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Healthy Hot Chocolate

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This healthy hot chocolate is dairy-free, creamy, and cozy.

pouring vegan hot chocolate into white  and brown mug

In the fall/winter, I remember going to my grandma’s house after school and she had a warm pot of hot chocolate waiting for my cousins and me. 

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Customizable
  • Dairy-free
  • Sweet
  • Creamy
  • Can be spicy

Traditional hot chocolate usually has a diary, processed white sugar, and other artificial preservatives and additives. Now, there are so many options to make delicious homemade hot chocolate better than Starbucks. Yes, you can make homemade hot chocolate that tastes better than Starbucks. 

hot cocoa topped with coconut whipped cream and chocolate chips

My homemade leveled-up hot chocolate is made with wholesome ingredients, and natural sweetener, and is dairy-free, too. Choose any type of milk of your choice. I prefer almond, cashew, or oat milk. What’s your favorite non-dairy milk of choice?

What’s in this healthy hot chocolate

  • Oat milk (or any unsweetened dairy-free milk of choice, like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk).
  • Unsweetened organic cocoa powder (or cacao powder, which is raw chocolate powder).
  • Maple syrup or honey to sweeten it up (use a natural sweetener to control the quality and amount of sugar).
  • Vanilla extract to give it a rich, floral flavor. 
  • Cinnamon gives it a sweet & woody essence. 
  • Sea Salt helps to bring out and enhance the flavor of the chocolate.
  • 70% dark chocolate (or dairy-free chocolate chips): this ingredient is optional but highly recommended. Melting real chocolate into this hot chocolate recipe takes it to the next level.
hot cocoa in white and brown mug

How to make vegan hot chocolate mix

Learn how to make your hot chocolate mix by adding one cup of cocoa powder, 1/3 cup of coconut sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. 

How to make this healthy hot chocolate recipe

  • Firstly, start by heating the oat milk (or milk of your choice) on the stove over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
  • Secondly, add the organic cocoa powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, sea salt, dark chocolate/chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Next, whisk until the chocolate is all melted and the mixture is hot.
  • Thirdly, serve immediately and top with coconut whipped cream and more chocolate chips. 

Hot chocolate Flavors, Toppings, and Serving ideas

Explore adding the following ideas to customize your hot chocolate

  • A pinch of cayenne for a spicy hot chocolate.
  • Peppermint extract for peppermint hot chocolate.
  • A spoonful of your favorite liquor.
  • Try some adaptogens like ashwagandha or reishi to relax the nervous system.
  • Add in a teaspoon of pumpkin spice for a pumpkin spice hot chocolate.

Simple Vegan Hot Cocoa Mix Substitutions

  • Swap oat milk for almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk.
  • Sweetener options: date syrup or monk fruit. 
  • Instead of maple syrup use coconut sugar, agave, or stevia.
  • Swap dark chocolate for dairy-free chocolate chips. 
  • Swap coconut whipped topping for vegan marshmallows.

Hot Chocolate FAQs

Is drinking hot chocolate healthy?

Yes, it is easy and simple to make a healthy version of hot chocolate at home. Check out the recipe for all the details.

Is hot chocolate healthy for weight loss?

Drinking hot chocolate while trying to lose weight is fine as long as it works for you. So long as you make your hot chocolate to control the number of sweeteners.

Can vegans have hot chocolate?

Yes, vegans can have hot chocolate by using quality ingredients and dairy-free milk.

More Dairy-Free Beverages

  • Iced Latte
  • Berry Banana Smoothie
  • Vanilla Oat Milk Latte
  • Grapefruit Strawberry Smoothie
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte
vegan hot chocolate topped with coconut whipped cream and chocolate chips

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU MAKE THIS DAIRY-FREE HOT CHOCOLATE I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU;-)

pouring vegan hot chocolate into white mug

Best Healthy Hot Chocolate (Dairy-Free)

Shana Thomas
This vegan hot chocolate is homemade, dairy-free, and creamy. A blend of cocoa powder, chocolate, and oat milk results in a warming drink.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Course Beverage, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 185 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups oat milk or your favorite diary-free milk
  • 2 tbsp heaping of cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener of your choice
  • 4 oz 70% dark chocolate  or 1–2 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • coconut whipped cream, for topping optional

Instructions
 

  • Start by heating the oat milk (or milk of your choice) on the stove over medium heat until hot but not boiling, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the organic cocoa powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, sea salt, dark chocolate/chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Next, whisk for 5 minutes or until the chocolate is all melted and the mixture is hot.
  • Serve immediately and top with coconut whipped cream and more chocolate chips. 

Video

Notes

Creamy texture: If you want a really rich and creamy hot chocolate, use coconut milk whipped cream, full-fat coconut milk or oat milk.
Quality ingredients: The taste of the vegan hot chocolate will depend on the quality of ingredients you use, use good quality ingredients for your dairy-free milk, chocolate and cocoa powder or cacao.
Taste & adjust: Taste the hot chocolate mixture before pouring it into the mugs and adjust as needed. 
Keyword healthy hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate

Snap a photo, post it, and tag #ImWorthyRecipes and @IMWORTHYKITCHEN on Instagram

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my affiliate notice for details. 


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Filed Under: Drinks, Recipes Tagged With: healthy hot chocolate

About

Hey there, I’m Shana Thomas, food photographer, home cook, and writer behind, Im-Worthy.com. Since 2019, my goal has been to inspire you to live energetic and healthy lives with my easy vegan recipes & wellness tips.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Selenna

    December 21, 2022 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    This recipe was so easy to follow I just love this time of the year. Enjoying Christmas movies and making delicious hot chocolate. Thanks for the recipe I am trying one of your desserts next.

    Reply
    • Shana Thomas

      December 21, 2022 at 8:35 am

      Thank you, Selenna! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.

      Reply
      • Dana

        February 28, 2023 at 12:23 pm

        5 stars
        This hot chocolate was so good. I made a few modifications though.

        Reply
        • Shana Thomas

          February 28, 2023 at 12:25 pm

          Glad it turned out well.

          Reply

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Hi! I’m Shana, food photographer & writer behind, Im-Worthy.com. Inspiring busy women to live energetic healthy lives with my easy plant-based & vegan recipes & wellness tips. About Shana→

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Hey there, I’m Shana Thomas, food photographer & writer behind, Im-Worthy.com. Inspiring busy women to live energetic healthy lives with my easy plant-based & vegan recipes, and wellness tips.

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