Keto Hot Chocolate: Carb Counts And Recipes

There are many keto-friendly hot chocolate recipes, with some containing as few as 1 gram of net carbs per serving. These recipes typically use a combination of cocoa powder, sugar-free chocolate, keto-friendly milk, and a keto-friendly sweetener. Some popular keto-friendly milk options include unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, and heavy cream. Popular keto-friendly sweeteners include monk fruit, erythritol, and allulose.

To make keto hot chocolate, simply combine the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking until well combined. You can also make it in the microwave by heating the ingredients in a mug for 90 seconds and then stirring until combined. For a creamier texture, you can add a thickening agent such as konjac root powder, arrowroot, or xanthan gum.

So, if you're following a keto diet and craving a warm and comforting drink, keto hot chocolate is a delicious and indulgent option that won't derail your diet.

Keto hot chocolate recipes

There are many keto-friendly hot chocolate recipes that are both delicious and easy to make. Most recipes use a combination of cocoa powder and sugar-free chocolate to achieve a rich and creamy texture, with some even including a special thickening agent for an extra indulgent experience.

Basic Keto Hot Chocolate

This basic keto hot chocolate recipe is a great starting point and can be easily customised to your taste preferences. It uses a combination of almond milk and heavy cream for a creamy texture, along with cocoa powder and a granulated sweetener to taste.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces of unsweetened almond milk
• 4 ounces of heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of granular sweetener (e.g. Lakanto, Swerve, or allulose)

Instructions:

• Heat the almond milk and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
• Whisk in the cocoa powder and sweetener until fully incorporated.
• Serve in mugs with optional whipped cream on top.

Thick and Creamy Keto Hot Chocolate

For an extra thick and creamy hot chocolate, you can add a thickening agent such as konjac root powder, arrowroot, xanthan gum, or chia seeds. This recipe also includes a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
• 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
• 1-2 tablespoons of allulose, erythritol, or xylitol (to taste)
• Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
• 1/8 teaspoon of konjac root powder, or 1/4 teaspoon of arrowroot/xanthan gum, or 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• Optional: keto marshmallows and whipped cream

Instructions:

• Add milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt to a small saucepan and heat until simmering.
• Make a slurry with the konjac root powder/arrowroot/xanthan gum and a little water, then whisk into the hot chocolate. Cook until thickened.
• Alternatively, blend all ingredients (including chia seeds) in a high-speed blender until smooth.

Customisations and Variations

You can customise your keto hot chocolate by adding different flavour extracts, such as peppermint or hazelnut. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. For a more indulgent treat, top with whipped cream and sugar-free chocolate shavings.

Nutritional Information

The nutritional values for keto hot chocolate will vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used. However, a typical serving of keto hot chocolate will have around 1-4 grams of net carbs, making it a delicious and indulgent treat for those watching their carb intake.

Carb counts in hot chocolate

For example, one recipe for keto hot chocolate yields only 1 gram of net carb per serving. Another recipe for keto hot chocolate with 4 ingredients has only 4.3 grams of net carbs per serving. Additionally, a paleo and keto hot chocolate recipe that uses a thickening agent such as konjac, arrowroot, xanthan gum, or chia seeds results in just 2 grams of net carbs.

When it comes to store-bought options, the carb counts can vary widely. For instance, a cup of hot cocoa made with whole milk has 24.4 grams of net carbs, while a Swiss Miss Diet Hot Cocoa has 5 grams of net carbs.

Ingredients for keto hot chocolate

Keto hot chocolate is a great way to enjoy a comforting drink without the carbs. Here are the ingredients you'll need to make a delicious and creamy cup of keto hot chocolate:

Milk

For a keto-friendly option, you can use unsweetened almond milk, which has the fewest carbs and a bland flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients. Other low-carb milk alternatives include hemp milk or coconut milk, although these may have a slightly higher carb count and a stronger aftertaste. If you're not concerned about keeping it keto, you can also use regular dairy milk or heavy cream for a richer, creamier hot chocolate.

Chocolate

You'll need two types of chocolate for the perfect keto hot chocolate. First, there's cocoa powder, which gives the drink its chocolatey flavour. Go for unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa for less bitterness, or cacao powder, which has more nutritional perks. Then, to make it extra rich and chocolaty, add some sugar-free dark chocolate chips or a chopped-up sugar-free chocolate bar. If you prefer a milder flavour, you can use sugar-free milk chocolate chips instead.

