I Tried TikTok’s Protein-Packed ‘Fluffy Yogurt’ Trend—And I Just Have One Tweak

Using too much of a key ingredient can ruin it.

August 12, 2024

While scrolling through TikTok, the latest recipe promising to be high-protein (but still tasty!) caught my eye: fluffy yogurt. Developed by the fitness influencer @llexliftz (who now identifies herself in her bio as “fluffy yogurt girl”), this no-cook dish is basically Greek yogurt transformed into something sweet, light, and airy via the magic of food chemistry. And I wasn’t the only one intrigued: The TikTok I watched has racked up more than four million views (and spawned a whole slew of stitches).

As someone who’s always down to try a new recipe, I decided to test it out. I scooped about 3/4 cup of plain Fage Greek yogurt into a bowl, drizzled some agave syrup on top, added about a tablespoon each of vanilla Jell-O mix and baking powder, and started stirring.

With a little arm work, the mixture began to take on the promised fluffiness—a texture similar to mousse. So far, so good. When I took a bite, though, I noticed an odd tingling sensation on my lips and tongue, kind of like a swig of fizzy soda or sparkling water. I definitely wouldn’t say it was disgusting, but it wasn’t pleasant, either. (Though to be fair, I’m not the biggest fan of sparkling food or beverage products in any case.) Put off by that weird mouthfeel, I didn’t even make it as far as adding the peanut butter and chocolate chips I bought for toppings.

Surprised and a little disappointed, I later reached out to Lauren Butler, PhD, RD, an assistant professor in the nutrition and foods program at Texas State University, to talk about what might have been going on. She explained one ingredient might’ve been to blame: the baking powder (which is also responsible for the fluffiness). Long story short, the stuff is potent. If overused, Dr. Butler said, it can sometimes infuse the whole dish with a “metallic taste.”

For what it’s worth, @llexliftz has cautioned against overdoing it with the baking powder in a few fluffy yogurt videos, so I figured the recipe was worth another shot. With Dr. Butler’s words of caution in mind, I tried again a few days later, careful to keep the powder to a minimum. (Seriously, the amount took up less than a third of a spoon.) This time, there was no weird fizzy feeling—only the slightest hint of a tang. What’s more, the final product was actually pretty tasty, more reminiscent of a dessert than a potential pre-workout snack. Cover with graham cracker crumbs and raspberries? Congratulations, you have yourself a convincing cheesecake dupe. Layer on vanilla wafers and banana slices? Banana pudding. Stir in some peanut butter and chocolate chips? You’ve basically got cookie dough.

Plus, as Dr. Butler explained, fluffy yogurt is also “a great way to get in that protein that our bodies need to build muscle” because Greek yogurt packs a ton of the stuff—about 20 grams per seven-ounce container, according to the USDA. Not only does protein help with muscle repair and recovery, but it also helps keep you satisfied, which is important if you’re choosing fluffy yogurt as a breakfast or a snack. (One thing to keep in mind, though: Using an artificial sweetener that contains sugar alcohols can cause GI symptoms like bloating and diarrhea, Dr. Butler explained—so if you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to pick another option.)

That said, fluffy yogurt isn’t some magic healthy dish, according to Dr. Butler. Because the protein content comes from the Greek yogurt base, you could always simply…eat the Greek yogurt plain for the same benefits, rather than taking all those extra steps (and potentially risking some unpleasant fizziness). For that matter, fluffy yogurt doesn’t contain much of anything besides protein, and, despite what fitness influencers may preach, that isn’t the only macro that counts. You need fat and carbs, too! So if you’re loving the fluffy yogurt trend but want a more balanced version, Dr. Butler suggests adding granola, fruit, or nuts.

But, as Dr. Butler also points out, food can and should be judged by factors other than nutritional value. “Having fun with food is a way to increase our mental health. It's also a way to connect with family and friends,” she says. And obviously, she adds, “people are doing this on TikTok and sharing recipes,” so there’s proof of social connection right there. Eating, in other words, isn’t simply a matter of always choosing the healthiest possible option; it should also be fun, creative, and pleasurable. By that standard, I’d say fluffy yogurt passes with flying colors, even if it takes a couple tries to perfect.