The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different molecular mass papain‐hydrolysed casein peptides (PCP) on the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in 1:1 ratio) and on the fermentation kinetics, microbiological survival and physicochemical properties in yoghurt. The fraction of PCP4 (<3 kDa) exhibited the highest growth‐promoting activity on the strains. The value of TpH4.5 (time necessary to reach pH 4.5) of yoghurt fortified with PCP4 reduced from 5.21 to 4.29 h, and the total counts of LAB present in the final products increased from 8.29 to 8.42 log CFU mL−1 with the addition of PCP4 at nitrogen replaced ratio of 3% (w/w). Moreover, the yoghurt exhibited lower postacidification power, higher viscosity and sensory evaluation scores than did the control product during storage period.