How to Make Chocolate Almond Milk | Healthy Recipe

This chocolate almond milk is so rich and creamy, and it's made with healthy and simple ingredients that you can feel good about eating. It's a guilt-free treat the whole family will enjoy!

I always LOVED chocolate milk. And as with so many other food items, when I got older and started to be concerned about my health, I felt so torn! I wanted to taste that rich chocolate flavor, but not feel like crap and have the associated guilt.

This chocolate almond milk is actually a really good substitute and a much healthier alternative. It's creamy, chocolatey and just sweet enough. And it's actually very easy to make your own almond milk.

I figured out long ago that consuming pasteurized dairy products was contributing to the consistent migraine problem I had for years. It's great to have recipes like this that allow me to enjoy certain tastes and flavors, but with no more migraines! A few more of my dairy-free favorites are dairy-free hot chocolate, beef stroganoff without sour cream, dairy-free chocolate pudding, strawberry milkshake without ice cream and garlic olive oil mashed potatoes.

What is in Chocolate Almond Milk?

Almonds - Not a lot of almond actually makes it into the milk, but almonds are high in fibre, protein, fat and some vitamins and minerals. When you make almond milk, you are always left with almond pulp, so if you use that in other things (see some ideas below), you will consume the whole nut.

Water - We use filtered water from our Berkey water filter. It retains the beneficial minerals in the water and removes all the junk! I have a full review of it here.

Cocoa - Necessary for that beautiful chocolate flavor. Rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that are also found in some fruits and vegetables! These polyphenols may reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation generally, improve heart health and blood flow to the brain.

Maple syrup - High in sugar, as we know, but we use as little added sugar as possible in this recipe to still yield a delicious result. You can also use more or less, depending on your preference. Maple syrup is natural and also contains a small number of vitamins and minerals.

Sea salt and vanilla - To round out the flavors.

How Healthy is Chocolate Almond Milk?

It isn't a significant source of nutrients, since it's mainly composed of water. It is a sweet drink as well, so it does contain some sugar. I'd say for a treat, it's about as guilt-free as you could get! No preservatives or chemicals, just fresh homemade goodness, with real ingredients.

FAQ

Is CHocolate Almond Milk Vegan?

This recipe is completely plant-based, so suitable for those on a vegan diet.

Is CHocolate ALmond Milk Keto Friendly?

Maple syrup is sugar, so isn't keto-friendly. However, you could replace it with a keto-friendly sweetener in this recipe.

What Does Chocolate Almond Milk Taste Like?

This chocolate almond milk recipe is rich and creamy, more than I honestly expected it to be. To me, it tastes very similar to the storebought chocolate milk I enjoyed on occasion growing up. It will surely satisfy your chocolate cravings!

Is Almond Milk Healthier Than Regular Milk?

Raw cow's milk is much more nutritious than almond milk. Where I live, it's illegal to sell raw milk, and my husband and I just can't handle the pasteurized stuff. That's why we love to have a dairy free milk option whenever we want something to put in our granola or have a chocolate milk treat. It's not nutrient-dense, but it's homemade with clean ingredients.

What to Use Chocolate Almond Milk For

• Drink it straight fo a refreshing treat!
• Cook your oatmeal in it for a special chocolatey breakfast.
• Use in these sprouted wheat crepes to make them chocolate crepes.
• Chocolate almond milk ice cream. (I would use less sweetener than this recipe calls for)
• Heat for hot chocolate (directions below).

Can CHocolate Almond Milk be Heated?

Pour chocolate almond milk into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Is it Normal For Chocolate Almond Milk to Separate?

It's totally normal for the ingredients in chocolate almond milk to separate over time, so store it in a closed jar and give it a good shake every time you bring it out of the fridge.

Can You Make Chocolate Almond Milk Without Soaking?

You can soak the nuts in boiling water for 30-60 minutes instead of soaking for 8+ hours. However, the result will not be as easily digestible or yield the same nutritional benefit that long soaking will provide.

Almonds contain phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that blocks the absorption of nutrients into your body. When you soak nuts for a total time of 8 or more hours in saltwater, the phytic acid breaks down, making the nuts more digestible and the nutrients more available to the body!

Uses for Almond Pulp

When you make almond milk, or any kind of nut milk, there is always leftover "pulp". There are many ways you can use it up:

• Make almond flour: Dehydrate at 110°F or bake in an oven at the lowest temperature for 4-8 hours. When it's done it will be dry and crumbly. Place into a food processor or blender and process until it becomes a flour. Use in any recipe that calls for almond flour! Store in an airtight container in your pantry or store in the freezer to extend shelf life.
• Mix into oatmeal.
• Add it to homemade granola before baking or dehydrating.
• Add to smoothies.
• Almond pulp crackers! This is a great recipe.

Tools You May Need

High Speed Blender (my favorite one!)

Fine Mesh Strainer or Colander

Mixing Bowl

Nutmilk Bag, Cheese Cloth or Tea Towel

How to Make Chocolate Almond Milk

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds, unsalted and raw
• 2 cups filtered water (for soaking)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (for soaking)
• 3½ cups filtered cold water
• 3 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 6 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

Soak almonds with 1 teaspoon salt in 2 cups of filtered water. Allow to soak overnight.

You'll notice the water will become quite cloudy. Rinse the nuts well and drain.

Add rinsed nuts and 3½ cups filtered water to the high speed blender. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes. The longer it blends, the more you'll get out of your almonds.

Line a sieve or colander with cheesecloth or a thin tea towel (or use a nut milk bag if you have one) and place over a mixing bowl. Carefully pour your almond milk into the sieve, and allow almond milk to drain through into the mixing bowl. Gather the edges of your towel or cheesecloth and gently squeeze the remaining milk out. You will be left with almond pulp in the towel.

Give your blender a quick rinse. Pour almond milk back in the blender, along with maple syrup, cocoa, salt and vanilla. Blend until everything is well combined, about 30 seconds.

Pour and enjoy!

How to Store Chocolate Almond Milk

Best when consumed within 1-2 days. Store chocolate almond milk in a glass container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Store almond meal for 4-5 days in the fridge, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

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