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    Home ▸ Vegan Drinks and Smoothies

    Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: December 24, 2020 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Overlay text on hot chocolate with a photo of a spoon getting a taste of it from a grey mug
    Top view of two grey mugs filled with hot cocoa and topped with whipped cream and marshmallows
    Collage of a top view of hot cocoa in a grey mug and a side view with overlay text

    Cold nights need rich creamy vegan hot chocolate and this healthy recipe does not disappoint. Double the chocolate with a secret ingredient!

    Spoon getting a scoop of thick hot chocolate from a grey mug
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    This post was originally published on December 9, 2014.

    I looooove a hot cup of cocoa on a chilly night. And just because it's dairy free does not mean it can't be frothy and amazing.

    Store bought hot chocolate mix might get the job done, but I feel it's seriously lacking. I want thick, luscious, and rich decadence in my mug! Thankfully, it's not difficult to create such deliciousness. Even better is I know exactly what it's made of!

    Ingredients

    Here's what you'll need to make this dreamy dairy free hot chocolate!

    • coconut milk 
    • pistachios (you can also use another nut if you prefer!)
    • dairy-free chocolate chips
    • unsweetened baking cocoa 
    • medjool dates 
    • tomato paste
    • seasonings
    Ingredients to make a healthy dairy free version of hot chocolate in bowls

    How To Make Vegan Hot Chocolate

    This recipe takes slightly more effort than dissolving a packet of mix in hot water, but that tiny bit of extra effort goes an incredibly long way:

    1. Blend everything.Top view of blender with a thick chocolate milk inside
    2. Pour into your favorite mug.Hand pouring a thick chocolate milk into a grey mug
    3. Enjoy!Hands grabbing a grey mug filled with hot cocoa

    Serving suggestions

    • Top with Dairy-free whipped cream for extra creaminess!
    • Vegan marshmallows, chocolate chips, or nuts also make great toppings.
    • If you have a bigger crowd, make extra and keep it hot in a slow cooker for serving.
    Top view of two grey mugs filled with hot cocoa and topped with whipped cream and marshmallows

    Preparation and storage tips

    • If you don’t want to use pistachios you can sub another nut or even seed, however it may not come out as thick and frothy with seeds.
    • You can use any dairy-free milk but coconut gives it the richest flavor.
    • Adjust the chocolate chips and cocoa powder to get the sweetness you prefer. Add more chocolate chips and less cocoa powder for extra sweetness. And the opposite for a more dark chocolate flavor.
    • This recipe is already pretty thick, but if you want it even thicker, reduce the coconut milk, or add more nuts.
    • This will make enough for a few people, if you just need one serving you can divide the recipe. Or even better, store leftovers so you can enjoy again without the work!
    • Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
    • Leftovers will settle a bit, so make sure you stir well while reheating.

    Common Questions

    Which hot chocolate is vegan?

    Not all hot chocolate mixes are vegan! This is why I prefer to make my own, so I know exactly what is going into it! There are some store bought vegan mixes though, just make sure to read the labels.

    How do you make vegan hot chocolate?

    There are a number of ways! Follow the recipe above, use your own homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate Mix, or make it with a vegan store bought mix.

    What milks can you use?

    Lite coconut milk is the best for that rich flavor and texture. You can use any other dairy free milk you prefer like cashew or almond, but it will change the consistency and flavor.

    More Vegan Chocolate Recipes

    Your sweet tooth is calling and it's demanding more chocolate! I've got you covered with these recipes:

    • Chocolate Zucchini Cake
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Truffles
    • Chocolate Ice Cream
    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Chocolate Mocha Cannoli
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    Spoon getting a taste of hot cocoa with marshmallows from a grey mug

    Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe

    Sophia DeSantis
    Cold nights need rich creamy vegan hot chocolate and this healthy recipe does not disappoint. Double the chocolate with a secret ingredient!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 3
    Calories 459 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 cup lite coconut milk , see note
    • ½ cup unsalted shelled pistachios (see note)
    • ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips (see note)
    • ¼ cup  unsweetened baking cocoa or cacao powder (see note)
    • 5 medjool dates , use medium to large
    • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon  vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon  cinnamon , optional

    Optional toppings:

    • Dairy-free whipped cream
    • Marshmallows , make sure they are vegan to keep it vegan
    • Extra chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until thick and creamy.
    • If you have a high speed blender, you can blend until hot. If not, you can warm the hot chocolate on the stove top.
    • Serve with toppings of choice!

    Notes

    • If you don’t want to use pistachios you can sub another nut or even seed, however it may not come out as thick and frothy with seeds.
    • You can use any dairy-free milk but coconut gives it the richest flavor.
    • Adjust the chocolate chips and cocoa powder to get the sweetness you prefer. Add more chocolate chips and less cocoa powder for extra sweetness. And the opposite for a more dark chocolate flavor.
    • Makes 4 cups total.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 459kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 9gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 17gSodium: 261mgPotassium: 785mgFiber: 12gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 113IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 4mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Emily Kemp

      August 21, 2018 at 7:47 am

      This sounds to die for, can't wait for Autumn!

      Reply
    2. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen

      December 19, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      I want to snuggle up to a warm cup of this tonight - so perfect for Winter! YUM!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 19, 2015 at 3:56 pm

        Thanks Ceara! It's so rich and yummy!

        Reply
    3. Audrey | Unconventional Baker

      March 08, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      Yum! Totally sharing your pistachios + chocolate <3 🙂 This looks awesome!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        March 08, 2015 at 8:46 pm

        Thanks Audrey! I went through a small pistachio obsession phase...hence this recipe plus my Pistachio Buffalo Cream. LOL!

        Reply
    4. Richa

      December 22, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      pistachio milk!! i can imagine how decadent this hot chocolate must be. pistachio milk and that much cocoa. swoon!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 22, 2014 at 7:33 pm

        Thank you Richa! It is quite decadent indeed. I wanted a little something over the top! Lol. You can definitely take it down a notch with less cocoa but its the holidays so why not indulge a bit right?!

        Reply
    5. The Vegan 8

      December 10, 2014 at 5:40 pm

      These look so dang good Sophia!! Hot chocolate is one of my alltime favorite indulgences! 3/4 cup is a lot of cocoa powder, so I can imagine how chocolatey these must be, like in a good way!. If I make it, I will just half the recipe because I have enough pistachios for a couple of Christmas recipes and then this. I absolutey love pistachios. Yum!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 10, 2014 at 5:55 pm

        Thank you!! It's a LOT of cocoa!! Yes!! So indulgent but that's what I was going for. Lol. And the pistachio milk goes so good what it. Definitely a different spin on hot cocoa! You could definitely add less to make it thinner and not as thick and chocolatey though. But since cocoa powder has no sugar why cut it out?! More antioxidants right

        Reply
    6. bscartabello

      December 09, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Pistachio milk.... my gosh <33333

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 09, 2014 at 12:59 pm

        Lol. SO good!!!

        Reply

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