This homemade healthy hot chocolate is perfectly creamy and absolutely delicious! Made with simple real food ingredients like pure maple syrup, almond milk, and coconut milk, it is a healthier version of everyone’s favorite winter drink.
Hot chocolate is everyone’s favorite winter drink. It is warm, cozy, chocolatey, and personally I don’t think I could go through an entire holiday season without a creamy cup of hot chocolate.
If you have ever wanted to try making hot chocolate from scratch, this healthy homemade version is perfect for you! It is so simple to make, only takes a few ingredients (most of which you probably already have!), dairy-free, vegan, and comes together in just a few minutes.
Watch How to Make This Recipe
What I love most about making my own hot chocolate at home is that I can easily tweak the ingredients to suite my tastebuds. Like a little extra sweetness, add more maple syrup! Want a peppermint hot chocolate? Add in a few drops of peppermint extract! The options really are endless.
This easy base recipe is delicious in it’s own right, but as always feel free to get creative and make it your own!
Is Hot Chocolate Healthy?
Traditional hot chocolate is typically made with refined sugar and, if you buy the pre-made packets, other preservatives. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying classic hot chocolate, you may be looking for a different version made with a few simple ingredients. While it’s made with healthier ingredients, this hot cocoa is still delicious and does not compromise on flavor at all. Everyone will love it!
Delicious Hot Cocoa Ingredients
Full fat coconut milk: full fat coconut milk adds a delicious rich creaminess to just about everything it’s in, including this hot chocolate. A little bit goes a long way in this recipe and I found that it does not make the hot chocolate taste like coconut.
Almond milk: the other milk of choice in this drink is almond milk. It has a thinner consistency than the full fat coconut milk and a pretty neutral flavor. Use an unsweetened, plain almond milk for the best results.
Cocoa powder: this is an obvious and must-have ingredient. Be sure to use a delicious rich cocoa powder that you really love.
Maple syrup: this gives just the right amount of sweetness to the hot chocolate. If you prefer, you could use honey instead although it may change the flavor of the hot chocolate just a bit.
Vanilla extract: my secret ingredient to a delicious hot chocolate is vanilla extract. It adds the most delicious flavor to the hot chocolate.
Pinch of sea salt: a little salt works to balance all of the sweet.
How to Make Dairy Free Hot Chocolate
Step One:Add the almond milk and coconut milk to a small saucepan or pot and heat over medium-low heat.
Step Two: Once the milk is warmed through, whisk in the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt until well combined and there are no remaining lumps of cocoa powder. This is also a great time to add in any optional ingredients that you plan on using like collagen protein, ground cinnamon, or peppermint extract.
Step Three: Once the milk is warmed and everything is well combined, pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings. Crushed peppermint candies would also be great addition if you like peppermint hot chocolate. Sip and enjoy while watching your favorite movie!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Hot Cocoa
Don’t overheat the milk. You want the milk to be just hot enough. There is no need to boil or even really simmer the milk.
Use a whisk to incorporate the cocoa powder. Trust me, it will make the entire process much easier.
If you want an extra chocolatey hot chocolate, feel free to add an extra half tablespoon of cocoa powder to the recipe.
Be sure to get an unsweetened, dark cocoa powder. You don’t want any extra added sugar in your cocoa powder.
Can I Use One Milk Instead of Two?
The combination of full fat coconut milk and almond milk gives this hot chocolate just the right amount of creaminess so I highly recommend using both. However, if you want to use just one milk, I would go with almond milk or oat milk. They both will give you a cozy creamy cup!
I do not recommend using only full-fat coconut milk in this recipe as the hot chocolate will be a bit too thick and rich.
Other Dairy Free Milk Options
I tested this recipe with a combination of homemade cashew milk and coconut milk and did not love the results. The cashew milk thickened as it was heated and made the hot chocolate a bit too rich for my personal tastes.
If you need to make a nut-free version of this hot chocolate, or if you do not have almond milk, you could try using oat milk instead.
Can I Use Dairy Milk?
Yes! If you do not have any concerns about making this a dairy free recipe, you could always use your choice of dairy milk. I haven’t tested it but I think that whole milk would probably work best.
