Make this Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate in your pressure cooker and keep it warm until you’re ready to serve. This quick, creamy hot cocoa is perfect for holidays, parties, and family gatherings.
This is an easy way to make rich, homemade hot chocolate using your Instant Pot. It comes together in minutes and keeps warm for serving a crowd.
While I’ve shared many Instant Pot recipes before, this is the first drink I’ve prepared in the pressure cooker — and I won’t wait to do it again. The advantage is being able to make a large batch quickly and hold it on the Keep Warm setting so guests can help themselves.
I used to heat hot cocoa in a slow cooker and it could take hours. Making it in the Instant Pot shortens the process to about 10 minutes, so it’s ideal for events like a gingerbread house party or any winter get-together.
Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa
Technically this recipe is hot cocoa because it uses unsweetened cocoa powder rather than melted chocolate. Many people refer to both as hot chocolate, but hot chocolate usually refers to a drink made with real chocolate.
How to Make Hot Chocolate in the Instant Pot
We’re not pressure cooking the cocoa—there’s no need. Use the SAUTE setting to heat and combine the ingredients, then switch to Keep Warm to hold it at the perfect serving temperature.
Start by selecting SAUTE and adding the dry ingredients to the inner pot. Stir briefly, then add the water. Keep stirring as the mixture heats; it will thicken before you add the dairy.
When the cocoa mixture begins to bubble, pour in the milk and continue stirring. Add the cream and stir until the texture is smooth. Small lumps may form at first but will dissolve as it heats.
Just before it reaches a boil, press Cancel to stop the heat — you don’t want to boil the chocolate. Then press Keep Warm so the hot chocolate stays at a pleasant serving temperature. Stir before ladling into cups.
Peppermint Variation
For peppermint hot cocoa, stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract immediately after pressing Cancel. This gives a festive, peppermint-mocha flavor without altering the cooking process.
Scale Up for a Crowd
This recipe scales easily. Double or triple the ingredients if your Instant Pot has enough capacity. Make the cocoa, then leave it on Keep Warm while guests serve themselves.
Create a Hot Chocolate Bar
Set out cups, spoons, napkins and a variety of toppings so guests can customize their drinks. Suggested 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
Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric 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
- Select SAUTE on the Instant Pot. Add cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and sea salt, and stir to combine.
- Pour in the water and stir constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
- Stir in the milk and cream, continuing to stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Heat until warm but not boiling, then press CANCEL. Press KEEP WARM and stir before serving.
Notes
Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint or vanilla extract after pressing Cancel for extra flavor.
Recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot but works the same in larger models.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Additional Info
