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    Recipes » Recipes

    Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Dec 4, 2019 by Dee

    Make this Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate recipe in your pressure cooker and keep it warm until ready to serve. Perfect for holidays and family gatherings!

    Jump to Recipe -
    cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream in front of an instant pot

    You can make the best hot chocolate in your Instant Pot! This homemade hot cocoa recipe is rich, creamy and takes just a few minutes to make!

    I have over a hundred Instant Pot recipes on my blog, but this is the first time I ever made a drink in the pressure cooker. Thing is, I can't believe I waited long!

    And because you're probably wondering why anyone would want to make hot chocolate in the Instant Pot -- I know you are -- It's a quick and easy way to make a big batch for a crowd.

    I made hot cocoa for my daughter's annual gingerbread house party last year, and it took about 2 hours to heat up in the slow cooker. This year, I can make the hot chocolate in about 10 minutes!

    Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa

    Technically, this is a hot cocoa recipe, since it's made with cocoa powder. We tend to say hot chocolate, but that is made with melted chocolate, while hot cocoa is not. Just had to point that out!

    How to Make Hot Chocolate in the Instant Pot

    To be clear, we're not pressure cooking the hot chocolate -- no need for that! We're just cooking it and keeping it warm.

    First, turn your Instant Pot to the SAUTE setting, and add your dry ingredients. Mix them up a little, then pour in the water.

    Keep stirring as the mixture heats up. It will be thick, but that will change when you add the milk.

    stir cocoa powder with water in instant pot

    When the mixture starts to bubble, pour in the milk. Keep stirring, and pour in the cream.

    You may have some small chocolate lumps, but these will melt and go away as the mixture heats up.

    mixing cream and cocoa in the instant pot

    Right before the mixture comes to a boil, hit Cancel. You don't want to boil the chocolate.

    Press the Keep Warm button, and your hot chocolate will stay nice and warm until you're ready to serve! Make sure to stir before serving.

    hot chocolate in the instant pot

    Spice it up with Peppermint

    I love making peppermint hot cocoa! Just stir in a teaspoon of peppermint extract right after you hit Cancel. Tastes just like a peppermint mocha!

    homemade hot cocoa in a white mug with whipped cream

    How to Make Hot Cocoa for a Crowd

    This recipe is super easy to double or, maybe, triple if your pressure cooker is big enough. Just make the cocoa, and leave it on the Keep Warm setting until your guests are ready.

    Make a Hot Chocolate Bar

    To make a hot chocolate bar, set out cups, napkins and spoons. Serve with your favorite desserts, and don't forget some fun mix-ins:

    • Marshmallows
    • Peppermint sticks or candy canes
    • Whipped cream
    • Jimmies or sprinkles
    • Crushed peppermint chips
    • Chocolate chips or chocolate coated candies
    close up of instant pot hot chocolate in a white mug

    Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

    cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream in front of an instant pot

    Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

    Published by Dee
    Make this Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate recipe in your pressure cooker and keep it warm until ready to serve. Makes the best rich and creamy hot chocolate that's perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings!
    5 from 14 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 218 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup water
    • 3 ½ cups milk
    • ½ cup heavy cream or half and half

    Instructions
     

    • Hit SAUTE on the Instant Pot, and add cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and sea salt, and stir together
    • Pour in water, and stir constantly until mixture thickens and starts to bubble
    • Stir in the milk and cream, and keep stirring until mixture becomes smooth and creamy
    • Heat mixture until warm, but not boiling, and then hit CANCEL to turn off heat. Hit KEEP WARM, and stir again before serving

    Notes

    Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract or vanilla extract after you hit cancel for extra flavor.
    Recipe can easily be doubled.
    Recipe was made in a 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker but can be made in a larger model without changing anything.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 123mgPotassium: 317mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 432IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 187mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tommy says

      December 28, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      Delicious! Makes a great snow day drink!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Brigitt says

      October 20, 2022 at 7:05 am

      Can I use lactose free milk?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 20, 2022 at 3:42 pm

        I don't see why not. You're basically just heating the ingredients in the IP and keeping it warm, so any kind of milk should work.

