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Name a more iconic duo than peanut butter and chocolate! This Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe combines creamy peanut butter and rich cocoa to make a warm drink that tastes indulgent, but is dairy-free and less than 100 calories.
Nothing beats a warm mug of healthy hot chocolate on a cold winter day with a hot chocolate cookie! Instead of settling for packaged hot chocolate, try this homemade peanut butter hot cocoa. The peanut butter adds a creamy texture and protein, but it’s sweetened with stevia to keep the calories lower. It’s also vegan and, of course, delicious!
If you like healthy, warm beverages that taste indulgent, you will love my low-calorie peppermint mocha and a cup of coffee made with pumpkin spice coffee syrup!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Premade Mix: Skip the premade mixes and their long lists of ingredients. Instead, make a homemade peanut butter cocoa with real cocoa powder, peanut butter, and a bit of cinnamon.
- Rich and Indulgent: The chocolate and peanut butter combined create a creamy texture that tastes amazing. It’s the most delicious winter beverage you’ll have this year.
- Vegan and Dairy-Free: This hot chocolate recipe uses unsweetened almond milk, so it is both dairy-free and vegan.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Almond Milk: Use your favorite unsweetened almond milk, other dairy-free milk alternative, or regular milk (if you’re not dairy-free) for this hot chocolate with peanut butter.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder makes the best base for this hot cocoa. It’s 100% cacao without any additives, so it has an intense chocolatey and slightly bitter flavor.
- Peanut Butter: Grab your favorite smooth and creamy peanut butter to mix into your hot chocolate. Peanut butter in hot chocolate adds a creamy texture and protein.
- Cinnamon: Warm spices round out the flavors of this hot cocoa, so a dash of cinnamon makes this drink taste even better.
- Stevia: Add a bit of zero-calorie sweetener to make this hot chocolate sweet without adding a lot of extra calories.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations & Dietary Modifications
- Try Different Nut Butters: This best healthy hot cocoa tastes amazing with almond butter, cashew butter, or even tahini. You could even use sun butter if you need to avoid nuts.
- Make It More Chocolatey: Melt in a bit of your favorite dairy-free chocolate chips or chop up a dark chocolate bar and melt it directly in your cocoa. This makes the chocolate flavor even more intense.
- Enjoy It Cold Too: If you live in a warmer climate, or just aren’t in the mood for a hot beverage, you can make this hot chocolate, then pop it in the fridge for a few hours and enjoy it chilled! Add a banana, cauliflower rice, and a scoop of protein powder, blend it up, and make a hot chocolate smoothie!
- Enjoy It Coffee Style: Make a peanut butter coffee by simply adding your favorite brewed coffee (warm or cold) for a healthy peanut butter coffee recipe!
How to Make Healthy Hot Cocoa
Making a mug of this healthy hot chocolate recipe is almost as easy as making it from the package, and it’s way better for you. Just mix your ingredients, heat them on the stove, and then serve in your favorite mug. You’ll never go back to pre-packaged hot cocoa!
Step 1: Combine Ingredients. Place a small saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Add all of the ingredients to the pot and whisk them continually as they heat. Do this for about 5 minutes until everything is well combined and warm.
Step 2: Serve and Add Toppings. Serve your hot chocolate with peanut butter in a mug and top with vegan marshmallows, dairy-free whipped cream, or an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy as a winter treat with an apple peanut butter cookie.
Expert Tips
- Heat Slowly and Whisk: Don’t set the stove temperature too high to start with. You want to slowly heat the ingredients as you whisk them so the peanut butter emulsifies into the beverage.
- Adjust Sweetness As You Go: Save the stevia for last and taste the hot chocolate as you heat it to adjust the sweetness to your preferences.
- Storing Leftovers: Pour your hot chocolate into a mug and let it cool. You can store the cooled cocoa in the refrigerator for a day or two, but be aware that the oils in the peanut butter may separate the longer it’s in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
This healthy hot cocoa is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. It’s rich and indulgent, but also lower in calories and healthier than a packaged hot chocolate. Enjoy it with an afternoon snack after a day in the snow or cuddled by the fire in the evening.
- Pair this healthy hot chocolate with a protein-rich snack, such as chocolate peanut butter protein balls, to recharge after shoveling snow or a brisk winter workout.
- Whip up a hot chocolate for dessert using leftover peanut butter after making Thai chicken peanut wraps for dinner.
- Hot chocolate is also great for breakfast. Enjoy it with a plate of gluten-free pumpkin pancakes for an indulgent holiday breakfast.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Double or triple the recipe to serve hot chocolate to more people. It will take longer for it to heat up, but the wait is worth it.
Yes! Combine the cocoa powder, stevia, cinnamon, and almond milk in a mug and microwave it for 15-30 seconds. Then add the peanut butter and microwave it for 1 – 1 ½ minutes. Stir well to mix in the melted peanut butter before enjoying.
If you heat the mixture too quickly, it will cause natural peanut butter to separate. Lower the heat and whisk the mixture vigorously to recombine it.
More Delicious Peanut Butter Recipes
If you tried this Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Hot Cocoa Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk, or milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon Cocoa Powder, unsweetened
- ½ tablespoon Peanut Butter, or nut butter of choice
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- Stevia to taste, or sweetener of choice
- Optional toppings: Marshmallows, dairy-free as needed
Instructions
- In a small pot, add all ingredients and bring to medium heat 5 minutes.
- Whisk together the ingredients until fully incorporated and steaming hot. Serve, add optional toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Keep the heat on medium or medium-low heat and whisk frequently to combine the ingredients without separating or clumping.
- Add the stevia at the end and taste test as you mix to adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- The hot chocolate will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator, but it will need to be stirred vigorously when reheating to ensure the texture is smooth and creamy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love love LOVE this recipe. It has become my go-to when I am craving a sweet treat. Thank you for sharing it!
Delicious!!
Glad you like it!
Friendly FYI! Marshmallows normally are made with gelatin (by-product of the meat industry). Make sure to read the label and buy vegan marshmallows. 🙂
Cheers!
I only ever buy vegan marshmallows.
Oh my goodness that looks so warm and inviting. Thanks so much for starting your 2015 with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Happy New Year!
Miz Helen
Happy New Year to you too!