Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe (Kid-Friendly!) (2024)

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It’s the perfect time to start curling up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. However, I often find that typical hot chocolate feels a bit overly sweet and heavy—particularly for my kids! After trying a ton of boxed options, I decided to develop my own kid-friendly healthy hot chocolate recipe.

I’m happy to say this one is a hit! It’s absolutely child-approved and a recipe my own four children ask for all winter long. Even better? It has just four ingredients!

I will note that this recipe is refined sugar free and dairy free. Because of this, it’s not as rich and chocolatey as some people may prefer. I find it’s the perfect amount of sweetness for children or those who are working on health goals, however!

this idea now...

Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe for Kids

If you haven’t made hot chocolate from scratch before, I’ve got great news: it’s not complicated! In fact, this healthy hot chocolate is so simple to make that it’s almost as quick as the store-bought packets!

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In my home, a warm mug of hot cocoa is pretty much a necessity this time of year. Especially forkids, because hot cocoa is a very good motivator to stay outside longer.

You know when they want to come in after 10 minutes, and you’ve spent 15 minutes bundling them up? Just offer them hot cocoa if they stay outside a little longer. It works (almost) every time.

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Ingredients

I have to be careful about what I feed my kids (and myself) because we all have food sensitivities. That means we can’t buy the store-bought hot cocoa packets, which are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients I can’t pronounce.

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So this year, when my children started asking for hot cocoa, I decided to create our own healthy hot cocoa recipe. I’ve come up with a few variations, but this particular version is a favorite with my kids.

In fact, they’ve told me it tastes just as good, if not better, than the old “store stuff.” (Score!)

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Here are the four simple ingredients in this homemade hot cocoa recipe:

So simple and so good!

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Instructions

Okay, let’s walk through how to whip up a batch of hot chocolate in just minutes.

Grab a small saucepan, and use it to heat the almond milk. Next, whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract.

Make sure to whisk it well, so there are no lumps.

Alternatively, you can carefully pour it into a blender (or use an immersion blender). Just don’t burn yourself! Blend or whisk until it’s nice and frothy, then pour into a mug and serve.

See how simple that is?

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Variations + More Hot Chocolate Recipes

  • Peppermint hot chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract while you are whisking.
  • Creamy hot chocolate: Top with a dollop of your favorite whipped cream (use a non-dairy one if you want to keep this recipe dairy-free).
  • Peanut butter hot chocolate: Yes, I have an entire recipe showing you how you can make a peanut butter hot chocolate!

Want even more ideas? Check out this post with the

Now when my kids come in from playing out in the cold snow, it’s no problem to whip up a batch or two of this easy hot cocoa recipe! Enjoy!

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The Healthy Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe for Kids

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Print Recipe
★★★★★5 from 13 reviews
  • Author: Erika Bragdon
  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 7 mins
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: beverage
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Warm the almond milk in a small saucepan, then whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract. Whisk well to remove any lumps from the cocoa.
  2. Optional: place in your blender (make sure the cocoa isn’t too hot – you don’t want to get burned) and blend until frothy.
  3. Serve warm.

Notes

*add more or less honey, depending on how sweet your kids like it

Keywords: homemade hot cocoa, healthy hot chocolate, vegan, dairy-free

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Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe (Kid-Friendly!) (2024)

FAQs

Is hot chocolate OK for kids? ›

Drinks to limit or avoid

Pop, coffee, energy or sport drinks, fruit punches, hot chocolate, sweetened milks and tea are not recommended for children even if water is added. These drinks are high in sugar and/or caffeine and are not suitable for toddlers or children of any age.

Is hot chocolate drink healthy? ›

Hot chocolate can be a comforting and delicious treat, but it is important to remember that, like other sugary foods, it is also high in calories, sugar, and fat. If consumed in moderation, hot chocolate can be part of a healthy diet as it provides some essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium.

Is cocoa powder good for kids? ›

The moderate consumption of cocoa in children helps to promote positive emotions and provides energy. This energy helps them stay active, learn better, and increase their creativity.

Which chocolate is safe for kids? ›

Of course, the chocolate we give our children must be of high quality and not contain too much sugar and saturated fat. Dark chocolate is ideal; a high percentage of cocoa is the recommended option, but there is a risk that children will not enjoy the taste.

Is hot cocoa better with water or milk? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Does hot cocoa burn belly fat? ›

Some studies show that cocoa may help fend off fat.

Keep in mind that eating chocolate with added sugar won't help you fend off fat, and can actually make you gain weight. Pure cocoa is great, but cocoa with added ingredients won't help you lose weight.

What is healthier than cocoa powder? ›

Which Is Healthier Cocoa or Cacao? Raw cacao products are considered healthier than processed cocoa because they contain more minerals and antioxidants. Cacao powder is also considered a healthier option than chocolate products that contain high amounts of sugar.

Do Starbucks do kids hot chocolate? ›

Ordering a kid's hot chocolate at Starbucks is a simple and cost-effective way to enjoy a delicious, warm beverage and still allows for your favorite customizations. Whether you're looking to save money at Starbucks or simply prefer a smaller, milder treat, the coffee siren has you covered.

Is hot chocolate good for kids at night? ›

Generally, drinking hot chocolate before bed is safe for most people. The only consideration would be that if it has a high caffeine and sugar content, it may affect your daughter's sleep. In some people, it may also cause lactose intolerance and allergies.

Is homemade hot chocolate good for you? ›

Hot cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which improve blood flow. Improved blood flow reduces the chance of blood clots, lowers blood pressure, improves heart health and helps you think better thanks to better blood flow to the brain.

Is it OK to drink hot chocolate everyday? ›

Enjoying a mug of hot chocolate daily is typically considered safe, provided it's consumed as part of a balanced, varied diet and lifestyle. However, the safety of drinking hot chocolate every day largely depends on the composition of the hot chocolate and one's individual health circ*mstances and dietary restrictions.

Is hot chocolate junk food? ›

However, because all chocolate is rich in saturated fat and generally contains an appreciable amount of added sugar, it is often labelled a “junk food”. This phrase could mean many things. Here, we define “junk food” as food that negatively impacts health even in low amounts.

What is a fact about hot chocolate for kids? ›

Made from ground up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers, the Mayans were drinking chocolate as early as 500 BC. They would pour the drink back and forth from a cup to a pot until a thick foam developed. The drink was then enjoyed cold. 3.

Should kids have hot chocolate before bed? ›

Generally, drinking hot chocolate before bed is safe for most people. The only consideration would be that if it has a high caffeine and sugar content, it may affect your daughter's sleep. In some people, it may also cause lactose intolerance and allergies.

How do you serve hot chocolate for kids? ›

I make hot cocoa in a crock pot and serve it up with a ladle. That would get messy with kids so I think you should go with an insulated jug. You could also have the cups ready with 3 tbs of mix in it and then just pour in hot water for each kid.

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