You can make your own decadent, comforting and creamy keto hot chocolate mix with four simple ingredients. Cure those chocolate cravings, within a few minutes.
Instructions included for a dairy free keto hot chocolate mix.
This simple keto hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder will be a new staple in your house. Enjoy with our almond flour scones or keto brownies?
Our keto chocolate mug cake is a reader favorite and perfect with hot chocolate.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Rich chocolate flavor
- Smooth, creamy texture
- Quick to make, perfect cure for those chocolate cravings
- Delicious hot or cold
- Cheaper than store bought mixes, no preservatives, no additives.
- Only 2 grams of net carbs per serving
Make this recipe with coconut milk instead, if you need to be dairy-free. Top it with vegan marshmallows for an extra sweet treat.
Ingredients
Sugar Free Sweetener - We like to use Swerve granulated sweetener and Lakanto Granulated Sweetener. You can also use the confectioners sugar version of either brand. Adjust the quantity of sweetener up or down for sweetness.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - The star of the keto hot chocolate mix! Use a high quality Dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder for the best taste.
Unsweetened Dry Milk Powder - Dry milk powder is low in carbs but if you want even lower carbs, omit the dry milk powder and use heavy cream or dairy-free milk when you're ready to make your low carb hot cocoa. Heat the milk and stir in the cocoa mix.
Salt - Salt adds flavor and balances the sweetness.
Vanilla bean powder - This is optional, but it helps add to the flavor. If you do not have the powder, simply add ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract to your steaming hot low carb hot chocolate.
If you have any questions about the ingredients in this recipe, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.
Variations
- Dairy Free - If you are not able to have dairy, omit the dry milk powder and use unsweetened coconut milk powder.
- Sugar-free chocolate chips - For a rich hot chocolate, add some keto friendly chocolate chips to the saucepan.
- Pumpkin Spice - add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice blend to the pot when heating.
- Peppermint - add a teaspoon of peppermint extract.
- Mocha - add a scoop of Keto instant coffee or espresso to the saucepan when heating your low carb hot chocolate.
- Bulletproof hot chocolate - Similar to making Bulletproof Coffee, simply add 2 Tablespoons of MCT Oil or Grass Fed Butter to help your body stay in a state of ketosis.
- Chai - add 1 teaspoon of unsweetened Chai spice mix
- Spicy - add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy twist.
- Turmeric - packed with powerful antioxidants and immune boosting ingredients. Add a ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder.
How to make keto hot chocolate
Step 1: Whisk all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 2: Store in airtight container or glass jar in the cupboard.
When you’re ready to make your keto hot cocoa. Add 2 tablespoons to 8 ounces of hot water.
If you are making the dairy free version add cocoa mix to 8 ounces of water or plain, unsweetened hot coconut or almond milk.
For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.
You can double or triple this keto hot chocolate mix recipe and stock up. If you like comforting hot beverages you will love this Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Keto hot chocolate toppings
Choose from the below list of low carb toppings to take your keto hot cocoa to the next level:
- Keto Whipped Cream - It isn't hot chocolate without whipped creamed on top.
- Keto Syrup - Drizzle chocolate, caramel or maple syrup directly in the cup or over the whipped cream.
- Shaved Dark Chocolate - For a stronger chocolate flavor and elegant look.
- Mini Keto Marshmallows - Who doesn't want some mini marshmallows in their cup of hot chocolate
Expert tips
- For a rich hot chocolate, heat 4 ounces of heavy cream and 4 ounces of water then add 2 tablespoons of your keto hot cocoa mix. This will increase the net carbs to 5 grams.
- For the lowest net carbs, omit the dry milk powder when making your keto hot chocolate mix. Then heat 8 ounces of unsweetened almond milk in a saucepan and add 1 and a ½ tablespoons of your dairy-free hot chocolate mix. The net carbs will be 1.5 g net carbs.
- Use a milk frother to aerate your rich hot cocoa to make it even creamier.
FAQs
Cocoa powder is definitely keto friendly. It is low in carbs and has a good amount of fiber. On average, there is less than 1 gram of net carbs per tablespoon.
Some companies may add ingredients or fillers to cocoa products. Always check labels before purchasing cocoa.
Most milk powders are keto friendly. As with most products, read the labels.
This recipe calls for 1 cup of whole milk powder, that is 48 carbs from the whole milk powder. The 1 cup of cocoa adds 16 net carbs (48 carbs-32g of fiber).
The total net carbs for this entire recipe is 64. There are 32 servings, so that's 2 net carbs per serving.
Starbucks does not have a Keto Hot Chocolate on their menu, but there is a way to order one that is much lower in carbs.
Ask for a Skinny Hot Chocolate, which is made with unsweetened Mocha Sauce, Sugar-free Vanilla Syrup and Milk. The Grande version of this drink has 20 grams of net carbs, still way to high for your keto diet.
Simply ask the barista to replace the milk with half Heavy Cream and half hot water. This will bring the net carbs down to 8 grams.
Storage instructions
This keto hot chocolate mix is best stored in an airtight container out of the sun. You can also store it in the refrigerator.
How long does keto hot cocoa mix stay good
Because keto hot cocoa mix has dairy in it (or coconut milk powder if you go for the dairy-free option) it's best to use it up within 3 months.
The goods news is that it's delicious and it probably won't last that long.
Looking for another great keto staple, try this Keto Coffee Creamer recipe.
Serve this keto hot cocoa with:
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📖 Recipe
Best Keto Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar-free sweetener we used Lakanto or Swerve
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean powder optional, I like a pinch of vanilla flavoring
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa we use Rodelle Dutch Processed Cocoa
- 1 cup unsweetened dry milk powder for dairy free version use coconut milk powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Store in airtight container or glass jar in the cupboard.
- When you're ready to make your hot cocoa. Add 2 tablespoons to 8-10 ounces of hot water (or milk for an extra creamy hot chocolate). If you didn't add vanilla bean powder to your mix, add a splash of vanilla extract to your hot cocoa (optional).
- Serve hot with keto whipped cream.
Notes
- This recipe makes 32, 2-tablespoon servings at 2 net carbs per serving of the dry mix. The nutrition value is for 2 tablespoons mixed with water.
- To reduce the carbs further, consider omitting the dry milk powder from the dry mix and adding the dry mix to half water, half heavy whipping cream.
- If you didn't add vanilla bean powder to your mix, add a splash of vanilla extract to your hot chocolate (optional).
- Use coconut milk powder in place of the milk powder to make this dairy-free.
Michelle Green
I added Lilly’s chocolate chips to my mix! Love this!!!
Dane & Becky
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know you loved this recipe. We truly appreciate feedback. Great idea on adding Lilly's chocolate chips.
Dane and Becky