From Cashew to Coconut: 16 Must-Try Dairy-Free Yogurts

Yogurt is the rushed breakfaster’s best friend: just mix it with a little bit of granola or pair with a piece of fresh fruit, and you’re good to go. It’s also a versatile ingredient that belongs in smoothies just as much as it does in a tangy tzatziki sauce. If you’re on the hunt for vegan yogurt, then look no further. We’ve scoured stores to find 16 delicious, dairy-free options.

JUMP TO THE YOGURTS

What is dairy-free yogurt?

Vegan, dairy-free yogurt is made from plant-based sources such as soy, coconut, oat, and cashews instead of dairy products. It comes in a variety of styles such as regular, Greek, French, and kefir-style probiotic drinks, as well as a variety of flavors.

In recent years, the vegan yogurt section of grocery stores has seen a lot of growth thanks to the emergence of new brands, grocery store labels, and vegan options from big names in the dairy yogurt world, including Yoplait’s Oui line.

Oui by Yoplait

A number of reasons are driving the sudden influx of dairy-free yogurt. A growing body of market research indicates that consumers are gravitating toward plant-based alternatives primarily for taste, followed by health reasons.

Sustainability is another key driver, as dairy is an emissions-heavy, resource-hungry industry that contributes to the climate crisis. Others reach for plant-based products for ethical reasons, such as the treatment of farm animals.

Is dairy-free yogurt healthier?

Since ancient history, yogurt production has been used as a method of preserving milk, and yogurt itself has long been a key ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. 

The earliest historical reference to yogurt as a health food is found in Indian Ayurvedic scripts from around 6000 BC, and it has continued to hold a reputation as a good-for-you food throughout the centuries. But it wasn’t until the early 20th century that a Bulgarian medical student named Stamen Grigorov attributed yogurt’s health benefits to lactic acid bacteria.

Forager Project

RELATED: The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Guide: 20+ Game-Changing Products

Like the dairy-based variety, most vegan yogurts are fermented using live-active cultures that have a positive effect on your gut, and some of these are similar to the types of bacterial strains used to make dairy yogurt. They help feed your gut microbiota, the name of the collective trillions of “good bacteria” that reside in your digestive system. 

But is dairy-free yogurt healthier overall? Not always. Depending on what it’s made from, your vegan yogurt could be high in saturated fat, high in sugar, low in protein, or a combination of all three. 

“The biggest unhealthy culprit in plant-based yogurt is added sugar,”  Kelsey Lorencz, RDN, tells VegNews. “The American Heart Association recommends keeping added sugar to less than 36 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women. One serving of vegan yogurt can have over 10 grams of added sugars, making it hard to stay within the recommended limits.”

Another ingredient to watch out for is coconut, which gives dairy-free yogurt a creamy consistency. “Studies have found that the saturated fat in coconut oil raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol less than saturated fat from butter and other dairy sources, but it still raises LDL cholesterol and may not be the best choice for a heart-healthy diet,” explains Lorencz.

“Look for plant-based yogurts that use unsaturated fats and natural or low-calorie sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit instead of saturated fat and added sugars,” she advises. Enjoy coconut-based yogurt in moderation and try yogurts made from oat, soy, cashews, or other ingredients.

The best dairy-free yogurts to add to your shopping cart

We love keeping these vegan yogurts on hand for snacking, baking, cooking, and an easy vegan breakfast. 

Kite Hill

1 Kite Hill

With an unbelievably creamy almond milk base in Greek and regular varieties, Kite Hill’s non-dairy offerings make for a great start to any day. The regular variety has four flavors to choose from: plain, blueberry, strawberry, and vanilla. But if you’re looking for a protein-rich option, go for the Greek, which comes in mango, mixed berry, strawberry, vanilla, and plain. Each packs between 15 and 17 grams of protein per serving. 
Shop Amazon

Silk

2 Silk

This non-dairy giant makes creamy almond- and soy-based yogurts in a variety of flavors spanning from dark chocolate to mixed berry açai. For fans of Greek yogurt, the brand’s coconut-based, Greek-style yogurt is thick, creamy, and ideal for topping with fresh fruit and granola. 
Shop Amazon

