EASY, Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate! Made with almond milk, coconut milk, cocoa powder and dairy-free chocolate chips. This almond milk hot chocolate is creamy, thick and delicious. It will warm you right up!
If you’re looking for more dairy-free treats try this Vegan Biscotti. It’s perfect with hot chocolate! Also be sure to check out my full collection of Dairy-Free Recipes.
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
There’s nothing better than curling up with a delicious mug of hot chocolate! This dairy-free hot chocolate is rich, creamy and so easy to make. I often double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd and everyone always asks for the recipe. It’s so decadent, they are always surprised to find out it’s dairy-free!
You can customize this hot chocolate to your tastes. I love adding a little bit of peppermint extract to make peppermint hot chocolate. You can also add more or less sweetener depending on what you like.
This Hot Chocolate Recipe is:
- Dairy-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan
- Easy & Creamy!
Does Hot Chocolate contain Dairy?
Hot chocolate usually contains dairy as it is most often made with milk. However, there are many great non-dairy milk options available to easily make hot chocolate dairy-free. I like to use a combination of almond milk and coconut milk in this recipe.
Ingredients for Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
For this hot chocolate you need just a few pantry staples. I love this recipe because I almost always have everything on hand to make it.
You’ll need:
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar (or maple syrup)
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the almond milk, I prefer to use unsweetened almond milk so I can control the amount of sweetness. For the coconut milk regular or light canned will work great. I prefer to use canned (rather than boxed) coconut milk because it makes the hot chocolate extra creamy. Be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips like the brand Enjoy Life Foods or Tollhouse Simply Delicious.
How to Make Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
Making this almond milk hot chocolate is almost as simple as opening a premixed hot chocolate packet and mixing it with milk. But it’s 100% more delicious! All you do is:
- Combine all the ingredients in a pot. Whisk until smooth.
- Heat (whisking often) until the chocolate is melted and the hot chocolate is a temperature you like.
- Serve and enjoy!
I like to top this hot chocolate with marshmallows (also naturally dairy-free!) or coconut whipped cream. It always reminds me of the hot chocolate in the Polar Express in that it’s “rich as melted chocolate bars”.
I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does! If you love this recipe leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
More Dairy-Free Treats:
Gluten-Free Banana Bread a long-time reader favorite!
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread perfect for the winter months
Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies vegan and kid-friendly
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Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk (regular or light)
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar (or maple syrup)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine.
- Heat over medium-high and whisk until the chocolate chips are melted. Continue to heat until it is as hot as you like. Enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
Chandice Probst says
Oh my goodness this is perfect for my dairy free son especially with the holidays coming up! Love how easy it is and that the ingredients are totally things we already have. Thank you so much!
Madison says
This is my SAVING grace. Seriously so delicious and creamy- without dairy! who knew it was possible.
Tarra L Vargas says
Could I use cacao nibs in place of the chocolate chips?
Jill says
Thank you! I’m excited to try this!