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Home » Recipes » Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

Published: Dec 26, 2021 · Modified: Dec 26, 2021 by Farah Abumaizar · 10 Comments

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The easiest instant pot hot chocolate (or instant pot hot cocoa), this is the perfect recipe for hot chocolate that’s creamy, smooth, rich but not too heavy and just sweet enough. You can make this on a stovetop too!

hands holding a mug of instant pot hot chocolate

What is instant pot hot chocolate?

It’s delicious hot chocolate as you know it, but made in an instant pot! You use the instant pot on saute mode (no pressure cooking required in my recipe!) to heat the milk and chocolate together.

Why should I make instant pot hot chocolate?

Because the ability to use the keep warm function to keep the hot chocolate at a perfect temperature for as long as you need it is SO useful. I make a batch of this hot chocolate in an instant pot, keep it plugged in and on the keep warm function for however long I need it to stay hot. Perfectly convenient.

The hot chocolate recipe itself is so creamy, smooth, and perfectly balanced in terms of richness and sweetness. It’s an ideal recipe, that comes together so simply!

mug of creamy instant pot hot cocoa

What’s the difference between instant pot hot cocoa and hot chocolate?

Usually, hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate and milk. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder and milk. This could be categorized as either, because the recipe used both melted chocolate and cocoa powder. That’s what gives it all it’s chocolatey flavor! Nothing good about hot chocolate that doesn’t really taste like chocolate.

Ingredients to make instant pot hot chocolate:

Water- just a little to dissolve the cocoa in.

Cocoa Powder- you can use regular natural cocoa powder like Hershey’s or a dutch processed cocoa powder, the darker European ones like Cadbury’s.

Sugar– less than comparable recipes. I use just 1/3 cup, most recipes call for 1/2 cup or more. I find this to be the ideal sweetness, but you can taste and adjust accordingly.

Sea salt– a pinch of salt always offsets the chocolate flavor and enhances it

Chocolate chips- just a little bit of semi sweet chocolate is the key to make this hot chocolate extra chocolatey. You’re free to use any chocolate you prefer, whether that’s chocolate chunks, chips, semi-sweet, dark, milk chocolate. Even white chocolate will work well!

Milk and heavy cream- I recommend using whole fat milk in order to achieve a creamy texture. The addition of a little bit of heavy cream also helps to make this rich and creamy, but in a pinch you can use all milk.

Vanille extract- for a little boost of flavor

How to make the best hot chocolate:

  1. Turn Instant Pot onto saute mode, and add water, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, and salt to the pot. Stir, until chocolate melts and mixture combines.
  2. Add the milk, heavy cream, and vanilla, and whisk until creamy and slightly thickened, a couple of minutes.
  3. Taste, and add more sugar if you like. Place Instant Pot onto keep warm mode until ready to drink.

What to serve hot chocolate with:

  • Mini marshmallows are a classic!
  • Whipped cream is another great topping
  • Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles are always fun
  • Try crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
  • Chocolate shavings, or Flake chocolate bars
  • Toffee bits
  • Crushed Oreos
  • Salted carmel syrup
  • Chocolate syrup

How to make this on the stovetop:

You can definitely make this on the stove top using a large saucepan instead of an Instant Pot. Just follow the steps as listed, but instead of Saute mode, just turn the heat onto medium.

Storing leftover hot chocolate:

Leftover hot chocolate can be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge, tightly covered. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave or on medium low heat in a saucepan.

FAQS and tips and tricks for success:

Can I make this hot chocolate dairy free?

I haven’t tried it, but it should work well with any dairy free milk substituting for the milk and heavy cream, and dairy free chocolate chips.

Can I make this flavored hot chocolate?

Yes! Try adding some peppermint extract, or some salted caramel syrup. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon powder, or cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper powder for a Mexican twist.

Can I prepare this in advance?

You can either make this hot chocolate in advance and store it in the fridge, and reheat, or make this an hour or so in advance and use the keep warm mode on the Instant Pot to keep it hot before serving.

Do I need to pressure cook the hot chocolate in the Instant Pot?

No! That’s what makes this recipe so easy. No building pressure, no pressure release. Just saute and keep warm modes are used!

hands holding a mug of hot chocolate with sugar cookies on the side

If you liked this recipe you might like:

Thick Hot Chocolate

Karak Chai

Sahleb

Nana Tea

Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

The easiest and most delicious hot chocolate made using an instant pot, to keep it warm
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 159kcal
Author: Farah Abumaizar

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or other Electric Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • pinch sea salt
  • 2 tablespoon chocolate chips
  • 3.5 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Add water, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips and salt to instant pot on sauté mode (or stovetop) and stir until chocolate melted.
  • Add milk, heavy cream, and vanilla and whisk until creamy and thickened slightly. Taste, if you like it sweeter add a couple more tablespoon of sugar.
  • Place on keep warm mode until ready to serve, and enjoy with mini marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles all the good stuff!

Video

Notes

Making this stovetop: This can also be made on a stovetop, just use a regular saucepan instead of the Instant Pot. The only thing is you won’t have the keep warm mode, but you can gently rewarm on medium low heat.
Storing leftovers: Leftover hot chocolate can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat it by microwaving gently or heating in a small saucepan on medium low heat.
Dairy Free Option: Try substituting the milk and heavy cream for any dairy free milks, and using dairy free chocolate chips

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 298mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 231IU | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica Stroup says

    January 05, 2022 at 7:47 pm

    5 stars
    Another great Instant Pot recipe! Love this one!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      January 05, 2022 at 9:08 pm

      Thanks so much!!

      Reply
  2. Beth says

    January 05, 2022 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious is the name of the game. Perfect treat for yesterday! So darn chilly here lately. The family loved it.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      January 05, 2022 at 5:25 pm

      It really is! Warms you right up- so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Saif says

    January 05, 2022 at 5:16 pm

    5 stars
    I love hot chocolate drinks. By the look of it, I can tell this taste better than the one sold in most stores. Definitely going to make one.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      January 05, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      Definitely! Hope you like it Saif!

      Reply
  4. Erin says

    January 05, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    This big batch of hot chocolate was a hit after a day of sledding with the kids. So creamy!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      January 05, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks Erin! So glad you liked it!

      Reply
  5. Nic says

    January 05, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    okay this is delicious and amazing! It’s so chocolatey and creamy! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      January 05, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      So happy you liked it Nic!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Farah! I've been cooking and baking most of my life. I love Middle Eastern food, and decadent breakfast and desserts. Welcome to my food world!

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