Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

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

Plus, it yields a super rich, chocolate-y drink that is perfect for any day and works really well for the Holidays!

Cold weather calls for comforting drinks. Soups like this Vegetarian Hot Pot, Manchow Soup, Butternut Squash Soup and Vegan Minestrone Soup are super delicious. Yet, a mug of hot chocolate is our favorite.

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.

Jump to:

• What is Hot Chocolate
• Why this recipe works
• Why make Hot Chocolate in the Instant Pot
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make this recipe
• Serving
• Expert Tips and Notes
• Pairings
• Recipe FAQs
• More drink recipes
• Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

What is Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate is a delicious drink made with milk and chocolate. It can be made with regular cocoa powder, shredded chocolate or any baking chocolate based on how rich you like it.

There are several ways to make hot chocolate. From emptying out a cocoa packet and preparing a mug, making it in the slow cooker to just using an instant 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 this recipe works

• 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 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!

Why make Hot Chocolate in the Instant Pot

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.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• 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 and Sea Salt Flakes.

See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

How to make this recipe

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!

Serving

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.

Expert 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.

Pairings

While we can enjoy hot cocoa by itself, it pairs wonderfully with these recipes.

Recipe FAQs

More drink recipes

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