3 Ingredient Paleo Hot Chocolate
Warm up with this rich and creamy 3-Ingredient Paleo Hot Chocolate! Made with unsweetened cocoa powder, almond milk, and coconut sugar, this cozy drink is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s the perfect quick and healthy treat to enjoy all winter long and can easily be customized.
If you’re following a paleo lifestyle, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to miss out on sipping a delicious cup of hot cocoa. The paleo diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, which means traditional hot chocolate loaded with dairy and refined sugar doesn’t quite fit in. That’s why it’s so important to find simple ways to modify sweet treats like this.
I remember when I first started experimenting with paleo recipes, I thought desserts had to be bland or complicated to make. But this creamy, rich hot chocolate proved me wrong! With just cocoa powder, almond milk, and coconut sugar, it’s perfectly sweet and satisfying and can be customized to swap out for other types of milk like almond milk, cashew milk and also can be flavored in different ways!
It’s made with only three paleo ingredients: cocoa powder, almond milk, and coconut sugar.
And if you’re following Whole30, checkout this Whole30 Bulletproof Coffee Recipe or Bulletproof Chai Tea if you need a boost!
Ready to learn how to make the best paleo hot chocolate with just 3 ingredients? Let’s do it!
🍫 Recipe Highlights
- Made with clean and simple ingredients without chemicals or preservatives.
- Can be made single serving or in a large batch.
- Sweeteners can easily be substituted.
- Paleo Diet-Friendly
- Dairy-Free
- Vegan
- Refined Sugar-Free
🥥 Ingredients
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Plain unsweetened cocoa powder is paleo-friendly as long as it’s not processed with dairy, sugar, or other stabilizers and thickeners. You can also use unsweetened cacao powder.
- Dairy-Free Milk: You’ll need your favorite dairy-free milk to make a cup of hot chocolate. I like using plain almond milk, but you can also use coconut milk or cashew milk.
- Coconut Sugar: A healthier paleo alternative to white sugar that adds a nice, rich flavor to hot chocolate. You can also use maple syrup, honey, or pure monk fruit extract.
🥣 How To Make Hot Chocolate Paleo
This recipe is for one serving of hot chocolate.
Warm the Milk: Pour the unsweetened almond milk into a small saucepan and set the heat to medium-low. Gently warm the milk, stirring occasionally, to prevent it from scorching.
Sweeten the Mixture: Add the coconut sugar to the warm milk. Whisk continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved, creating a smooth and naturally sweetened base.
Add the Cocoa Powder: Slowly sift the unsweetened cocoa powder into the saucepan. Whisk well to fully combine the cocoa with the milk mixture, ensuring a rich and creamy texture.
Heat to Desired Temperature: Continue whisking as the hot chocolate warms up. Once it reaches your desired temperature, remove it from the heat.
Serve and Enjoy: Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mug. Enjoy it as is, or top it with a dollop of paleo-friendly whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
Blender Option:For an extra frothy version, add the almond milk, coconut sugar, and cocoa powder to a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into a mug and gently heat it in the microwave or warm it in a small saucepan on the stove.
🥄Paleo Hot Chocolate Mix
To make a convenient paleo hot chocolate mix for 8 servings, combine 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder with ½ cup of coconut sugar in an airtight jar or container. For added flavor, you can mix in a pinch of sea salt or 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. When you’re ready to enjoy a cup, scoop out 3 tablespoons of the mix and whisk it into 1 cup of warm unsweetened almond milk or any other paleo-friendly milk. This homemade mix makes it easy to enjoy a rich and creamy paleo hot chocolate anytime.
🌶️ Flavor Variations & Substitutions
Keto Hot Chocolate: For a low-carb, keto-friendly version, replace the coconut sugar with a keto-approved sweetener like erythritol, Swerve, or pure monk fruit sweetener. These natural, zero-calorie sweeteners provide the perfect amount of sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels, keeping this hot chocolate rich, creamy, and completely sugar-free. Keep in mind, those sweeteners are not approved on a paleo lifestyle.
