Creamy Dairy Free Hot Chocolate (Protein Option)

This Dairy Free Hot Chocolate with Bone Broth Protein is creamy, chocolatey, and packed with gut friendly nutrients! It’s a cozy, healthy hot cocoa recipe that’s gluten free, paleo, and refined sugar free. You’d never know it has bone broth inside. It is a perfect treat for a cold winter day.

My Dairy Free Hot Chocolate with Bone Broth Protein has become a winter must-have in our house! My husband Mitchell and I love curling up with a mug of it on chilly Fall and Winter nights. It’s rich, decadent, and loaded with nutrients — and the best part? You’d never guess it has bone broth inside. When I first experimented with this idea, I was skeptical. Bone broth in hot chocolate? But once I tried it, I was hooked. The cocoa completely masks the flavor of the broth, leaving you with a creamy, slightly frothy hot cocoa that’s comforting and nourishing all at once. We are serving it Halloween night with our neighborhood get together with my Homemade Beanless Chili and Gluten Free Apple Crisp for dessert.

If you love cozy seasonal drinks like I do, check out some of my other seasonal drinks on my blog like my Pear Cocktail and Apple Cider Margarita. 

Jump to:

• Why Add Bone Broth to Hot Chocolate?
• What You Will Love About This Recipe
• Simple Ingredients
• Ingredient Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Other Fun Festive Drinks To Make
• Are you trying to eat better?
• Creamy Dairy Free Hot Chocolate (Protein Option)

Why Add Bone Broth to Hot Chocolate?

• Bone broth adds a subtle richness and a huge nutrient boost. It’s rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals that support your gut, skin, and joints, making it the perfect ingredient to sneak into a sweet treat.
• Gut Health Support: Bone broth helps nourish the gut lining with collagen and gelatin.
• Protein Boost: A cup of bone broth can add 8–10g of protein and when combined with protein powder or collagen, this becomes a powerhouse drink.
• Nourishing Comfort: The minerals and amino acids support your immune system, making it perfect for cold weather or post-workout recovery.

What You Will Love About This Recipe

• Creamy, rich, and deeply chocolatey.
• Naturally dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free, soy free, and paleo friendly.
• Packed with gut-healing nutrients and protein.
• Ready in under 10 minutes.
• Easily customizable-AIP, kid-friendly, or mocha-style.

Simple Ingredients

• Bone Broth – Choose a high-quality, plain chicken or beef bone broth. Homemade or store-bought both work — just make sure it’s not heavily seasoned.
• Dairy Free Milk – Coconut, almond milk, or cashew milk all make great creamy bases. I love full-fat coconut milk for a richer texture. I have found that the coconut taste is masked with all of the other ingredients. 
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Gives this hot chocolate its indulgent rich chocolate flavor. You can also use raw cacao powder for extra antioxidants.
• Pure Maple Syrup – My go to natural sweetener. Naturally sweetens without refined sugar. Honey or coconut sugar also work.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds depth and sweetness.
• Sea Salt – A pinch enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Optional Add-Ins: Cinnamon, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, peppermint extract, shaved chocolate bars, candy canes (Christmas) espresso powder, or dairy-free whipped cream on top.

See recipe card below for full measurements and ingredient amounts.

Ingredient Substitutions

• No Bone Broth? Replace with a scoop of collagen protein, you’ll still get a protein boost.
• ​Dairy free milk: oat milk, soy milk, rice milk, while they are notify favorites, you can use them!
• For AIP: Use carob powder instead of cocoa and a compliant milk like coconut.
• For Kids: Omit protein powder and reduce sweetener slightly.
• Low Sugar: Use monk fruit or stevia instead of maple syrup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step #1: Warm the liquids. In a small saucepan, add your bone broth and dairy-free milk. Warm over medium heat but don’t boil. If you are making multiple batches, use a large saucepan.
• Step #2: Add the chocolate. Whisk in cocoa powder until fully dissolved. Stir in maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
• Step #3: Froth and serve. For the ultimate creamy texture, blend your hot chocolate for 20–30 seconds or use a handheld milk frother. Pour into your favorite mug and top with dairy-free whipped cream, coconut cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Expert Tips

• Blend, don’t stir – Blending creates that café-style froth you’ll love.
• Don’t boil – Too much heat can make the protein clump.
• Use a clean broth – Avoid garlic/onion-heavy broths for best flavor.
• Warm your mug – Pour hot water into your mug before serving, then dump it out to keep your drink warm longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Other Fun Festive Drinks To Make