This 5-ingredient vegan hot chocolate is rich, creamy and seriously chocolatey. It’s made with real vegan chocolate chips rather than cocoa powder, which gives it that wonderfully indulgent hot chocolate texture.
It’s also incredibly easy to make. Everything comes together in one saucepan using ingredients you probably already have at home, and you can make it as simple or extravagant as you like with your favourite toppings.
It’s the kind of homemade hot cocoa your Grandma might have made you growing up, all cozy and nostalgic.
Top it with vegan whipped cream, chocolate shavings or whatever else you fancy and enjoy it on a cold winter day. This is one of my favorite cozy vegan recipes.
Is Hot Chocolate Vegan?
Hot chocolate isn’t always vegan. Traditional hot chocolate is usually made with dairy milk, and some chocolate, hot chocolate powders and toppings can contain milk too.
The good news is that making vegan hot chocolate at home is really easy. Simply use your favourite non-dairy milk and vegan chocolate chips, and check that any toppings you add are dairy-free too.
This recipe uses just a handful of simple ingredients and real chocolate chips, so you get a rich, chocolatey drink without needing a powdered hot chocolate mix.
What Kind Of Milk To Use For Vegan Hot Cocoa
You can easily make this vegan hot cocoa recipe nut-free by using a plant milk that doesn’t contain any nuts such as flax milk or oat milk.
I highly recommend using a thick non-dairy milk and suggest staying away from thinner milks such as rice milk. Although rice milk is nut-free, it is very thin, almost like water, so if you are nut-free I would suggest flax or oat milk instead.
Of course, if you can only find rice milk, this will taste just as good, it will just be a little thin.
Some thick non-dairy milk I like making vegan hot chocolate with are: cashew milk, almond milk, flax milk, oat milk and more!
I also highly recommend getting vanilla flavored non-dairy milk as it adds a little extra touch of sweetener and lends a really nice flavor to this recipe.
How To Make Vegan Hot Chocolate
This vegan hot chocolate comes together quickly in one saucepan.
Add your non-dairy milk to a saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it is hot, but don’t let it boil.
Add the vegan chocolate chips and whisk until they have completely melted into the milk and the mixture is smooth and chocolatey.
Stir in the remaining ingredients and continue to heat gently until everything is well combined and the hot chocolate is warmed through.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour into mugs and serve straight away with your favourite toppings.
5-Ingredient Hot Chocolate Toppings
Half the fun of homemade hot chocolate is choosing the toppings! Keep it simple or pile them on for an extra-indulgent drink.
Some of my favourite dairy-free hot cocoa toppings are:
- Vegan whipped cream
- Vegan marshmallows
- Vegan chocolate chips or chocolate shavings
- Crushed candy canes for a peppermint hot chocolate
- Vegan sprinkles
- A scoop of vegan ice cream for an extra-creamy treat
Just remember to check the ingredients on marshmallows, chocolate and sprinkles, as not every brand is vegan.
How to Store and Reheat Vegan Hot Chocolate
If you have leftover homemade hot chocolate, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–5 days.
Reheat it gently in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Give it a good stir before serving, as the chocolate may settle or thicken slightly while it chills.
If your hot chocolate is thicker than you would like after reheating, simply stir in a splash of non-dairy milk until you reach your preferred consistency.
Can You Use This Recipe For A Vegan Hot Chocolate Mix?
You may wonder if you can package this recipe to make a vegan hot chocolate mix to give out as presents during the holidays.
And yes you could. You could add the chocolate chips, sugar, salt, and then toppings such as mini vegan marshmallows in a cellophane bag or jar. Then, you would want to attach a little recipe card directing your guest to add vanilla extract and non-dairy milk and mix it all together.
Since this dairy-free hot chocolate recipe doesn’t use cocoa powder, it won’t look like a traditional baggie filled with a mix, but the end result will still be the same amazing taste!
My Hot Chocolate Bombs or my Hot Chocolate Sticks would make perfect gifts too.
5-Ingredient Vegan Hot Chocolate
You are going to love this creamy vegan hot chocolate! It uses just 5 main ingredients, the rest are optional, and the taste is so creamy and delicious! Make sure to go wild with the toppings as that is the best part of making your own vegan hot cocoa.
Ingredients
- 4 cups thick non-dairy milk [vanilla flavor preferred]
- 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Optional: vegan whipped cream for topping, shaved chocolate shards for topping, vegan marshmallows for topping
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, pour in all of your ingredients. You want to ensure that the heat isn't too high when melting chocolate chips or else they may burn.
- Whisk constantly until the vegan hot chocolate mixture starts to bubble.
- Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low heat and continue to whisk while the vegan hot cocoa mixture simmers. Whisk until the chocolate chips and granulated sugar are melted and well incorporated.
- Remove the hot chocolate from the heat and pour carefully into your 2 large mugs or 4 small mugs. Top with whatever you desire such as vegan whipped cream, vegan marshmallows, chocolate shavings, chocolate drizzle and more!
Whether you keep it simple or load it up with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate shavings, this vegan hot cocoa is an easy treat for cold days and cosy nights. Serve it with my Vegan Biscotti for the perfect winter treat.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and star rating below, and let me know which non-dairy milk and toppings you used.
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