July 21, 2014
(last updated May 6, 2023) 
This raw cashew banana yogurt is one of the recipes I’m most proud of from my cookbook. It’s tart, sweet, and satisfying, and it’s the sort of recipe that’s so easy and sensible that, after you prepare it, you’ll wonder why the idea never occurred to you before. I’ve had many vegan yogurt experiments, most of them involving coconut (one with young Thai coconut, which you can find here, and another with coconut cream, which you can find here). I like them both, but I will admit that this is my favorite homemade vegan yogurt recipe. I was delighted when it came together for the book, and I’m delighted to share it with you all now.
Raw Cashew Banana Yogurt from Choosing Raw
Author -Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews soaked for 2 hours or more, then drained
- 2 large bananas
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2/3 cup coconut water 1/2 cup if you’re using a food processor
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon probiotic powder optional; you can simply open up a few probiotic capsules for this!
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Alternatively, place all the ingredients, except the coconut water, in a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Turn the motor on and drizzle in the coconut water in a thin stream. Keep processing until the mixture is very smooth. Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the yogurt will keep for 2 days. From Choosing Raw by Gena Hamshaw. Reprinted with permission from Da Capo Lifelong, © 2014.
The yogurt is great plain, but I also love it with some raw granola (especially my raw cocoa crunch granola or my beet and hemp granola) or some fresh berries. Amanda, who recently reviewed the book, featured the recipe, and her husband took some incredible images. I can’t help sharing them!
Beautiful work, Amanda and Aaron!
So, hey. It occurs to me that the book has now officially been published for three weeks. And I have yet to offer my readers–the folks whom I wrote this book for–a couple of free copies. Clearly, this must be fixed. There would be no book without this blog and the folks who have kindly, critically, and intelligently supported and engaged with it for so long.
Tonight, I’m running a giveaway for five copies of Choosing Raw, the book. I hope that the book finds its way into hands of readers who will enjoy it, and feel inspired by the images and information inside. The giveaway will run until August 4–two weeks from today. Enter below!
As I’ve said before, the real joy of this book wasn’t in recipe development (though I did love that). It was in sharing nutrition information, responding to some common myths and misconceptions about vegan and raw diets, and in formulating 21 days of wholesome, flavorful, and accessible meal plans, all of which will give you a sense of how to seamlessly integrate raw and cooked vegan fare. I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Good luck!
And see you tomorrow.
xo
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Categories: Recipes,
Breakfast,
Side Dishes,
Vegan Basics
Method: Blender
Ingredients: Cashew Nuts
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, No Oil, Raw, Soy Free, Vegan
Recipe Features: 30 Minute or Less, Quick & Easy
Method: Blender
Ingredients: Cashew Nuts
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, No Oil, Raw, Soy Free, Vegan
Recipe Features: 30 Minute or Less, Quick & Easy
Leave a Comment
Great idea. I love creative ways to incorporate probiotics, and this is right up my alley! Congrats on the book.
I would love to make raw lasagna!
Awesome! I’ve been looking for a natural replacement to my dairy free yogurt and this sounds perfect to try– thanks! Love your blog and work !
That yogurt looks absolutely incredible! I have just stocked up on the ingredients and am ready to give it a try!
Let’s see, as a raw chef I have made so many things! However, I think a raw stir fry would be an adventure! Would love to get your book to share on my website too! 🙂
Boy — I am excited about this cookbook. I actually told myself about 2 months ago, “That’s it. No more cookbooks. You have PLENTY. Be good.” And I have been.
But now, I may have to break my own rule. (But don’t tell me that I’m doing it. I’ll be so mad at myself.)
I don’t have a dehydrator, but when I get one – one of the first recipes I’m going to try to make is PIZZA! OF COURSE!!! And bread. And “meat”loaf! And granola! (I make granola in the oven already, but I want to see if a dehydrator works better!)
I’d love to try something with Irish moss
I feel that I’m quite the raw banana ice cream with raw cookie dough chunks expert but I would REALLY love to try nut-based cheeses. But it’s also a huge fear because I don’t want to turn it into a mouldy mess! Hopefully, your book could spell it out for me so I can finally experience something like goat cheese again! (it’s the one non-vegan food I truly miss!)
I’ve always been intrigued by the raw versions of baked goods but have never gotten around to making any.
I’d love to try this yogurt – I’m sure my little girls will love it too – thank you so much Gena!
ah i want your book so badly! 🙂 it seems like a great boook, Gena! i am really excited for the sample meal plan. mostly though, i want to make a raw cracker bread chip or something of that sort to snack on 🙂
raw recipe to make- granola!
oh my gosh i’d love to have your book! im waiting to buy it so winning would be amazing 🙂 i am most looking forward to the 21 day sample meal plan!
