Oat milk is the best plant milk for hot chocolate: it’s naturally sweet and creamy and doesn’t split when heated. A little dark chocolate gives it body.
Ingredients
You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk
Method
Whisk the cocoa and maple with a splash of oat milk into a paste.
Add the rest of the oat milk and the chocolate. Warm over medium-low heat, whisking, until steaming: about 3-5 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
Stir in the vanilla and salt.
Tips
Check your dark chocolate label for milk if you’re strictly dairy-free or vegan.
“Barista” oat milks froth best.
Nutrition per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 285
- Protein
- 6g
- Carbs
- 42g
- Sugar
- 23g
- Fiber
- 7g
- Fat
- 12g
- Caffeine
- 35mg
Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.
Variations
Coconut: Replace ¼ cup oat milk with canned coconut milk for extra richness.
Nutrition at a glance
One serving has about 285 calories, 23 g sugar, 6 g protein and about 35 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.
Storing and reheating
Leftover hot chocolate keeps in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking well: the chocolate settles as it cools. A skin on top is normal; whisk it back in.
Choosing your chocolate
For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best non-dairy milk for hot chocolate?
Oat milk for creaminess; soy for protein; coconut for richness. Almond is thinnest.
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Gear for this recipe
A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1.60 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
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