Vegan Chai Hot Chocolate Recipe

Introduction

Warm up with a comforting cup of vegan chai hot chocolate that combines rich cocoa with fragrant spices. This creamy, dairy-free treat is perfect for chilly days and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 350ml oat milk (use barista-style for a creamy texture)
• 1 tsp organic cocoa powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve (optional)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg, plus extra to serve (optional)
• 1 cardamom pod
• ½ tsp ground coffee
• 1 organic vanilla bean pod, split (or use 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tbsp agave nectar
• Vegan whipped cream and shaved semi-sweet vegan dark chocolate, to serve (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour two-thirds of the oat milk into a saucepan. Add the cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cardamom pod, and ground coffee. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 1-2 minutes.
2. Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla extract) and agave nectar. Froth the remaining oat milk using an electric milk frother or the mini whisk attachment on a hand blender.
3. Step 3: Strain the hot chocolate into two mugs, discarding the cinnamon and cardamom pod. Gently pour in the frothed oat milk on top.
4. Step 4: Optional: Top with vegan whipped cream, shaved vegan dark chocolate, and a pinch of extra cinnamon and nutmeg to serve.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier chai flavor, add a small piece of fresh ginger or a pinch of cloves while heating the milk.
• Use coconut or almond milk as an alternative if you don’t have oat milk on hand.
• Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less agave nectar to suit your taste.
• Try sprinkling a little chili powder for a subtle kick.

Storage

Store leftover hot chocolate in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well before serving. Freshly frothed oat milk is best added just before serving rather than reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of milk?

Yes, you can substitute oat milk with any other plant-based milk like almond, soy, or coconut milk. Just keep in mind the flavor and creaminess may vary slightly.

What if I don’t have a milk frother?

If you don’t have a frother, you can whisk the milk vigorously by hand or shake it in a tightly sealed jar to create some froth before adding it to the hot chocolate.

Vegan Chai Hot Chocolate Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 105 reviews

This Vegan Chai Hot Chocolate combines rich cocoa, warming chai spices, and creamy oat milk to create a comforting, dairy-free beverage perfect for cozy moments. Sweetened with agave nectar and enhanced with vanilla and ground coffee, it’s a delightful twist on traditional hot chocolate with aromatic chai flavors.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Vegan
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Hot Chocolate Base

• 350ml barista-style oat milk
• 1 tsp organic cocoa powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve (optional)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg, plus extra to serve (optional)
• 1 cardamom pod
• ½ tsp ground coffee
• 1 organic vanilla bean pod, split (or 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tbsp agave nectar

Toppings (Optional)

• Vegan whipped cream
• Shaved semi-sweet vegan dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Heat the base: Pour two-thirds of the oat milk into a saucepan. Add the cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cardamom pod, and ground coffee. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, cooking for 1-2 minutes to infuse the spices and dissolve the cocoa.
2. Add flavorings: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the split vanilla bean pod (or vanilla extract) and agave nectar. Mix well to combine all flavors evenly.
3. Froth remaining milk: Froth the remaining one-third of the oat milk using an electric milk frother or the mini whisk attachment on a hand blender until light and airy.
4. Strain and combine: Strain the hot chocolate through a fine sieve into two mugs, removing the cinnamon and cardamom pod solids. Gently pour in the frothed oat milk on top to create a creamy layered drink.
5. Add toppings: If desired, top each mug with vegan whipped cream, shaved semi-sweet vegan dark chocolate, and a light dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

• Using barista-style oat milk ensures a creamier texture and better froth for this drink.
• You can substitute vanilla bean pod with 1 tablespoon vanilla extract if unavailable.
• Adjust agave nectar to your preferred sweetness level.
• For a stronger chai flavor, lightly crush the cardamom pod before adding.
• Serve immediately while hot and frothy for best experience.
• To make this drink gluten free, ensure all ingredient labels confirm gluten free certification.

Keywords: vegan hot chocolate, chai hot chocolate, dairy-free hot chocolate, oat milk hot chocolate, spiced hot chocolate, vegan beverage