We get asked all the time what the secret to our delicious and thick keto friendly hot chocolate is. Well, I’m here to tell you what it is, and exactly how you can make it at home tonight! Whether you are dairy free or not, this keto hot chocolate using canned coconut milk is going to blow your taste buds away.

Cocoa Powder on Keto

We made sure to again buy 100% cocoa powder. Don’t be confused with any kind of hot cocoa mix or sweetened baking cocoa. Our favorites are Hershey’s specially dark and Better Body Foods CACAO powder. Cacao powder is the unheated version of unsweetened cocoa powder and retains more antioxidants(2). Both unsweetened can be keto, it just depends on how much you want to spend.

Low Carb Chocolate

You will for sure have a variety of options online, and some in store as well. Store bought options will really vary on how sweet you want your hot cocoa. For a sweeter cocoa use the Lily’s dark chocolate bars for a sugar free hot cocoa recipe. If you want a good dark chocolate store bought option we recommend 90-100% chocolate like the 100% bakers chocolate or 90% Lindtt chocolate bars.

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate

Our hot chocolate recipe is dairy free and sugar free. We felt making a recipe that was BOTH dairy and sugar free is vital because there are already so many heavy cream hot chocolates out there. This does pose its own problems though as we had to find a dairy free heavy cream option that was low sugar and still keto friendly. The sugar free hot chocolate base we settled on was canned coconut milk. It has the same thick texture as heavy cream without any of the dairy.

For the sweetener itself we chose liquid stevia. We find liquid stevia to do a good job sweetening this recipe alone without anything else added. If you don’t like or have liquid stevia you can use erythritol or monk fruit instead. Just check to make sure your sugar free hot chocolate recipe has the right sweetness ratios.

Thick vs. Thin Hot Chocolate

We LOVE thick hot chocolate. I know this isn’t for everyone, but I really think a thick keto hot chocolate is the best. It also works for dipping in cinnamon sugar donut holes or churros too because it’s practically melted chocolate(Note: dip as in dip and bite this is not a glaze). For thicker hot chocolate make this recipe with no added almond milk, just canned coconut milk or coconut cream(the cream on top of canned coconut milk). Almond milk is thin and runny so the hot chocolate recipe won’t be thick like with heavy whipping cream.

How to Make Keto Hot Chocolate

If you are ready to make our keto hot chocolate recipe get out a few ingredients and a pot. This low carb keto hot chocolate will be done before you know it!

Ingredients

The first and main ingredient of this dairy free hot chocolate is canned coconut milk. You can use unsweetened almond milk like in other low carb recipes, but know it will be much thinner. We specifically choose canned coconut milk because it is similar in viscosity to heavy cream. For the chocolate portion you will need unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder. As well as dark chocolate squares or a dark chocolate bar. We like anywhere between 90-100% chocolate for the lowest carbs.

The remaining ingredients you’ll need are liquid stevia for sweetness (or any sweetener of choice), vanilla extract, and pink salt. Finally if you desire a thinner dairy free keto hot chocolate recipe you’ll want almond milk or a nut milk of choice.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Keto Hot Chocolate

Dairy: We’ve already given you the biggest trick for making this dairy free using canned coconut milk, however, if you don’t have any on hand and love your dairy (we get it!) then you can swap in some heavy cream and still yield the same thick and delicious drink.

Sweeteners: While we like to use liquid stevia concentrate in this recipe any other sweetener you have on hand. You can use our sweetener conversion chart to quickly determine how much and which one to use to perfectly sweeten your keto hot chocolate!

Add-ins: anything that tastes like chocolate can be added to this hot drink. If you don’t have chocolate bar on hand you can just increase the amount of cocoa powder, swap in some lilys chocolate chips or add some of my personal favorite, chocolate MCT powder or chocolate collagen from Perfect Keto!

Stovetop or Microwave

We are asked quite often if we can make this recipe in the microwave. The microwave has a few issues which is why we don’t recommend it.

1. The recipe makes 2 servings- this recipe makes 2-3 servings depending on how much and which milks you use. It is already just too much volume to put in one mug and stick in the microwave.

2. Uneven heating- The microwave is notorious for uneven heating and cooking of food. You will more likely than not have chocolate sink to the bottom of the mug and burn.

3. It’s hard to mix- Mixing clumps of cocoa powder can be difficult without extra space in a pot.

These are just a few reasons why we don’t think the microwave does a good job at properly heating and cooking our cocoa. If you do decide to microwave the recipe make sure to stir well every 30 seconds and leave room at the top of your mug for mixing. By the time you’ve cooked three in the microwave though your pot on the stove would have been ready 😉 .

Instructions:

1. Add coconut milk, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, stevia, vanilla extract and salt to a small saucepan over low heat.

2. Whisk to combine until everything is completely dissolved.

3. Bring to a simmer and add nut milk to increase volume, if desired.

4. Remove from heat and pour into two mugs. Serve immediately.

notes

Net Carbs: 2g

Yields: 3 servings

Course: Drinks Cuisine: American Keyword: Keto hot chocolate