This time of year, I’m always CRAVING hot chocolate. That’s not anything new, though. As soon as the winter months roll in, I try to get my hot chocolate fix in any way I can. Pile on the marshmallows plus homemade whipped cream, and don’t forget that adorable cinnamon stick for stirring.
I’m all about that hot cocoa life. For years now I’ve been making this healthy hot chocolate recipe at LEAST 4x/week. Tony and I love it!
A few years back, I started myself on a little quest to make a really, really freaking good HEALTHY hot chocolate that I could sip on while I binge-watch all the Christmas movies on Netflix. Trust me, you’re going to fall in love with this easy hot cocoa recipe.
What makes this hot chocolate healthier?
Traditional hot chocolate is made with whole milk and/or half-and-half and lots of white sugar to make it creamy and sweet. While delicious and nostalgic, I wanted to make a hot chocolate recipe with more wholesome ingredients that you can enjoy even if you’re vegan or dairy-free! This recipe is:
- Made with both almond milk and coconut milk to keep it vegan and dairy-free
- Naturally sweetened with a little pure maple syrup
It took me a few times to perfect the recipe, but I truly believe that my healthy hot chocolate recipe is the BEST VEGAN & DAIRY-FREE HOT CHOCOLATE EVER. It’s creamy and perfectly sweet, with just the right amount of cocoa to keep it intense and rich-tasting.
Ingredients in healthy hot chocolate
I say, screw those Swiss Miss hot cocoa mix packets, my version is something you can feel good about sippin’ down. Here are the 4 (yes, only four!) ingredients you’ll need for this healthy hot chocolate:
- Milk: I like to use a combination of unsweetened almond milk and light coconut milk to keep the hot chocolate dairy-free and ultra creamy. The coconut milk adds a slight sweetness and amazing flavor. 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. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli’s 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I’ve tried quite a few!)
- Pure maple syrup: I love how delicious the maple syrup tastes in this recipe, plus it’s a natural sweetener. I recommend sticking with maple syrup and not swapping it for something like honey because the honey flavor will overpower the chocolate.
- Vanilla extract: a splash of vanilla extract brings lovely flavor to the hot cocoa. Not completely necessary, but oh so good!
- Sea salt: this is optional, but I like to add a pinch of sea salt as well to give it a little sweet & salty flavor. It’s just like adding it on top of your favorite baked chocolate treat!
Tips for making the best healthy hot chocolate
The best part about this dairy free hot chocolate recipe? How easy it is to make! I have a few tips for making it perfectly creamy and delicious:
- Mix on low. Combine all of your ingredients in a small pot over medium-low heat.
- Keep on whisking. Make sure to whisk continuously until smooth to get rid of any lumps from the cocoa powder.
- Don’t let it boil. Make sure you don’t boil the hot chocolate, as the almond milk might burn and change the flavor — just whisk it until it’s nice and steamy.
- Jazz up your mug. Pour the hot chocolate into cute mugs and remember to add your fav toppings! I love homemade whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Want a little cocktail nightcap?
Try adding 1 shot of amaretto to your hot chocolate for a little extra coziness! Tony LOVES it this way, and it’s perfect for the holiday season.
How to make hot chocolate in your slow cooker
This delicious, healthy hot chocolate can be made on the stovetop or right in your slow cooker! To do so:
- Feel free to quadruple the recipe (multiply all ingredients by 4) so that it serves 8.
- Whisk ingredients together in the slow cooker.
- Place your slow cooker on the warm setting and allow the cocoa to warm for 1-2 hours before serving!
More cozy treats to try
- St. Nick’s Naughty & Nice Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie
- Fudgy Chocolate Peppermint Snacking Cake
- Apple Cider Hot Toddy
- Teddy Graham Marshmallow Banana Cookies
- Vanilla Brown Sugar Oatmeal Latte Cookies with Espresso Icing
Get more of our dessert recipes here, and drink recipes here!
I hope you love this healthy hot chocolate recipe! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Healthy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup light coconut milk (from the can)
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Ghirardelli’s 100% unsweetened cocoa powder)
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small pot and place over medium low heat. Whisk vigorously to combine and to get rid of any lumps of cocoa. Do NOT let the hot chocolate boil or you risk burning the almond milk, which can turn the flavor into something you do not want. Simply warm in the pot until steamy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Once hot chocolate is hot, remove from heat and pour into 2 mugs. Top with whipped cream, dairy free whipped cream, marshmallows or vegan marshmallows. Chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder on top are fun too! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on December 21, 2020, republished on December 15, 2021, republished on December 17th, 2023, and republished on December 18th, 2025.
Does the substitute of coconut milk actually make it healthier? I’m allergic to dairy so this is interesting to me to try but, not so sure about the “healthier” aspect.
