?
It can be substituted with:
- Milk
- Buttermilk
- Cream
- Sour cream
- Creme fraiche.
When a recipe calls for 1 cup of something to replace the yogurt you can use 1 cup of any of those products.
Can plain yogurt be used in baking?
Yes, you can use it just like other dairy products. You can make moist and tender cakes, biscuits, bread, and more.
Can you replace milk with yogurt in baking?
Yes, you can replace milk here when baking. You will need to use equal amounts for the recipes that call for milk. (source)
Can you use regular yogurt instead of Greek in baking?
Yes, you can use regular yogurt instead of the Greek type in baking.
If you are using the replacement in pancakes or other dishes where a thick consistency is desired, here is a trick: make your own Greek yogurt. You can actually make Greek-style yogurt from plain yogurt!
Can I add yogurt to a cake mix?
Yes, you can add it to a cake mix. If you do, the cake will be moist and rich. Add mayonnaise or sour cream, or even melted ice cream to make it more delicious. (source)
You can also swap out things like butter for oil, milk for water if you want. For example, try adding coffee or soda to your cake mix.
Can I add Greek yogurt to the cake mix?
Yes, you can add ¾ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt to your cake mix and stir. Adding the sour cream or Greek yogurt will make your cake moister and give it a denser flavor.
What can replace yogurt in a recipe?
It can be replaced in many recipes by using other dairy products. One cup of it can be replaced with one cup of buttermilk, sour milk, sour cream, or blended cottage cheese.
Can you bake with expired yogurt?
Baking with expired yogurt can be okay. You can taste it first to see if it is getting worse. If it smells/tastes sour, no need to discard it right away.
Baking in a cake would be good, and you could also use it as a sour flavor for vegetable dishes.
Can I substitute yogurt for sour cream in baking?
Yes. It makes a good substitute for sour cream and vice versa. In other recipes, you can also use it as an ingredient by adding one part of full-fat Greek yogurt to every three parts of regular sour cream. (source)
Can I use yogurt instead of cream in a sauce?
You can use it instead of cream in a sauce. It has less fat than cream so it’s healthier.
What does yogurt do in baking bread?
It is an easy way to make the best bread ever. It makes the dough rise faster and it tastes better too. You can freeze bread that you don’t eat right away, then toast it later when you want to eat it.
Can I replace oil with yogurt?
Yes, you can. If a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of oil, then you can use 1/2 cup of yogurt. You can also mix and match the substitutes with each other, but we do not recommend doing that all the time.
Can I substitute mayo for yogurt in baking?
You can’t use mayo as a substitute here. In baking recipes, the acid in the yogurt reacts with leaveners like baking soda. You need to have this reaction for your recipe to turn outright. (source)
Can I use yogurt instead of oil in the cake mix?
Yes, but the cake will be moister and you might want to reduce some of the liquids in the recipe. You can use any type of yogurt. (source)
Conclusion
In my experience, the best substitutes for yogurt in baking are source cream, buttermilk, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and Greek yogurt.
If you are unable to use yogurt, or simply prefer not to, try one of these substitutes. They should produce similar results and none will negatively affect your final product like using a non-dairy alternative would.