Oat milk hot chocolate is a cozy and creamy hot drink and is totally plant-based. This drink will be a new favorite indulgence on snowy winter days. It can be made in the microwave or on the stovetop in under five minutes.
Is it just me, or is there nothing cozier than a creamy and frothy cup of hot chocolate? I love drinking it while relaxing at night because it’s like a hybrid of a satisfying nighttime snack and a treat. Just indulgent enough, yet filling due to the healthful fat in the oat milk and cacao.
Trust me when I tell you that this is the healthyish treat we’ve all been waiting for. It will pull us through the depths of winter.
It’s also plant-based and has an option to spike with flavors reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate (namely vanilla bean and cayenne). As an aside, I feel like there’s no other food combination that more accurately portrays my personality. Vanilla with a hint of spice 😜
Oat Milk Hot Chocolate Ingredients
This is a simple five-ingredient recipe (not counting salt) that you’ll likely be able to throw together at any time. Don’t you love when that happens? Here’s what you need:
- cacao powder (unsweetened, not hot cocoa mix, I like Navitas)
- cane sugar (granulated sugar)
- vanilla paste or extract, I’ve used both with success
- oat milk
- optional for a pop of heat: cayenne pepper
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
In a simple three-step process you can make hot chocolate from scratch, really! It doesn’t take much more effort than the packet and the flavor is significantly richer.
- Make a simple homemade syrup (similar to the mocha syrup at your favorite coffee shop)
- Heat and add your milk.
- Stir and froth.
I highly recommend using a milk frother (affiliate) for cozy hot drinks like this. If you don’t have one, I promise this is a $19 investment you won’t regret. This is how you get that beautiful foam on top!
If you don’t have one, you can also use a whisk.
For the sake of presentation I love to make it in a large mug and then transfer it to a smaller prettier one, but that’s just me and my neurotic food photographer brain. Be sure to use those barista skills to hold back the foam and spoon it out on top at the end.
Don’t forget the extra pinch of cayenne if you like a little bit of heat! The spice paired with chocolate is a really great combination.
Homemade Hot Chocolate FAQs
Yep. I think oat milk works best for a plant-based hot chocolate because it’s creamy and the flavor is mild. You could certainly try any of your other favorite alt milks here, but they may not froth as well.
You can! I’ve made it on the stovetop with success and added those directions in the recipe card “notes” section.
I haven’t tried this with any other sweetener, but I think maple syrup or coconut sugar would work just fine if you’re avoiding granulated sugar. The flavor will be slightly different though.
This is a no-fail way to elevate your Friday night in less than five minutes. Did I mention it’s the best way to get cozy while listening to Christmas music in your cozy socks? Try this once, and you may never use the packets again.
More Chocolate Recipes:
- 4 Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies
- Double Chocolate Almond Flour Banana Muffins
- Salted Tahini Brownies (small batch)
Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Oat milk hot chocolate is a cozy and creamy hot drink and is totally plant-based. This drink will be a new favorite indulgence on snowy winter days.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (7 grams) unsweetened cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon (7 grams) vanilla bean paste or extract
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 cup (240 grams) oat milk
- optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Add cacao powder through water to your largest mug (water can come from tap, or you can heat in the microwave if needed). Stir to form a thick chocolatey syrup.
- Meanwhile heat oat milk in a microwave-safe dish, like a liquid measuring cup, for 90 seconds (or until it reaches your preferred temperature).
- Pour oat milk over your chocolate syrup and stir with a spoon to combine. If you have a milk frother, you can use it to get the top all foamy and delicious.
- Transfer to a smaller mug using the barista latte trick: use a large spoon to hold back the foam while you pour the hot chocolate, then spoon out the foam and/or pour it out last so it’s on top. Garnish with a pinch of cayenne pepper if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The equipment section above includes affiliate links to things I use often in my kitchen and recommend.
- Cacao powder is similar to cocoa powder and often used interchangeably. Just be sure it’s unsweetened and not the Dutch-processed variety.
- Stovetop directions: Add cacao powder through hot water to a small saucepan and heat over medium, whisking to combine until it forms a syrup. Pour in the oat milk while continuing to mix as you heat to a simmer. Remove from heat and use a milk frother or a whisk to get it foamy. Pour into a mug and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 209 calories
- Fat: 6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 5 grams
This post was originally published in January 2021. Recipe, content and photos were updated in December 2021.
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Lisa says
Can’t say I was a fan of this. Tasted rather bland, even after adding vanilla and cayenne. I suspect that oat milk is a bit too thin for a hot cocoa type recipe…it tasted rather watery vs rich and creamy, as would be the case with cocoa made with cow’s milk…
Leanne says
I’m sorry to hear that Lisa! I make this often and have never had that same result. Maybe it has to do with the variation of brands/fat content? The same method works with your milk of choice (I also make with soy, whole, etc.) so maybe you can give it at try with one of those others next time. Thanks for the feedback!
Chantelle says
I wonder if my home made oat milk would work 🤔.
Leanne says
I don’t see why not! It may separate a bit when heated, but other than that it should be just fine. Let me know if you give it a try!
Anne Marie says
This looks real good. And I love your pictures. Why not used dutch processed?
Leanne says
Hi Anne Marie! I’m not sure if Dutch processed will produce the same result for this. I like to use cacao powder in cooking/baking because it has a strong flavor and is the least processed. However you could give it a shot!