Warm up with a rich and creamy mug of Instant Pot Hot Chocolate, made in under 30 minutes—perfect for entertaining or cozying up with family on a chilly day!
Skip the powdered mixes—my Instant Pot Hot Chocolate recipe is rich, velvety, and effortlessly made in just one pot. Using real chocolate, cocoa powder, and sweetened condensed milk, this homemade recipe delivers an ultra-creamy and decadent treat that will warm you up in minutes.
There’s nothing quite like a cozy mug of hot chocolate on a chilly day, and the Instant Pot makes it even easier! No need to worry about scorching milk or constant stirring—this set-it-and-forget-it method ensures a perfectly smooth and creamy hot cocoa with minimal effort. Whether you’re making a batch for a holiday gathering, a movie night, or just treating yourself, this recipe is a must-try for chocolate lovers.
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Why this Recipe Works
Rich and Creamy – Made with whole milk, milk chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and sweetened condensed milk, this hot cocoa is creamy, smooth, and indulgent.
No-Fuss Cooking – The Instant Pot will melt the chocolate while keeping the milk hot without scorching, making this four ingredient mix done in minutes.
Perfect for a Crowd – This recipe makes a large batch, great for serving at parties, holiday gatherings, or cozy family nights in.
Ingredients
Here are all the ingredients I find helpful when making this pressure cooker hot chocolate.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds a silky texture and natural sweetness, eliminating the need for extra sugar.
- Milk Chocolate Chips – These melt beautifully into the milk for a smooth and rich chocolate flavor. Using real chocolate instead of just cocoa powder makes all the difference.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Enhances the depth of chocolate flavor, balancing out the sweetness from the condensed milk.
- Whole Milk – Creates a creamy base without being overly thick or heavy. Whole milk adds richness that skim or low-fat milk can’t match.
- Mini Marshmallows and Whipped Cream – The classic toppings that make each sip even more indulgent!
Directions
Making hot chocolate in the Instant Pot is very simple. First heat the Instant Pot on the sauté setting. Next, pour in the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chip morsels, unsweetened cocoa powder, and the whole milk. Stir occasionally until everything has melted and smooth. This will take about 15 minutes.
You will want to mix periodically, so that the chocolate does not burn on the bottom and that all the ingredients blend well together. Once you see that it has all melted and is simmering (not boiling) then you will want to select the “keep warm” setting on the Instant Pot. I like to do this especially when I’m entertaining friends and family. That way everyone can help themselves to as many servings of hot chocolate as they please. I like that I don’t have to worry about the stove being on and heating my home, and I know the hot drink is safe in the Instant Pot.
Toppings for Hot Cocoa
I like to set out a wide variety of toppings for hot cocoa for my friends and family to choose from. Here is a list of some of my favorite toppings.
- Mini Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Mocha Sauce
- White Chocolate Sauce
- Chocolate Sauce
- Chopped Peppermint
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate Spoons
As you can tell the sky is the limit when it comes to what toppings you can include. I personally, like the traditional toppings of mini marshmallows and whipped cream.
FAQs
Yes, you can use almond, oat, or coconut milk, and replace the sweetened condensed milk with a dairy-free alternative or a combination of coconut cream and maple syrup.
For this recipe I use mostly whole ingredients; whole milk, cocoa powder, milk chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk. I use Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk and after doing research it is verified “gluten–free” per the established U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s criteria.
Yes, the brands I use are certified gluten free. However, always check the brands you use first. I use Nestle milk chocolate chips and Jett Puff Marshmallows. Both check out to be gluten free. As well as the Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk.
If your entertaining a group and someone has a gluten allergy or maybe just staying away from it altogether Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is a great option to serve. *Always, read labels of course!
Let the hot chocolate cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or using the Instant Pot’s “Keep Warm” setting.
Yes, if you prefer a richer, less sweet flavor, swap the milk chocolate for semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks when making my Instant Pot Hot Cocoa.
- Don’t Boil the Milk – Keep an eye on the Instant Pot while melting the ingredients. Stir occasionally to ensure everything melts smoothly without burning.
- Whisk – A quick whisk at the end helps emulsify the chocolate and cocoa powder for a silky-smooth piping drink.
- Added Flavors – Stir in a splash of vanilla extract, peppermint extract, or a pinch of cinnamon for a fun variation.
- Booze it up – If you want a boozy version you can add whiskey, peppermint Shnapps, Kaluha, or even Baileys.
- Dark Chocolate – Make a dark chocolate hot chocolate by using dark chocolate chips and dark cocoa powder for a rich, bold, velvety, indulgent, and deeply chocolatey cocoa.
Whether your entertaining for a crowd or just want to make a big batch of hot chocolate to sip on throughout the day. I think you’ll love my Instant Pot Hot Chocolate large batch recipe.
If you make this Instant Pot Hot Cocoa recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 14.5 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 14 ounces milk chocolate chip morsels
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 8 cups whole milk
- Mini Marshmallows for topping
- Whipped Cream for topping
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to "saute" mode. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chip morsels, unsweetened cocoa powder, and the whole milk. Stir occasionally until everything has melted and is smooth in texture (about 10 minutes).
- Turn off the Instant Pot off and set to the "keep warm" setting. Ladle hot chocolate into cups. Top with mini marshmallows and whipped cream. Enjoy.
Notes
- Toppings to be used:
- Mini Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Mocha Sauce
- White Chocolate Sauce
- Chocolate Sauce
- Chopped Peppermint
- Sprinkles
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!