Anything with a dehydrator since I don’t have one. I would love raw buckwheat granola since it’s so expensive but delicious! And raw crackers too.
I’ve never made raw yoghurt.
I have always wanted to make raw cinnamon rolls.
This sounds awesome! I think I still have some Align samples from when I worked for a gastroenterologist that I could use. Can’t wait to read your book Gena, if I don’t win I’m buying it anyway. Actually is there an e-version of it?
I’ve made some vegan “yogurt” out of tofu before, but I’ve never made truly raw yogurt, and I’ve certainly never used probiotic powder, so I’m definitely intrigued to try this recipe.
I’d love to try making a raw yogurt at home but have been scared of messing it up. This looks delicious!
I’ve been wanting to try raw pasta, like zucchini and squash noodles. This really intrigues me!
This recipe sounds wonderful (cashews are probably my favorite nut), and the chance to win your book is a big bonus! The recipes sounds wonderful. I discovered your blog by accident while looking for a particular type of recipe, and I’ve been enjoying cruising through it frequently ever since. Your smoothies incorporate the most wonderful-sounding ingredients…I can’t wait to try smoothies with butternut squash!
This recipe sounds awesome, and I love its simplicity. I could easily make this at home with items on hand. Looking forward to adding your cookbook to my library- if I ‘m not a big winner, I’ll be purchasing at some point in the future! Thanks for all the hard work and heart you have put into your blog and book.
So I already have this in e-book form, but I love it so much, I would adore a hard copy version too!
I’ve only made zucchini noodles a couple times, so I”m hoping to do a lot more of the raw veggie noodles in the future. : )
I would like to try to make raw sushi.
Hi Gena,
So happy you wrote a book. Can’t wait to start cooking your recipes. I’ve never tried making a raw yogurt before. This one looks great, though:)
I’m still waiting for a sustainable probiotic source. I don’t know much about them really, when I finally do though I’ll be making this…and more!
Yum thank you!
Teash, you also don’t need the probiotic — the yogurt tastes great without it!
I’m totally about to make your raw cheesecake recipe featured on veganricha 😀
Your cookbook looks amazing, would love a copy. As a celiac who is sensitive to oats I would love more options for raw breakfast, like the one you just shared! Can’t wait to try it!
I amso making this for my kiddoes. I can’t wait to get you’re book! I’m reqesting it for my bday in a few weeks. 🙂 I’ve been a reader from the beginning and am still inspired every time I read your blog. Thank you!
Pardon my phone typos 😉
I’ve never tried a raw yogurt, but this looks amazing, I can’t wait to make it!
I want to make dehydrated onion crackers.
I’ve always wanted to make raw carrot cake
For months now I was waiting to make a raw raspberry cake and now, when I finally have some time, my food processor died.
Yummy recipe by the way!
I’d love to try making kale chips!
I’ve tried so many raw recipes over the years that I’m not sure how to answer that question. I guess I’d just love to try to make one from your new book. Congrats, BTW 🙂
I’ve heard such great things about this book! I really want to try making more raw desserts!!!
A lot of raw recipes intimidate me because they require the use of a dehydrator, but I’ve seen some mind-blowingly delicious-looking and “realistic” raw burger and sandwich recipes that use raw “bread” made in a dehydrator. Maybe a dehydrator is the key to not have everything taste like salad; it’s a way to create foods with different textures to mix things up for the palate. We have a dehydrator at home already. It’s my fiancé’s, and he’s pretty sure it’s never even been used. I think it’s time to break it out and make something! Plus, I’ve always wanted to compare dehydrated kale chips vs. oven-crisped kale chips to see which, if either, is better.
I would love to make a raw lasagna!
The answer to the question is “easy peasy”…I’d love to make raw vegan yogurt! I am waiting for your book to check it out from the library (on a wait list), but would LOVE to win a copy!
Is there a particularly probiotic powder or capsule you use and/or recommend? Would love to know!
Hope I win, LOL
ive never tried making dried beans (soaking them and making them into edible food i mean). im def doing to try this recipe too!
Raw food cheezecake!
Wow so amazing! One of the hardest things for me to give up is yogurt, but this recipe looks just as good as the yogurt I buy. Definitely going to have to try. Thanks!
I’d love to try a raw cheesecake.
What’s one raw food recipe you’ve never tried, but would love to make at home?
The answer to that is…coconut bacon!
oh i’m making this asap. i’ve been all about cashews lately, wondering what my body is craving about them right now? this pudding would be perfect to combat the muggy mornings we’ve been having in pittsburgh…gross!
I still haven’t made raw cheesecake. I need to do something about that soon! I’m thinking your key lime cheesecake.
Oh my word, I miss cashew nuts. Theo’s allergic to them so we’re a cashew free household. Sad face. V. excited about the giveaway!
