One of the most shocking things I’ve discovered after years of cooking with the Instant Pot is how incredibly well it handles desserts!
Most people use the Instant Pot for soups, shredded meats, rice and quick weeknight dinners. But it also creates rich cheesecakes, ultra-creamy fudge, moist cakes and simple fruit desserts with very little effort.
I’ve tested hundreds of Instant Pot dessert recipes over the years, and these are the ones I return to again and again. Whether you’re looking for a decadent chocolate treat, an easy fruit dessert or a crowd-pleasing cheesecake, you’ll find plenty of sweet inspiration below!
If you’re new to making desserts in the Instant Pot, don’t worry. Most of these recipes require simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced Instant Pot users.
Table of Contents
- Why Make Desserts In The Instant Pot?
- Equipment I Use For Instant Pot Desserts
- New To Instant Pot Desserts?
- Fudge, Candy and Sweet Treats
- Cheesecakes and Creamy Desserts
- Cakes and Baked Desserts
- Fruit Toppings, Fillings and Dessert Basics
- Warm Drinks and Cozy Treats
- My Most Popular Instant Pot Dessert Videos
- Tips For Making Desserts In An Instant Pot
- Best Instant Pot Desserts By Occasion
- More Unexpected Instant Pot Desserts Coming Soon
- Follow Along For More Instant Pot Dessert Ideas
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Make Desserts In The Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot creates a gentle, moist cooking environment that works surprisingly well for many desserts. In fact, some desserts turn out even better in the Instant Pot than they do in a traditional oven! (It’s true!)
Benefits include:
- Creates rich, creamy cheesecakes with a silky texture
- Helps cakes stay moist and tender (no porous holes)
- Reduces the risk of overbaking
- Perfect for small-batch desserts
- Doesn’t heat up the kitchen, making it ideal for summer
- Great for holidays when oven space is limited
- Produces consistent results with very little effort
My readers are surprised by how versatile an Instant Pot can be once they move beyond savory recipes.
After testing hundreds of Instant Pot desserts over the years, I’ve found that everything from fudge and puddings to cheesecakes and fruit crisps can turn out perfectly in a pressure cooker!
Equipment I Use For Instant Pot Desserts
Over the years, I’ve found that a few inexpensive tools make Instant Pot desserts much easier and more successful. These are the accessories I reach for most often.
- 6-inch cake pan
- 6-inch pan with removable bottom
- 7-inch springform pan
- 7-inch cake pan
- Trivet
- Sealing rings
- Half pint mason jars
- Silicone mitts
New To Instant Pot Desserts?
If you’re new to making desserts in the Instant Pot, there’s no need to overthink anything! Most recipes use the same basic setup: water in the bottom of the pot, a trivet to elevate the dessert and a heat-safe pan that fits inside your pressure cooker.
Here are a few resources that will help you get started:
- Instant Pot for Beginners: Parts, Accessories & Models
- Instant Pot Quick Release vs. Natural Release
- How to Get Rid of Instant Pot Odors
- How to Use the Buttons on Your Instant Pot
- 7 Common Instant Pot Mistakes and How to Fix (and Avoid) Them
After that, jump into the recipes below and start with one of the beginner-friendly options such as cake, applesauce or dump cake!
From rich fudges and creamy cheesecakes to cozy fruit desserts and sweet sauces, these are my favorite Instant Pot desserts that consistently deliver great results.
Fudge, Candy and Sweet Treats
Instant Pot Fudge
If you have ever scorched chocolate on the stovetop while making homemade fudge, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Instant Pot Dulce de Leche
If you have a can of sweetened condensed milk and a pressure cooker, you are just one button away from the creamiest, dreamiest homemade dulce de leche.
Cheesecakes and Creamy Desserts
Instant Pot Cheesecake
Avoid cracking and hassle by making creamy, flavorful cheesecake in your pressure cooker! It cooks perfectly every time and tastes delicious served solo or with fruit, chocolate or caramel as a topping.
Instant Pot Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate pudding turns out ultra creamy, rich and deeply chocolatey with a perfect homemade pudding texture that feels cozy and nostalgic all at once, without any stovetop babysitting, tempering eggs or dealing with grainy boxed-pudding texture.
Cakes and Baked Desserts
Instant Pot Dump Cake
This dump cake is one of my favorite last-minute desserts because it requires almost zero effort, just 3 ingredients and a few minutes of prep. And yes, it actually works.
Instant Pot Cake
I have made this cake recipe a hundred times and it turns out perfectly every single time. It’s made with a boxed cake mix (SO easy!), it is such a moist cake filled with flavor, and much less porous than its oven-baked counterpart.
