Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

Name: Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 3 cups Oat Milk (unsweetened); 3 tablespoons Cocoa Powder; 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar; 1/3 cup Vegan Chocolate Chips; 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; Pinch of Salt; Coconut Whipped Cream (optional)

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This homemade Oat Milk Hot Chocolate is warm, creamy, and comforting! Made with only a few simple ingredients and less than 5 minutes, a mug full of this vegan hot cocoa is the perfect way to end your day!

Hot chocolate close up with melted coconut whipped cream.

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Ingredients
How to Make This Recipe
Topping Ideas
Tips & Tricks
Substitutions & Additions
Storage & Reheating
Frequently Asked Questions
More Drink Recipes
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Reviews

When the cold weather hits, I’m all about hot cozy drinks. This recipe has been a hint in my house at night time.

This vegan hot chocolate with oat milk is a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth and warm you up in the fall and winter weather!

Top it with vegan marshmallows or vegan whipped cream and you are in for a delicious treat!

Ingredients

This homemade oat milk hot chocolate is a vegan hot cocoa recipe made with oat milk, cocoa powder, semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate chips, and vanilla.

It's easy to make and perfect for the holiday season.

Oat Milk: Planet Oat and Oatly are great options! You want a creamy oat milk brand. Alternatively, you can use soy milk or almond milk.

Cocoa Powder: I recommend regular unsweetened cocoa powder, not dutch processed.

Granulated Sugar: I use and recommend Florida Crystals.

Vegan Chocolate Chips: Using vegan chocolate chips will add a rich chocolate flavor and a creamy texture that is not to be missed! I recommend Enjoy Life chocolate chips. You can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.

Vanilla Extract: I used a vanilla bean paste but extract will work as well. Vanilla adds a wonderful flavor!

Pinch of Salt: Salt brings out the flavors and adds balance. Don't skip it!

How to Make This Recipe

This incredibly easy and delicious vegan oat milk hot chocolate recipe is super simple to make and doesn't require anything special. You'll need a pot and a whisk. Oh! And a cute mug, of course.

Sugar, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips in a pot.

Step 1: Whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, vegan chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Oat milk and vanilla added to the pot mixture.

Step 2: Pour in the oat milk and heat over medium. Whisk until well combined.

Step 3: Stir occasionally until the chocolate chips have melted and the hot cocoa is hot.

Oat milk hot chocolate in a glass mug on a small white plate.

Step 4: Cozy up with a big mug of hot chocolate with the toppings of your choice. Enjoy!

NOTE: The hot chocolate will become thicker as it cools because of the chocolate chips. It's best served hot!

Topping Ideas

Make homemade coconut whipped cream by refrigerating a can of coconut milk overnight and using a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip until creamy and fluffy with a few tablespoons of powdered sugar.

Note that not all cans of coconut milk are treated equally. My favorite brand of coconut milk to use for whipped coconut cream is Native Forest. Some brands won't whip and will turn grainy and split.

You can also buy store-bought vegan whipped cream at the grocery store.

Alternatively, you can top your vegan hot cocoa with marshmallows. My favorite brand to use is Dandies! They have mini marshmallows and jumbo marshmallows. Both are great choices.

Other vegan toppings include a drizzle of vegan caramel, shaved chocolate, or a dash of cinnamon.

Optional add-ins include a pinch of cayenne pepper or peppermint extract.

Oat milk vegan hot chocolate in a glass mug topped with coconut milk.

Tips & Tricks

This rich and creamy dairy-free hot cocoa will quickly become your favorite cozy drink!

Don't boil the hot chocolate! Keep the heat on medium heat until warmed through.

Use unsweetened oat milk. This recipe contains added sugar and semi-sweet chocolate chips so it's best to use unsweetened oat milk to ensure it's not overly sweet. If you only have sweet plant milk, adjust the granulated sugar.

Adjust the sweetness to your preference. Hot chocolate is sweet so if you prefer lightly sweetened drinks, adjust the added sugar.

Substitutions & Additions

Oat Milk: I used Planet Oat. But Oatly is a great option as well. Soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk are great alternatives to oat milk.

Granulated Sugar: I haven't tried it personally but maple syrup should work as an alternative to granulated sugar.

Cocoa Powder & Chocolate Chips: I prefer the combination of both to create a rich and luscious hot chocolate. I don't recommend leaving one out. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips but vegan dark chocolate would be great too.

Storage & Reheating

Storage: Allow your homemade hot chocolate leftovers to cool and then store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat over medium heat until hot. Alternatively, you can use the microwave.

Three oat milk hot chocolates in glass mugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best oat milk for hot chocolate?

I love Oatly or Planet Oat because they are extra creamy and make delicious hot chocolate. I recommend buying one that is unsweetened.

Do I have to use oat milk?

Nope! You can use almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or your favorite plant-based milk.

Is hot chocolate vegan-friendly?

Store-bought hot cocoa mixes can sometimes sneak in dried milk powder or other non-vegan ingredients like mini marshmallows with gelatin. But luckily, making your own homemade hot cocoa is easy!

What's a good alternative sugar to granulated sugar?

You could try maple syrup or agave syrup but keep in mind that that will alter the flavor a bit. Should still be delicious though!

Where can I find vegan marshmallows?

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Amazon, or your local health food shop.

Does hot chocolate contain caffeine?

Yes, chocolate contains caffeine.

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