This dairy-free hot chocolate is one of my favorite cold-weather recipes for a sweet treat. A silky smooth vegan hot chocolate made at home in under 10 minutes. I use simple ingredients like creamy oat milk, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips to get the richest cup of hot chocolate you could ask for!

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe

I’m a bit of a hot chocolate snob. The store-bought packs tend to be either too sweet or not rich enough for me, so throwing together my own recipe was a must. The best part, it’s even better with the non-dairy milk. Oat milk is so creamy, which gives this hot chocolate the best silky smooth texture. This is an easy homemade hot chocolate for your holiday parties or cozy winter nights. 

This creamy, non-dairy hot chocolate is also vegan, and you can tailor it to your liking, which is hard to do with pre-packed hot chocolate. I love pairing it with some gluten-free treats like gluten-free biscotti, gluten-free gingerbread cookies, and my favorite gluten-free cinnamon roll.

Ingredients

• Oat Milk: I prefer full-fat, creamy oat milk. It makes the best milk-free creamy hot chocolate. You can use your favorite milk alternative.
• Cocoa Powder: Use what you can find. I like to use unsweetened, natural cocoa powder because of its rich flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: White sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness. For a richer sweetener, you could also use maple syrup or brown sugar.
• Salt: Yes, salt to balance out all the sweet ingredients and enhance the chocolaty flavor.
• Dairy-Free Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Use your favorite chocolate chips or chocolate bar without dairy. I use Nestle Simply Delicious or Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla to add depth to the flavor.

Tips and Suggestions

• Whisk the cocoa powder with a small amount of warm oat or almond milk to form a smooth paste before adding the rest of the milk. This enhances the cocoa’s flavor, making it richer and deeper.
• Add the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate once the milk is hot but not boiling. Stir gently until the chocolate is fully melted. This will help keep the texture silky.
• I like to use a whisk to froth my hot chocolate for an added creaminess and airy texture.

Serving Suggestions

I love my easy vegan hot chocolate served piping hot in a big mug with marshmallows and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. Be creative and serve it how you like. Use your favorite toppings, such as vegan whipped cream, marshmallows, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or some fun sprinkles.

Storage Instructions

I make my vegan hot chocolate right before I drink it. You can make it, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator for five days. Then, heat it on the stovetop for 5 minutes. 

More Dairy-Free Chocolate Recipes

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chips Cookies
• Gluten and Dairy-Free Double Chocolate Cookies
• Paleo Chocolate Fudge Cupcake
• Gluten-Free Brownies

How to make Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Step-by-Step

Grab a saucepan and add 4 cups of oat milk, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and ⅛ tsp salt. Whisk the ingredients together while heating on medium-low heat.

Whisk the ingredients frequently until the liquid comes to a simmer. Do not boil.

Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in ⅓ cup non-dairy chocolate chips and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and silky.

Carefully pour your hot chocolate into mugs and top with your favorite marshmallows, dairy-free whipped cream, and other preferred toppings. Sip and enjoy!