Instant Pot Berry Crisp
Sweet berries and a buttery crisp topping come together in one of the easiest fruit desserts you can make in a pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Apple Crisp
Make apple crisp for an even easier and more delicious fall dessert! This is such a great way to use up apples in the fall. Make this for your next gathering or for a low-key weeknight meal!
Fruit Toppings, Fillings and Dessert Basics
Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling
Make apple pie filling quickly and easily! Throw this delicious pie filling into your next apple pie for a perfect holiday or any time dessert. Having a batch in your freezer makes pie-making so easy!
Instant Pot Apple Butter
Apple butter is totally delicious! This version of the sugary treat is done in less than one hour, but tastes like it has been simmering all day long. Apple Butter screams fall and pairs perfectly with many different foods!
Instant Pot Mixed Berry Jam
Mixed berry jam tastes great with toast, bagels, English muffins or use it to make your next peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Instant Pot Applesauce
This easy cinnamon applesauce is made with just a handful of natural ingredients and only takes a few minutes to put together.
Warm Drinks and Cozy Treats
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Whip up a batch of homemade hot chocolate for a creamy, dreamy drink to enjoy on those cold winter days.
Instant Pot Apple Cider
This drink recipe is super easy to make and requires just a handful of ingredients, with minimal effort and cleanup. This is a yummy way to use up apples from the orchard. Enjoy warm or chilled!
My Most Popular Instant Pot Dessert Videos
Tips For Making Desserts In An Instant Pot
- Use the correct pan size.
- Cover cakes and cheesecakes with foil when directed.
- Allow pressure to release as specified in each recipe.
- Let cheesecakes cool completely before slicing.
- Don’t skip the trivet.
Best Instant Pot Desserts By Occasion
Best Instant Pot Desserts for Beginners
Best Instant Pot Desserts for Holidays
Best Instant Pot Desserts for Chocolate Lovers
Best Instant Pot Desserts for Fall
My Top 5 Instant Pot Desserts
If I had to choose just a few favorites, I’d start with:
More Unexpected Instant Pot Desserts Coming Soon
The more I experiment with desserts in the Instant Pot, the more ideas I come up with to test! It’s such a delicious quandry! Some are total flops, but most turn into recipes I can’t stop making.
I’m constantly developing new Instant Pot desserts, including fudges, dessert sauces, cakes and other sweet treats that might surprise you. Whenever a new favorite is born, I’ll add it to this collection.
If you love discovering creative ways to use your Instant Pot, bookmark this page and check back often for new dessert inspiration.
Follow Along For More Instant Pot Dessert Ideas
If you love discovering creative ways to use your Instant Pot, you’ll find even more dessert inspiration on my social channels. I regularly share new Instant Pot dessert experiments, behind-the-scenes recipe testing, quick video tutorials and dessert ideas that haven’t made it to the blog yet.
Follow along on Instagram and YouTube for the latest Instant Pot dessert creations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Instant Pot creates a moist cooking environment that works particularly well for cheesecakes, cakes, puddings, crisps and other desserts.
Cheesecakes, puddings, cakes, fruit crisps, fudge and caramel-style desserts such as dulce de leche are among the most successful Instant Pot desserts.
Many people find Instant Pot desserts to be extra moist and creamy. Cheesecakes and custard-style desserts especially benefit from pressure cooking.
Most 6- or 7-inch round cake pans and springform pans fit comfortably inside a standard 6-quart Instant Pot.
Absolutely. Many Instant Pot desserts require minimal prep and are easier than traditional baked desserts because the pressure cooker helps create consistent results.
If you’re new to making desserts in the Instant Pot, start with a simple recipe such as dump cake, applesauce or apple butter. These recipes require minimal ingredients, are very forgiving and deliver consistent results.
Yes! The Instant Pot creates a moist cooking environment that works beautifully for cakes. Many people are surprised to discover that cakes made in a pressure cooker often turn out incredibly tender and moist.
Cheesecake is one of the most popular Instant Pot desserts because the moist cooking environment helps prevent cracking and creates an ultra-creamy texture. Many home cooks find Instant Pot cheesecake easier and more reliable than oven-baked cheesecake.
Most Instant Pot desserts require a 6- or 7-inch cake pan, springform pan or heat-safe dish that fits inside your pressure cooker. Be sure to use a trivet to keep the pan elevated above the water.
Some of the best beginner-friendly Instant Pot desserts include chocolate pudding, dump cake, applesauce and cheesecake. These recipes use simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, making them great starting points for anyone new to pressure-cooker desserts.
Both methods have advantages, but desserts such as cheesecake, pudding, fudge and moist cakes often benefit from the Instant Pot’s gentle cooking environment. Traditional cookies, brownies and desserts that rely on browning typically perform better in the oven.
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