5 Minute Vegan Hot Chocolate

Name: 5 Minute Vegan Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup cocoa powder – unsweetened; 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons coconut sugar; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or pink Himalayan salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup almond milk – or coconut milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons of vegan hot chocolate mix; 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter or cashew butter; 1 tablespoon vegan protein powder – unflavored.; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; Chilli powder or cayenne powder – for a spicy kick; 1/2 cup strong coffee; 1-2 shots of espresso or 1 tablespoon of espresso powder

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This rich and chocolatey Vegan Hot Chocolate can be made in 5 minutes with only 6 ingredients. It makes the perfect cozy winter cocoa that you can enjoy all season long!

When the weather starts to get colder, there is nothing better than a warm, satisfying cup of Vegan Hot Chocolate. It is perfectly rich with just the right amount of sweetness and you can make it in 5 minutes!

It’s similar to this Vegan Chocolate Mouse that is also easy to make and is so amazing!

This recipe includes a dry hot chocolate mix that is refined sugar-free and 100% vegan. You can make it ahead and store it for later. Then you can whip up the hot cocoa in minutes!

Is so easy to make hot chocolate from scratch, you won’t believe it! All you need is some cocoa powder, coconut sugar, dairy-free milk, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon and salt. You could also add in some creamy peanut butter or vegan protein powder for a protein hot chocolate.

Mug filled with hot chocolate with marshmallows on top of it and another mug of it in front of it.

Why you’ll love this recipe

It is so rich and creamy that you won’t believe it is vegan!
No refined sugar.
So easy to make with only 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have.
You can make it in 5 minutes!
Kid and adult approved!

Customizable flavors for vegan hot chocolate mix

Coffee flavored – make this a coffee-flavored version by adding half a cup of strong coffee. My personal favorite. You can also add 1-2 shots of espresso or espresso powder.
Peppermint hot chocolate – add a few drops of peppermint extract when you are making the hot chocolate for a nice festive peppermint flavor then top it with some crushed peppermint.
Nutella hot chocolate – stir in 1 tablespoon of vegan Nutella. This is a great option the kids will love!

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients for vegan hot chocolate with labels over each ingredient.

Cocoa powder – any good quality cocoa powder will work. Just make sure it is unsweetened.
Coconut sugar – this gives it the perfect balance of sweetness. You could also you a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or stevia.
Cinnamon – a little ground cinnamon to add some nice warmth of flavor.
Kosher salt – just a little bit to bring out all of the sweetness.
Almond milk – unsweetened almond milk or any plant-based milk.
Vanilla extract – real vanilla extract

How to make vegan hot chocolate

Be sure to check out the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make the vegan hot chocolate dry mix – add the cocoa powder, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a blender and blend on high for a few seconds. This makes the mix nice and smooth. You can also sift the mix as I did. Then you can either store it in an airtight container in the pantry or use it right away.

Homemade dry hot cocoa mix in a glass bowl with a mesh sifter next to it.

Glass jar filled with homemade hot chocolate mix with a wooden spoon in the jar.

2. Make the vegan hot chocolate – heat the milk and vanilla in a small pot over medium heat on the stovetop. Then whisk in 2-3 tablespoons of the hot cocoa mix.

3. Finish and serve. Remove the cocoa from the heat, pour it into mugs, and enjoy. We like to top ours with mini marshmallows.

Warm milk with hot cocoa mix whisked in in a small pot.

Vegan hot chocolate cooking in a small pot with more hot chocolate mix in a spoon next to it.

Recipe tips and notes

Use unsweetened cocoa powder or it will be too sweet. By adding your own sweetener you can control the amount as well as the type of sweetener in this recipe.
Warm the milk first. It is essential to warm the milk before you add the hot chocolate mix so it dissolves and blends into the milk better.
Use good quality milk with a higher fat content. This will make the hot chocolate creamier. I like to use almond milk or coconut milk.
Use a whisk. Whisking the mix into the hot milk with help it blend in better and become nice and creamy and rich.
Top it with fun toppings. The toppings take hot chocolate to a whole new level. Try mini marshmallows, coconut whipped cream, crushed peppermint, or dairy-free mini chocolate chips.

Optional add-ins

Creamy peanut butter – about 1 tablespoon. You can also use cashew butter or almond butter.
Vegan Protein powder – I prefer to use unflavored. 1-2 tablespoons are good to make this a protein hot chocolate.
Chili powder or cayenne pepper – about 1/4 teaspoon for a nice spicy kick.
Frothed milk – use plant-based milk like coconut or soy milk that froth nicely. This is a great alternative to whipped cream.
Nutmeg or ginger – adds some nice warm flavors to the hot cocoa.

Glass mugs with vegan cocoa in them with small marshmallows on top of one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this hot chocolate sugar-free?

Yes, you can! To make this recipe sugar-free you can swap the coconut sugar with your favorite sugar-free sweetener. It is great with stevia or monk fruit.

How do you serve large portions of hot chocolate?

You can make large portions by doubling or tripling the recipe and making it in a larger pot. Keep it warmed in an Instant Pot or crockpot with a ladle, some mugs, and fun toppings next to it.

How long does the homemade hot cocoa mix last?

This vegan hot chocolate mix will last in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 2 months.

Can you make vegan hot chocolate?

Yes, you can! This is a vegan hot chocolate recipe that is amazing and so easy to make!

What to serve with hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is great on its own but it is even better with some delicious sweet treats! It is the holidays after all! Here are some of my favorites.

Check out more of my healthy desserts on PMG!

Did you try this vegan chocolate recipe? If you did, then please leave a comment and rating below. I would love to hear from you.