For people who are dairy-free or avoiding dairy (I’ve had to do so while breastfeeding) it is a healthier alternative 🙂
I was craving this last night and absolutely loved it! I loved pairing it with a gingerbread oatmeal cream pie for a perfectly cozy and festive treat for a chilly night. I’m tempted to try this with peppermint extract next for a peppermint mocha flavor!
That sounds like the best night! Peppermint would be delicious in here, too 🙂
Hi Monique,
Would love to try this one out but was always using whole milk because of its flavour profile and since most dairy-free alternative (when heated too much or maybe it’s for another reason), acquire this sort of funny taste that I just can’t get past.
How do make sure to heat it to the right temperature so as to prevent almond/soy/other nut milk from going sour after being overheated?
According to ChatGPT and some other sources I checked, the temps should be below 140–160°F (60–70°C). What’s your take on it?
Hi! Yes, as I mention in the first step, make sure you do not let the mixture come to a boil because that will burn it. I don’t typically test the exact temperature – I simply heat it until it’s warm (but not hot).
Amazing! I’ve been dairy and soy free as we figure out some sensitivities for my breastfeeding daughter. This was such a treat and tastes just as good as the real thing!! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it as usually I’m a skeptic of dairy-free alternatives. I’ve made it multiple times in the past month!
So glad you found this one!
Thank you, Monique, This hot Cocoa recipe is fabulous!! I’ve been making this for my husband and I for the last few nights before bed. Southern Oregon rarely has severe weather but the colder weather has finally arrive, this is just so warming and a cozy way to end a day!! Once it’s in the mugs I’ve tossed in a few, less than a tablespoon each, of dark chocolate chips to melt in the warm libation. It adds just a touch of rich chocolate loveliness. YUM!! Other than that, I prepared the Cocoa per your instructions. Wonderful!
So glad you found this one! My go-to for colder months 🙂
Wonderful and easy recipe with just the right amount of subtle sweetness. My 5-year-old enjoyed it so much, he asked me to make it again tomorrow (which I obviously can’t say no to).
Absolutely! Such a great treat to share with the kiddos 🙂
Amazing! I thought it would be more bitter than it is and Im glad I was wrong – thanks for this great recipe 🙂
So glad you enjoyed!
This hot chocolate is delicious thankyou for your great recipes.
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed!
Hello! I am hoping to make this for my daughter’s school birthday celebration. Do you think 1 hour in the slow cooker would be long enough to heat through (doesn’t need to be boiling hot for small children)? When you say ‘warm setting’ is that low? Thank you!!
Hi! Yes, that should be plenty of time, and you can keep it on low 🙂
I will try your recipe but with a couple of other ingredients to punch the health aspect into overdrive. Add a cpl of tbs of KaChava chocolate. Add 1 tbs of RYZE mushroom coffee. Add one scoop of FreshCap mushroom mix. If you really want to health it up, I add a little chaga tea to cool it so I can drink it sooner. I do this every morning to wash down all my supplements.
Perfect – enjoy!
SO GOOD
Glad you love it!!
I was looking for a dairy free recipe for hot chocolate and found your recipe. I have not made it yet. I have a question, Can this recipe for hot chocolate be made in a Vitamix instead of in a saucepan o the stove?
Hi! I do suggest heating this on the stovetop because it will help melt all of the ingredients together. The texture may not turn out as creamy if everything is just blended in a Vitamix. I hope that helps!
I made this in the crockpot for my family and it was perfection! Will be my go to recipe 🙂
Best winter treat!
I’ve been making this recipe 3 winters in a row, and it’s the best! I add 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract instead of vanilla to make peppermint hot chocolate. So good and so easy!
LOVE the idea of adding peppermint extract!
I’ve been craving chocolate lately, so decided to have this instead of coffee this morning. This was so good, and it definitely hit the spot without any refined sugars! I foresee this being made quite often in this house this winter!
Such a great way to wake up!
I was looking for a healthy vegan hot cocoa that didn’t taste like dirt 😉 this one is AMAZING!!! Halved the recipe to make only one serving…it was perfect. A little cinnamon on top is *chef’s kiss* Thank you so much!! <3
FANTASTIC PUT SOME BAILEYS IRISH IN RECIPE. PAT
This is yummy! I’m not a huge fan (or a fan at all, really) of being able to taste coconut milk, and this recipe hides it cleverly. The coconut milk adds the creaminess while the cocoa and honey and vanilla make the rich chocolate taste. Hard to believe this is dairy-free and so low calorie!
It took a bit longer than the 3-5 mins promised to heat, but I might’ve had my flame too low. I was afraid of burning the drink!