Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

An easy way to make a classic, this Instant Pot Hot Chocolate recipe is quick and hands-free.

Plus, it yields a super rich, chocolate-y drink that is perfect for the Holidays!

Cold weather calls for comforting drinks. While soups and stews are popular, a cup of hot chocolate is my ultimate drink on cold evenings.

As the year draws to an end and we have the festive lights, Christmas tree and decor setup, an extra large mug full of hot chocolate comes to the mind.

There are several ways to make hot chocolate. From emptying out a packet and preparing a mug, making it in the slow cooker to just using a pot to make it.

And when there is a recipe that needs only a handful of ingredients and no stirring and watching, you want it over all the methods.

Why make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

An instant pot is generally used to cook food under pressure. Will the hot chocolate be pressure cooked you ask? NO not at all!

We do not use the pressure cook the milk at all. In fact we use the sauté function to bring everything to the right temperature.

Once all the ingredients come together, the drink is perfect to serve at any party without having to keep reheating it. The keep warm function does an excellent job.

And when there are so many other things to prepare, heat, bake or air fry; you would love the convenience of leaving the hot chocolate to cook and stay warm in the instant pot.

This Recipe of Hot Chocolate

• This hot chocolate comes together in minutes. With under 10 minutes of active time, you can prepare it while getting dinner ready or doing something else.
• Can be served straight from the Instant Pot. The hot chocolate will maintain the correct temperature with the keep warm function.
• The hot chocolate made using this method is full of flavor, super chocolate-y and delicious.
• A great recipe to serve at any party, get together or event. The recipe is so simple to scale.
• You can prep the mix the day before and store it in an airtight container. Before the party all you need to do is mix everything and let it cook away!

Once you start using the instant pot to make hot chocolate, the instant mixes or microwave versions will never be your choice. This easy recipe is SO good I promise!

Video Recipe

Ingredients

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is the starting point of the recipe. The better the quality of cocoa powder, the better the hot chocolate will be.

The best way is to use unsweetened cocoa powder and add the sugar as required. This way we can adjust the sweetness of the cocoa.

Sugar: We add sugar as a sweetener to the recipe. Substitute with maple syrup or another sweetener of your choice.

Whole Milk: The creamiest hot chocolate uses whole milk. While lower fat milk can be used, it will yield a less creamy hot chocolate.

Heavy Cream: Make the hot chocolate rich and creamy by adding some heavy cream. While this ingredient is optional, I highly recommend adding it.

Just remember not to bring the hot chocolate to a boil as the cream might split.

Cinnamon: A touch of spice is perfect for this recipe. It brings so much flavor to the drink. Plus, some vanilla extract is great for the drink.

Salt: Salt with all the ingredients brings the correct balance of flavor. Skip this if you are not a fan of salt in your sweet recipes.

Toppings: This is the most interesting part of the recipe. The toppings can be picked based on availability, taste and preferences. Here are the commonly used ones:

• Marshmallows
• Sprinkles
• Candy canes
• Pirouline Sticks
• Chocolate Syrup
• Sea Salt Flakes, etc.

Step by Step Instructions to make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

1- In a bowl add unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt.

2- Whisk everything together.

3- Combine water and dry ingredients in the Instant Pot. Whisk till smooth.

4- Heat on the 'Sauté' mode till it starts thicken.

5- Then add milk and cream. Heat through.

6- Turn off the instant pot or set to keep warm.

7- Then ladle out the hot chocolate into cups as desired.

8- Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

How to serve Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

The Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is great as is. Moreover, it can be served with a lot of different toppings.

• Adding a dollop of freshly whipped cream or some whipping cream is always perfect with the hot chocolate. The cold cream mixes so well with the hot drink.
• Marshmallows is a personal favorite for any hot chocolate. The pillowy soft marshmallows melt so well in the hot chocolate.
• Moreover, adding your favorite toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips or glitter is always amazing! Chocolate sauce and caramel sauce work wonderfully too.
• Make the drink super festive with candy cane and pirouline sticks.
• Not to forget the very popular hazelnut spread (yes Nutella hot chocolate)! It is never a bad idea!
• Lastly, if you like a slightly salted version, some flakes of sea salt works wonderfully with the otherwise sweet ands smooth recipe.

Tips and Notes

• Do not bring the hot chocolate to a boil. This will split the cream. Only toggle between Sauté and keep warm to maintain the temperature.
• The hot chocolate is perfect with cream and whole milk. However, when made with lower fat milk, it yields a thinner version of the drink
• The drink is best with all the toppings. Skip them for a plain version.
• The hot chocolate can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. To serve again, heat on 'sauté' mode of the instant pot or use the microwave.

More drinks to try

• Instant Pot Apple Cider: A sweet and tart Apple Cider is quintessentially Fall. Make it in the Instant Pot and it is SUPER easy too. Moreover adding citrus, berries and spices elevate the drink to a new level!
• Lemongrass Ginger Cooler: One of the BEST drinks for Summer, this Lemongrass and Ginger Cooler is refreshing, easy to make and always delicious!
• Rose Bubble Tea: Refreshing and sweet, this Rose Boba Tea is loaded with floral notes and chewy honey boba. It makes a great summer drink and will be better than the one at your local Boba place in price and flavor!