Forager Project

3 Forager Project

When it comes to vegan yogurt, Forager Project has an option for everyone. From fruit-forward cashew milk yogurts to squeezable yogurt pouches perfect for kids, protein-rich Greek-style yogurts, and kefir-style drinks, Forager delivers when it comes to dairy-free yogurt. Flavors vary by type, but expect options such as strawberry banana, mango passion fruit, and peach. 
Shop Amazon

So Delicious

4 So Delicious

This OG vegan brand utilizes creamy coconuts to create its line of dairy-free yogurt in a range of flavors including key lime, chocolate, strawberry banana, and more. So Delicious also makes a line of yogurt that’s free of added sugar for those watching their sugar intake. 
Shop Amazon

Harmless Harvest

5 Harmless Harvest

This dairy-free yogurt begins with hand-scooped, organic, fair-trade young Thai coconut meat. It comes in unsweetened plain, vanilla, strawberry, and mango flavors. The brand also offers drinkable yogurt and a Rich and Creamy line (made with added coconut cream) for those who want a little more decadence. Plus, Harmless Harvest offers a lower carbon footprint alternative by partnering with farms that use sustainable methods to grow and harvest its coconuts. 
Shop Amazon

Yoplait

6 Oui by Yoplait

One of the oldest yogurt companies in the country, Yoplait jumped on the vegan yogurt train with a French-style, coconut-based, fruit-on-the-bottom variety. Options include vanilla, raspberry, mango, and strawberry. 
Shop Target

Sigi’s

7 Siggi’s

Made with a subtly sweet concoction of coconut, macadamia nut butter, and pea protein, this plant-based line from Siggi’s is available in cups for an easy, on-the-go snack. Choose between vanilla and cinnamon, strawberry, toasted coconut, mixed berries, peach, raspberry, sweetened plain, and classic vanilla. 
Shop Amazon

The Coconut Cult

8 The Coconut Cult

Made with organic coconut cream, this thick, spoonable vegan yogurt is absolutely delicious. With flavors like Wild Passion Fruit, Harvest Strawberry, Miami Coco Loco, and Chocolate Mousse, you’ll want to snack on this yogurt by the spoonful. The original plain flavor also makes an excellent addition to green smoothies. 
Shop Amazon

Icelandic Provisions

9Icelandic Provisions

Icelandic Provisions specializes in skyr, a thick, high-protein dairy yogurt. The brand isn’t entirely vegan, but uses oats to create its dreamy, dairy-free offerings. Flavors include vanilla bean, strawberry, mango and passion fruit, blueberry, peach, and plain. 
Shop Amazon

Cocojune

10 Cocojune

Made with organic coconut and spring water, these yogurts have a mild, tangy flavor. Reach for the lemon elderflower for a punch of tart, sweet, and floral notes. Other flavors include strawberry rhubarb, vanilla chamomile, passion fruit, and mixed berry. For those looking to up their protein intake, Cocojune also offers Greek-style yogurts with eight to 10 grams of protein per serving. 
Shop Amazon

Culina

11 Culina

These super thick, fermented craft coconut yogurts come in flavors such as strawberry rose, bourbon vanilla, mango orange blossom, and sour cherry almond. Culina’s yogurts are perfect for pairing with smoothie bowls, oatmeal, and granola.
Shop Amazon

GT’s Cocoyo

12GT’s Cocoyo

Each spoonful of this tart, slightly effervescent dairy-free yogurt is filled with billions of probiotics. It also comes in seven flavors including cacao, raspberry, piña colada, and peach nectarine. 
Shop Amazon

Trader Joe’s

13Trader Joe’s

This grocery chain with a cult-like following carries its own brand of vegan yogurt made with a base of cashews. Top it with fruit and granola for a breakfast parfait or scoop it into your smoothies for extra thick sips.

Whole Foods

14 Whole Foods 365 

Whole Foods has also jumped on the non-dairy bandwagon. Its coconut-based yogurt tubs come in flavors like vanilla and unsweetened plain.
Shop Amazon

Simple Truth

15Kroger Simple Truth

Kroger sells almond milk-based yogurt under its store brand, Simple Truth. It comes in two flavors: vanilla and plain.
Shop Kroger

16Sprouts Farmers Market

Is there a hard-to-find vegan item you’ve been eyeing to try? Odds are, you can find it at Sprouts. Over the years, the grocery store chain has become a launch pad for vegan products. So it’s no surprise Sprouts offers its own version of coconut-based vegan yogurt. Choose between plain and vanilla bean on your next trip to the grocery store.
Shop Instacart