This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Rich, creamy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is the perfect addition to your holiday festivities! Made with cocoa powder and melted chocolate, this IP hot chocolate recipe is a more decadent take on the wintertime staple, and it’s whipped up in the Instant Pot to make it easy to serve everyone. Just grab a mug and add your favorite toppings!
Jump to Section
- Recipe At a Glance
- Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- Popular Substitutions & Additions
- How to Make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- What to Serve With This Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
- How to Store & Reheat Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Seasonal Drink Recipes:
- Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
I know what you’re thinking: why make hot chocolate in the Instant Pot? Regular hot chocolate is already easy enough!
It’s true that if you’re making a mug of hot chocolate for yourself, the microwave or stovetop is the way to go. But when you’re making hot cocoa for a crowd, the Instant Pot is where it’s at.
With the Instant Pot, you can make a big batch of hot chocolate to serve at a holiday party, family gathering, or cozy night in. And no hot cocoa packets mean this Instant Pot hot chocolate recipe is the best hot chocolate ever!
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American, with inspiration from French drinking chocolate
Primary Cooking Method: Instant Pot
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Key Flavor: Chocolate
Skill Level: Easy
Summary
- A Festive Party Starter: If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, this easy Instant Pot hot chocolate, served alongside Pecan Snowball Cookies and Gingerbread, is a guaranteed hit.
- Perfect for a Hot Chocolate Bar: Set up a hot cocoa station at your next party and let everyone customize their own cups with toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, and holiday sprinkles.
- Kid-Friendly: Not only do kids love to drink hot chocolate, this Instant Pot hot chocolate recipe is also easy enough that they can help you make it!
- Everyone’s Favorite Winter Drink: Whether you’re cuddled up by the fire, want to warm up after a trip to your favorite sledding hill, or just need a little pick-me-up, this hot chocolate is the perfect treat for those cold winter days.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- Milk: I recommend using whole milk for the creamiest results, but you can also use 2% if preferred.
- Chocolate Chips: Use your favorite brand of chocolate chips; you can use semisweet, milk, or even white chocolate.
- Sugar: Granulated or white sugar.
- Cocoa Powder: Either natural cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder will work in this Instant Pot hot chocolate recipe. Making Instant Pot hot chocolate with cocoa powder and chocolate chips means double the decadence!
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor. I recommend pure vanilla extract, not imitation.
- Garnishes: Whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and holiday sprinkles.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Make It Richer: Substitute a portion of the milk for heavy cream or half and half for an even richer hot chocolate.
- Add Some Warmth: Stir in a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cayenne pepper (if you’re feeling daring!) for some added warmth and flavor.
- Make It Vegan: Use your favorite unflavored plant milk and dairy-free chocolate chips to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Try Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add a splash of peppermint extract instead of or in addition to vanilla for a coffeehouse-inspired treat.
How to Make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- Add all of the ingredients to the Instant Pot.
- Stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot without sealing it and set to slow cook.
- Once the cooking time is done, whisk well to incorporate the melted chocolate chips.
- Ladle into mugs and garnish with marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
- Keep It Warm. Another advantage of using the Instant Pot for hot chocolate is that you can use the Keep Warm setting so it stays warm when you’re serving it for a party.
- Make Sure the Chocolate Chips Are Fully Incorporated. The melted chocolate will be on the bottom of the pot, so whisk well to make sure it’s fully mixed into the hot chocolate.
- Use The “Sauté” Function. If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to slow cook the hot chocolate, you can use the “sauté” function on your Instant Pot to heat up the ingredients faster. Just make sure to whisk constantly to prevent scalding.
- Buy High-Quality Chocolate. Using good quality chocolate chips will make a noticeable difference in the final taste of your Instant Pot hot chocolate.
What to Serve With This Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
How to Store & Reheat Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Store leftover hot chocolate in a covered container in the refrigerator. You can reheat it in the microwave, in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, or in the Instant Pot.
How Long Will Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Last in the Fridge?
Leftover Instant Pot hot chocolate will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze This Instant Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe?
Yes, you can freeze this Instant Pot hot chocolate recipe for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Instant Pot hot chocolate with skim milk?
Yes, you can make Instant Pot hot chocolate with skim milk. However, using whole milk will result in a much creamier and richer texture; if you do want to use a lower calorie option, I recommend 2% over using skim milk.
How can I scale this recipe up for a bigger crowd?
You can make as much hot chocolate as your Instant Pot will fit! If you have a larger Instant Pot, you can double or triple the recipe without needing to adjust the cooking time.
Can I make this hot chocolate on the stovetop instead?
Yes, if you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still make this hot chocolate on the stovetop. Simply combine all the ingredients in a pot and heat over medium-low heat until the chocolate has melted and all the ingredients are well combined, whisking constantly.
For a cozy crowd-pleasing treat, you can’t beat this Instant Pot hot chocolate recipe! It’s rich, creamy, and made with melted chocolate chips for even more chocolate flavor. Make it your new winter tradition!
More Seasonal Drink Recipes:
- Hot Cocoa Bombs
- Vegan Hot Chocolate
- Cranberry Orange Mocktail
- Cozy Homemade Apple Cider
- Spiced Pumpkin Latte
If you try this feel good Instant Pot Hot Chocolate recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream or mini marshmallows for serving
- Holiday sprinkles for serving
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the InstantPot and place the lid on, without sealing it. Set to slow cook for 2 hours, or up to 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, whisk until well combined, then serve warm with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Equipment
- Glass Mug
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Have you tried using honey in it instead of sugar? Just wondering if it affects taste much.
So sorry, I haven’t! I encourage you to try it out yourself to see if you like it. Let me know what you think if you do!