Dry Yogurt: Would You Try TikTok’s Most Divisive Food Trend?

From rice paper croissants to cowboy caviar and onion boils, TikTok is awash with bizarre food trends. The latest to go viral? Dry yogurt, which sees people straining the water out of yogurt, dyeing it and loading it with toppings. Recipe videos are taking over the platform right now, but not everyone is convinced. 

What Is Dry Yogurt?

Dry yogurt is made by putting plain yogurt into a cheesecloth or paper towel, pressing out the moisture, then refrigerating it to create a hardened, almost clay-like concoction. It might sound strange, but the idea actually takes inspiration from a much-loved Middle Eastern spread, labneh, which is made by straining Greek yogurt to remove the liquid whey.

However, while labneh is usually paired with savoury dishes, dry yogurt leans more towards sweetness. TikTokers are using food colourings and toppings like sweets and frozen fruit to create aesthetically pleasing bowls which – some think – taste good too. 

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The trend prompts many valid questions, such as: why are people messing with yogurt? Surely it’s better enjoyed in its natural form? And why would you want to eat something resembling play-dough? Well, it may offer slightly more protein and calcium than traditional yogurt, as a result of its denser concentration. It could also be easier to digest. Yet, to be honest, it feels like most people are giving it a go simply for the novelty factor.

What Does It Taste Like?

The taste has divided TikTokers. Some have praised the tangy flavour and thick consistency, while others are deeming the dish too sour and acidic. And while some recipe videos are vibrant and appealing, with satisfying shots of spoons cracking into bowls, others have said they struggled to replicate the consistency, instead ending up with ‘soggy and depressing’ creations.

A video from influencer Michelle Brown has gone viral, showing her attempt at making the trending snack (it has over 17.6 million views and counting). She uses flavoured yogurts rather than plain, describing the texture as similar to ‘cream cheese’ or ‘frosting’ – and concludes she’s not sold. 

‘Woah, that is thick, I don’t know if I like the thickness,’ she said after tasting it. ‘It sticks to every part of your mouth. ‘The taste hasn’t really changed that much. I think it would be really good with some fruit and granola on it.’

How To Make Dry Yogurt

Keen to determine your own verdict? Here’s how to make it.

1. If you want to add a colour, begin by blending yogurt with food colouring or fruit powder. 
2. Line a strainer with a cheesecloth or paper towel and place it over a large bowl or container.
3. Place the mixture onto the cloth/ towel and fold the cloth/towel over the yogurt. 
4. Place a light weight on top of the cloth to help press the mixture through the strainer.
5. Put in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours (or longer if you want it harder/thicker). 
6. Remove from the cheesecloth and place in a bowl, along with any toppings you want.

Topping ideas:

• Granola
• Fruit (fresh or dried)
• Honey or syrup
• Nuts and seeds