Vegan hot chocolate is a perfect wintertime treat. Delicious and creamy, this dairy-free twist on the classic wintertime favorite is a surefire way to satisfy your cocoa cravings without using dairy. With a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can have a decadent and indulgent vegan hot chocolate that will have you running back for more every time.

If you love hot cocoa, you’ll enjoy this vegan hot chocolate made with non-dairy milk and vegan chocolate chips. This recipe is quick and easy and comes with variations like how to make it sugar-free (keto) and how to make a quick single serving.
How To Make Vegan Hot Chocolate
For this recipe you will need unsweetened dairy-free milk, coconut milk, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
Warm the almond milk and coconut cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat. Then, stir in the chocolate chips. Stir the mixture vigorously. Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the vanilla extract.
Lastly, pour the hot cocoa mix into two mugs and top with your favorite toppings.

Variations
- Vegan White Hot Chocolate: Use white chocolate chips and omit the cocoa powder. Follow the instructions as written with the white chocolate to make creamy vegan white chocolate hot cocoa!
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Use peppermint extract instead of vanilla to make peppermint hot cocoa! Top with chopped candy cane candies and coconut whipped cream.
- Mocha Hot Chocolate: Replace half the milk with strong brewed coffee to make mocha flavored hot chocolate.
- Mexican Hot Cocoa: Use dark chocolate chips and add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cheyenne pepper to the hot cocoa recipe to make delicious Mexican hot cocoa.
My Favorite Toppings
Below are some great options for toppings for this hot chocolate.
- Vegan marshmallows or make regular non-vegan marshmallows
- Coconut whipped cream
- Dusting of cocoa powder
- Cinnamon sticks (my kids like to use them and they add a nice cinnamon flavor to the hot cocoa).

FAQ
Yes, in the recipe card below I share how to make a single serving mug of hot chocolate.
Absolutely! Follow the instructions and pour the mixture into a slow cooker and turn the dial to keep warm.
You may add a few teaspoons of coconut sugar or maple syrup to the mix to sweeten the hot chocolate.
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Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
Warmth and love in a mug! Time to indulge in this vegan hot chocolate recipe, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face! This is the best vegan hot drink you’ll be sipping on this winter season.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk, macadamia nut milk, soy milk or cashew milk (choose your favorite nondairy milk)
- 1/2 cup coconut milk or coconut cream
- 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- pinch of salt (optional)
- Coconut whipped cream and vegan marshmallows
Instructions
- Add 1 1/2 cups of your favorite vegan milk to a medium saucepan.
- Stir in the coconut milk and warm over medium heat.
- Once the plant-based milk comes to a simmer, remove from the heat and mixx in the chocolate chips and cocoa powder.
- Stir vigorously until the chocolate chips melt. Add in the vanilla extract and stir.
- Pour the dairy free hot chocolate into two mugs and top with your favorite vegan toppings. I like to top min with a dollop of coconut whip cream!
Single Serving Instructions:
- Mix 3/4 cup of your choice of plant milk with 1/4 cup coconut cream.
- Heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once it simmers, add in the chocolate chips and remove from the heat.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and pour into a mug. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Variations:
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Use peppermint extract instead of vanilla to make peppermint hot cocoa! Top with chopped candy cane candies and coconut whipped cream.
- Mocha Hot Chocolate: Replace half the milk with strong brewed coffee to make mocha flavored hot chocolate.
- Vegan White Hot Chocolate: Use vegan chocolate chips and omit the cocoa powder. Follow the instructions as written with the white chocolate to make creamy vegan white chocolate hot cocoa!
- Mexican Hot Chocolate: Use vegan dark chocolate chips and add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cheyenne pepper to the hot cocoa recipe to make delicious Mexican hot chocolate.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 2.5g
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