Chocolate hemp milk is easy to make at home with 4 simple ingredients. It's nut-free, refined sugar-free, and a great alternative to sugary store-bought chocolate milk. It's perfect as a snack, for breakfast, and as a post-workout recovery drink. Just blend and enjoy!
Why You'll Love Hemp Milk
One of the easiest non-dairy milks to make, hulled hemp seeds are exactly that, hulled, which means there's no need to strain hemp milk!
And while hemp seeds can have a somewhat bitter, strong flavor at times, adding cocoa and a touch of sweetness makes this hemp milk SO delicious!
Homemade chocolate hemp milk is:
- FREE from dairy, nuts, oil, soy, and refined sugar
- smooth and creamy (no need for a nut milk bag!)
- sweetened with dates (or maple syrup)
- rich with Omega-3s and plant protein
- made with just 4 ingredients
- ready in minutes!
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Ingredients
- hemp hearts - these are hemp seeds that have had the outer hull removed. They're fairly easy to find in most grocery stores these days, especially natural foods stores. You can also order hulled hemp seeds online.
- medjool dates - fresher, softer dates are best; if using older dates you may want to soak them in water a few minutes longer than instructed.
- raw cacao powder - or substitute regular, unsweetened cocoa powder.
- salt - a generous pinch of sea salt or mineral salt deepens the chocolate flavor.
- pure vanilla extract
See recipe card below for quantities and full recipe.
How to Make Chocolate Hemp Milk
Hemp milk is probably the easiest milk to make at home. There's no need to strain it through a nut milk bag, as it ends up wonderfully smooth and creamy.
Hemp hearts are softer and blend more easily than nuts. So the end result is more emulsified than a lot of other homemade plant milks.
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- Add 1 cup water and pitted dates to a blender. Let soak 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the other ingredients (but don't add the 2nd cup of water yet). Blend until completely smooth, about 30 to 45 seconds in a high-speed blender. Add the 2nd cup of water and blend again to incorporate.
Now, to chill your hemp milk! Either refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours, or add a few ice cubes to the blender. I'm impatient, so I always go with ice. 🙂
Tip! If you don't have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, soaking the dates a little longer helps with blending. You can also soak the hemp seeds for a few minutes.
Variations
- vanilla - omit the cacao powder for a lightly sweet, vanilla hemp seed milk.
- maple - if you're like me, you may not always have dates on hand, but maple syrup is a constant in the pantry! Start with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and adjust to taste.
- spiced - add a few dashes of cinnamon or pumpkin spice for cozy, festive vibes. Or get daring with a chai spice blend.
- extra protein - hemp milk is already great for pre- and post-workout, but if you'd like even more protein, add a scoop of your favorite plant-based chocolate protein powder
- extracts - in addition to or instead of vanilla, try a few drops of coffee, mint, almond, orange, or berry flavored extract.
RELATED: If you're into healthy breakfast beverages, try this blended oat breakfast drink, cucumber smoothie, and my favorite antioxidant tofu smoothie!
Equipment
A high-speed blender whips up a batch of hemp milk in no time at all. About 30 to 45 seconds on high is all it takes.
I've been using my Vitamix for about 10 years now. It was definitely an investment, but it has more than paid for itself by now, creating silky smooth vegan mac and cheese, cheesecakes, queso, and salad dressings.
You can also make the recipe with a standard blender. Be sure to soak the dates for at least 10 minutes to help with blending. If you still end up with some unblended bits in the milk, and don't want them there, simply strain it through a nut milk bag or layers of cheesecloth.
FAQs
Since this is a homemade non-dairy milk without any preservatives, I feel comfortable keeping it for up to 3 days. The recipe only makes about 2 cups, so it's easy to consume while still fresh.
No, especially if using a high-speed blender. Hemp seeds are softer than most nuts and seeds and blend into a perfectly creamy and smooth non-dairy milk.
Yes! According to Manitoba Harvest, an industry leader in hemp seed production, the tiny seeds are rich in magnesium, zinc, iron, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, fiber, and protein.
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Recipe
Chocolate Hemp Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups water, divided
- 3 large medjool dates, pitted - or 2½ - 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ⅓ cup hemp hearts
- 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder or cocoa powder
- pinch of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add 1 cup water and the pitted dates to a blender. Let soak 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients but NOT the 2nd cup of water (we'll add that last). Starting on low, gradually increase the speed of the blender to high. Blend for about 30 to 45 seconds or until smooth.
- Add the 2nd cup of water and blend again. Taste and adjust salt, cacao, and sweetness as desired. If you'd like to enjoy the milk now, add a few ice cubes and blend again.
- If you didn't add ice, refrigerate the milk for 1 to 2 hours or until cold. Stir and enjoy.
Notes
- vanilla - omit the cacao powder.
- extracts - try coffee, mint, almond, orange, or berry flavored extract.
- maple - if you're like me, you may not always have dates on hand, but maple syrup is a constant in the pantry! Start with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and adjust to taste.
- spiced - add a few dashes of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or chai spice.
- extra protein - hemp milk is already great for pre- and post-workout, but if you'd like even more protein, add a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder.
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used.
Mandy
This is soooo good ! Thank you!
Lisa
This is fabulous and a great pick me up anytime!
ShaunD
Can't wait to try it! Esp since I have a whole bag of hemp hearts now b/c I made you 1-bowl oatmeal cookies which are SOOO yummy.