This vegan protein hot chocolate is creamy, rich and ready in 10 minutes. Even better? It delivers a dose of protein without the addition of protein powder.
Jump to recipe
Mhmm, hot chocolate! The warming feeling travels through my body when taking a sip. The delicious chocolate flavor when I taste it on my tongue. That was a feeling I loved as a child. Naturally, I indulged in hot chocolate a lot. And even as an adult, I opt for the cozy chocolate drink on cold days.
So this recipe is a healthier and vegan version of the sugary hot chocolate I drank as a child. It is made with nutty almond milk, dark chocolate, and cacao powder.
But the real kicker lies in the added almond butter. Next to giving this vegan hot chocolate a protein boost, it also makes it ultra-creamy and thick.
Why you'll love this recipe
- comforting & warming
- thick and creamy
- dairy- and gluten-free
- ready in 10 minutes
This recipe uses almond milk for a creamy result. If you want to save costs and make plant-based milk in 2 minutes, I got you covered. Check out this post on how to make the quickest nut milk. With this shortcut, you can make nut milk at home in 2 minutes.
Ingredient notes
- Plant-based milk – I used almond milk in this recipe because I like the nutty flavor. But I think it would also work with coconut, oat, soya, or other plant-based options.
- Vegan dark chocolate – For the perfect balance between sweet and bitter, use 70-80% dark chocolate.
- Cacao powder – Use unsweetened cacao powder, not the pre-sweetened cacao mix, to keep the sugar low in this hot chocolate recipe.
- Almond butter – The almond butter makes this vegan hot chocolate ultra-creamy and adds protein.
- Vanilla extract – Be sure to use pure vanilla extract, as it comes with no added sugar.
- Agave syrup (optional) – If you want the hot chocolate to be sweeter, add a bit of agave syrup, along with the other ingredients, to the simmering milk.
See the recipe card for exact quantities!
Tips & substitutions
- Use high-quality ingredients – I always buy high-quality vegan dark chocolate when making this recipe. It makes the hot chocolate so much better. I usually use 70-80% dark chocolate to get that rich flavor and reap all the nourishing benefits of cocoa.
- Opt for other milk options – This recipe uses almond milk for a slightly nutty flavor. But it would also work well with other plant-based milk. Experiment and see what milk you like best.
- Substitute the nut butter – You can use any other nut butter. Cashew, hazelnut, and peanut butter would all be great options to use in this recipe.
- Add more protein – To up the protein in this cozy hot chocolate, add a bit of plant-based protein powder.
- Stir frequently – To dissolve all the ingredients and get an ultra-creamy result, stir the hot chocolate frequently when simmering.
- Simmer, not boil – Be sure to simmer the hot chocolate on low heat and not let it boil. It can scald the ingredients and influence the taste negatively.
Instructions
Step 1: Roughly chop or break up the dark chocolate and set it aside.
Step 2: Pour the almond milk into a small saucepan and bring it to a light boil over medium to high heat.
Step 3: Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped dark chocolate, cacao powder, almond butter, vanilla extract, and agave syrup (optional). Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, whisking frequently.
Step 4: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs, top with vegan whipped cream and grated dark chocolate if you like, and serve.
Expert tip
Out of plant-based milk? You can also make this protein hot chocolate with water. Although it will be less creamy than using milk. Add more almond butter to the drink while cooking to make it creamier. Stir in well and adjust the amount until you reach the desired consistency.
What to serve with protein hot chocolate
Crave a deliciously healthy dessert while sipping this protein hot chocolate? Try these grain-free orange chocolate chip muffins, grain-free orange cake bars, or healthy banana nut muffins to satisfy your cravings.
And for a quick sweet snack, consider these almond quinoa granola bars and 2-ingredient fudge to munch on.
Recipe FAQs
Several vegan milk options work well for making this hot chocolate. I used almond milk in this recipe. Paired with the almond butter, it makes for a perfectly creamy consistency. But there are other plant-based milk options you can use too. Here are a few:
- Oat milk: The vegan option is one of the creamiest non-dairy milk available, making it a good choice for hot chocolate.
- Soy milk: Soy milk also has a rich and creamy texture that works well in hot chocolate. It is high in protein, making it a filling option.
- Coconut milk: Coconut milk has a natural sweetness and adds a coconut flavor to the drink. It also has a thicker texture that makes for a decadent hot chocolate.
Experiment with different options and see which one you like best.
Cacao powder is made by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans, which preserves the enzymes and nutrients in the bean. The resulting powder is raw and retains the natural bitterness of the cacao bean. It is also a more natural and less processed option than cocoa powder.
In contrast, cocoa powder is made by roasting cacao beans at high temperatures and then processing them at a higher heat. This process removes some of the enzymes and nutrients in the bean and gives the cocoa powder a more mellow flavor.
This homemade hot chocolate should be consumed right after making it for the best taste and texture. However, if you have leftover hot chocolate, store it in an airtight container or a jar with a lid in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Related recipes
Did you try one or more of these recipes?
Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @encore_more on Instagram & Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Protein Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 400 ml almond milk (1 ¾ cups)
- 40 g 70-80% dark chocolate (1.4 oz)
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Roughly chop or break up the dark chocolate and set it aside.
- Pour the almond milk into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium to high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped dark chocolate, cacao powder, almond butter, vanilla extract, and agave syrup (optional). Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, whisking frequently.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs, top with vegan whipped cream and grated dark chocolate if you like, and serve.
Notes
- Opt for other milk options – This recipe uses almond milk for a slightly nutty flavor. But it would also work well with other plant-based milk. Experiment and see what milk you like best.
- Substitute the nut butter – You can use any other nut butter. Cashew, hazelnut, and peanut butter would all be great options to use in this recipe.
- Add more protein – To up the protein in this hot chocolate, add a bit of plant-based protein powder.
- Stir frequently – To dissolve all the ingredients and get an ultra-creamy result, stir the hot chocolate frequently when simmering.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only calculated with the recipe calorie and nutrition calculator provided by verywellfit.com. The author of this website is not a nutritionist nor a doctor. All nutritional data provided in the recipes and correspondent blog posts are for informational purposes only. Do not use the information as nutritional or medical advice.
Leave a Comment