Sweetener

To sweeten your hot chocolate without adding carbs, you can use a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol, allulose, or a monk fruit blend. Avoid sweeteners with erythritol as the main ingredient, as they don't dissolve as well and can be gritty. Stevia-based sweeteners may also not work as well, especially if combined with chocolate.

Thickeners

To make your hot chocolate thick and creamy, you can add a thickener like konjac root powder, arrowroot, xanthan gum, or chia seeds. Just be careful with the xanthan gum, as too much can make your drink slimy!

Extras

For an extra kick of flavour, you can add a pinch of salt, a few drops of vanilla extract, or a pinch of cinnamon. If you're feeling extra indulgent, top your hot chocolate with keto marshmallows or whipped cream.

With these ingredients, you can make a delicious and satisfying keto hot chocolate that's perfect for a chilly day. Enjoy!

Thickening keto hot chocolate

A watery hot chocolate is a huge disappointment, but there are several ways to thicken up a keto-friendly version of this drink. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your keto hot chocolate is thick and creamy.

Thickeners

Using a thickening agent is a great way to add texture to your keto hot chocolate. Here are some options:

• Konjac root powder: This is a powerful thickening agent, so start with a small amount (around 1/8 teaspoon) and adjust as needed. It has zero carbs and works well with hot chocolate.
• Arrowroot powder: This is another good thickening option, but it has a higher carb count than konjac root powder.
• Xanthan gum: This thickener can be used, but it must be added carefully to avoid creating slime.
• Chia seeds: These tiny seeds are packed with protein and add a crunchy texture to your drink. They also contain fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. However, they need to be ground finely, which can be tedious.

Other Tips

• Milk: Using a combination of milk and cream will create a richer, creamier hot chocolate. You can use almond milk, coconut milk, or any other keto-friendly milk.
• Cocoa powder: Dutch-processed, unsweetened cocoa powder is recommended for a mellow flavour. For a more bittersweet taste, use dark cocoa powder.
• Chocolate: Adding some sugar-free dark chocolate chips will give your hot chocolate a deeper flavour and more richness.
• Heating: Be sure to heat the liquid before adding the cocoa powder to avoid clumping.
• Sweetener: Choose a sweetener that dissolves easily, such as allulose, to avoid a gritty texture.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1-2 tablespoons sweetener (such as allulose, erythritol, or xylitol)
• Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
• 1/8 teaspoon konjac root powder (or another thickening agent)
• Keto marshmallows (optional)
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

• Add the milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt to a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until it just begins to simmer.
• Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness to your preference.
• If using konjac root powder, arrowroot, or xanthan gum, make a slurry by mixing the thickening agent with a small amount of water.
• Whisk the slurry into the hot chocolate and cook until it thickens. Adjust the amount of thickening agent to achieve your desired consistency.
• If using chia seeds, add all the ingredients, including the chia seeds, to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. You may need to blend several times to fully grind the chia seeds.
• Heat the blended mixture and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Enjoy your thick and creamy keto hot chocolate!

Sweeteners for keto hot chocolate

There are a variety of keto-friendly sweeteners that can be used to make hot chocolate. Here are some options to consider:

• Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that is often used as a sweetener in keto recipes. It has a similar taste and texture to sugar but without the carbs. However, some people may experience digestive issues when consuming large amounts.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener: This natural sweetener is made from the extract of monk fruit, a small green melon native to Asia. It is very sweet, so a little goes a long way. Monk fruit sweetener is often blended with other sweeteners like erythritol to improve taste and texture.
• Allulose: A type of sugar that is found in small amounts in certain fruits. It has similar qualities to table sugar but with fewer calories and no impact on blood sugar levels. Allulose is becoming an increasingly popular sweetener for keto recipes.
• Stevia: A natural sweetener that is extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant. It is extremely sweet, so only a small amount is needed. Stevia has a slightly different taste than sugar, which some people may not prefer.
• Granulated Sweeteners: These are typically made from a blend of sweeteners like erythritol and monk fruit extract. They are designed to mimic the taste and texture of regular sugar and can be used in a 1:1 ratio.
• Liquid Sweeteners: Keto-friendly liquid sweeteners such as keto maple syrup or keto simple syrup can also be used in hot chocolate. These are especially useful if you are having trouble getting granular sweeteners to dissolve smoothly.

When choosing a sweetener for keto hot chocolate, it's important to consider taste, texture, and how well it dissolves in hot liquids. Some sweeteners may also have a cooling effect, which can be undesirable in hot drinks. Experiment with different options to find the one that suits your taste preferences and meets your keto diet requirements.

Frequently asked questions