3 Ingredient Paleo Hot Chocolate
This 3 Ingredient Paleo Hot Chocolate is dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s made with cocoa powder, almond milk, and coconut sugar. So easy to make and perfect for a winter treat!
If you’re following a paleo lifestyle, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to miss out on sipping on a delicious cup of hot chocolate. This healthy hot chocolate recipe is so easy to make. It’s made with only three paleo ingredients: cocoa powder, almond milk, and coconut sugar.
Ready to learn how to make 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 Paleo Hot Cocoa
This recipe is for one serving of hot chocolate. Feel free to double or triple the recipe to feed a family.
- Pour the milk into a small saucepan and turn the heat to medium-low.
- Add the coconut sugar and whisk until fully dissolved.
- Add sifted unsweetened cocoa powder into the mixture and whisk until fully combined.
- Once the hot chocolate is at the desired temperature, pour it into a mug and serve plain or with paleo whipped cream.
- Alternative cooking instructions: Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until fully combined. Pour into a mug and heat in the microwave or heat in a small saucepan.
🌶️ Flavor Variations & Substitutions
Keto Hot Chocolate: Omit the coconut sugar and add erythritol or Swerve or your favorite keto sweetener.
Mexican Hot Chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon, chili powder, and cayenne pepper to the recipe.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add one or two drops of food-grade peppermint essential oil or a splash of peppermint extract to the recipe.
Spiced Hot Chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to the recipe.
Sweetener Substitutions: Instead of coconut sugar, feel free to use maple syrup, honey, or pure monk fruit extract.
Paleo Mocha: Add a tablespoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the recipe.
Collagen Hot Chocolate: Add a scoop of unflavored grass-fed collagen to the mix for a dose of healthy protein.
🧊 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
Ingredients
- 10 oz Almond Milk or paleo milk (coconut, cashew)
- 1 ½ tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 ½ tbsp Coconut Sugar honey, or maple syrup
Instructions
- Add the milk to a small saucepan and turn the heat to medium-low.
- Add the coconut sugar and whisk until fully dissolved.
- Add sifted unsweetened cocoa powder into the mixture and whisk until fully combined.
- Once the hot chocolate is at the desired temperature, pour it into a mug and serve plain or with paleo whipped cream.
- Alternative cooking instructions: Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until fully combined. Pour into a mug and heat in the microwave or heat in a small saucepan.
