A fun twist on the classic eggnog, this healthy chocolate eggnog is dairy free, refined sugar free, and paleo for a fun, healthier option this Christmas!
I thought I was soooooo clever thinking of adding chocolate to eggnog. It hit me while making a protein shake. Guess what? I'm not the first person to do this. Thanks a lot, Google. The last time I realized that I wasn't the first person to come up with a really different combination was when I made banana mashed potatoes. Yup, there are a bunch of recipes for that on the internet. Goes great with pork FYI.
Holley and I do come up with a number of combinations that Google doesn't spoil with pages of similar results, though. Bacon Banana Scrambled Eggs. Orange Chocolate Chili Chicken Wings – amazing with mole sauce BTW.
Anyway… I didn't see any other dairy free healthy chocolate eggnog. Take that Google! Alright. I sure showed them!
What was I talking about? Christmas? I dunno. What are you doing for Christmas? Paleo dinner? Traditional turkey? Does the whole family help with the meal? Are you one of those Chinese-restaurant-for-Christmas families? Does your family drink eggnog? Probably if you're reading this, I suppose. Any other cool traditions? My family always takes a family photo over the holiday. Recently we've decided to take fun photos. You might remember the superhero photo? I can't tell you what this year's will be, but we've got ideas brewing. Any suggestions for next year?
Until then, how will you use your Healthy Chocolate Eggnog? Straight up? In protein shakes? With spiced rum or bourbon? In coffee (chocolate eggnog latte? Or would that be called an eggnog mocha?)?
Want to try non-chocolate version? Try the Dairy Free Eggnog. Try it in your coffee. And serve it with whipped coconut cream and sprinkled with chocolate shavings, even some orange zest.

Healthy Chocolate Eggnog (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups cashew milk (or almond milk)
- 1 can (400ml) coconut milk (full fat)
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp cacao powder
- (optional) booze as desired: spiced rum, bourbon, or cognac
Instructions
- Whisk eggs and salt together. Gradually add cashew milk, coconut milk, and syrup while continuing to whisk.
- Select “Slow Cooker” setting on Instant Pot and press the “Adjust” button repeatedly until the “Less” setting is selected. Adjust time to 1.5 hours. Cover with pot lid slightly ajar. If using a Slow Cooker/Crockpot use the “low” setting.
- Stir periodically over the next 1.5 hours (I set my phone timer for 15-20 min as a reminder).
- The mixture will thicken as it cooks and is done once it can coat the back of a spoon. See notes about overcooking. As it begins to thicken, watch/whisk more frequently. If it's not quite done, add another 30 minutes and continue to watch.
- Fill the sink with cold water, and when the eggnog is finished move the IP insert into the cold water. This will cool the metal and nog so that is stops cooking.
- Mix in remaining ingredients (cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cacao, and booze).
- If it's not quite smooth enough, run through a blender or a strainer.
- Refrigerate in sealed container (a lot of liquid seems to evaporate if you don't).
- Enjoy!
Notes
I personally didn't like the almond milk flavor but found the cashew milk more to my liking. Holley liked the almond milk version just fine.
If cooked too much/too quickly (too high a temperature), the eggnog will look like it's curdling. I did this on my first attempt, and Holley was able to save it by putting it in a blender, resulting in the perfect creamy texture. If that doesn't work you can use a strainer to take out any chunks.
From what I've read, you should drink this eggnog within a couple days of cooking. If you add in rum/bourbon/cognac it'll last longer.
I can also tell you that it tastes even better the day after cooking.
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Category: drink
- Method: Instant Pot or slow cooker
- Cuisine: Christmas

Healthy Chocolate Eggnog (stove-top)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups cashew milk (or almond milk)
- 1 can (400ml) coconut milk (full fat)
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp cacao powder
- (optional) booze as desired: spiced rum, bourbon, or cognac
Instructions
- In a medium-large saucepan (at least 2 liters), whisk eggs and salt together. Gradually add coconut milk, syrup, and 2 cups of cashew milk while continuing to whisk.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens to the point that it can coat the back of a spoon (approx. 25 min).
- Remove from heat. Whisk in remaining cashew milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cacao powder, and alcohol (if using).
- If eggnog is not smooth: run it through a blender or pour through a sieve.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: drink
- Method: stove-top
- Cuisine: Christmas
The eggnog looks pretty yummy. Now you have me wondering what you two have come up with for the family photo?!?!
You’ll have to wait and see.
I love this chocolate version! It sounds delicious!
Thanks Emily!
Looks amazing!
Thanks Orleatha!
I love Eggnog and this is straight up genius! Chocolate eggnog + rum is so happening over here.
Oh gosh I don’t know why I never thought to make it chocolate! I am not a huge eggnog fan but I could totally get into this!
It’s been in my spot for over 1.5 hours on the settings in the recipe and it’s still not thickening up. Used almond milk. I’ll cook it for another 30 minutes and see what happens. I’m sure it’ll still be good, but I think I would have halved the recipe for the first time making it. Thanks for the recipe.
Hey Donna, if that’s the case try bumping it up higher, but make sure you’re really watching it and whisking