25

Products Tested

research icon

34

Hours of Research

reviews icon

96

Reviews Examined

Quick, easy and tasty hot chocolate drinks are an excellent choice, especially in the wintertime. 

K-Cup hot chocolates have only available in recent years and the brewing quality of these pods has dramatically improved. Finding the best hot chocolate k-cup can be difficult with so many brands on the market.

I have sipped, slurped and enjoyed over 25 Keurig style pods and broken down the best Keurig hot chocolate options for your drinking pleasure. 

OUR TOP PICK

Swiss Miss Milk

Taste

5.0

Size Options

5.0

Value For Money

5.0


Our Score

5.0

Starbucks At Home

Starbucks Hot Cocoa

Taste

5.0

Size Options

4.5

Value For Money

4.5


Our Score

4.7

Dunkin At Home

Dunkin Donuts Hot Cocoa

Taste

5.0

Size Options

5.0

Value For Money

3.0


Our Score

4.3

With my fancy new Keurig brewer now taking pride of place in my kitchen, it got me thinking of what the best hot chocolate K-Cups are.

There is nothing like sipping a hot chocolate at the end of a chilly day. However, heating and whisking some on the stove takes time and energy that I don’t always have.

These are the best hot chocolate K-cup brands on the market for home use.

1. Swiss Miss Milk - Editor's Pick

Sizes Available

8, 10, 28, 44, 60, 66, 88

Price Per Count

$0.68 ($29.84 for 44)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

Yes

Calorie Content

70 calories

I got more than a little excited when I saw Swiss Miss had made their own Swiss Miss hot chocolate K-Cups.

Swiss Miss has been the go-to single-cup hot chocolate since 1961. This milk chocolate hot cocoa was a staple of so many childhoods and brings back such nostalgia with every cup.

It is super smooth and creamy with a light flavor thanks to the imported premium milk chocolate. I love that you can bulk order for family gatherings and that it is a kosher-certified mix. The pods are even recyclable.

I love a nostalgia hit drink - the Junior Mint and Tootsie Rolls options also gave me similar warm and fuzzies. This is also on the cheaper side at $0.68, making it more budget-friendly than the Starbucks Hot Cocoa pods, which cost around $1.

I will say that this affordable hot chocolate is not quite as good as the powder packets as it is a little weaker but still great. 

If you are looking for a nostalgia hit year-round, Swiss Miss hot cocoa may be right for you. Just consider doubling up on cups for larger mugs.

Pros

  • Nostalgic taste from childhood
  • Velvety texture and mouthfeel
  • Kosher-certified product
  • Uses real imported milk chocolate
  • Wide range of bulk size available

Cons

  • Weaker taste than the packet mix

2. Starbucks Hot Cocoa K-Cup Pods

Taste

5.0

Size Options

4.5

Value For Money

4.5


Overall Rating

4.7

Sizes Available

10, 22

Price Per Count

$1.01 ($10.12 for 10)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

Not certified, but the base ingredients are kosher

Calorie Content

90 calories

Starbucks’ Keurig K-Cup packs are one of the most popular hot chocolate options.

I was a Starbucks hot chocolate fiend as a teenager and would always go ham when adding their cinnamon and cocoa powder. You can imagine how excited I was when I saw they started doing K-Cup pods.

This smooth and tasty mix is exactly like their coffee shop version and is a great option for those wanting a premium cocoa experience.

It mixes well and dispensed quickly, even on the 8 fl oz setting.

However, premium brands and ingredients mean premium prices - this mix is one of the more expensive ones on this list at around $1 per K cup. Not only that, but this mix has the highest carb, sugar, and calorie count per serving on this list.

I consider these pods more of a special treat than a regular pantry staple - I leave that to cheaper pods like Swiss Miss.

Still, this delicious drink is an excellent choice for Starbucks fans who don't mind indulging.

Pros

  • Mixes well and dispenses quickly
  • Delicious chocolate taste
  • Smooth mouthfeel

Cons

  • Third most expensive option on this list
  • Highest calories per cup on this list

3. Dunkin Donuts Hot Cocoa K-Cups

Sizes Available

10, 16, 22, 60, 88

Price Per Count

$1.27 ($27.95 for 22)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

Yes

Calorie Content

70 calories

I have waxed poetic about my love for Dunkin multiple times here at Barista HQ, so you can imagine my excitement when I added a pack of their hot chocolate K-Cups to my basket.

This hot chocolate was rich and creamy with a smooth texture, all with certified Dunkin kosher ingredients. Of course, Dunkin's choice to use recyclable pods gets a big plus from me as well.

That being said, a premium price tag is attached to these hot chocolate K-Cups. In fact, Dunkin’s pods are the second most expensive ones on this list, followed by Starbucks' pods at around $1 per count.

