Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Nov 28, 2016, Updated Nov 29, 2023

5 from 5 votes

61 Comments

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This ultra thick & creamy dairy-free hot chocolate recipe is for serious chocolate lovers. It’s made from scratch in 15 minutes with 6 ingredients! Truly is the best Paleo and vegan hot chocolate you will ever drink!

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe (2)

The temperatures are dropping, snow is falling, and Thanksgiving has come and gone, which can only mean one thing, hot chocolate season has arrived!

This dairy-free hot chocolate recipe is amazing. It’s rich and creamy and perfect for those of you who love hot cocoa but need to make it dairy-free, or vegan or Paleo!

Because nothing beats coming inside after playing in the snow, curling up with a blanket and a warm cup of cocoa (like this peanut butter hot chocolate) and watching a Christmas movie! And just because you can’t eat dairy doesn’t mean you should have to miss out.

Make a batch of these homemade marshmallows and you will be in serious hot-chocolate heaven!

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe (3)

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate: Substitutions

As written, this dairy free hot chocolate recipe results in an extra-dark hot cocoa. There are a few substitutions you can make to adjust the sweetness and chocolate intensity to cater to your family’s tastes.

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  • Full-fat coconut milk. You can use coconut cream to make it extra thick. I do not recommend using almond milk because it is much less creamy than coconut milk. However, I have had great success with Silk’s almond/coconut blend!
  • ChoppedChocolate.Any form of chocolate works well (chips, discs or a chopped bar). You can choose the darkness of the chocolate, I use 70% dark chocolate, but have also use 60%, semisweet, and even milk chocolate. If you use unsweetened chocolate, add 1-2 Tablespoons more sugar (or to taste).
  • Granulated sugar.The amount and type of sugar used in this recipe can be adjusted to your liking. For a paleo version use coconut sugar, or honey or maple syrup.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. The only adjustment to make here is the amount. I use a full 1 TBS of cocoa powder to make a super dark, rich dairy-free hot cocoa. You can adjust the amount to your tastes.
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How to make Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Let’s walk through how to make dairy-free hot chocolate together!

Begin by combining the coconut milk, granulated sugar, sea salt and cocoa powder in a 3-quart saucepan.

Then, warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking often until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

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Once the mixture is smooth, add the chocolate and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate is melted. This takes about 5 minutes.

next, remove the pot from the heat and let the dairy free hot cocoa sit (covered) for 5 minutes before serving to thicken.

Note. The longer this recipe sits, the thicker it becomes. I have forgotten about it and it’s transformed into more of a super thick drinking chocolate than hot cocoa. If this happens, simply reheat it and add a splash of non-dairy milk.

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Serve

Pour into 4 mugs and serve warm with marshmallows. This recipe makes enough dairy-free hot chocolate for up to four people because it’s very rich.

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Store

Leftovers should be stored in a glass jar with a lid for up to 5 days. I actually love putting leftover dairy free hot chocolate in my coffee in the morning!

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Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe FAQs

What is the best non-dairy milk for hot chocolate?

Full-fat coconut milk is definitely the best choice.

What are some dairy-free chocolate options?

Here are some of my favorite paleo/vegan/dairy free chocolate options.
Hu Kitchen Chocolate Gems. This is my favorite paleo chocolate. These gems are delicious and easy to toss into cookies (no bar chopping required).
Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Bars. You can also buy dark chocolate bars and chop them up to toss into these paleo chocolate chip cookies.
Lily’s Dark Chocolate. They make chips and bars that are stevia sweetened, low carb, keto, etc.
Enjoy Life Foods Dark Chocolate Chips are a good option that are vegan, dairy-free but not fully paleo.

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Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe (11)

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe (12)

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Dairy Free Hot Chocolate

Laura

This ultra thick & creamy dairy-free hot chocolate recipe is for serious chocolate lovers. It's made from scratch in 15 minutes with 6 ingredients! Truly is the best Paleo and vegan hot chocolate you will ever drink!

5 from 5 votes

Course Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings (about 1/2 cup each)

Calories 220.5

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Resting time10 minutes minutes

Total Time15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine coconut milk, granulated sugar, sea salt and cocoa powder in a 3-quart saucepan.

  • Warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking often until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

  • Add chocolate and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and let cocoa sit (covered) for 5 minutes before serving to thicken.**

Video

Notes

*for a darker version, use 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder.

**The longer this recipe sits, the thicker it becomes. If it becomes too thick, simply reheat it and add a splash of non-dairy milk.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Full-fat coconut milk. You can use coconut cream to make it extra thick. I do not recommend using almond milk because it is much less creamy than coconut milk. However, I have had great success with Silk’s almond/coconut blend!
  • ChoppedChocolate.Any form of chocolate works well (chips, discs or a chopped bar). You can choose the darkness of the chocolate, I use 70% dark chocolate, but have also use 60%, semisweet, and even milk chocolate. If you use unsweetened chocolate, add 1-2 Tablespoons more sugar (or to taste).
  • Granulated sugar.The amount and type of sugar used in this recipe can be adjusted to your liking. For a paleo version use coconut sugar, or honey or maple syrup.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. The only adjustment to make here is the amount. I use a full 1 TBS of cocoa powder to make a super dark, rich dairy-free hot cocoa. You can adjust the amount to your tastes.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 220.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1.2g | Fat: 13.6g | Saturated Fat: 9.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.2g | Sodium: 66.3mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 22.5g | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mix

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (Hot Cocoa)

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Homemade Eggnog Recipe

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What non dairy milk is best for hot chocolate? ›

COCONUT MILK: Using lite coconut milk yields the perfect creamy texture and taste. It is neutral in flavor (the lite leaves no coconut taste) and it is neither too thick or too thin of a milk.