Optional Recipe Variations
Add in a little peppermint extract for a delicious peppermint hot chocolate.
Add a dash of cinnamon to the milk or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Top your hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Add a few mini marshmallows on top.
Add a scoop of your favorite unflavored collagen powder to your hot chocolate for extra protein and nourishing health benefits.
I hope you give this Healthy Hot Chocolate a try! It’s the perfect cozy drink to sip on all winter long.
If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on Instagram. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.
Optional additions: ground cinnamon or peppermint extract
Method
Add the milk to a small saucepan or pot and heat over medium-low heat.
Once the milk is warmed through, whisk in the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt until well combined and there are no lumps of cocoa powder.
Once the milk is warmed and everything is well combined, pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Notes
!!
Feel free to add an extra half tablespoon of cocoa powder if you like your hot cocoa extra chocolatey
Keywords: hot chocolate, healthy hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, dairy free hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate, paleo hot chocolate
Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Casey Colodny / THE MINDFUL HAPA
Have you ever watched The Polar Express and wondered what the hot chocolate they bring out on the train ride tastes like? This. This is exactly what I have always imagined! Creamy, chocolately, but not TOO rich or sweet. You truly can’t tell it’s made with coconut milk. It’s literal perfection & crazy easy to throw together. The only problem is now I want to drink it every chilly night! Thank you, Ashlea!!
I’ve been craving this all day and finally got around to making it. It did not disappoint, this is one of the better better versions out there nowadays. Thanks!
My son and I love to make this hot chocolate. I love that it’s a cleaner version of the regular store bought ones. It’s just so delicious! Thanks Ashlea!!
Thank you so much, Ashlea! I’ve been missing hot chocolate, and this is amazing! I ran out of maple syrup, so I just substituted coconut sugar (it was what I had), and it still turned out yummy and delicious. Perfectly sweet and chocolatey flavor!
So delicious! I made this a couple days ago while wrapping Christmas presents. I topped it with coconut whipped cream and it was great! Thanks for the recipe!
This is such a great recipe! I made this tonight to have while my fiancé and I decorated for Christmas and we both loved it! We topped ours with marshmallows and some holiday sprinkles 🎄
Hi, Mary! I love Almond Reddi Whip that’s made with almond milk and they also have a coconut milk version as well! you can also make a homemade coconut whipped cream from full fat coconut milk. So many great options!
I could not wait to make this! It was so good! I added a cinnamon stick while the milk was warming up and it gave a great flavor. Will definitely make it again!
Absolutely decadent! I have been missing hot chocolate for YEARS bc I couldn’t figure out how to make it decent. This was WAY PAST DECENT! I dare say the best I’ve ever had. I reduced the syrup to 1T and it was plenty sweet for me. Thank you so much!
So cozy and yummy! I stick to a dairy-free diet and have always made my hot chocolate with almond milk; it was always kind of watery and sad. I love that this recipe mixes the coconut milk with the almond milk, and the other flavors make it absolutely heavenly. I don’t quite remember what hot chocolate with real milk tasted like, but this has to be better!
Oh my goodness. I write this while I sip pure joy out of my coffee mug. I love hot chocolate, but dairy and I don’t get along so I don’t drink much anymore. I gave up on the single serving ones years ago due to less than stellar ingredients and yeah… I have a Hot Cocoa sized hole in my heart. I love Ashlea and every recipe of hers I’ve made so I figured I’d give this one a whirl (and I had everything in my pantry!) and man oh man. I gave myself a spoonful at the stove and I yelled “OH THATS GOOD”. So yes, you could say this recipe is good. It’s heavenly. Make it and see for yourself!
This hot chocolate recipe is wonderful! It’s so hard to duplicate that creaminess with dairy free options, but the coconut milk really works! We did sub Oatly oat milk for the almond milk and it turned out well! 🙂
The healthy hot chocolate is so delicious! Love the coconut milk to make it. It is a perfect holiday treat or even an afternoon pick me up without caffeine. Yummm.
