This Healthy Chocolate Milk is the ultimate way to get your chocolate fix and serve up a healthy treat to your family without refined sugar, gums, or other unwanted additives. It takes just 2 minutes to whip up, can be made ahead, is antioxidant rich, and has collagen for extra protein and gut health! Use cow’s milk or your favorite dairy free alternative. Mom and kid-approved!
Is Chocolate Milk Good for You?
Most store-bought chocolate milk drinks or chocolate milk powders are definitely not good for you.
They’re laden with refined sugars, fillers like carageenan, and added flavors. Who wants to give their kid a glass of that stuff?
Especially when you could make a healthier version that tastes just as good in only 2 minutes!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. By making purchases through these links, you pay the same amount for products, but a small portion of the sale will be sent my way to help support the mission of Back To The Book Nutrition. Thank you!
Why is it Healthy?
- Whole milk – for healthy fats, calcium, and protein (We use raw milk from a local farm – if you’re not into that, use organic or your favorite dairy free milk)
- Raw cacao – antioxidants, fiber, and magnesium
- Collagen hydrolysate – for protein, as well as skin, joint, and gut health
- Pure maple syrup – natural sweetness (honey would also work)
How to Make Healthy Chocolate Milk Step By Step
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blitz on high until thoroughly combined.
- Pour into serving glasses or store in the fridge.
No Blender? No Problem
Here area couple of other easy ways to make this healthy homemade chocolate milk:
- Immersion blender method – Place all ingredients in a 32 oz mason jar (you may need to do this in 2 half-batches). Lower the immersion blender to to the bottom of the mixture, then blend, moving the wand up and down as needed to make sure the mixture is well mixed.
- Shake method – Place all ingredients in a 32 oz mason jar, secure the lid and shake vigorously (again you will probably have to do this in 2, half-batches).
How to Make Thick Chocolate Milk
If you’re looking for a healthy way to thicken your chocolate milk to make it more creamy, indulgent and dessert-like then it’s super easy.
Add a few dates or a couple bananas into the mix and your chocolate milk will be instantly thicker.
Top Tip: Depending on how ripe the dates/bananas are, you may not need the maple syrup so you can add it to taste.
If you looking for an even thicker milkshake consistency, check out my Chocolate Protein Shake for Healthy Skin!
Top Tips for Making Healthy Chocolate Milk
- For a dairy free version, just substitute almond milk, coconut milk, or another dairy free milk for the cow’s milk
- Make sure to use raw cacoa without any added sugar or milk powder
- Collagen hydrolysate gives this chocolate milk a great nutrition boost but, if you don’t have any, you can leave it out
- Add a few dates or a couple ripe bananas for a thicker texture
- You can also try adding a 1-2 frozen bananas for an ice cream like texture. It’s a great way to make healthy desserts but you’ll need help from a high-speed blender or food processor.
More Delicious Healthy Drinks You Might Like:
- Chocolate Protein Shake for Healthy Skin
- Healthy Homemade Hot Chocolate (mix)
- Pumpkin Spice Milk
- Orange Pineapple Green Smoothie
- Creamy Strawberry Beet Smoothie
Healthy Chocolate Milk
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp raw cacoa
- 4 tbsp collagen
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 32 oz whole milk
Instructions
Easy blender method
- Put all ingredients in a blender and blitz until thoroughly combined, serve in glasses or store in the fridge for later.
No blender method
- Add all ingredients to a large mason jar (you might need to do this in 2 batches) and shake vigorously until combined.
This a great idea! I’ve been looking for a healthy alternative because my son love chocolate milk. What would be the self life in the fridge for this recipe? Can we make batch and have it last a few days in the fridge or is it just good for the day it is made.
It’ll last a few days – just give it a good stir or shake before pouring. 🙂
Would it work to use flavorless gelatin powder instead of collagen?
This would probably be fine if you blend it in well and plan to drink it right away, but it would probably clump/congeal on you if you let it sit!
That’s good to know! Thank you. Collagen powders without artificial sweetners are really hard to find where I live.
I know of a really good and healthy collagen if you would be interested
I don’t think so. Gelatin powder doesn’t have the same protein as collagen.
What is the protien and carbs in one cup of the home made chocolate milk with organic milk.
Hi Will,
I don’t calculate nutrition facts on my recipes, but you can definitely enter the ingredients into an online calculator and divide by 4 to get the info for 1 cup.
I’ll certainly be giving this a go! I’ve not had milk or chocolate milk in over 15 years out of fear (caused by an eating disorder). This seems much easier to handle.
Hope you enjoy it, Nyxie!
Definitely a sumptuous drink! I personally love this!
Healthy Chocolate Milk is one of my faves. So nice! I like it during evening before sleeping. Aids my sleep!
I wish I had known this recipe when my daughter was a kid and was addicted to chocolate milk, made with the horrible squeezy syrup, of course. I’m going to forward her this—she’s now a health-conscious adult, but I know she still loves chocolate milk 🙂
This looks and sounds so delicious. Definitely gonna try this recipe.
Yum yum! I love homemade things and I love chocolate, so this is great.
Yummy! I love drinking milk every morning and this gives me a new idea what to drink next morning!