Drinks

Vegan Hot Cocoa

The weather is cold which means it's time to make a Vegan Hot Cocoa for the perfect night cap! This hot chocolate comes together in 5 minutes, with just 4ish simple ingredients and is both vegan and gluten free!

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a glass clear mug that is filled with vegan hot cocoa and topped with vegan marshmallows and a gingerbread man.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Vegan Hot Cocoa comes together in just 5 minutes with only 4ish simple ingredients!
  • As written, this recipe is vegan, dairy-free, gluten free and grain free.
  • This hot chocolate makes for the perfect nightcap!
  • Completely free from refined sugars.
  • Enjoy with marshmallows, whipped cream or marshmallow fluff.
  • Tastes great with my mint chocolate chip cookies or Iced Oatmeal Cookies.
  • Perfect for the colder weather!
  • Your kids won’t even know it’s secretly healthy.
  • Made with organic cacao powder which is a great source of antioxidants.
  • If you loved this recipe, check out my espresso martini!

Ingredients And Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Vegan Hot Cocoa . Scroll down to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.

You can use any type of milk or nut milk alternative such as cashew milk, almond milk, hemp milk, or regular cow’s milk. I used oat milk for this recipe which made it really creamy and delicious!

Cacao powder is a great source of antioxidants and adds a really rich flavor to this hot drink. You can also sub for coco powder.

Vegan dark chocolate chips adds a rich flavor as well, however, you can use any type of chocolate that you prefer such as milk chocolate or your favorite chocolate bar.

Maple syrup is an unrefined sweetener that I love using in my recipes, you can also use honey, agave, date syrup or just sugar such as brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener.

A touch of vanilla extract adds flavor to anything! You can simply leave it out if you don’t have any on hand.

Finish off your hot cocoa with some vegan or regular marshmallows, whipped cream or marshmallow fluff. I also added on some cacao nibs for a little crunch.

all the ingredients that you need to make this vegan hot cocoa.

How To Make

ONE: Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium to low heat, stirring consistency until ingredients are well incorporated and your hot chocolate is heated all the way through.

TWO: Pour into a mug and add on your favorite toppings and enjoy!

a hand holding a glass clear mug that is filled with vegan hot cocoa and topped with vegan marshmallows and a gingerbread man.

Tips And Tricks

The more cacao powder you add, the richer tasting and thicker your hot chocolate will be.

Feel free to add in more maple syrup if you want a sweeter hot chocolate.

Consistency stir your mixture on the stove to avoid any clumps.

How To Serve And Store

Serve this Vegan Hot Cocoa hot or warm and enjoy with vegan or regular marshmallows, vegan or regular whipped cream and some more cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for a garnish.

This hot cocoa is best served immediately. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. To reheat, simply add back into a small saucepan or re-heat in the microwave.

Taste

This vegan hot chocolate is perfectly sweet and has a rich chocolate flavor.

a glass clear mug that is filled with vegan hot cocoa and topped with vegan marshmallows and a gingerbread man with a candle and frosted christmas tree in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any other type of milk instead of oatmilk?

Yes! You can use any type of milk or nut milk alternative such as cashew milk, almond milk, hemp milk, or regular cow’s milk.

Do I have to add in chocolate?

I believe it adds a richer flavor, but if you don’t want to add it in, the cacao powder will still work.

Can I use sugar instead of maple syrup?

Yes, totally! You can also use honey, agave, date syrup or just sugar such as brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener.

Other Recipes You May Like

If you make this Vegan Hot Cocoa , I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on InstagramTiktok or Pinterest!

Vegan Hot Cocoa

The weather is cold which means it's time to make a Vegan Hot Cocoa for the perfect night cap! This hot chocolate comes together in 5 minutes, with just 4ish simple ingredients and is both vegan and gluten free!
PIN RECIPE
PREP TIME:
2 minutes
COOK TIME:
3 minutes
TOTAL TIME:
5 minutes
Author - Hannah

Ingredients

  • 1 cup oat milk, may sub any other milk or nut milk alternative
  • 1 tbsp cacao powder, may sub coco powder
  • 1 tbsp vegan dark chocolate chips, or milk chocolate 
  • 2 tsp pure maple syrup, may sub honey, agave, or any other sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Toppings: vegan marshmallows, dairy or dairy free whipped cream, gingerbread man, chocolate shavings or a cocoa dust

SCALE:

1X

YIELDS:

1 serving

Directions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium to low heat, stirring consistency until ingredients are well incorporated and your hot chocolate is heated all the way through.
  2. Pour into a mug and add on your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

  • The more cacao powder you add, the richer tasting and thicker your hot chocolate will be.
  • Feel free to add in more maple syrup if you want a sweeter hot chocolate.
  • Consistency stir your mixture on the stove to avoid any clumps.

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