Mexican Hot Chocolate: Give your paleo hot chocolate a twist by adding ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of chili powder, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. These spices not only add a rich depth of flavor but also offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Create a festive version by adding 1–2 drops of food-grade peppermint essential oil or ½ teaspoon of pure peppermint extract to the mix. The cool, invigorating flavor of peppermint pairs perfectly with the rich cocoa, making great for the holidays.
Spiced Hot Chocolate: Stir in ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of allspice. You could also add a pinch of pumpkin spice!
Sweetener Substitutions: Customize the sweetness to your liking by swapping coconut sugar with natural alternatives like pure maple syrup, raw honey, or monk fruit extract. Maple syrup adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness, honey offers natural antibacterial properties, and monk fruit provides a calorie-free option for those avoiding sugar.
Paleo Mocha: Energize your hot chocolate by adding 1 tablespoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. This paleo mocha variation blends the bold flavors of coffee and rich cocoa for a creamy, dairy-free beverage that’s perfect for mornings or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Protein Hot Chocolate: Boost the nutritional value of your drink by mixing in one scoop of unflavored, grass-fed collagen peptides. Collagen supports healthy skin, joints, and digestion while blending seamlessly into the hot chocolate, adding protein without altering the taste or texture.
🧊 Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days. Give it a good shake or stir if needed before reheating and serving.
Freezing: Once cooled, store in an airtight container and freeze in ice cube trays for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating or use it to make frozen paleo hot chocolate in a blender.
❔FAQ
No, Hershey’s regular cocoa powder is not paleo. It contains dairy and sugar which are not allowed on the paleo diet. Look for an unsweetened cocoa powder that does not have any stabilizers or thickeners like cornstarch.
There is no definitive answer to this question as paleo is a relatively flexible diet. Some people say that dark chocolate which has been minimally processed is paleo-friendly, while others allow for cocoa powder and chocolate bars that have been sweetened with natural sugar sources like coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey. As long as the ingredients align with your paleo diet, feel free to enjoy dark chocolate in moderation.
No, cocoa powder is not a grain. It’s made from roasted and ground cacao beans that come from the Theobroma cacao plant.
Cocoa powder and cacao powder are made from the same plant. The main difference between them is that cocoa has been roasted, while cacao has not. Most people say they taste different as well with cocoa being bitter and cacao having a fruity flavor with undertones of chocolate.
Yes, you can heat up almond milk for hot chocolate. However, it’s important to use a low temperature as almond milk can scorch easily. I recommend heating it on medium-low or in the microwave on 50% power.
🥛More Healthy Drink Recipes
- Paleo Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
- Iced Matcha Latte
- Keto Bloody Mary
- 3 Ingredient Watermelon Lemonade
- Rotisserie Chicken Bone Broth
3 Ingredient Paleo Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring Spoons
- Mug
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or any dairy-free milk like coconut milk or cashew milk)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted)
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (maple syrup or honey)
Instructions
- Warm the Milk: Pour the unsweetened almond milk into a small saucepan and set the heat to medium-low. Gently warm the milk, stirring occasionally, to prevent it from scorching.
- Sweeten the Mixture: Add the coconut sugar to the warm milk. Whisk continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved, creating a smooth and naturally sweetened base.
- Add the Cocoa Powder: Slowly sift the unsweetened cocoa powder into the saucepan. Whisk well to fully combine the cocoa with the milk mixture, ensuring a rich and creamy texture.
- Heat to Desired Temperature: Continue whisking as the hot chocolate warms up. Once it reaches your desired temperature, remove it from the heat.
- Serve and Enjoy: Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mug. Enjoy it as is, or top it with a dollop of paleo-friendly whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
- Blender Option: For an extra frothy version, add the almond milk, coconut sugar, and cocoa powder to a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into a mug and gently heat it in the microwave or warm it in a small saucepan on the stove.
