How To Melt Chocolate

Chocolate makes everything better! Whether dipping, coating, covering, or drizzling, adding melted chocolate is deliciously decadent way to level up to all sorts of treats. That’s why I made this simple guide to help you develop the skill to melt chocolate chips or bars like a pro! It’s an essential cooking/baking skill and may seem easy enough, but the following these tips and tricks will make it foolproof every time. No more need to worry about your chocolate seizing up or burning, because I walk you through a few ways to melt chocolate properly, so you can take your pick.

Which chocolate chips are vegan?

Let me begin with what chocolate is the best to use when recipes call for melted chocolate. For practical purposes, chocolate chips are a go-to because they melt quickly and evenly. But if you have a chocolate bar instead, it will work just fine. Just make sure you chop it into small, somewhat even pieces.

Any good or medium quality chocolate will work well, depending on the recipe you are making (follow the recommendations of that recipe, if it specifies.) If the recipe calls for added sugar or another sweetener, dark chocolate might be a good idea. But a safe choice for most recipes is semi-sweet chocolate.

However, make sure you check the ingredients because not all semi-sweet chocolate is plant-based. The chocolate chips and chunks from Trader Joe’s are vegan, as are Guittard’s semi-sweet chocolate chips.

The Best Ways to Melt Chocolate Chips or Bars

Melt Chocolate Bars or Chips in a Double Boiler

This classic method for melting chocolate (used for hundreds of years!) is the best way to monitor that your chocolate is melting evenly and not scorching. You’ll be able to watch it closely and stir as needed, as long as you don’t leave it unattended!

Step 1: Add your chocolate (chips or chopped bars) to the top of your double boiler over simmering water.

Step 2: Stir frequently until the chocolate is fully melted. A rubber spatula is the best tool to scrape the sides of the bowl while you stir.

Saucepan & Bowl

If you don’t have a double boiler, no worries. You can melt chocolate with a pan. Just place a bowl (metal or glass) over a small saucepan that’s partly filled with simmering water. It works just the same as a double broiler!

The only thing you’ll have to make sure of before starting is that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Follow the same instructions as the double boiler.

How to Melt Chocolate in the Microwave

This method might be the easiest way to melt chocolate (and the one I use the most on Plant-Based on a Budget.)

The most important part of this method is to heat up the chocolate in very short intervals to avoid burning it. Also, every microwave is different and may have different settings, so make note of what setting and timing works best for your microwave, and use that moving forward.

Step 1: Place your small pieces of chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.

Step 2: Microwave for 1 minute. If your microwave has a ‘melting’ or ‘50%’ setting, you may try that. Remove bowl from the microwave and stir.

Step 3: Continue to microwave in 30-second increments, stirring frequently after each time, until the chocolate is fully melted. Remember, it’s easy to burn chocolate if it’s microwaved too long, so stick with short intervals and stir in between.

I hope this chocolate melting guide was useful and opens your kitchen for all sorts of yummy treats in your future! Try a few of these methods and figure out which one works best for you, your kitchen and your lifestyle. I’d love to hear what works for you! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be unstoppable! Speaking of…

Looking For Some Melted Chocolate Recipe Inspiration?

• Chocolate Covered Classics: Simple Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Peppermint Patties, Vegan Peanut Butter Cups, and Chocolate Dipped Banana Pops are always a hit!
• Chocolate Bark: Holiday or not, these barks will keep you coming back for a bite! Chocolate Chickpea Bark, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark, Peppermint Bark, and Matzo Bark.
• Bonbons & Delicious Bites: Perfect ways to fill a dessert tray or yummy gift plate: Cookie Dough Bonbons, Chocolate Coconut Balls, Peanut Butter Bonbons, and Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates.
• Healthier Treats: Need a yummy way to sneak in protein and nutrients? Try Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls, Chocolate Fruit Bars, Peanut Butter Banana Bars, and Peanut Clusters.
• Desserts to Impress: These delectable chocolate desserts are deceivingly easy to prepare! 4-Ingredient Chocolate Pie, Super Simple Chocolate Mousse, Summer Fruit Pizza, and Vegan Fudge.
• Throw-Back ‘After-School’ Snacks: Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, No-Bake Peanut Butter Cups, or Puppy Chow will have you feeling like a kid again.
• Dessert Charcuterie Board: Pick a few of your favorite treats and combine them onto this dreamily delicious date night/girl’s night or Valentine’s Charcuterie Board.