Dunkin's mix brings a similar taste to the Starbucks' pods, but with half the sugar at 7 grams per cup.

They also contain dairy and non-dairy elements, which is important to bear in mind if you are lactose intolerant.

Pros

  • Rich, creamy, and smooth
  • Made in the US
  • Well-known, trusted brand
  • Pods are recyclable
  • Range of bulk sizes available

Cons

  • Second most expensive option on this list

4. Mountain High Foods All Natural Hot Chocolate

Sizes Available

4, 12, 18, 60

Price Per Count

$0.53 ($37.99 for 72)

Flavor

Natural

Kosher Certified

N/A

Calorie Content

80

Recently, I have been trying to increase how much organic and natural food and drink I have each day. So naturally, I was delighted to see an organic option in the hot chocolate K-Cups section.

Mountain High's milk chocolate has a creamy and rich flavor without the coconut oil, which is refreshing, and uses recyclable and BPA-free K-Cup pods. The indulgence is even sweeter knowing that Mountain use only high-quality ingredients and natural sugar in their mix.

In terms of sugar content and carbs, Mountain High had the lowest of the bunch on both counts. That being said, these pods have the highest fat content on this list at 4 grams - much higher than others with 1.5 grams, like Cafe Escapes' pods.

I did find that this mix can clump, but giving the chocolate K-Cups a shake before inserting them seemed to do the trick (when I remember to do it).

This mix is also weak if you go over 6 fl oz, so you may need to double up.

Pros

  • One of the most affordable list options
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Recyclable BPA-free cups
  • Lowest carb and sugar option on this list

Cons

  • Can clump if not shaken before use
  • Weak taste on more than 6 fl oz
  • Highest fat content per serving on this list

5. Crazy Cups Seasonal Premium Hot Choc

Sizes Available

20, 30, 40, 50, 72

Price Per Count

$0.90 ($17.99 for 20)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

Yes

Calorie Content

N/A

If you are someone who loves variety or needs a novelty gift, Crazy Cups' K-Cup brewers variety pack is the perfect way to shake up your day.  This Amazon's Choice pack packs eight different flavors into one to bring some spice into your life.

I love the eclectic mix of flavors this pack comes with, including Salted Caramel Fudge, Red Velvet Revolution, Frosted Oatmeal Biscotti, and Peppermint Patty.

Each K-Cup has 15 grams of quality cocoa and plenty of flavors packed in.

Crazy Cups' variety pack is one of the more pricey options at just under a dollar per count while most of the tested ones cost between $0.50-0.60. However, they could be worth it for the sheer novelty.

If you love variety on a budget, you could also try the Tootsie Roll Candy variety pack, which has four different candy flavors for an even cheaper price at $0.53 per count.

Overall, Crazy Cups’ hot chocolate K-Cups would make a great gift for anyone who would prefer different unique hot chocolate flavors than sticking to just one cup of hot chocolate.

Pros

  • Fun variety gift for hot chocolate fans
  • Wide range of flavors to try
  • Plenty of bulk order options

Cons

  • Some flavors are weaker than others
  • One of the more expensive options

6. Grove Square Hot Cocoa Pods

Sizes Available

24

Price Per Count

$0.61 ($14.57 for 24)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

Yes

Calorie Content

60 calories

Grove Square hot chocolate K-Cups are another affordable and creamy addition to this list.

Premium cocoa and added dried milk combine to make a smooth-tasting milk chocolate hot cocoa.

If you are watching your calorie intake, you will be delighted to know that this is one of the lower-calorie options on our list with only 60 calories per serving. It also only contains 2 grams of fat per cup, which is only just beaten out by the likes of Cafe Escapes and Junior Mints with 1.5 grams.

I loved its mellow flavor and low calories - all taste, no guilt. Plus, this pack is certified kosher for any Jewish guests, which is perfect for my friendship group.

This Grove Square hot cocoa mix is another one that is on the thin side when set to over 6 fl oz - you may want to double up on pods if you like big mugs (and cannot lie).

Pros

  • Affordable price per count
  • Kosher-certified product
  • Creamy, premium cocoa taste
  • Suitable for both 1.0 and 2.0 machines

Cons

  • Small cups or double capsules required

7. Brooklyn Beans Mexican Hot Chocolate

Sizes Available

40

Price Per Count

$0.57 ($22.90 for 40)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

N/A

Calorie Content

70 calories

I love a spicy cup of hot cocoa on a cold day. I tried spiced hot chocolate for the first time while visiting Mexico and have been hooked ever since.

Brooklyn Beans’ hot chocolate K-Cups were a delight to have. If spicy or flavored hot chocolates are your thing, you could also indulge in Crazy Cups' variety pack - you will love their frosted cinnamon bun flavor.

