Yogurt has long been a go-to ingredient in the food and beverage industry. Consumption of yogurt has consistently grown year over year because of consumer focus on digestive health, the rise of high-protein diets and expanding functional food preferences. Global growth is expected to continue at a forecasted rate of 5.9% CAGR, increasing from approximately $50 billion in 2025 to nearly $80 billion by 2035.
Capitalizing on continued consumer demand is both advantageous and challenging for food manufacturers. Including the word “yogurt” on a label implies certain health benefits that appeal to consumers. Yet it’s also challenging because using fresh yogurt introduces complications, including a limited shelf life and increased risks of product contamination.
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Dried Yogurt Formulations Expand Possibilities
Many in the food and beverage industry have found a solution by using authentic dried yogurt powder. Dried yogurt is an extremely versatile version of whey protein that offers unique product properties which benefit both manufacturers and consumers. The use of dried yogurt formulations has revolutionized several food product categories, including dips, dressings, bakery, beverages and soups.
In the trends-driven food industry, manufacturing companies use dried yogurt powder for a number of other innovative yogurt solutions and applications, including these seven product categories.
1. Creamier Hummus with a Tangy Twist
When a recipe is made with yogurt in place of tahini, the fat content in hummus can be cut in half and calories can be reduced by almost a third. Taste and texture is a value-add in itself, and using dried yogurt powder (regular or Greek flavor profiles) increases shelf stability, making this popular dip even more appealing.
Hummus is a rapidly growing market— expected to more than double in the next seven years — and is a staple in the popular Mediterranean diet. It caters to consumer snacking trends and boasts many health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, supporting bone health, reducing blood sugar and many more. By adding dried Greek yogurt with high protein levels, calcium and many vitamins and minerals, the health benefits are magnified.
2. Better Nutrition in Children’s Meals
Yogurt is increasingly being used in school cafeterias and packaged foods to boost nutrition. It is a versatile ingredient and can be found in soups, entrees, smoothies, dips, salads, baked goods and more. The benefits of incorporating yogurt in children’s diets are well recognized. Dried yogurt used in formulations introduces additional benefits like low fat and calories, and lean protein.
Using dried yogurt as an ingredient helps create a creamy consistency and flavor that children love while replacing less healthy ingredients such as heavy cream, cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise, offering healthy food choices parents appreciate.
3. Improved Gourmet Desserts & Entrees
Even though consumers are becoming more health-conscious, they’re not afraid to indulge once in a while. When they do, they want those experiences to be over the top in flavor and decadence. This is especially true among Gen Xers and Millennials who are driving the demand for unique flavors and formulations.
Gourmet desserts and entrees are perennial consumer favorites. Using dried Greek yogurt powder provides bakers and chefs with a convenient way to incorporate a tangy yogurt flavor profile and boost protein in novel and sometimes unexpected ways. The sweetness that’s typically associated with desserts is being tempered and tart and tangy are more desirable, making dried yogurt an ideal choice.
4. Creamier Frozen & Drinkable Yogurt
A rich, creamy consistency is imperative in frozen and drinkable yogurt products, which continue to grow in popularity. Those containing dried yogurt powder behave in much the same way as those using active cultures. In a taste test, formulations containing mildly flavored dried yogurt powder were preferred in beverage applications due to their mild taste and more natural dairy aroma.
Much like trending high-protein ice cream products, traditional frozen yogurt continues to remain a part of consumer eating habits, with an expected 3.55% CAGR through 2032. This growth is partially driven by consumers who continue to look for healthy products they can consume on-the-go. Greek yogurt profiles in particular are preferred by consumers for their added tang and higher protein content.
5. Healthy Cereal Add-ins
The associated health claims of many breakfast cereals are often negated due to high amounts of sugar, fat and sodium, which are surprisingly on the rise. Claims on cereal packaging may tout "whole-grain” and “free-from” claims, yet the first ingredients on the label are often refined grains and sugar, which have fallen out of favor with many discerning consumers.
Innovative cereal brands have incorporated yogurt-covered granola clusters and dried yogurt bites into their products. Cereal manufacturers can improve formulations and expand better-for-you benefits using yogurt powders for their nutritive protein and calcium, and enhance the cereal’s reputation as a healthy choice. Because dried yogurt powder is a natural ingredient, it can also appeal to clean-label consumer preferences.
6. Compound Coatings for Meal Replacement Bars
Commonly associated with physical fitness and weight loss, meal replacement bars and protein bars are a typical go-to post-workout snack. Dried yogurt powder can deliver high calcium plus energy-boosting protein in a dry, low-fat mix.
Sometimes, however, meal replacement bars found on grocery store shelves are associated with a laundry list of artificial additives. Today’s bars and snacks combine nutrition, flavor and clean labels.
7. Enhanced Salad Dressings
Creamy, flavorful salad dressings that contain yogurt continue to grow in popularity as consumers enjoy the great taste that yogurt brings to salads. Driving the salad dressing market are health and obesity concerns among consumers. Dried yogurt powders are a great way to reduce fat and calories to aid in these efforts without compromising taste or consistency.
How is Dried Yogurt Powder Made For the Food & Beverage Industry?
At Grande Custom Ingredients Group, the process of making dried yogurt powder begins by using the highest-quality milk to create our products, adding natural cultures and enzymes. Then, we separate the liquid from the yogurt and apply our proprietary drying process to convert the concentrated yogurt product into a nutrient-dense powder form.
Zero chemical drying agents or additives are used, allowing food and beverage manufacturers to maintain their clean-label status. The final product is shelf-stable and can be labeled as natural, real yogurt.
We’d Like to Be Your Dried Yogurt Manufacturer of Choice
When considering which dried yogurt powder is right for your application, choose all-natural Grande Primo™ Dried Yogurt and Cultured Dairy Products:
- Real, clean-label dried yogurt
- Authentic taste and creamy texture
- Greek and regular flavor
- 60% protein level (Greek yogurt only)
- Easily incorporated into food processing equipment
- Can significantly reduce costs when replacing fresh yogurt
Consider all the factors that can impact flavor, functionality, nutrition and cost by speaking with one of our formulation experts. Reach out for samples and guidance on how to overcome your formulation challenges.
