At home, I often enjoy yogurt for breakfast—it’s tasty, healthy, and quick to prepare. Initially, I assumed I couldn’t have it while hiking, but my love for experimenting in the kitchen and my desire to enjoy my favorite foods on the trail led me to a solution: dehydrated yogurt.
Why dehydrate yogurt?
Dehydrated yogurt is a fantastic base for a no-cook backpacking breakfast. When combined with freeze-dried fruits, powders, and cereals, it creates a quick, easy, and delicious morning meal packed with nutrients.
Dehydrated yogurt drops also make a great hiking snack. They’re tasty on their own and can serve as a healthier alternative to sugary chocolate candies in trail mixes. Lightweight, shelf-stable, and full of probiotics, dehydrated yogurt is a great choice for long outdoor adventures.
How to dehydrate yogurt
Choose the Right Yogurt. Choose plain yogurt with low fat content (3% or less), to prevent it from spoiling. You can add sweeteners and taste/aroma enhancers later, when you start assembling your trail meals.
Spread the yogurt evenly in a thin layer (about 1/8-inch thick) on a dehydrator tray lined with a non-stick sheet or parchment paper.
Dehydrate at 135F/ 57C for about 6-8 hours until completely dry and brittle. Rotate tray every couple of hours and flip-over the yogurt bark halfway through the drying time.
Cool and Store: Once dried, remove the yogurt from the dehydrator and let it cool. Store it in vacuum-sealed bags and freeze until ready to use. Without refrigeration, dehydrated yogurt can last about a week in a zip-lock bag at room temperature.
How to make yogurt powder
Grind dehydrated yogurt pieces into a fine powder using a coffee grinder.
How to rehydrate:
- With yogurt bark: Slowly add water into the bag with dried yogurt bark (in ratio 1:1). Close the bag and gently knead until you get creamy and smooth consistence. Mix in your favorite filling (freeze-dried fruits, berries, granola) and enjoy!
- With yogurt powder: Pour yogurt powder into a mug. Add water and stir well.
Note: Dehydrated yogurt has a slightly different taste and texture compared to fresh yogurt. It’s tangy with a slightly gritty consistency, but once mixed with granola, berries, or fruits, these differences become unnoticeable, making for a tasty and convenient meal.
Making dehydrated yogurt drops
For a fun and portable snack, make yogurt drops using either store-bought flavored yogurt or homemade blends by mixing plain yogurt with fruit or berry purees.
Prepare the Mixture: Blend plain yogurt with your choice of fruits or berries for added flavor.
Set Up the Tray: Line a dehydrator tray with a non-stick sheet or parchment paper.
Create Drops: Pour the yogurt mixture into a zip-lock bag, cut off a small corner.
Gently squeeze dots onto the dehydrator tray.
Dehydrate: Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and dry for 8-16 hours until the drops are completely crispy.
Store Properly: Vacuum-seal and freeze for long-term storage, ensuring freshness when you’re ready to hit the trail.
Dehydrated yogurt is a great addition to any backpacker’s meal plan. It’s lightweight, nutritious, and easy to prepare on the trail. Whether you enjoy it as a quick breakfast, a snack, or an ingredient in other meals, it’s a simple way to bring the taste and benefits of yogurt on your adventures. Try different flavors and mix-ins to create your perfect trail-ready yogurt!