    3. Erika says

      December 25, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      Loves this recipe! Will definitely make again. Very easy, delicious, keeps warm and fresh all day!

      I made this for a hot cocoa bar for family Christmas. It was a hit! Way better than hot cocoa packets.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 26, 2021 at 5:50 pm

        Thank you so much! Glad you liked the hot chocolate!

    4. Mary C. Woodie says

      February 18, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      No "KEEP WARM" on my Instant Pot brand????? What to do?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 18, 2021 at 3:47 pm

        Oh, I only have the Instant Pot, so I'm not sure what other brands look like. Is there a user's manual you can reference? I'm thinking there should be some way to keep food at temperature after cooking.

    5. Sibyl Shelton says

      October 30, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      I only had 2% milk but it was still delicious. Can't wait to try it with half and half or cream.
      So easy. Thanks for sharing.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 04, 2020 at 10:04 pm

        I'm glad you liked it, Sibyl. Thank you!

    6. Sheila says

      February 24, 2020 at 10:21 am

      This is Yummy! I added starlight mints.
      Thanks and God bless you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 24, 2020 at 7:32 pm

        So glad you liked it! Thank you so much!

    7. Nicki says

      December 22, 2019 at 8:19 pm

      Made a triple batch for my daughter’s holiday party. It was super easy, stayed warm, and the kids loved it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 23, 2019 at 4:28 pm

        So glad the hot chocolate was a hit at the party!

      • Ashley L says

        December 15, 2021 at 5:12 pm

        It wasn’t too full? I was thinking of doing the same for a party but I am nervous it will be too full. What size do you have?

      • Dee says

        December 15, 2021 at 9:42 pm

        Since you're not pressure cooking, you can probably go a little over the max fill line without any problems.

    8. Lynn says

      December 18, 2019 at 12:16 am

      This was an instant crowd pleaser!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 18, 2019 at 10:23 am

        So glad everyone enjoyed it! Thanks so much!

    9. Jenny says

      December 09, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      I just got my boyfriend an instant pot as an early Christmas present, we will definitely be trying this soon!!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 10, 2019 at 8:04 am

        Hope you like it, Jenny. What a great present!

    10. James says

      December 09, 2019 at 6:44 am

      The kids made this twice this weekend. it was cold and rainy so it was the best time to try this recipe. Yummy if i don't say so mysef!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 09, 2019 at 7:52 am

        Thanks, James! My kids love this hot chocolate!

    11. Nondice says

      December 08, 2019 at 9:05 pm

      We tried this recipe today minus the cinnamon for a Christmas Party. I have an 8 quart instant pot and I quadrupled the recipe. It was a huge hit. We did it as part of a hot cocoa station. The hot cocoa was all gone well before the party ended. We will definitely be making this again!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 08, 2019 at 9:23 pm

        I'm so happy you enjoyed the hot chocolate! Thanks, Nondice! 🙂

    12. Beth says

      December 05, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      I never really knew the difference between the two! Either way I love it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 06, 2019 at 7:42 am

        Same here -- We always called it hot chocolate! 🙂

    13. Wendy Polisi says

      December 05, 2019 at 1:19 pm

      Now that is how you make a hot chocolate! It looks so creamy and delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 06, 2019 at 7:43 am

        Thanks so much, Wendy! Everyone loves this. 🙂

    14. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      December 05, 2019 at 1:22 am

      This Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate couldn't look any more perfect!5 stars

      Reply
    15. Kimberly says

      December 04, 2019 at 10:00 pm

      Awesome idea, I need to make a double batch of this!

      Reply
    16. Dorothy Reinhold says

      December 04, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      We are taking treats to work this week and this will make me very popular!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 05, 2019 at 10:51 am

        This is perfect for a work potluck! 🙂

    17. Amanda says

      December 04, 2019 at 6:09 pm

      I just got an instant pot and this will be the first thing I make with it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 05, 2019 at 10:50 am

        Awesome! Hope you like the hot chocolate! 🙂

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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