“Dry Yogurt” Might Sound Weird, But It’s the Brilliant Breakfast Trend We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Like many people, my TikTok algorithm often shows me a bunch of delicious eats. I’ll embarrassingly spend hours in rabbit holes watching people decorate focaccia, mimic chicken Caesar salad wraps created by popular restaurants, or meticulously make dupes to Dunkin’s iced matcha with cookie butter cold foam. Sometimes, the cooking tips on the app are a game-changer, and other times, they’re just flat-out ridiculous. Recently, a particular trend has continuously made its way to my feed — so much so that it’s impossible to ignore. The viral recipe in question? Dry yogurt. 

Dry yogurt is essentially labneh, which is made by straining a good amount of the whey (the liquid leftover from dairy products like yogurt and cheese). This process results in a thick, smooth, and spreadable product similar to cream cheese or mascarpone, commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisines. While some people sprinkle salt into the base of the labneh to enhance its flavor, the dry yogurt trend involves taking a different approach by mixing food coloring into yogurt before straining.

Many creators have reviewed the dry yogurt trend, with some commenting, “It’s really good — it has the texture of cream cheese but with the normal yogurt toppings.”

On the other hand, some people who have tried the dry yogurt aren’t big fans. One creator tested it and remarked, “It’s very dry,” before adding, “Personal preference, I wouldn’t do this again.”

If you’re intrigued and want to try making dry yogurt, start by getting a carton of Greek yogurt (you can choose sweetened or unsweetened, depending on your preference). Next, place a bowl underneath a strainer lined with cheesecloth to catch the whey. Add a few drops of food coloring to the yogurt, then dump it into the strainer. Wrap the cheesecloth tightly around the yogurt, place another bowl or a weight on top to help the whey drain, and put it in the refrigerator. Let it drain thoroughly in the fridge for at least 48 hours. Once it’s ready, remove it from the fridge and customize your dry yogurt with toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate, nuts, and granola (or whatever you have hanging out in your kitchen!) While this recipe might be a hit or miss depending on your taste preferences, its viral appeal is that dry yogurt has an unexplainable allure; perhaps it’s the yogurt’s quirky texture or all the fun you can have decorating it.