Oat Milk Hot Chocolate is a creamy vegan, dairy-free hot cocoa recipe made with oat milk, cocoa powder, real chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste. This rich hot cocoa takes only a few minutes to make and will quickly become your favorite cozy drink!
So far this holiday season, we have made this hot chocolate recipe more times then we can count. Not only does it warm you up, it also provides the perfect balance of flavors. The rich chocolate flavor satisfies any sweet tooth while the lightness of the oat milk keeps you from feeling overstuffed. It's so rich and creamy that you won't believe it's vegan and dairy-free!
This recipe is great for cozy parties with friends and accompanies a hot chocolate charcuterie bar perfectly. If you want to enjoy this drink as a nightcap or for a celebration, check out our Bailey's Hot Chocolate recipe.
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Ingredients
- Oat milk - creamy oat milk is the rich base of the hot chocolate.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate flavor.
- Sugar - sugar adds extra sweetness to the hot chocolate.
- Cinnamon stick - including a cinnamon stick subtly infuses cinnamon spice into the hot cocoa.
- Chocolate - provides the rich chocolatey flavor, we recommend using a rich chocolate like semisweet or dark chocolate chips.
- Vanilla extract - adds a warm complexity to the drink.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Warm ingredients - Add oat milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon stick to a saucepan and warm over medium heat. Whisk until warm, but not boiling.
- Add chocolate and vanilla - Add chocolate and vanilla to the mixture. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and blended with the oat milk.
- Serve - Divide into mugs and serve immediately. Serve with regular or vegan whipped cream and cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, or chocolate shavings.
Hints:
- This recipe pairs perfectly with our Hot Cocoa Bar. Our Hot Cocoa Bar features cookies, candies, and other treats that taste great with this Oat Milk Hot Chocolate.
- See the recipe card for instructions to make hot chocolate oat milk in a slow cooker.
Substitutions
- Milk - Replace it with a milk of your choice (regular milk, coconut milk, almond milk, etc.). This recipe works with any chosen milk.
- Dark chocolate - Use high percent dark chocolate if you want to make your hot chocolate extra rich.
- Milk Chocolate - Use milk chocolate if you prefer a lighter and more sugary chocolate.
Variations
- Deluxe - Add regular or vegan marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles or pirouettes to the hot chocolate for extra pizzazz.
- Kid friendly - Add a ginger bread man hanging on the side of your mug for the kids to enjoy with the hot chocolate.
- Candy cane - If you like peppermint hot chocolate, add a candy cane and let it melt into the hot chocolate to add the peppermint taste.
- Cookies - This hot chocolate is perfect for dipping any cookies.
- No cinnamon sticks - If you don't like the hint of cinnamon provided by the sticks, omit them and enjoy the pure chocolate flavor.
- Less sweet - Omit the granulated sugar from the recipe for a less sweet and more pure hot chocolate taste.
Equipment
This Oat Milk Hot Chocolate recipe requires common kitchen essentials. You need a sauce pan, a measuring cup, measuring spoons, a whisk, and mugs.
Storage
This dairy-free Hot Chocolate is best enjoyed fresh; however, you can store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat it over the stove over low heat.
Top Tip
- For a long-lasting hot cocoa, serve the hot cocoa in double-walled glass mugs to keep the cocoa hot and the outside cool to the touch.
- To adjust the sweetness, add more or less sugar.
- Whisk the hot chocolate frequently while on the stovetop so it doesn't burn.
Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
- 2 cups oat milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or Demerara sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ cup dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips chunks or chopped chocolate
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
For Serving
- Whipped cream
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate shavings
- Chocolate syrup
Instructions
Stovetop Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
- Warm ingredients - Add oat milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon stick to a saucepan and warm on medium-low heat. Whisk until warm, but not boiling, about 3 minutes.
- Add chocolate and vanilla - Add chocolate and vanilla to the mixture. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and blended with the oat milk, about 2-4 minutes.
- Serve - Divide into mugs and serve immediately. Serve with regular or vegan whipped cream and cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, or chocolate shavings.
Slow Cooker Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
- Warm ingredients - Add milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon stick to a slow cooker. Stir together ingredients.
- Cover and cook - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Serve - Divide into mugs and serve immediately. Serve with regular or vegan whipped cream and cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, or chocolate shavings.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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