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
- 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 stirring until everything is well-combined and the mixture is hot.
- 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
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.
Servings: 2
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.
Evie Ugrin says
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.
Lindsey says
I'm just now seeing this, but so happy to hear they helped keep you cozy over the winter! 🙂