This healthy hot chocolate is a delicious, naturally sweetened recipe that comes together as quickly as the hot chocolate mixes from the store. And it tastes even better!
Why You’ll Love It
When you make homemade hot chocolate, you get to customize the flavor. If you prefer a dark chocolate drink, you can add more cacao powder, and if you prefer a sweeter drink, you can easily add more sweetness.
A pinch of salt will help balance out the flavor, and since you can taste this mixture as you go, it’s practically foolproof!
When you make this hot chocolate recipe with dairy-free milk, it’s gluten-free, vegan & Paleo friendly. But, cow’s milk or any other milk can be used for this recipe, too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For a dairy-free hot chocolate recipe, try using unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk. You can also use hemp milk or soy milk for extra protein, or cashew milk, if you’d like.
I tend to keep raw cacao powder in my pantry, but Dutch-processed cocoa powder will also work flavor-wise.
Note: Don’t use homemade oat milk for this recipe, because it will thicken up when heated. Store-bought oat milk usually has additives that will prevent this, though. (Especially if you buy a “barista” style milk option.)
How to Make the Best Hot Chocolate
Add the almond milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and salt to a small saucepan. Over medium heat on the stovetop, whisk the mixture often, until it starts to simmer and the lumps dissolve.
As soon as the hot chocolate looks creamy and is as warm as you’d like, it’s ready to serve.
Carefully taste it (don’t burn your mouth!) and make any adjustments, as needed. Then pour it into a mug and add any toppings you love.
Mini marshmallows, vegan marshmallows, or coconut whipped cream are all delicious options. Or try it with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, for a little spice.
Store leftover hot chocolate in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It will separate when stored, but it will quickly come together again when you whisk it in a saucepan.
Looking for an easy make-ahead option? Try my Hot Cocoa Mix, which can be stirred into hot milk and makes a great DIY gift idea.
Frequently Asked Questions & Variations
Yes! I’ve tested a Peppermint Hot Chocolate with peppermint extract if you’d like a minty variation made from scratch.
Yes! You can use honey if you don’t need a vegan hot cocoa recipe, or try agave, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener you love. Zero-calorie sweeteners will need a different amount, so be sure to start with less, and add more to taste as you go.
I have a date-sweetened hot chocolate recipe made with hot water if you’d like to give that a try. (You’ll need a high-speed blender, in that case, to help break down all the fiber in the dates.)
Cocoa powder is vegan, but if you want to add chocolate chips or shaved chocolate on top, be sure to check the label to make sure it’s dairy-free.
Looking for more warm drink ideas? Try my easy chai latte, pumpkin spice latte, or cozy London Fog drink for more options.
Healthy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir, using a whisk to break up any lumps. Keep stirring until smooth and piping hot.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug right away and serve warm. Top with coconut whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired, or any other toppings you love.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this dairy-free hot chocolate recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it!
Hello, was wondering if anyone has tried cooling this down i want to make cold chocolate milk for my kid’s birthday 🙂
Thanks!
That was delicious! 😁Thank you for the recipe.
So delicious – will be my new morning staple!
Have you ever tried with peppermint extract in stead of vanilla?
I am currently drinking one made with peppermint extract and it is delicious!
I’ve been trying to find a good hot chocolate recipe which was dairy-free and this is my second time making it. Love it! First time I used vanilla extract whereas tonight I just thought I’d use the pepermint for a change. I think I’ll be using peppermint from now on.
I did make it a bit different tonight too though. I whisked all the ingredients except for the milk first to make a paste. Then I slowly whisked in the milk and then heated on my stove, whisking as it heated. I’m not sure if that helped too.
I tried this recipe tonight. It’s very good. Next time I will add a little more cacao. I’ll also try cashew milk. I was pleasantly surprised.
I use the maple syrup I picked up from Costco that was aged in a bourbon barrel. It adds a bit of tang from the bourbon barrel and is delicious!
Best hot chocolate ever. Was craving something chocolately, sweet and warming and came upon this recipe! So good, definitely a keeper.
I love you that is what I do everyday as a real personal trainer not a I think I’m hot do 30 burpees kind of trainer. I preach detox with Whole Foods and functional training before weights. Thank you so much for being you. From ATL
I just discovered you and tried this…WOW!
thank you!!
I never tried this recipe before and
after reading this amazing post I think I must give it a try.
I love this with a scoop of collagen or whey protein powder, makes it more satisfying!
my i know where you buy the chocolate shaver? or what is the name? I want to find it in my country, thank you
I actually just scraped a small knife on my bar of dark chocolate for these photos, but if you have a veggie peeler at home, that works really well, too.
I just made this and it’s fantastic! Needed a treat on this frigid day. Didn’t realize how much I missed hot chocolate!
best. vegan hot chocolate. ever. made a huge cup of it and loved it!:)
I made this with coconut sugar instead of maple syrup and decided to skip the salt this time around. Reminds me of a dark hot chocolate and is really good!
