Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy, and oh-so indulgent, this dairy-free oat milk hot chocolate will warm you right up with its smooth, chocolatey taste. This cozy, warming treat is what makes up every chocolate lovers hot chocolate dreams!

Note: that links to products you find in this post are Amazon affiliate links which means I do make a small amount of money when you click and make purchases. 

When the fall and winter months arrive, I always crave hot chocolate! And recently, I’ve been captivated with using oat milk as a dairy-free, plant-based option to cow’s milk. Oat milk hot cocoa is now one of my new favorite comforting fall drinks!

This plant-based milk is deliciously creamy with a very neutral flavor and it's paired with a combination of two types of high quality chocolate.

I love how using more than one type of chocolate adds more complex flavors to the overall drink. From dark chocolate to milk chocolate and everything in between, I’ve mixed and matched and can tell you, they’re all great options!

This silky smooth dairy-free hot chocolate is a great option any time of the year, but particularly on brisk autumn days or cold winter nights. My kids especially love it as an after-school snack or when they come inside from building snowmen. It’s so good, you’ve just got to try it!

For more hot sippers you can enjoy when the weather is cooler, try this pink hot chocolate or for a spiced mulled wine.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Make Hot Chocolate with Oat Milk
• Variations
• Storage
• Expert Tips and FAQS
• More Winter Drink Recipes
• Oat Milk Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

This recipe is super simple, so you’ll want the indulge in the highest quality ingredients to give it a luxuriously decadent flavor. Treat yourself to the best of the best when it comes to your chocolate. Trust me, your tastebuds will be so grateful!

• Oat Milk: Rich and creamy, this is a great dairy free milk option!
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the chocolate drink a thick, chocolatey base.
• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar is a staple in many of our homes and gives a kiss of sweetness to this tasty treat. 
• Chopped chocolate: Use the highest quality chocolate you can find! I like Ghirardelli and often use a combination of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla is the best and adds an additional layer of depth to the flavor.

Don't forget to top your cup of hot chocolate with dairy free whipped cream, cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or even chocolate syrup!

See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and the quantities of each.

Substitutions

Here's a few quick swaps that I know work in this recipe!

• Use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract.
• This recipe works best with oat milk but you can use a different dairy free option if you have it on hand. Coconut milk and almond milk are nice alternatives but make sure there are no nut allergies before serving. 
• Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a unique spin!
• Use chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate. Just make sure they are of the highest quality.

Equipment

You won't need a lot of equipment for this recipe. The only things you’ll need are:

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Mugs: I love the Libby brand, and here is another style I love as well!

How to Make Hot Chocolate with Oat Milk

Let's take a look at what goes into making this decadent hot beverage! The detailed instructions are in the recipe card.

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the oat milk, cocoa powder and sugar. 

TOP TIP: Use low heat when making this recipe to prevent the oat milk from scalding.  In the beginning, when you add the cocoa powder and sugar in, the cocoa powder will not immediately be immersed and will float. Don't worry, this is normal. As you whisk it the sugar will dissolve and cocoa powder will incorporate into the oat milk. 

2. Stir constantly, slowly increasing the heat slightly until the mixture starts to steam but not boil. Make sure the whisk makes contact with the bottom of the saucepan, to prevent anything from solidifying or sticking to the bottom of the pot.

3. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. 

TOP TIP: If you are using chocolate chips, add them directly into the pot. If you’re using chopped chocolate, make sure that it's chopped in small pieces, about the size of a chocolate chip, to ensure it melts evenly. Adding the vanilla after you remove it from the heat will help to intensify the flavor.

4. Stir the hot chocolate mixture until smooth and the chocolate is fully melted.

5. Pour into mugs and serve with your favorite toppings. This is my favorite part, because you can get as creative as you want! 

Variations

Oat milk hot cocoa is tasty but there are some ways to get creative and make it a bit extra special!

• Get creative with your toppings! Use mini marshmallows, cacao nibs, cinnamon powder, crushed peppermints, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a tiny kick!
• Peppermint hot chocolate: Add in some peppermint extract to make it minty! Then add crushed peppermint candies on top.
• Grown up hot chocolate: Add your favorite liquor such as Bailey's, Kahlua, Aged rum or Creme de Menthe.

See this white chocolate hot chocolate on Fresh Coast Eats!

Storage

For best flavor you’ll want to enjoy this drink fresh and piping hot!

However, in the extraordinarily rare instance that you would have hot chocolate left over (doubtful, if you’re like me!), you can store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

To reheat it, just pour it into a saucepan and heat gradually, stirring until you’re ready to serve. 

Expert Tips and FAQS

• Choose the highest quality of chocolate for the best results. This is very important!
• When heating the milk, use low heat and keep a close eye on it to avoid scalding the oat milk.
• Stir constantly after adding the chocolate so that it melts evenly.
• Remove the pan from the heat before adding the vanilla and chocolate pieces.

More Winter Drink Recipes

Did you try this recipe?  Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!