Leave a comment
Have you ever watched The Polar Express and wondered what the hot chocolate they bring out on the train ride tastes like? This. This is exactly what I have always imagined! Creamy, chocolately, but not TOO rich or sweet. You truly can’t tell it’s made with coconut milk. It’s literal perfection & crazy easy to throw together. The only problem is now I want to drink it every chilly night! Thank you, Ashlea!!
★★★★★
I’ve been craving this all day and finally got around to making it. It did not disappoint, this is one of the better better versions out there nowadays. Thanks!
★★★★★
My son and I love to make this hot chocolate. I love that it’s a cleaner version of the regular store bought ones. It’s just so delicious! Thanks Ashlea!!
★★★★★
Love that so much, Valerie! thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
Thank you so much, Ashlea! I’ve been missing hot chocolate, and this is amazing! I ran out of maple syrup, so I just substituted coconut sugar (it was what I had), and it still turned out yummy and delicious. Perfectly sweet and chocolatey flavor!
★★★★★
So delicious! I made this a couple days ago while wrapping Christmas presents. I topped it with coconut whipped cream and it was great! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
So glad you loved it, Natalie!
This is such a great recipe! I made this tonight to have while my fiancé and I decorated for Christmas and we both loved it! We topped ours with marshmallows and some holiday sprinkles 🎄
★★★★★
But is the whipped cream dairy free? Is there a dairy free option for that part?
Hi, Mary! I love Almond Reddi Whip that’s made with almond milk and they also have a coconut milk version as well! you can also make a homemade coconut whipped cream from full fat coconut milk. So many great options!
Very yummy! I never would have thought to add coconut milk..soo good!
★★★★
I could not wait to make this! It was so good! I added a cinnamon stick while the milk was warming up and it gave a great flavor. Will definitely make it again!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you liked it, Kayla! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Thanks for this! Can’t wait to try it!
I hope you love it!
This is the best hot chocolate! Thank you for the recipe!
★★★★★
Thanks, Donna! So happy you liked it!
Absolutely decadent! I have been missing hot chocolate for YEARS bc I couldn’t figure out how to make it decent. This was WAY PAST DECENT! I dare say the best I’ve ever had. I reduced the syrup to 1T and it was plenty sweet for me. Thank you so much!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Hollie!
Made this last night for an outdoor girls night to keep warm… everyone raved about it! “This is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had!” Thank you!!
★★★★★
You’re welcome, Megan! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
So cozy and yummy! I stick to a dairy-free diet and have always made my hot chocolate with almond milk; it was always kind of watery and sad. I love that this recipe mixes the coconut milk with the almond milk, and the other flavors make it absolutely heavenly. I don’t quite remember what hot chocolate with real milk tasted like, but this has to be better!
★★★★★
I love the combo of almond milk and coconut milk too, Madeline! So happy you enjoyed this recipe!
My husband and I made this the other night, so tasty! I love how cozy this cocoa makes me feel + it’s so easy.
★★★★★
I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Casey!
Oh my goodness. I write this while I sip pure joy out of my coffee mug. I love hot chocolate, but dairy and I don’t get along so I don’t drink much anymore. I gave up on the single serving ones years ago due to less than stellar ingredients and yeah… I have a Hot Cocoa sized hole in my heart. I love Ashlea and every recipe of hers I’ve made so I figured I’d give this one a whirl (and I had everything in my pantry!) and man oh man. I gave myself a spoonful at the stove and I yelled “OH THATS GOOD”. So yes, you could say this recipe is good. It’s heavenly. Make it and see for yourself!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Angela! I’m so glad you love the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to share!
This is SO good! It’s delicious and creamy! What a yummy treat during the holidays!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Leticia!
This hot chocolate recipe is wonderful! It’s so hard to duplicate that creaminess with dairy free options, but the coconut milk really works! We did sub Oatly oat milk for the almond milk and it turned out well! 🙂
★★★★★
I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Mollie! Thanks for sharing!
The healthy hot chocolate is so delicious! Love the coconut milk to make it. It is a perfect holiday treat or even an afternoon pick me up without caffeine. Yummm.
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing, Laurie!
Delicious!!
★★★★★
So happy you loved the recipe, Perl!