I put all ingredients in my Vitamix
and ADDED 1 teaspoon of chia seeds.
I liked the extra smoothness / fiber it added.
I am happy to find this yummy recipe. It is so much better than the one I was making up myself! I also enjoy your pumpkin cake. Thank you for providing good healthy recipes. I am 93 years old and grateful to eat healthy without having to eat my own creations!
I have thought to make this many times but I must be doing something wrong with my homemade almond milk that meeds to be corrected before I try it.
I put my homemade almond milk in my coffee but if I heat it up it turns into a big lump. It works pretty well if I just warm it but I see here that is says to heat on high.
I use raw almonds in my homemade milk. Is that the problem?
I’m sipping this right now, and it is delicious! I added a dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a Mexican take on hot cocoa, and yum! This will definitely be made again and again this winter. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
This sounds really good but I’m looking for something I can take to work and pop into the microwave on break. No refrigerator.
May I suggest purchasing a thermos. Tal is a great thermos brand. I have a 16oz. hot and cold container and it keeps beverages hot for 8-12 hrs. Make ahead and your beverage will stay hot all work day. 😁
So good and healthy 🙂
I make hot chocolate with an almond coconut milk mix. It is so delicious.
This recipe is delicious!!
You mention cacao and cocoa, they are different. Which one did you use???
I tend to keep cacao in my pantry, but if people only have cocoa on hand, that works, too. I really can’t taste a difference between the two, even though they are processed differently.
I made 5 cups at once and added two more tablespoons of maple syrup (I used a vanilla bean infused maple syrup from Trader Joe’s) and added two tablespoons of white sugar.
This was the best homemade hot chocolate recipe I’ve made! I love it even more because it’s healthy- as the title says. My 3 year old is always asking for hot chocolate now, and I think this is a great way to get some magnesium, so I’m all for it.
Great recipe but I found the almond milk gave too much of a nutty flavour for me so going to retry it with other dairy free milks.
I’ve found very few recipes for this kind of hot chocolate so this one that I can sub other dairy free milks for is awesome and just what I was looking for
I made this with coconut milk instead and it was amazing. New fav!!
I don’t see how this recipe can be only 100 calories when just the tablespoon of maple syrup is 100 calories…
According to my bottle, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup has 52 calories. Nutrition info is automatically calculated for my recipes using a generic nutrition database, so it’s just an estimate. You’ll get the most accurate results looking at the labels on your specific ingredients at home.
I can’t wait to try! I am a hot cocoa addict in the Winter and have been looking for a healthier version! Have you even added collagen?
I love this healthier version of chocolate drink. I used honey for sweetener, homemade walnut milk and Himalayan salt. I like that it’s super simple to make plus enjoying hot chocolate without dairy.
The vanilla is a great addition! This recipe is so good and rich! I like that I control the sweetness as well. It tastes fresh and not packaged. Thank you!
Amazing. Tastes exactly like a store bought powdered hot chocolate, but better if that’s possible.
The cocao powder you have linked has no mention of being tested for cadmium and lead. Not sure if it’s safe to consume.
Yum! One of my favourite ways to have chocolate 🙂
I made this as is, since I thankfully had all ingredients on hand. I’ve been having digestive issues with any dairy products and this was so delicious! Will definitely make again.
Thank you!
Absolutely delicious!
Thank you this is so good! I added black pepper for a spicy twist:)
I have been making this to many times to count since I found your recipe. This is amazing! Thank you!
SO simple and SO good! Made this in the same amount of time it took for my daughter to make her pre packaged version. I didn’t read the recipe fully and just poured the hot almond milk into the cup with everything else and stirred. Still came out tasting great!Recipe saved! 👍Thank you!
Creamy & delicious!
Just tried this recipe and it was delicious! I followed the exact recipe, and added coconut cream just to make it a bit more creamy.
Just wanted to say thank you so much for this recipe! I gave up coffee when I found out I was pregnant and I’ve been drinking this instead often. It’s way better than any packaged or syrup hot chocolate. Great recipe!
So easy to make and it’s very yummy, loved it!
I’m drinking this hot cocoa right now, thanks so much for the recipe! I whisked in a tablespoon of date paste instead of maple syrup and I added an 1/8 tsp of pure peppermint extract. It is SO good. Your recipes are always my go to. They are always simple, have super clean ingredients and are always so delicious, so thank you!! 🙂
Delicious. Now I will make some for my family. This will go down in history!
Great recipe for the family. I used dates instead of maple syrup and added cinnamon.
This is sooo delish! I had oat milk on hand and used that which made it super creamy. I also topped it with some coconut whipped cream for an indulgent treat! This is some of the best hot chocolate I’ve had and so easy to make!
So easy! And so good! I made it just as directed. A nice winter-y treat.
YUMMY! I think I’ll be making this every day from now on. Thank you! 🙂