This Paleo Hot Chocolate is not only thick, rich, and creamy - but it's super simple and the chocolate chips make it extra rich and flavorful.
When cold weather strikes, hot chocolate is a must around our house - especially if the kids have a snow day!
There's just something super comforting about a warm, rich, mug of hot chocolate. Bonus points if it's topped with coconut whipped cream!
And even though this paleo hot chocolate is dairy free and refined sugar free, it can't even be compared to the mixed stuff!
It's thick, rich, creamy, ultra chocolaty, and just as good as the hot chocolate you would buy at a fancy coffee shop.
Watch the YouTube video!
See how easy this recipe is to make on my YouTube channel!
Watch the full video here: YouTube Video
Dairy-free & vegan
To make dairy-free and vegan hot chocolate, you simply need to use dairy-free chocolate chips and non-dairy milk.
To make it extra rich and decadent, I use a combination of full-fat canned coconut milk and non-dairy milk from a carton.
For the canned coconut milk, I recommend Thai Kitchen, Sprouts, or Native Forest brands. I prefer these brands because others may lend an aftertaste.
I also don't recommend storing the canned coconut milk in the fridge. If you do, it will separate and be hard to stir. If it does separate, though, simply heat it over low until combined. Or, just use the coconut cream that has separated and it will be that much thicker!
The chocolate chips
To make this recipe low-carb, simply use non-dairy milk (dairy milk is surprisingly high in carbs!) and keto-friendly chocolate chips and sweetener.
For the chocolate chips, I really like ChocZero because they're both low-carb and paleo-friendly.
Or if you're not low-carb, Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips are great too!
The taste of this recipe largely depends on the taste of the chocolate chips so choose some that you really like!
The sweetener
If you don't want your hot chocolate too sweet, you can omit the sweetener. However, I have real sweet tooth so always add some 😀
For a low-carb sweetener, I prefer to use monk fruit sweetener with allulose, pure allulose, or xylitol (powdered or granulated) because they dissolve beautifully and have NO aftertaste!
If you choose pure allulose, however, it's not quite as sweet as other sweeteners so you may need to taste and add more as needed.
I don't recommend erythritol or erythritol-blends because they tend to be grainy and don't dissolve well. They can also sometimes leave a cooling-like aftertaste.
For paleo, monk fruit, allulose, and (as far as I know) xylitol are all Paleo-friendly! However, coconut palm sugar is just as delicious 😄
Fun variations
Here are a few variations if you want to make life more exciting:
- Orange: Add some orange slices and 3 or 4 strips of orange rind to the milk before heating. Remove orange slices before serving. Garnish with orange rind.
- Mint: Add a few drops of mint extract into each mug before serving.
- Mexican: Add in ½ - 1 tablespoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon chili powder to milk before heating. (Everyone likes different levels of heat, so adjust cinnamon and chili powder to taste)
- Or serve plain with Whipped Cream or homemade corn-free marshmallows with coconut sugar from Allergy Free Alaska!!!
Easy steps
Heat some non-dairy milk and full-fat canned coconut milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
Once warm, stir in the chocolate chips until melted.
Remove from heat and stir in pure vanilla and sweetener, if needed.
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📖 Recipe
Paleo Hot Chocolate {With Keto Options!}
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cup Non-Dairy Milk - I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ½ Cup Full Fat Canned Coconut Milk - well shaken or stirred OR heavy whipping cream if you're not dairy-free
- ½ Cup Paleo Keto Chocolate Chips - see notes below
- Sweetener Of Choice - to taste and optional, see notes below
- ¼ teaspoon Pure Vanilla
- Coconut Whipped Cream - optional, for topping
Instructions
- Pour the non-dairy milk and coconut milk into a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Stir until melted and heated through (there may still be small particles of chocolate chips, I love that!). Taste and add sweetener as needed. Remove from heat and stir in the pure vanilla.
- Pour into 2 large mugs and serve with coconut whipped cream if desired.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition info doesn't include any added sweetener and uses ChocZero Chocolate Chips. (Carbs-Fiber=Net Carbs)
- For the coconut milk, I recommend Thai Kitchen, Sprouts, or Native Forest brands. I prefer these brands because others may lend an aftertaste.
- I don't recommend storing the canned coconut milk in the fridge for this recipe. If you do, it will separate and be hard to stir. If it does separate, though, simply heat it over low until combined. Or, just use the coconut cream that has separated and it will be that much thicker!
- The taste of this hot chocolate largely depends on the taste of the chocolate chips so choose some that you really like!
- For a low-carb sweetener, any preferred sweetener will work. I like to use monk fruit sweetener with allulose, pure allulose, or xylitol (powdered or granulated) because they dissolve beautifully and have NO aftertaste!
- If you choose pure allulose keep in mind that it's not quite as sweet as other sweeteners so you may need to taste and add more as needed.
- For a paleo sweetener, monk fruit, allulose, and (as far as I know) xylitol are all Paleo-friendly! However, coconut palm sugar is just as delicious 😄
- For the chocolate chips, I really like ChocZero because they're both keto and paleo-friendly and taste delicious. Or if you're not low-carb, Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips are a great option too!
- As a special gift, I've teamed up with BESTI to give you guys 10% off! Simply use the code "CRAVEABLE" at checkout.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out these resources:
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
Just made this recipe, Cassidy! LOVE it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing on Gluten-Free Wednesday with us all! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Cassidy says
YAY Shirley, I'm happy you liked it!!!!
-Cassidy
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
I love hot chocolate ! This recipe sounds so smooth and creamy. I haven't made hot chocolate with chocolate chips... will have to try this very soon! Thanks, Cassidy - and thank you for the shout out!
xo
Cassidy says
Thanks Megan! ...I've been wanting to make your marshmallows ever since you posted them, they looks SO DELICIOUS!!!!
-Cassidy
Cindy Gordon says
I think this might be our the recipe for our special Christmas morning hot cocoa! Yay! Can't wait to try it out! 🙂
Got it tweeted and pinned!
Cindy
Cassidy Stauffer says
The Kidds-
Thank you sooo much! I hope you enjoy my recipes 🙂
Cassidy
The Kidds says
Hi there- I found your blog through your link up on One Creative Mommy and I am loving your collection of recipes! My name is Jessica and I have issues at our house with diary and gluten... and in going through your blog- I think I may have found some fun new recipes to try!
I am so impressed with your story (I was reading about your son)- We follow a strict diet because we get sick if we don't- and I am so impressed with moms that follow these strict diets because it helps with behavior. Seriously- bravo!
Thanks again for posting- and I had no idea that coconut creamer was so versatile! I'm putting it on my shopping list now!