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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    January 14, 2021 Dessert

    Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info.

    This oat milk hot chocolate is ready in just 5 minutes. Plus, it's naturally sweetened, easy to make, and uses a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand. This recipe is dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan.

    Ingredients

    • Oat milk - I love this as creamy, neutral-tasting base for dairy-free hot chocolate.
    • Cocoa powder or cacao powder - cocoa powder provides a nice milk chocolate flavor whereas cacao powder has more dark chocolate characteristics - think bitter, richer flavor, more antioxidants, and minerals.
    • Maple syrup - adds a really nice natural sweetness that pairs really well with the cocoa.
    • Vanilla extract - helps to balance out the chocolate and give it more dimension.
    • Salt - a pinch helps to balance out the sweetness.
    • Marshmallows (optional) - use homemade marshmallows if you're feeling extra fancy.

    How to Make Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

    1. Add all the ingredients (minus the marshmallows, if using) to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
    2. Whisk to break up any clumps and continue stirring until everything is well-combined and the mixture is hot.
    3. Drink up, buttercup!

    Substitutions & Variations

    Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

    How can you make this oat milk hot chocolate using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

    • No oat milk? - use any kind of dairy-free milk (or regular milk if you're not dairy-free). If using canned coconut milk, I recommend using it in combination with another type of milk so it doesn't have an overpowering coconut flavor.
    • No cocoa/cacao powder? - you can also use chocolate chips in place of the powder. I would start with ¼ cup.
    • No maple syrup? - use coconut sugar or any granulated sugar instead.
    • No vanilla extract? - Peppermint extract is also nice if you like that flavor combination (but start by adding only ¼ teaspoon) or just omit the vanilla completely.

    Top Tip

    If using chocolate chips in place of the cocoa powder, add them to the saucepan with a little bit of the milk until the chocolate has melted before adding in the rest of the ingredients. You'll also need less maple syrup.

    More Dairy-Free Chocolate Recipes To Try

    • Puppy Chow Bars
    • Snickers Bites
    • Homemade Peanut Butter M&M's
    A mug of dairy-free hot chocolate with oat milk and marshmallows.
    Two mugs of creamy homemade oat milk hot chocolate with marshmallows.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

    This oat milk hot chocolate is ready in just 5 minutes. Plus, it's naturally sweetened, easy to make, and uses a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand. This recipe is dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Servings: 2
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups oat milk or substitution
    • ½ cup water
    • 2-3 tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder see notes
    • 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup or sweetener of choice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or substitution
    • pinch of salt
    • homemade marshmallows optional

    Instructions

    • Add all the ingredients (minus the marshmallows, if using) to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
    • Whisk to break up any clumps and continue whisking until everything is well-combined and the mixture is hot. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    For a deeper chocolate flavor, use 2 tablespoons of cacao powder or 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
    If using cacao powder, you may want to use the full 3 tablespoons of sweetener since its flavor is more bitter than cocoa powder.
    SUBSTITUTIONS:
    No oat milk? - use any kind of dairy-free milk (or regular milk if you're not dairy-free). If using canned coconut milk, I recommend using it in combination with another type of milk so it doesn't have an overpowering coconut flavor.
    No cocoa/cacao powder? - you can also use chocolate chips in place of the powder. I would start with ¼ cup.
    No maple syrup? - use coconut sugar or any granulated sugar instead.
    No vanilla extract? - Peppermint extract is also nice if you like that flavor combination (but start by adding only ¼ teaspoon) or just omit the vanilla completely.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Evie Ugrin says

      January 22, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      Especially over the holidays, and now in MT. winter, the spiced pear oatmeal and dairy free hot chocolate have been favorites. Yes, easy, comforting and so tasty.

      Reply
      • Lindsey says

        April 05, 2021 at 6:36 pm

        I'm just now seeing this, but so happy to hear they helped keep you cozy over the winter! 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

    More about me →

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