Simple Vegan Hot Chocolate—Dairy and Sugar Free
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This simple vegan hot chocolate recipe uses only 4 ingredients and is perfect for those with food allergies. It tastes great too and is the perfect thing to warm you up on chilly fall and winter days.
But this dairy-free hot chocolate is so good — who says you can't drink it all year long?
I love making my own healthy versions of processed foods like homemade chocolate chips, homemade white chocolate chips, taco seasoning, easy homemade ketchup, Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, and even paleo taco shells.
Today I'm sharing with you another healthier version of a typically processed food–hot chocolate. This recipe is perfect for those who are avoiding dairy and sugar and it's so much better for you than the packaged brands.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This drink is so satisfying and will warm you from the inside out. It's perfect on a cold winter day or any day at all. In fact, I imagine myself (when I have time to read again) curling up with a good book and a giant mug of this on a crisp autumn day or during a spring thunderstorm: cozy.
Pair this hot chocolate with one of these grain-free Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes, a few of these delicious Soft Pumpkin Cookies, or a slice of whatever pie you like using this Easiest Pie Crust.
There are many variations to this recipe and you really can’t go wrong.
We've used a variety of non-dairy milks from almond (my favorite being vanilla almond), hemp, rice, and coconut. You can use the recipe as written or you can use carob powder instead of cocoa.
I also discovered last time I made this that a combination of about 1 tablespoon carob and 1 teaspoon cocoa made a lovely mixture but start with small amounts and adjust to your taste!
You could use stevia, as I did, or honey or maple syrup (this would make for an interesting flavor variation) or if you find the carob version sweet enough you may not need sweetener at all.
Top this with coconut whipped cream (or this “faux coconut whipped cream“), real whipped cream (if you are able to eat it), cashew cream or sans cream (which is how I usually enjoy it). The possibilities are endless.
Whatever you do, take the time to really enjoy it.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
- Homemade Dairy-Free Milk: If you would like to make your own non-dairy milk, here is Easiest Coconut Milk, Easiest Almond Milk, and Homemade Rice Milk.
- Carob: Here is a great option for organic carob powder.
- Homemade Liquid Stevia: If you would like to make your own liquid stevia, see Homemade Liquid Stevia.
- AIP: Use carob instead of cocoa and use approximately 2 teaspoons maple syrup (read this post for help choosing maple syrup) or honey instead of stevia.
- THM: For those on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe fits in as an “S.”
More Healthy Drink Recipes
- Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate – literally stress-busting hot chocolate!
- Vegan Eggnog – with alcohol or not, enjoy this dairy-free, egg-free, and sugar-free eggnog!
- Adrenal Cocktail – calm your adrenals with this sip-all-day drink.
- Protein Hot Chocolate – a hot chocolate healthy enough for breakfast!
Sugar-free Hot Chocolate – dairy-free, keto, and vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon cocoa (or carob for AIP; sifted to remove clumps)
- liquid stevia (to taste – I used 5 drops)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk over low heat until combined and desired temperature has been reached.
- Pour into a mug and enjoy!
Notes
- Homemade Dairy-Free Milk: If you would like to make your own non-dairy milk, here is Easiest Coconut Milk, Easiest Almond Milk, and Homemade Rice Milk.
- Carob: Here is a great option for organic carob powder.
- Homemade Liquid Stevia: If you would like to make your own liquid stevia, see Homemade Liquid Stevia.
- AIP: Use carob instead of cocoa and use approximately 2 teaspoons maple syrup (read this post for help choosing maple syrup) or honey instead of stevia.
- THM: For those on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe fits in as an “S.”
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Have you made Homemade Hot Chocolate before?
I was wondering if I can you both pumpkin puree and peppermint candy in the hot chocolate for the holidays and for the marshmallows how much monk fruit sweetener do I use and do you have any tips you can give me on using cookie cutters and food coloring for the marshmallows? 🙂
Yes you could certainly do that. Are you thinking about the powdered monk / erythritol blend or a straight monk extract?
Some people coat the cookie cutters with non stick spray (you could use a little bit of any kind of oil) but I would choose a healthier option like this one if you choose to do that.
For coloring, I would use a natural one and just a drop at a time to get the color you want.
Both actually for the monk fruit sweetener and the vanilla extract version for the marshmallows and just out of curiosity what do I coat the cookie cutters with to shape them and can you give me some tips on how to add black and red food coloring in them? 🙂
For granulated monk you can use it 1:1 for sugar. Powdered you technically would use 1 3/4 cups for each cup of sugar but not sure how well that will turn out.
Sorry I don’t understand about the vanilla extract version. You could use a healthy cooking spray like this one.
I would just add a little at a time but I would get all natural (like these) to avoid toxins.
Can I use splenda or stevia sugar pellets because I do not have liquid stevia. How many should i use?
You could do that of course. I don’t know those products well but if you look at a liquid stevia conversion chart that should give you an idea of how to figure it out. Let me know if that doesn’t make sense.
I made this yesterday and it was delicious! Thanks for the simple recipe!
You are so welcome! Glad you liked it!
This was so bad, my face almost cracked! But it was a giggle, for the kids! ??
Sorry you had a bad experience. Other commenters said it was wonderful — I wonder what could have gone wrong?
Try it with xylitol sweetener. Much better.
Awesome recipe!
Thanks!!
This is exactly what I was looking for! We are getting ready to move from Kauai, where it’s quite warm all year round, to a great little mountain community in CA where we are certain to get snow this year. I was looking for a hot cocoa recipe that’s non-dairy and low sugar so I can enjoy it without getting all wires from the sugar! Thai sounds delicious and I’m going to have to try it ASAP! Thank you!
Yea!!!! Glad to meet you! Hope you enjoy your new digs.
Would you know the carb count for this drink…Looks so good. Makes you want to curl up with a good book and a cup of your hot chocolate. Thank you
I think it depends on if you use chocolate or carob. If it’s chocolate it’s very low. Do you have a good site you could plug it into? You’re welcome!