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Home » Beverages

Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Dairy Free}

Published: Sep 17, 2022 · Updated: Sep 17, 2022 by Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Warm up with a cup of this creamy oat milk hot chocolate. It’s quick and easy to make and so delicious you will never know it is dairy free!

A cup of oat milk hot chocolate with marshmallows
Jump to:
  • Why we love oat milk hot chocolate
  • Ingredients and Equipment
  • Directions
  • Recipe variations and tips
  • Related recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why we love oat milk hot chocolate

I have made hot chocolate with a variety of dairy free milk substitutes but oat milk is by far my favorite! Here’s why:

  • Oat milk makes hot chocolate creamy - the texture is thicker like whole milk or half and half. That creaminess makes for a delicious and satisfying cup of hot chocolate! Plus, it has a fairly neutral flavor so it doesn’t compete with the rich, chocolatey flavor we want from hot chocolate.
  • Oat milk has become really accessible. You can find it at most grocery stores and it is priced similarly to other dairy free milk substitutes.
  • It's allergy friendly! This oat milk hot chocolate recipe is free from the top 9 most common allergens and is vegan as well.

Ingredients and Equipment

Ingredients needed to make oat milk hot chocolate

Making oat milk hot cocoa really couldn’t be simpler.  You only need five ingredients to make the base recipe and some extras if you want to jazz it up a bit.

  • Oat milk - make sure it’s gluten free if you’re avoiding gluten.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Granulated sugar 
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt (just a dash)

Optional extras

  • Cinnamon - ground or sticks
  • Marshmallows 
  • Peppermint sticks - crush and stir into the hot cocoa or use as a stir stick
  • Dairy free/ vegan chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
  • Dairy free/ vegan whipped cream - I usually buy coconut milk whipped cream at Aldi or Trader Joe’s. If you can have almonds, there is an almond milk Reddi Whip as well.

Equipment

Equipment needed to make oat milk hot chocolate

Making hot chocolate doesn’t require a lot of equipment at all. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Large mug
  • Mini whisk or milk frother
  • Measuring spoons
  • Microwave or large saucepan (if using the stovetop or a hot plate)

Directions

You can make hot chocolate with oat milk in a couple of ways:

  • Microwave method - the fastest and least amount of clean-up. This works well for one or two cups of cocoa.
  • Stovetop - works the best if you're making hot cocoa for a crowd but you can also make a single serving on the stovetop.

Microwave:

  • Step 1: Combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a mug.
  • Step 2: Measure the oat milk in a microwaveable glass measuring cup. Microwave for about 90 seconds so it is hot but not boiling. 
  • Step 3: Pour the oat milk into the mug with the cocoa powder mixture. 
  • Step 4: Whisk the mixture until everything is combined and frothy. 

Tip: A milk frother works great for whisking but can cause the mixture to overflow. To avoid this, try filling the mug halfway with oat milk, mixing well with the frother, and then adding additional milk to fill the mug.

Steps for making oat milk hot chocolate

Stovetop

  • Step 1: Pour the oat milk into a saucepan and warm over medium heat. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally so it does not burn.
  • Step 2: While the milk is heating, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a small bowl.
  • Step 3: When the milk is hot but not boiling, whisk in the cocoa powder mixture until fully incorporated.  Tip: A frother also works great for this!
Oat milk hot chocolate being mixed with a frother

Recipe variations and tips

Use an alternative sweetener

If you don’t have granulated sugar or prefer not to use it, you can use a number of different alternatives. Brown sugar, maple syrup, and agave are all options.

If you prefer to lower the amount of sugar but still like some sweetness, you can use stevia instead. Also, you can experiment with the amount of sweetener you use based on your own taste.

Oat milk hot chocolate topped with dairy free whipped topping

Make it cold

Yes, this is a recipe for oat milk hot chocolate but you can make a delicious glass of oat milk chocolate milk using the same recipe!

To do this, mix the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt together in a glass. Then add a tiny bit of hot water, just enough to make the dry ingredients into chocolate syrup. Whisk the mixture well so it is smooth and the sugar is dissolved. Then, whisk in the cold oat milk. 

My youngest son, who is not allergic to dairy and drinks cow’s milk frequently, sampled a glass of this chocolate milk and could not tell the difference. It really is as creamy and delicious as chocolate milk made from cow’s milk.

Make a hot cocoa bar

Whether you’re having a birthday party for your kids, a book club gathering, or celebrating a winter holiday, a hot chocolate bar is a fun and delicious addition - even when it’s dairy free!

To do this, make enough hot chocolate on the stovetop for your guests and keep it warm in your slow cooker. Then assemble a variety of toppings and maybe a few sweet treats to go with it.

Tip: To change the number of servings this recipe makes, click "servings" on the recipe card and use the slider to select how many servings you want to make.

Here are some hot cocoa bar ideas:

  • Peppermint sticks
  • Crushed candy canes
  • Mini or large marshmallows
  • Dairy free chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips (see ingredient list above)
  • Dairy free whipped cream (see ingredient list above)
  • Vegan caramel sauce - An example is this one from Hey Boo. It might be easier to serve if transferred to a small squeeze bottle. Another option is this Keto Carmel Syrup by Enlightened which does come in a squeeze bottle. I haven’t tasted either one of these so can’t vouch for the taste. 
  • Cinnamon sticks

You might also include a sweet treat to go with the hot cup of cocoa! Here are some recipes that are gluten free and free from the top 9 allergens (including dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts):

  • Brownie biscotti
  • Chocolate chip cookies
  • Peanut free buckeyes
  • Spritz cookies
  • Gingerbread
  • Pumpkin cookies
  • Chocolate sandwich cookies

Related recipes

  • Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies {Allergy Friendly!}
  • Peanut Free Sunflower Butter Blossoms
  • Allergy Free Gingerbread Cookies
  • Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix

📖 Recipe

A cup of oat milk hot chocolate with marshmallows

Oat Milk Hot Chocolate {Dairy Free}

Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
This creamy oat milk hot chocolate is free from the top 9 allergens including dairy, soy, gluten, and nuts.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 mins
Servings 1 serving
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup oat milk
  • ½ tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Dash of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings (optional)

  • Peppermint sticks
  • Crushed peppermints
  • Marshmallows
  • Dairy free whipped cream
  • Dairy free chocolate shavings
  • Cinnamon/cinnamon sticks

Instructions
 

Microwave

  • Measure the oat milk in a glass measuring cup and heat in the microwave on high for 90 seconds or until it is hot but not boiling.
  • While the milk is heating, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a 10-12 ounce mug. Pour the heated milk into the mug and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the cocoa powder is fully incorporated. (A frother works well for this step). Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Stovetop

  • Pour the oat milk into a small saucepan and heat over medium low heat.
  • While the milk is heating, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. When the milk is hot but not boiling, whisk in the cocoa powder mixture until it is fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

If you're making several servings of hot chocolate at a time, keep warm in a kettle on the stovetop or in a slow cooker set on low.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 24gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0.7gSodium: 250mgFiber: 3gSugar: 13gCalcium: 394mg
Keyword Beverage, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free, wheat free
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Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.
Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD
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About Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD

Kristi Winkels is a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom who helps people navigate dietary restrictions due to food allergies and intolerances. Read more about Kristi and get in touch here.

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  1. Laura says

    October 12, 2022 at 6:06 am

    Wow! This is so easy to make and tastes like hot cocoa with real milk!5 stars

    Reply
    • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

      October 14, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks, Laura! I'm glad you liked it!

      Reply

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