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Home » Dietary Preference » Vegetarian » Healthy Hot Chocolate (with veggies)

Healthy Hot Chocolate (with veggies)

By Taesha Butler December 3, 2019 (Updated January 1, 2023) 7 Comments

Servings4 servings
Prep Time1 min
Cook Time5 mins
Jump to Recipe
5 from 4 votes

This healthy hot chocolate is a delicious, easy and homemade alternative to the commercially prepared mixes so many of us grew up on. Veggie-loaded with a little spinach for a little extra goodness, but no one will be able to tell. Made with just a handful of ingredients and takes just and takes just 5 minutes to make

Homemade hot chocolate in a mug with whipped cream and chocolate chips

It is officially December. The holidays are quickly (too quickly) approaching. The days are shorter. And the nights are definitely colder. Winter will be here in days and all I want to do is to curl up on my couch with wool socks, under a fuzzy blanket and sip on some of this healthy hot chocolate (with added veggies).

Living in San Diego, I never fully have to endure the cold of winter like so many other parts of the country. However, I know that not all of you live in Southern Cali with me (though you are welcome to and then we can hang out in person and veggie-load together) and need some goodies that will warm you and your crew up from the inside out.

So here is my veggie-loaded winter warm up offering. When maybe you enjoyed green smoothies with frozen fruit at breakfast or for a snack, you can now warm up with healthy hot chocolate with an added punch of veggies for good measure.

Wait….why did you add veggies? I mean, is there anything wrong with enjoying hot chocolate as is?

If this is the first recipe of mine you have happened upon or the idea of veggie-loading is still a new concept for you…I can totally get why adding spinach to hot chocolate might seem a bit weird to you.

And don’t get me wrong. I love a traditional cup of hot chocolate like so many other people. However, I am also someone who believes in the magic of veggie-loading. By adding veggies into lots places they might not normally be so that those little veggies added into our foods can add up into a lot of veggies in our overall diet. And isn’t that something we can all benefit from?

And let’s be honestly. Is adding spinach to hot chocolate any weirder than adding spinach to a smoothie? Not really. At least not in my book.

Spinach being dropped into a blender with the rest of the ingredients for veggie-loaded hot chocolate

“So…do I tell my family it has veggies in it?”

That is the number 1 question I get when sharing veggie-loaded recipes. Do you tell your crew that you added some spinach into this healthy hot chocolate? Or do you keep it to yourself?

Honestly TNNers, thats a personal choice. Your family’s journey with food is unique with a unique set of circumstances that only you truly understand. So, you do what is right for you. But here is what I do….

Personally, I view veggie-loading as an opportunity to teach my young daughter that vegetables can be delicious and that there are lots of ways to enjoy them. They don’t have to just be a salad or a steamed pile of green on her dinner plate. They can be part of a smoothie, or a meatball, or a cookie. Or even hot chocolate. So, I personally tell her what vegetables I veggie-load her food with. Because I want her to not be intimidated by veggies and see them as a delicious and normal part of life that can be enjoyed in whatever way she loves best.

veggie-loaded hot chocolate after being blended

Want it to be sugar-free? Or naturally sweetened?

Easy enough! Simply replace the maple syrup with your favorite sugar-free alternative to taste! Or try adding a little ripe banana or a few soaked dates the blender to naturally sweeten it up!

Other veggies you could use in this healthy hot chocolate

If spinach is not your thing (or you just want to mix it up a little (pun intended)), there are lots of other veggies that you can add to this healthy hot chocolate that will be delicious and still add some awesome vitamins and minerals to this cozy treat.

  • butternut squash puree
  • pumpkin puree
  • sweet potato puree.
  • cooked beet
chocolate chips being dropped into a sauce pan with the rest of the ingredients for veggie-loaded hot chocolate

I would start with just a couple of tablespoons at first, but add more or less depending on your personal taste preference.

Want to make sure you always have spinach on hand for this Healthy Hot Chocolate? Check out my tips & tricks for keeping spinach fresh all week!

Other chocolate veggie-loaded recipes you are going to love

  • Healthy Chocolate Muffins (with butternut squash)
  • One-Bowl Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
  • Chocolate Banana Smoothie (with veggies)
  • Chocolate Avocado Bread
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Healthy Hot Chocolate (+ veggies)

This healthy hot chocolate is a delicious, easy and homemade alternative to the commercially prepared mixes so many of us grew up on. Veggie-loaded with a little spinach for a little extra goodness, but no one will be able to tell. Made with just a handful of ingredients and takes just and takes just 5 minutes to make
Prep Time1 min
Cook Time5 mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, hot chocolate from scratch
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 131kcal
Author: Taesha Butler

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups milk of choice
  • 1 small handful baby spinach or to taste (I suggest starting with a small amount and adding more if you/your family is open to it)
  • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or to taste
  • 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp chocolate chips Optional but adds a lovely richness to the hot chocolate (I used Enjoy Life brand)

Instructions 

  • Combine milk, spinach, cocoa powder, and maple syrup in a blender. Run until spinach is completely pureed and there are no visible bits.
  • Pour contents of blender into a medium saucepan and add chocolate chips (if using)
  • Stir with a whisk over medium-low heat until everything is combined, chocolate chips are melted and hot chocolate is warm.
  • Taste. Add more maple syrup or chocolate chips if desired.
  • Enjoy warm and often! Top with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 901IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Smoothies & Drinks, Vegetarian Tagged With: spinach

Previous Post: « The BEST Roasted Brussel Sprouts
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Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

    Did you make this recipe? So good, right? It would mean the world to me if you left a comment and star rating so that more people can see how delicious veggie-loading can be. Plus, it helps me to see what recipes you are all loving so I can make more like them.

    Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

  1. Renee

    December 4, 2019 at 12:19 am

    5 stars
    I couldn’t wait to make this and can’t believe how easy and YUMMY it is! My kids chugged it down too

    Reply
  2. Sabrina

    December 10, 2019 at 2:02 am

    My kiddos (and I) LOVE this!!! We just used the vitamix and heated in there too. So creamy and delicious! Will definitely add more spinach next time as we couldn’t taste it at all. Thanks!!!

    Reply
  3. Darci

    July 18, 2020 at 3:27 am

    5 stars

    Reply
  4. Laura

    December 10, 2021 at 12:01 am

    5 stars
    My family’s go-to hot chocolate recipe! Cannot taste the spinach at all. So good. Kids love it.

    Reply
    • Taesha Butler

      December 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      I am so glad you love it, Laura! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  5. Samantha

    February 4, 2023 at 7:34 am

    5 stars
    Oh my word. I made this today in a desperate attempt to get veggies into my vegetable averse 6 year old and it was a massive hit. I put a small handful of spinach in, you couldn’t taste it at all.

    Reply
    • Taesha Butler

      February 4, 2023 at 8:55 am

      I’m so glad it was such a success, Samantha!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Taesha! I help busy people fall in love with healthy eating with my simple, family-friendly, veggie-loaded recipes. I believe vegetables can and SHOULD be delicious. Here, let me show you how!

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