I’m excited to try this raw yogurt recipe. I tired one once before but it ended up being to thick, this recipe looks much better!
Got to try this yogurt! Can I use macadamia nuts or hazelnuts ran out of cashews?
Raw cheese, dehydrated breads and those decadent raw desserts. I love blog posts it allows me to get in raw recipes but have a balance with some cooked foods without the guilt. Thanks, congrats on the book
I´d love to make raw crackers!
This looks utterly delicious! Will go shopping for more cashews and try this today!
I would love to try this yogurt recipe. I have tried many raw recipes so I don’t know what I haven’t tried. Since I don’t have a dehydrator anything that involves one would be on my to-do list. I’m not sure if this giveaway is open to those living outside the US. If not I will definately buy your book eventually. Thank you for all your great Inspiration!
This looks super delicious!
I would love to try your blended salad, as I think it would be a great recipe for the hot summer months.
Would love to have a chance to win a copy of your book.
Have a blessed day & thank you for hosting this giveaway,
Sarah Grace
Kelp noodles – though I am nervous!
Raw falafel is high on the list of raw to do’s
Congratulations! Will make this as soon as I get my hands on probiotic capsules!!
I have never made zuchinni noodles and I would love to try some soon.
I would love for us to be able to use more raw recipes at the restaurant I work at!
Since I was a raw foodist I’ve made pretty much every raw recipe I could get my hands on. One of my favorites was raw chili.
I’ve never tried making raw lasagna, but would love to.
raw granola!
Hmm I don’t know, I’m just learning about eating raw!
Banana soft serve is next on my list 🙂
I would love to try out a raw ice cream cake recipe, but I need to buy a springform pan first!
I’ve never tried making raw yogurt before though I’m fascinated by the idea. I was going to buy probiotics soon so this post is rather serendipitous, I guess I’ve no excuses not to try your recipe now 🙂 Congrats on getting published 🙂
Looks super easy. I get really excited when not a whole ton of work is involved. Yum!
I would like to learn how to make sprouted breads and crackers.
Pretty much any “prepared” raw food– I’m just getting started exploring the raw world!
I don’t have a dehydrator, but if I did I would love to try my hand at making raw granola or raw crackers or flatbread! It would be great to have something super-duper healthy to dip into hummus or guacamole!
I haven’t made a lot of raw recipes; I’m usually afraid that I won’t like them.
So if I would make some desserts or other delicious raw recipe that I would enjoy enormously – I would be more confident in trying more!
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
Never tried raw pudding. Looking forward to it
I’d love to try to make raw lasagna
I would love to try flax crackers!
I would love a copy of your book!
I would like to try more cashew cheese recipes!
I am waiting for my crop of eggplant to mature so I can try your eggplant bacon!
I can’t wait to try the blueberry cheesecake!
i’ve always wanted to make a raw soup, but don’t have a powerful enough blender to do so.. but i love raw desserts since they’re super easy to make 🙂
Can’t wait to make this!!
I’d also like to make raw crackers!!
I’m so excited that this book is finally out! As a full time student, I’ve taken so much inspiration from the “hurry up vegan” posts and the lunchbox posts. I’ve never made vegan yogurt so I’d love to try this recipe and the coconut cream one.
All the wondeful stuff a dehydrator can make!
I’ve always wanted to make a raw cheesecake and have no idea why I’ve never gotten around to it. They’re delicious!
Your book looks wonderful! Can’t wait to try more recipes.
This recipe looks so easy.
Looks delicious!
I would love to make dehydrated bread!
I’ve always wanted to make cashew cheese.
I’ve never tried anything with a dehydrator only because I can’t bring myself to buy another kitchen appliance. I’ve read I could achieve somewhat similar results in an oven, but I’m afraid to go through the work and end up having to pitch the final product……. Maybe I should start with crackers, worst case scenario, I just bake ’em! LOL
I’ve been working my way through the book since I got it, recipes and advice. All of it reminds me of the blog and I enjoy your outlook on each aspect!
Definitely going to try this. Thanks for the opportunity to win a cookbook!
I’ve been looking for new breakfast ideas and this is perfect! YUM!
I keep meaning to go out and buy this book and haven’t yet! So this is perfect. Thanks for the giveaway! This yogurt sounds great. Last time I made homemade yogurt I also used a little bit of apple cider vinegar to help with the tartness that I love about traditional yogurt. But I’m sure the lemon accomplishes that beautifully on its own. Congrats again on your cookbook!
Does the yogurt need some time for the probiotics/bacteria to do something to make it …yogurt?
This sounds awesome and easy!
Raw recipes often intimidate me so I love seeing one so doable.
Thanks for the chance at your cookbook!
I don’t have a dehydrator, so the raw bread & cracker recipes are the ones that intrigue me the most. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book!
Can’t wait to try to make this!