Which hot chocolate is dairy free? ›

With Cocoba Chocolate's dairy-free hot chocolate range, you can enjoy all the indulgence of a rich and creamy hot chocolate without any of the dairy. It's the perfect guilt-free treat for those who love chocolate but are looking for a dairy-free alternative.

How to make hot chocolate without any milk? ›

Instructions
  1. In a sauce pan on medium heat add the water and cocoa powder. Whisk until there are no lumps. ...
  2. Take off the heat and add the tahini and vanilla. Whisk together. ...
  3. If you want a little froth on the top whisk the mixture vigorously either with a whisk or a milk frother.
Feb 13, 2022

How do you thicken hot chocolate without milk? ›

Yoghurt or Mascarpone: A tablespoon of thick yoghurt or mascarpone can lend a creamy, dense texture to your hot chocolate. Gelatine: A less common method, but gelatine can provide thickness if used sparingly. Be sure to dissolve it properly to avoid any lumps. Oats: Ground them finely and whisk them into the beverage.

Which tastes better almond milk or oat milk? ›

Oat milk tends to offer a sweeter taste and is naturally more thick and creamy—perfect for warm beverages in the morning and sweet treats. While almond milk is less creamy, it offers a subtle, nutty flavor that pairs nicely in savory dishes and cereals.

What is the best plant-based milk for chocolate? ›

Of all the plant milks available, oat milk is the highest in natural sugars. Use it to add a little sweetness to naturally sweetened cakes and cookies. Oat milk works especially well in chocolate desserts, because the dark chocolate helps hide oat milk's slightly beige color.

Does Ghirardelli hot chocolate have dairy? ›

Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mixes are crafted with select ingredients, premium Dutched chocolate, and real milk powder for unmatched quality, flavor and aroma.

Does Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix have dairy? ›

Is Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix Non-Dairy? You might think that, because you can make Swiss Miss with hot water rather than hot milk that it might be non-dairy, but it is not, and for the same two ingredients that make it unsuitable for vegans: whey powder, and nonfat milk powder.

Is there a such thing as dairy-free chocolate? ›

A growing number of brands are also producing explicitly dairy-free or vegan milk and white chocolates, often using alternatives like almond, rice, or oat milk.

What can you substitute for hot chocolate? ›

Smart Substitutes for Traditional Hot Chocolate
  • Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa.
  • Mexican Atole.
  • Anijsmelk.
  • Lebanese White Coffee.
  • Yuanyang Tea.
Feb 13, 2020

What is the healthiest hot cocoa to drink? ›

A healthy and low-calorie option for hot chocolate is to use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk instead of regular milk, and to sweeten it with a small amount of honey or stevia instead of sugar. You can also add a dash of cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa powder for added flavor without adding extra calories.

Is hot chocolate powder dairy-free? ›

Is Cadbury's hot chocolate suitable for vegans? Yes, both of these hot chocolate powders from Cadbury's are suitable for you if you're on a plant-based diet. There is a 'may contain milk' warning on their packs just like other Bournville products.

Can you substitute water for milk in hot chocolate? ›

Using water from your home, as opposed to milk that you have to purchase, certainly makes for a more budget-friendly option, and if you're preparing hot chocolate for a crowd, using water makes the process that much simpler.

Can you use hot water instead of hot milk for hot chocolate? ›

Use unflavored or vanilla soy milk. Believe it or not, you can also use water instead of milk. Water allows the chocolate to show off its true flavors and unique characteristics, however, you lose the creamy feel and flavor.

Can lactose intolerant drink hot chocolate? ›

Hot chocolate is usually made with milk or cream and chocolate that contains dairy. However many hot chocolates can be made with dairy-free milk, such as almond or coconut milk, and dark chocolate to keep them dairy-free. Which milk alternative tastes most like dairy?

What is the healthiest milk for hot chocolate? ›

Flavour and Texture: Known for its light, slightly sweet taste and thinner consistency, almond milk is perfect for a subtler hot chocolate. Health-Focused: As a low-calorie, nutrient-rich option, almond milk caters to health-conscious hot chocolate enthusiasts.

Which plant-based milk doesn t curdle? ›

Oat milk's steaming capabilities are similar to dairy milk's. There's a slight learning curve for the barista using it, but in general it performs incredibly well for latte art. It has another benefit too: it won't curdle when added cold to a hot drink.

What does hot chocolate with oat milk taste like? ›

There are a few different plant-based milk options for hot chocolate, but my favorite is definitely oat milk. It's creamy, but not too rich or overpowering, with a slight sweetness. Personally, I think the subtle oat flavor pairs wonderfully with chocolate.

What is the creamiest plant-based milk? ›

Oat Milk. Oat milk is perhaps the creamiest of all the plant milks. Its thick creamy texture means it's one of the closest plant-based milks to resemble dairy milk. Oat milk is quickly becoming a favorite non-dairy alternative to milk with popular brands like Oatly disrupting the traditional milk industry.

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