Premium cocoa beans and an intoxicating mix of cinnamon, chilies, and other spices blend well into a rich and flavorful cup of hot chocolate.

This mix is also gluten, peanut, and tree nut free, making it a great option for those on a gluten-free diet.

You get all this flavor for a very reasonable $0.57 per count, which is about average for K-Cups. This makes it every so slightly cheaper than Grove Square's dark chocolate pods.

Brooklyn Beans' pods were some of the best-tasting hot chocolate K-Cups I have tried so far.

Pros

  • Flavorful and rich cocoa taste
  • Spicy and sweet flavors
  • Gluten, peanut, and tree nut free
  • Amazon's Choice product
  • Suitable for 1.0 and 2.0 machines

Cons

  • Pods are not recyclable

8. Victor Allen Milk Chocolate Cocoa Mix

Sizes Available

42, 96

Price Per Count

$0.55 ($22.99 for 42)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

Yes

Calorie Content

70 calories

Victor Allen's hot chocolate K-Cups are a kosher and more affordable way to get a creamy chocolatey treat anytime.

I liked how mild this milk chocolate flavor was and that it is gluten-free, so I can still give some to my loved ones.

However, this is another case where going over a small cup means either getting watery or thin hot chocolate or doubling up for a rich and creamy large cup.

If you are watching your fat intake, it is important to note that this pack is on the high end of average for K-Cup pods with 3 grams of fat per serving. Other brands like Junior Mints and Cafe Escapes have half of the fat per cup for a similar price.

Overall, I love that this is an affordable gluten-free cocoa that is also kosher, but I wish you did not have to double up for larger servings.

Pros

  • Kosher-certified product
  • Affordable price per count
  • Creamy and smooth taste
  • Gluten-free product
  • 2.0 model compatible

Cons

  • Can be watery or thin in larger mugs

9. Junior Mints Chocolate Mint Keurig Pods

Sizes Available

12, 40

Price Per Count

$0.83 ($9.92 for12)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

N/A

Calorie Content

60 calories

Anyone who knows me knows just how much of a mint chocolate fiend I am. So, you can imagine how excited I was to try Junior Mints hot chocolate.

I love how the dark chocolate flavor balances with the burst of refreshing peppermint - without the synthetic aftertaste. This pack is also great for people who only want one funky flavor, unlike the Tootsie Roll and Crazy Cups packs which have more variety.

This is a rich and smooth experience that matches some of the best hot chocolate K-Cups I have tried on this journey.

Junior Mints also designed the pods to fit both 1.0 and 2.0 versions of your Keurig machine, which is very convenient should you want to upgrade.

I'm currently keeping an eye on how much fat I have each day, so was pleased to hear that Junior Mints' hot cocoa pods had only 1.5 grams of fat per serving. This is about on the low end of average, which is between 1.5 and 3 grams per cup.

Also, it does not always mix well on the first pass, so I recommend giving a cursory shake before inserting it for a better chocolate flavor.

Pros

  • Refreshing chocolatey taste
  • No synthetic aftertaste from the mint
  • Amazon’s Choice product
  • Suitable for 1.0 and 2.0 machines

Cons

  • Mid to high price point
  • Needs shaking beforehand for proper mix

10. Cafe Escapes Dark Chocolate K-Cups

Taste

5.0

Size Options

3.0

Value For Money

3.0


Overall Rating

3.7

Sizes Available

16, 24, 76, 96, 124

Price Per Count

$1.69 ($27.10 for 16)

Flavor

Natural and Artificial

Kosher Certified

N/A

Calorie Content

60 calories

I know that dark chocolate hot chocolate is not for everyone; it carries this misconception that it is always bitter and not sweet enough.

However, I'm happy to report that Cafe Escapes' dark hot chocolate is not like that.

This gluten-free mix is sweet and not too bitter, providing a creamy and thick texture in smaller servings.

For those concerned about their diet, there is no trans fat in this smooth cup of K-Cup cocoa. It is also very easy to bulk order if dark chocolate hot cocoa is your thing.

That being said, this is the most expensive price-per-count pack on this list at $1.69 each, making it very much an indulgence over a daily cup. If you want darker hot chocolate on a budget, you could opt for the Maud's pods instead, which cost $0.64.

Pros

  • Good balance of flavors
  • Gluten-free and no trans fats
  • Easy to bulk order
  • No bitter aftertaste

Cons

  • The most expensive product on this list
  • Weaker taste in larger servings

11. Maud's Dark Hot Chocolate Loco

Taste

4.0

Size Options

4.0

Value For Money

4.0


Overall Rating

4.0

Sizes Available

18, 50

Price Per Count

$0.64 ($32.20 for 50)

Flavor

Natural