Light, creamy, and naturally refreshing, this homemade watermelon yogurt is a delicious twist on traditional yogurt. Made with fresh watermelon juice and a creamy fermented yogurt base, it’s perfect served chilled, frozen into popsicles, or packaged for a small business.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Fermentation Time

8–12 hours

Chilling Time

6–8 hours

Total Time

16–20 hours

Yield

Approximately 3 liters

 

Ingredients

For the Yogurt Base

• • 1 kg powdered milk
  • 1 sachet yogurt starter culture or ½ cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt with live active cultures
  • 1 liter lukewarm water
  • 1 liter hot water (to make the mixture warm, not boiling)

• Zest of 1 lime

For the Watermelon Flavor

• 1 large ripe watermelon
• Powdered sugar (icing sugar), to taste
• Milk flavoring, optional
• Vanilla extract or 1 packet vanilla sugar (optional)

 

Instructions

1. Prepare the Yogurt Base

In a large bowl, add:

• Powdered milk

 

Add the 1 liter of lukewarm water and whisk until smooth.

Add the yogurt starter culture (or Greek yogurt) and the lime zest.

Gradually pour in the 1 liter of hot water, whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. The mixture should be warm, not hot.

Strain the mixture.

 

2. Ferment the Yogurt

Cover the bowl tightly.

Wrap it with a clean towel and place it in a warm area of your home.

Allow the yogurt to ferment for 8–12 hours, or until thickened.

 

3. Prepare the Watermelon

Wash the watermelon thoroughly.

Cut it in half and remove the rind.

Cut the flesh into chunks.

Blend or juice the watermelon until smooth.

Strain well through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any pulp.

Refrigerate the watermelon juice for 6–8 hours until well chilled.

 

4. Combine

Whisk the fermented yogurt until smooth.

Gradually pour the chilled watermelon juice into the yogurt while whisking continuously.

Mix until fully incorporated.

Add:

• Powdered sugar, to taste
• Milk flavoring (optional)
• Vanilla extract or vanilla sugar (optional)

Mix well until smooth and creamy.

 

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your homemade watermelon yogurt:

• Chilled in bottles
• Packaged in traditional African freezer sachets
• Frozen into popsicles
• As breakfast
• As a refreshing afternoon snack
• As a light dessert

 

Dedior’s Tips 

• Choose a sweet, fully ripe watermelon for the best flavor.
• Strain the watermelon juice well for a smoother, creamier yogurt.
• Add the watermelon juice gradually while whisking to achieve a smooth consistency.
• Vanilla is optional and adds a delicate aroma without overpowering the watermelon.
• Refrigerate immediately after preparation.
• Shake bottled yogurt gently before serving if natural separation occurs.

 

Great for Home or Business

This recipe is perfect for:

• Home use
• Family gatherings
• Parties
• School snacks
• Popsicles
• Small yogurt businesses

Package it in:

• Plastic bottles for refrigerated sales

• Traditional African freezer sachets for frozen yogurt treats

• Popsicle molds for delicious frozen snacks

Commercial Production Tip 

For commercial production, you can adjust the amount of water to 3–4 liters per 1 kg of powdered milk, depending on the consistency you want and your target market.

For large-scale production, preservation techniques, pasteurization, and commercial batch preparation, visit the Dedior Juice Masterclass at DediorCooking.com.