This oat milk hot chocolate is oh-so-smoothie and cozy as can be! It’s made using just three ingredients and is ready in just five minutes. A mug full of vegan hot cocoa can be the perfect mid-day pick-me-up or a tasty way to end your day!
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cozy: It’s warm, comforting, and velvety smooth—everything you’d wish for in a warm cup of hot cocoa.
- Quick + easy: This oat milk hot cocoa is made with three simple ingredients and only five minutes of your precious time.
- Allergy-friendly: It’s made with oat milk, so this healthy hot chocolate recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.
Nutrition For Mental Health
Cacao powder is an excellent source of antioxidants, selenium, magnesium, manganese, and chromium. However, these minerals usually aren’t on nutrition labels. Cacao also contains small amounts of calcium, iron, and potassium.
Let me tell you, learning about how food can impact your mood is so fascinating! That’s why I got my Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. Let’s chat about cocoa. Cocoa-rich foods have been shown to improve mood while reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Ingredients + Notes
- Oat milk: I always recommend using unsweetened oat milk. This way, you have full control over how sweet this hot chocolate with oat milk is.
- Cacao powder: I always opt for organic cacao powder. It is rich and full of flavor!
- Maple syrup: My go-to sweetener (especially when using it in a liquid). It dissolves perfectly into the hot chocolate mix.
Substitutions + Variations
This healthy oat milk hot chocolate is perfection as is. With a three-ingredient recipe, there aren’t many changes that can be made. However, here are some options if needed.
- Milk: If you can only find sweetened or vanilla oat milk, either works just fine. However, keep in mind that you will most likely want to omit the maple syrup or reduce it. Alternatively, almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or hemp milk will all work as well. With these dairy-free milk alternatives, you may feel the need to increase the amount of sweetener.
- Sweetener: I always opt for maple syrup when it comes to sweetening a liquid. That being said, agave works well too. Alternatively, cane sugar is a good option for a neutral sweetness. Finally, for a sugar-free option, stevia or monk fruit sweetener is your best bet!
How To Make Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Follow these three simple steps for the perfect cup of vegan hot chocolate.
- Add oat milk, cacao powder, and maple syrup to a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until well combined and smooth.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, whisking occasionally.
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- Divide between two mugs and top with vegan marshmallows and mini chocolate chips.
Serving Ideas
Of course, you can always enjoy a cup of oat milk hot chocolate on its own. However, why not add some toppings and pair it with a tasty treat!?
Toppings
Sides
- Muffins: My favorite muffins to pair this vegan hot cocoa with are Vegan Banana Bread Muffins and Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins.
- Scones: Try these Vegan Pumpkin Pie Scones or Banana Walnut Scones alongside a warm cup of oat milk hot cocoa.
Storage Tips
This hot chocolate with oat milk can be easily stored in a glass jar in the fridge.
- Fridge: Store properly in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Make sure to give it a good shake before pouring it into a saucepan to reheat on the stove. Alternatively, you can add it to a microwave-safe mug and reheat it for 30 seconds at a time.
- Meal prep: If you would like to make a big batch to have on hand for a few days, then double or triple this vegan hot chocolate recipe and store it in a glass jar in the fridge.
FAQ
Of course, you can heat up oat milk for hot chocolate.
This really depends on personal preference. Oat milk is naturally sweeter, so if you want to minimize the amount of added sugar, then oat milk is a great option. However, if you have almond milk on hand or you simply prefer it, then it will taste good, too!
Yes, oat milk is good for hot drinks. You can heat it on the stovetop over medium heat, or you can pour it into a microwave-safe mug and microwave it for one to two minutes.
I like using oat milk for hot cocoa because it is naturally sweeter, so I naturally use less sugar. However, almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, rice milk, or hemp milk all work well in homemade vegan hot chocolate.
If you tried this Oat Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened oat milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cacao powder
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- mini vegan marshmallows, optional
Instructions
- Add oat milk, cacao powder, and maple syrup to a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until well combined and smooth.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, whisking occasionally.
- Divide between two mugs and top with vegan marshmallows and mini chocolate chips.
Notes
- Fridge: Store properly in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Make sure to give it a good shake before pouring it into a saucepan to reheat on the stove. Alternatively, you can add it to a microwave-safe mug and reheat it for 30 seconds at a time.
- Meal prep: If you would like to make a big batch to have on hand for a few days, then double or triple this vegan hot chocolate recipe and store it in a glass jar in the fridge.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
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Reference
Fusar-Poli, L., Gabbiadini, A., Ciancio, A., Vozza, L., Signorelli, M. S., & Aguglia, E. (2022). The effect of cocoa-rich products on depression, anxiety, and mood: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 62(28), 7905–7916. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1920570
This vegan hot chocolate is incredible!
Thanks so much! It’s a family favorite!