Embrace chocolate in all its forms this Veganuary — explore cacao-rich recipes with a vegan twist.

More and more people are embracing a plant-based lifestyle for an array of reasons — from ethical and environmental concerns to dairy sensitivity. If you’re thinking about trying veganism, then ‘Veganuary’ could be the perfect opportunity. Each January, thousands of people start the year with a month of meat-free, dairy-free living. It can be a chance to reset, take a conscious approach to food, and try some irresistible recipes you may not have previously considered.

That’s right, Veganuary recipes can be incredibly varied and delicious — especially when you add our vegan* chocolate to the mix.

Ready to give Veganuary a go? Here are some Veganuary recipes you can enjoy for every meal of the day — all with a dash of cacao.

*Please note throughout: We believe our dark and Nutmilk chocolate is suitable for vegans. However, as it is made in the same environment as our milk chocolate, we cannot guarantee it is free from milk.

Vegan breakfast recipes with a chocolate twist

What better way to start the day than with a bit of chocolate? Of course, as the most important meal of the day, breakfast should be a balanced affair but adding a small amount of cacao-rich chocolate can make it all the more exciting. And with our focus on more cacao, less sugar, you get more nuanced flavours and less of the sweet stuff.

It’s easier than you might think to incorporate vegan chocolate into your breakfast dishes this Veganuary. Here’s a bit of inspiration to get you started.

Delectable chocolate porridge

A quick and simple way to jazz up your morning porridge is to add a bit of vegan chocolate. Either melt your favourite dark chocolate separately and drizzle it over or swirl in a couple of our 70% Dark Chocolate Batons as your porridge cooks.

Do you prefer your chocolate on the mellow side? Our revolutionary Nutmilk chocolate uses milled hazelnuts in place of milk for a staggeringly creamy texture. It’s smooth, sumptuous, and brimming with 45% cacao for depth of flavour. Sprinkle some of our Nutmilk Hot Chocolate flakes or melt our 45% Nutmilk Batons for a touch of decadence. Why not top your porridge with chopped nuts for an additional bit of crunch?

Chocolate ‘nice’ cream

January might not be the warmest month but ice cream for breakfast can still be a wonderful morning treat. And with this vegan ‘nice cream’ recipe from Vegan On Board, you can enjoy a refreshingly healthy frozen delight.

By blitzing frozen banana with cocoa powder and your preferred milk alternative, then popping it back in the freezer, you’ll have a quick and delicious breakfast to scoop out each morning.

Top it with peanut butter and chopped vegan dark chocolate for the pièce de résistance.

Chocolate chia pudding

Do you need to dash out the door in the morning? Chocolate chia pudding is a breakfast treat that you can prepare the night before. With just a handful of ingredients, including omega-rich chia seeds, we love this recipe from Sarah Bakes Gluten Free.

All you need to do is add your favourite milk alternative (this recipe suggests coconut milk) to a small bowl of chia seeds, along with maple syrup, cocoa powder and vanilla extract. The chia seeds will soak up all the liquid, swelling to create a sumptuous dessert-like texture.

Add a sprinkle of vegan chocolate shavings on top and leave the chia pudding to set in the fridge overnight. You could grate any vegan chocolate or, for even more speed and convenience, add some of our hot chocolate flakes. These gossamer-fine flakes make the perfect chocolate dusting.

Try our Classic 70% Dark Hot Chocolate Sachets for a beautiful balance of flavour. Or, for even more cacao, go for our 85% Dark Hot Chocolate — perfect for those who enjoy a deep and elegant flavour profile.

Cacao-infused savoury vegan dishes for lunch and dinner

Have you tried adding chocolate to your savoury dishes? Melting cacao-rich dark chocolate into your chilli or pasta sauce can bring a vibrant and complex flavour to classic recipes.

With its low sugar content and multi-layered flavour profile, our 100% cacao chocolate is the perfect addition to savoury dishes for lunch and dinner. And the best bit? It’s vegan*.

Chocolate nut roast

We all know that chocolate and nuts are a match made in heaven but have you considered whipping up a chocolate nut roast? It might seem out of the ordinary, but this recipe from Green Gourmet Giraffe showcases chocolate’s true versatility.

Now, it’s important to note that this particular recipe contains cheddar cheese — but you can easily make it vegan by swapping the dairy cheese for a vegan alternative. Likewise, if you choose to make the chocolate gravy to go with this nut roast, use a vegan spread in place of butter and just make sure your dark chocolate is suitable for vegans. A great skill to develop during Veganuary is the ability to transform non-vegan recipes into vegan ones. For a starting point, take a look at our guide to vegan swaps.

You could even host a vegan dinner party, with this nut roast as the main course.

Vegan mole poblano

The perfect addition to fajitas, chilli, and other South American-inspired dishes, mole is a Mexican chocolate sauce that combines sweet, savoury and spicy ingredients to create a moreish taste. It would make an ideal side for this Mexican rice and bean recipe from The Delicious Plate.

For Veganuary, we particularly like the mole poblano recipe from Dora’s Table. As you slowly heat and combine the different ingredients, your kitchen is sure to fill with irresistible aromas. Cinnamon, a blend of chillies, garlic, plantain, and chocolate all combine for a flavour fusion like no other.

To get a really complex and nuanced profile, we suggest using vegan dark chocolate with a high cacao content. Opt for our 85% Dark Chocolate Batons, 90% Dark Chocolate Slab, or go all-out with our 100% Rare & Vintage Dark Chocolate Batons. 

Vegan chocolate desserts and treats

We’ve explored vegan chocolate’s potential for bringing a cacao-rich edge to savoury dishes and breakfast recipes, but there’s no denying that it also makes a great addition to an array of desserts.

From homemade vegan chocolate truffles to gooey brownies, chocolate-dipped fruit, and more, going vegan opens up new dessert possibilities.

Vegan chocolate fudge cake

If there’s one recipe you try this Veganuary, it has to be a vegan chocolate fudge cake. Opulent and satisfying, chocolate fudge cake is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion — from birthday parties and celebrations to a weekend indulgence. In our previous blog on making a vegan chocolate fudge cake, we looked at how to veganise a favourite recipe from Mary Berry and add your own flair to it.

Vegan chocolate treats from Hotel Chocolat

Sometimes, only a chocolate treat from Hotel Chocolat will satisfy that cacao craving, and, fortunately, we have a whole host of vegan chocolate offerings so nobody has to miss out.

From our vegan hot chocolate flakes to keep you cosy on a cold January night to Selectors and small chocolate packs in a variety of vegan flavour combinations, we have something for every occasion. Try our Panned Pecan Nutmilk Pralines for a silky-smooth, melt-in-the-mouth experience or Chocolate Orange Tangs for a burst of vibrant citrus.

Perhaps you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a loved one who’s also taking part in Veganuary. Our Unbelievably Vegan* Sleekster showcases 33 of our best-loved dark and Nutmilk chocolates — it’s sure to impress your recipient.

Alternatively, bring an element of celebration to your gifting with our cacao-infused Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur. Sumptuous caramel notes meet a twist of cacao and warming vodka for a drink that’s smooth enough to drink on the rocks but equally makes a wonderful addition to cocktails.

Give Veganuary a luxurious chocolate twist with Hotel Chocolat

You might be trying veganism out just for the month or be looking at ways to take plant-based living beyond Veganuary. Either way, there’s no reason to miss out on satisfying, cacao-rich chocolate.

Incorporate our cooking chocolate into your breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes and treat yourself or a loved one to something from our delectable vegan chocolate collection.