Homemade Dairy Free Hot Chocolate (Made 3 Ways!)
Enjoy this Homemade Dairy Free Hot Chocolate in 3 different ways! This rich and creamy dairy-free oat milk hot chocolate is made with semi-sweet chocolate chips. The peppermint hot chocolate is topped with crushed peppermint candy, and the cinnamon hot chocolate is spiced with ground cinnamon and cardamom.
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Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients
Hot chocolate base. The base of each of these hot chocolate recipes is my 3-ingredient dairy free hot chocolate mix, which has cacao powder(or unsweetened cocoa powder), cane sugar and a pinch of salt. This hot chocolate mix is combined with semi-sweet chocolate chips and your milk of choice. Oat milk has a consistency similar to dairy milk, but almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk can be used if preferred.
Hot chocolate additions. Crushed peppermint candy for the peppermint hot chocolate. Ground cinnamon and cardamom for the spiced hot chocolate and lots of semi-sweet chocolate chips to make this dairy-free drink even more luxurious. If you like a kick of spice, add a pinch (or two!) of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a spicy Mexican hot chocolate.
Toppings. Top with extra chocolate chips or chocolate shavings, dairy-free whipped cream, or vegan marshmallows. If you aren’t dairy-free, try my 3-ingredient homemade whipped cream recipe or stir in whey protein powder to make a protein hot chocolate.
How To Make The Best Dairy Free Hot Chocolate (3 Ways!)
Oatmilk Hot Chocolate
You can’t go wrong with a mug of classic hot chocolate. It’s rich and chocolate-y and sooo good. Made with creamy oat milk(I love this barista blend), this dairy free hot chocolate is so good you won’t even miss the dairy!
In a small sauce pot, heat oat milk on medium heat with semi-sweet chocolate chips, cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder), and cane sugar. Whisking occasionally, heat until the milk is hot and steaming and the chocolate has melted. Don’t boil.
Pour hot chocolate into a serving mug, then top with dairy free whipped cream and extra chocolate chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
This peppermint hot chocolate has a hint of mint flavor without being overpowering. It’s the perfect wintery drink that tastes like the holidays.
In a small sauce pot, heat oat milk on medium heat with semi-sweet chocolate chips, cacao powder, and cane sugar. Whisking occasionally, heat until the milk is hot and steaming and the chocolate has melted. Don’t boil.
You can heat the milk with a piece of candy cane or peppermint candy, or after it’s hot, stir in 1 – 2 drops of peppermint extract.
Pour peppermint hot chocolate into a serving mug, top with whipped cream or marshmallows and crushed candy cane.
Cinnamon Hot Chocolate with Ground Cardamom
Cardamom is a Middle Eastern spice that has an intense flowery taste that complements both savory and sweet dishes. It pairs really well with cinnamon and makes this dairy free hot chocolate extra special and unique.
To make this spiced cinnamon hot chocolate, heat oat milk in a small sauce pot over medium heat with a pinch of ground cinnamon and ground cardamom, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cacao powder, and cane sugar. Whisking occasionally, heat until the milk is hot and steaming and the chocolate has melted. Don’t boil.
Pour hot chocolate into your serving mug, then top with whipped cream and another light sprinkle of cardamom and cinnamon.
Looking For More Recipes?
- Mushroom Hot Chocolate Mix
- Mushroom Hot Chocolate
- High Protein Hot Chocolate with Mushrooms
- Cacao Matcha Hot Chocolate
- Homemade Whipped Cream
- Apple Cider Stovetop Potpourri
- Apple Cranberry Stovetop Potpourri
- Cranberry Ginger Mocktail
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Homemade Dairy Free Hot Chocolate (Made 3 Ways)
Equipment
- Small sauce pot
- whisk
- Serving mugs
Ingredients
Dairy free oat milk hot chocolate
- 1 – 1 ½ cups oat milk or your milk of choice depending on how thick and rich you want your hot chocolate to be
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or dutch-processed cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar Adjust according to your taste
Peppermint hot chocolate
- 1 – 1 ½ cups oat milk or your milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or dutch-processed cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar
- 1 – 2 drops peppermint extract
- 1 small crushed candy cane or peppermint candy for garnish
Cinnamon and cardamom spiced hot chocolate
- 1 – 1 ½ cups oat milk or your milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or dutch-processed cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
Optional toppings/add-ins
- Vegan mini marshmallows
- Dairy free whipped cream
- 2 – 3 dashes cayenne pepper or chili powder to make Mexican hot chocolate
- 1 serving unsweetened protein powder to make protein hot chocolate
Instructions
Dairy Free Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
- In a small sauce pot, add oat milk, cacao powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and cane sugar.1 – 1 1/2 cups oat milk or your milk of choice, 2 tablespoons cacao powder, 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon cane sugar
- Heat the hot chocolate mixture on medium heat until the milk is hot and steamy and the chocolate is melted about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don't boil.
- Pour hot chocolate into your serving mug. Top with whipped cream, and more chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- In a small sauce pot, add oat milk, cacao powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and cane sugar.1 – 1 1/2 cups oat milk or your milk of choice, 2 tablespoons cacao powder, 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon cane sugar
- Heat the hot chocolate mixture on medium heat until the milk is hot and steamy and the chocolate is melted about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don't boil.
- Pour into hot chocolate into your serving mug, then stir in 1 – 2 drops of peppermint extract. Top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candy.1 – 2 drops peppermint extract, 1 small crushed candy cane or peppermint candy
Cinnamon and Cardamom Hot Chocolate
- In a small sauce pot, add oat milk, cacao powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, cane sugar, ground cinnamon and cardamom.1 – 1 1/2 cups oat milk or your milk of choice, 2 tablespoons cacao powder, 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon cane sugar, 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- Heat the hot chocolate mixture on medium heat until the milk is hot and steamy and the chocolate is melted about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don't boil.
- Pour into hot chocolate into your favorite mug. Top with whipped cream and pinch of ground cinnamon and cardamom to garnish.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- Use 2 tablespoons of my homemade 3-ingredient dairy free hot chocolate mix, then omit the cacao powder and sugar amounts in this recipe.
- Cacao powder gives this homemade hot chocolate mix a rich chocolate flavor. It has been minimally processed, so it still contains many nutrients and supportive properties. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is a popular choice for hot chocolate mix because it has a smoother chocolate flavor without being too bitter. Either one will work here; try to use a good-quality brand of unsweetened chocolate powder.
- Sugar. Don’t use powdered sugar, because it contains anti-caking agents which can give your hot chocolate mix an “off” taste. Regular sugar will dissolve just fine if you are using hot water or milk to make your hot chocolate.
