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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
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
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
Tommy says
Delicious! Makes a great snow day drink!
Brigitt says
Can I use lactose free milk?
Dee says
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.
Erika says
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.
Dee says
Thank you so much! Glad you liked the hot chocolate!
Mary C. Woodie says
No "KEEP WARM" on my Instant Pot brand????? What to do?
Dee says
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.
Sibyl Shelton says
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.
Dee says
I'm glad you liked it, Sibyl. Thank you!
Sheila says
This is Yummy! I added starlight mints.
Thanks and God bless you!
Dee says
So glad you liked it! Thank you so much!
Nicki says
Made a triple batch for my daughter’s holiday party. It was super easy, stayed warm, and the kids loved it!
Dee says
So glad the hot chocolate was a hit at the party!
Ashley L says
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
Since you're not pressure cooking, you can probably go a little over the max fill line without any problems.
Lynn says
This was an instant crowd pleaser!
Dee says
So glad everyone enjoyed it! Thanks so much!
Jenny says
I just got my boyfriend an instant pot as an early Christmas present, we will definitely be trying this soon!!!
Dee says
Hope you like it, Jenny. What a great present!
James says
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!
Dee says
Thanks, James! My kids love this hot chocolate!
Nondice says
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!
Dee says
I'm so happy you enjoyed the hot chocolate! Thanks, Nondice! 🙂
Beth says
I never really knew the difference between the two! Either way I love it!
Dee says
Same here -- We always called it hot chocolate! 🙂
Wendy Polisi says
Now that is how you make a hot chocolate! It looks so creamy and delicious!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Wendy! Everyone loves this. 🙂
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate couldn't look any more perfect!
Kimberly says
Awesome idea, I need to make a double batch of this!
Dorothy Reinhold says
We are taking treats to work this week and this will make me very popular!
Dee says
This is perfect for a work potluck! 🙂
Amanda says
I just got an instant pot and this will be the first thing I make with it!
Dee says
Awesome! Hope you like the hot chocolate! 🙂