Healthy Hot Chocolate
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Healthy Hot Chocolate is the perfect cozy winter drink. Dairy-free, refined sugar free, low calorie, and you only need 3 ingredients to make it!
There is no better cozy drink on a cold day than hot chocolate. The problem is, the instant cocoa packets you buy from the store are normally loaded with sugar and funky ingredients.
It’s okay though, because this healthy hot chocolate recipe solves that problem!
How is this a Healthy hot chocolate?
- Low Sugar – This drink has 6g of sugar compared to classic hot chocolate, which has 11-20g of sugar per one cup sugar. We use all natural maple syrup to sweeten it.
- Dairy Free – Hot chocolate is traditionally made with whole milk, which is higher in fat. This healthy drink is made with dairy-free almond milk which is lower in fat and calories while still filled with delicious flavor.
- It’s a low calorie hot chocolate as well! Depending on the type of milk you use, there are around 75 calories in 8 ounces of healthy hot chocolate.
Ingredients
Substitutions
Milk: Any milk will work in this recipe (dairy or dairy free milk). I like regular unsweetened almond milk or organic whole milk but oat milk, coconut milk, rice milk or soy milk should all work. Be sure to use unsweetened milk.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: I haven’t tried substituting cocoa powder with anything else, but I think raw cacao powder would work.
Maple Syrup: To keep this a low calorie hot chocolate, you can substitute maple syrup with honey or agave nectar. My advice is to sweeten to taste because every sweetener is different. I haven’t tried using any artificial sweeteners, stevia, or monk fruit sugar, but if they are granulated, they should work, too.
Vegan: Use dairy free milk and top with vegan marshmallows or coconut whipped cream.
If you love hot chocolate, this Hot Chocolate Ice Cream is one of our favorite desserts! Serve it up for a Valentine’s Day treat with gluten free dairy free Valentine’s bark!
How to Make Healthy Hot Chocolate
Making this low calorie drink couldn’t be any easier, and it only takes 5 minutes!
- In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.
- Let it warm up over medium heat. Stir it a few times along the way.
- Once warm, pour the hot cocoa into four mugs, add any garnishes or toppings, and enjoy!
Serving Options
As-is, this is a dairy free and low calorie hot chocolate, but you can add marshmallows and/or whipped cream for even more flavor/fun!
Toppings: Whipped cream and marshmallows are both perfect toppings. Chocolate shavings over the whipped cream on top are a great touch!
Give your drink an extra kick of flavor by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Mix Ins: Feel free to add other mix ins like sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter, or peppermint extract and crushed candy canes (super tasty with peppermint mocha muffins). The options are endless! If you like mint drinks, try our Healthy Peppermint Mocha!
If you’re looking for treats to serve your warm drink, consider making Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sweet Potato Brownies, or Healthy Chocolate Cake!
Recipe FAQs
This healthy hot cocoa recipe is very low calorie—less than 75 calories per 8-ounce cup. Regular powdered hot cocoa mix typically has over 100 calories per serving
I don’t recommend making this recipe ahead of time. It only takes 5 minutes to make it fresh, and it can take longer than that to reheat it after it’s been in the fridge.
Other healthy drink recipes
If you’re looking for other festive lattes check out these drinks. If it’s the holiday season you can also check out our Healthy Christmas Recipes
Healthy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 4 cups almond milk (dairy, almond, coconut milk all will work)
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- In a sauce pot, whisk together milk, cocoa powder and maple syrup vigorously until combined.
- Heat over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once warm, pour into a mug and enjoy!
Have you tried using Almind Breeze vanilla almond milk with a hint of honey?
Would I need maple syrup or honey?
How much cocoa powder?
Thank you!
I haven’t, I’m sorry! If you try it – let me know. I think you could jsut reduce the amount of sweetener in it but I have never tried this product so I don’t know what it tastes like/how sweet it is!
This is a great option for my diabetic wife. Thank you for sharing!!
Was looking for a healthy hot cocoa for my family . This fits the bill! Even my fussy grandson loved it! I love that i can use maple syrup for the sweetener, but not taste maple! And the cocoa flavor is sooo rich! Thank you for this amazing recipe.
This hot cocoa was a HIT with my family tonight. It’s very rich and delicious! Thank you for the recipe. ♡
So easy, absolutely delicious. Just the right amount of chocolate and sweetness.
I tried this with carob powder and it was delicious!
I had been craving hot chocolate but trying to reduce my sugar intake. I saw this recipe pop up on Instagram stories and had to try it right away. SO DELICIOUS! Easy to make, you probably always have the ingredients on hand. Just the right amount of sweetness, without being overly sweet, and the perfect amount of chocolate. Next time I am going to be sure to add the whipped cream and marshmallows!!! Such and easy and delicious recipe (added bonus to being healthier).
Can you refrigerate the leftovers?
I’ve never tried that. I think it would separate so I wouldn’t recommend it
I DO NOT OWN A PRINTER. YOUR SITE DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO SAVE YOUR RECIPES TO PINTREST. VERY FRUSTRATING ARRANGEMENT.
There’s a purple pin button on the top of the page. It’s right underneath the title of the blog post. There are two buttons next to it that say jump to recipe and print recipe. So just try that 🙂
SO EASY and SO AMAZING! Thank you so much for such a great recipe!!!
I make this for my 2 and 4 year old and it’s always a hit!
So happy they both enjoyed it!
Can you divide this recipe to make just one serving?
Yes, just use the slider bar next to the servings to adjust it for one!
Was craving some chocolate when this came up on my Instagram feed and I ran right to the kitchen to make it. So quick and easy with such simple ingredients! It’s delicious!
So glad you liked it, Elissa!
My 3 and 1 year old love this hot chocolate and I love that it’s only 3 good ingredients! So tasty!
This makes me so happy to hear! Thanks Alexandra!
This totally cured my chocolate craving while trying to eat clean! I used a coconut milk/almond milk mixture. It was perfect! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks, Chrissi! So glad you liked it!
So easy and rich!! This was a great, guilt-free treat after playing in the snow!
Thank you so much, Molly! This is the perfect thing to warm up with!
This recipe was perfect! Soooooo good!!!!!!!!
Yay! So happy you liked it, Tracy! Thank you!
Super easy and yummy recipe!
So glad you liked it, Hannah! Thank you!
Stupid easy! Soooooo tasty. Wow ! Make this and make it now. I added a little extra maple to make it a bit more sweet and added marshmallow Fluff. So yummy.
So glad you liked it Jessica, Thank you!! Love the idea of adding fluff 😍