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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Oct 26, 2022 · Modified: Nov 10, 2022 by Liv · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

    Jump to Recipe

    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.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Helpful Equipment
    • How to Make This Recipe
    • Topping Ideas
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Substitutions & Additions
    • Storage & Reheating
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Drink Recipes
    • Recipe
    • 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!

    Ingredients for hot cocoa on a wooden backdrop.

    Helpful Equipment

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

    How to Make This Recipe

    Whisk together oat milk, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, vegan chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a small pot over medium heat.

    Sugar, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips in a pot.
    Oat milk and vanilla added to the pot mixture.

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

    Oat milk hot chocolate after heating.

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

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

    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.

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

    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.

    More Drink Recipes

    • Vegan Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato (Iced or Hot)
    • Vegan Oat Milk Matcha Latte (Hot or Iced)
    • Vegan Mocha Latte (Homemade Chocolate Sauce!)
    • Chai Spiced Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

    Recipe

    Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

    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!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 3 Servings
    Author: Liv King

    Ingredients
     

    • 3 cups Oat Milk unsweetened
    • 3 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
    • 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
    • ⅓ cup Vegan Chocolate Chips
    • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • Pinch of Salt
    • Coconut Whipped Cream optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Whisk together oat milk, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, vegan chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a small pot over medium heat.
    • Stir occasionally until the chocolate chips have melted and the hot cocoa is hot.
    • Serve with homemade or store-bought coconut whipped cream or vegan marshmallows. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Makes enough hot chocolate for 3 small servings or 2 larger servings. 
    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.
    Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram!

    Disclosure: This page contains some affiliate links. Please know that I may receive a percentage or commission from a link included on this page, at no extra cost to you. I will only ever recommend a product that I have used and believe has substantial value to my readers. 

    More Drinks

    • Oat Milk Smoothie with Banana and Peanut Butter
    • Vegan Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
    • Vegan Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup (Starbucks Copycat)
    • Cranberry Mint Mojito

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin says

      December 01, 2022 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      Made this with my little ones… amazing! He wants to make it for Christmas Eve wit the family. Sooo good!!!

      Reply
      • Liv says

        December 01, 2022 at 4:51 pm

        Awww!! How sweet. Thank you so much for leaving this review 🙂

        Reply
    2. Mitch says

      November 17, 2022 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      So good! This is the best hot chocolate ever. Thanks Liv!

      Reply
      • Liv says

        November 17, 2022 at 2:22 pm

        That's great to hear!! Thank you so much for leaving a review 🙂

        Reply

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