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!

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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 (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!

Try these recipes

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 dairy-free milk is best for hot chocolate? ›

Almond milk – adds a subtle nutty flavour to beverages and is less thick than oat milk. Soya milk – rich and creamy with a subtle yet distinctive taste. Hazelnut milk – adds a chocolatey hazelnut undertone to your drink, extra creamy. Coconut milk – offers a fragrant coconut flavour.

How do I substitute milk for hot chocolate? ›

I recommend using light coconut milk from the can. You could also use oat milk or any dairy-free milk you'd like along with the coconut milk! Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential.

Does Swiss Miss contain dairy? ›

From the Package

SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED WHEY, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL, NONFAT MILK, LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, NATURAL FLAVOR.

Does all hot chocolate have dairy? ›

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?

Which dairy free milk tastes most like milk? ›

The test made a few things clear: soy milk, at its best, tastes closest to cow's milk. Oat tastes like a sweetly nutty cereal milk while almond tastes like the water left in your sink after washing the breakfast dishes.

What is the best non-dairy milk to heat up? ›

Our Favorite Dairy-Free Milk Substitutes for Cooking
Dairy Milk SubstituteWhat Is It Best For?
Cashew MilkCooking or baking any dish or dessert
Hemp MilkCooking or baking any dish or dessert
Soy MilkCooking or baking any dish or dessert Performs well in hot liquids such as coffee or sauces
3 more rows
Jun 15, 2023

How do you thicken hot chocolate without milk? ›

3 Ingredient Hot Chocolate:

Cornstarch: As discussed above, this is what thickens the whole thing, so this is a must. I use a big heaped tablespoon, make sure to whisk it in well to dissolve it, and then let it boil a little. Chocolate: This is the most important thing, so use quality 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.

What is the healthiest hot cocoa mix? ›

Unsweetened almond milk (or any unsweetened dairy-free milk of choice, like oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk) Unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder, which is raw chocolate powder) Honey or maple syrup to sweeten it up (use a natural sweetener so you can control the quality and amount of sugar)

Does Starbucks have dairy free hot chocolate? ›

1. Starbucks. Starbucks hot chocolate can be made vegan! While the standard order comes with dairy milk and whipped cream, you can swap it for plant-based options like soy, coconut, and almond – and in Europe, you can even choose oat.

Is Nesquik dairy free? ›

Nesquick chocolate powder contains “natural flavorings,” which sometimes might come from animals, as well as biotin (B7), which can sometimes come from eggs or even the liver. So, while Nesquick chocolate powder is definitely dairy-free, it may not definitely be vegan in the strictest sense.

Can you get lactose free hot chocolate? ›

Whether you're lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply looking to explore new flavours, Cocoba Chocolate's dairy-free hot chocolate collection offers something for everyone.

Does Ghirardelli hot chocolate have dairy? ›

Made with Dutched cocoa and real milk powder, and without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

Is Nestle hot chocolate dairy-free? ›

Does Nestlé Hot Cocoa Mix contain dairy? Yes. Nestlé Hot Cocoa Mix contains milk ingredients.

Is Lindt hot chocolate dairy-free? ›

Lindt Hot Chocolate

Our secret recipe relies on the finest cocoa butter to create an irresistibly creamy drink – without the use of milk powders or animal products – making it the perfect treat for cuddling up on a cold winter evening.

Is hot chocolate better with oat or almond? ›

Almond and hazelnut offer nutty nuances, while oat and soy provide creamy, sweet notes, expanding the flavour spectrum for hot chocolate lovers.

What is the best plant-based milk for hot drinks? ›

In conclusion, when it comes to heating plant-based milk, soy milk and oat milk are the best options, while coconut milk can also be used without issue. Almond milk, rice milk, and hemp milk can be heated, but they may not work as well in certain recipes.

What milk is best for dairy free? ›

There are a number of alternative foods and drinks available in supermarkets to replace milk and dairy products, such as: soya milks, yoghurts and some cheeses. rice, oat, almond, hazelnut, coconut, quinoa and potato milks.

What dairy free milk is best in coffee? ›

Almond milk is one of the most popular nut-based milk alternatives for coffee. It generally comes in two forms, sweetened or unsweetened and is widely available in most supermarkets.

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