This Vegan Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and so easy to make with just 4 simple ingredients! It is the perfect healthy and cozy drink to snuggle up with on a winter evening. It is naturally gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, refined-sugar free and can easily be made low carb or keto with your favorite sweetener. Now everyone can enjoy a comforting homemade cup of hot cocoa!
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An Easy Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
During the cold winter months, a cozy mug of homemade hot chocolate is a must! This Vegan Hot Chocolate is creamy, rich and has all the chocolatey flavors you love. All you need is just 5 minutes for this easy hot cocoa and it is also completely dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, paleo and easily low carb or keto-friendly!
Why we love this 5 minute Hot Cocoa Recipe
Our favorite part about this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe is that it’s easy to make and comes together in less than 5 minutes on the stove-top. My family loves whipping up this healthy hot chocolate recipe regularly from November through January.
You can use this recipe to make a classic hot chocolate, or you can spice it up for the holidays like our Peppermint Hot Chocolate. It’s just as yummy and versatile as any other easy hot chocolate recipe.
Hot Cocoa Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make the best vegan hot chocolate. No need to stop at the store for this one! For the vegan hot chocolate mix, you’ll need:
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: You can also use coconut milk, soy milk or another unsweetened milk substitute, but I find that almond milk yields the best result. Our favorite is Malk Organics since it’s rich, creamy and made with just almonds and water with no fillers or gums!
- Cacao Powder – we always have cacao powder in our kitchen pantry but you can also sub with unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Maple Syrup: our favorite natural sweetener that is paleo-friendly but to make this vegan hot chocolate keto, sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or yacon syrup.
- Vanilla Extract and just a Pinch of Sea Salt – make this creamy hot cocao extra delicious
How to Make Vegan Hot Chocolate
This is one of the easiest homemade hot chocolate recipes you’ll find. You just have to combine your ingredients over medium-high heat. Watch the video to see how easy it is to make.
- Heat Ingredients: In a large saucepan, whisk together the almond milk, cacao powder, vanilla, salt and sweetener over medium high heat, while continuously whisking to break up any clumps and until smooth.
- Remove from Heat: When the mixture is smooth and bubbling, remove from heat.
- Serve: Pour into a mug and top with coconut whipped cream, marshmallows and shaved chocolate, if desired.
Topping Ideas
Looking for some ways to spruce up your hot chocolate? These topping ideas are vegan and go perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa.
- Vegan Whipped Cream – we like using the Coconut Whipped Cream from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s
- Mini Marshmallows: Make your own vegan marshmallows or marshmallow fluff or use some from your favorite brand.
- Shaved Chocolate OR dairy-free chocolate chips
- Vegan Caramel
- Peanut butter or other nut butter – add a drizzle of your favorite nut or seed butter to bump up the flavor!
- Peppermint: Try adding a 1/4 tsp peppermint extract or crushing up a candy cane and sprinkling the pieces over your hot chocolate for a holiday twist!
- Try adding a shot of espresso to make this a hot mocha!
Tips for the Best Hot Chocolate
- Use Water for Lighter Taste: If you want to lighten up your hot chocolate, use half water and half almond milk.
- Don’t Leave Out the Salt: The pinch of salt may seem like an optional ingredient, but it’s actually super important for the flavor of your hot chocolate. The hint of saltiness helps bring out the sweetness of the drink.
- Double the Recipe: Making hot chocolate for multiple people? My family always says we don’t make enough so you’ll definitely want to double or triple this recipe to make more cups of hot cocoa.
- Add Shaved Chocolate: my family loves adding some shaved chocolate into their hot cocoa. It melts right in and makes every sip more chocolatey! Just be sure to use vegan chocolate or dark chocolate with no milk in it if you’re vegan.
Can You Make this Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe Ahead?
Vegan hot chocolate can be made ahead, if desired. Store it covered in the fridge, and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. To reheat your hot chocolate on the stove, warm it up over medium heat until you’re happy with the temperature. You may need to add a splash or two of almond milk to thin it out.
How to Store Homemade Hot Chocolate
It’s important to let your hot cocoa cool completely before you store it. Once cooled, keep it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. Your hot chocolate will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Other Drink Recipes to Try
- This easy Crockpot Apple Cider or Instant Pot Apple Cider is another tasty drink to keep you warm this holiday season.
- If you want to skip the trip to Starbucks, try our Homemade Peppermint Latte OR Pumpkin Spice Latte!
- If gingerbread cookies are your favorite part of Christmas, you’re in for a treat with this Better than Starbucks Gingerbread Latte!
- Need another low-carb beverage? This Green Smoothie or Matcha Latte are a healthy and delicious option for any time of year.
- This Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Chai Apple Smoothie is such a unique drink that’s packed with so many amazing flavors!
This Vegan Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and so easy to make with just 4 simple ingredients! It is the perfect healthy and cozy drink to snuggle up with on a winter evening. It is naturally gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free, refined-sugar free and can easily be made low carb or keto with your favorite sweetener. Now everyone can enjoy a comforting homemade cup of hot cocoa!
- 1 cup creamy unsweetened almond milk , or sub with any non-dairy milk - we like Malk Organics since it's rich, creamy and has no additional fillers or gums
- 1/2-1 tbsp cacao powder , may also sub with unsweetened cocao powder
- 1/2 -1 tbsp maple syrup , sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or yacon syrup for low carb/Keto.
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- tiny pinch of sea salt
- coconut whipped cream, marshmallows, shaved chocolate
In a medium saucepan or pot, whisk together the almond milk and cacao powder over medium high heat, while continuously whisking to break up any clumps and until smooth.
Once the mixture is smooth, whisk in the sweetener, vanilla and salt. Continue simmering until the mixture is hot and bubbly. Taste and add more sweetener, as needed.
Pour into a mug and top with coconut whipped cream, marshmallows and shaved chocolate, if desired.
Vivian -
this was perfect – so creamy and good! topped mine off with your marshmallow recipe – perfection!
francine -
So simple and scrumptious! we used stevia and it was delicious!
Beverly -
mmm, this was so easy. my kids loved it! thanks