15 holiday recipes you won't believe are made in an Instant Pot

The secret’s out: the Instant Pot is all kinds of wonderful. These compact countertop gadgets, which come in a variety of models, can be used seven different ways, including as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, warmer, rice cooker, yogurt cooker, and saute pan. Basically, an Instant Pot can replace half the small appliances in your kitchen, and it's safe to say people are pretty obsessed them.

If you have an Instant Pot, you can put it to work during the holidays to make dinner prep a whole lot easier. (Need one? The best-selling DUO60 7-in-1 model is $99.95) Whether you need help making hot chocolate for a crowd, a side dish for dinner, or the main entree, your Instant Pot is on the job. Here are 15 delicious holiday recipes that you probably didn’t know you could make in a pressure cooker (especially with the right accessories on hand).

1. Huge portions of crowd-pleasing Chex Mix

When your family is milling around before a big holiday meal, they'll want something to snack on. This year, treat them to a crowd favorite: Chex Mix!

Here’s the twist, though. You can make a big batch of homemade Chex Mix using your Instant Pot on its slow cooker setting, thanks to this recipe from Gimme Some Oven. Your guests will go nuts over the salty, savory, and sweet party mix, and you won't have to lift a finger once it's cooking.

Try the recipe for Slow Cooker Chex mix from Gimme Some Oven

2. An incredibly savory 3-ingredient ham

No need to slave over a stove all day to prepare the perfect holiday entree. This three-ingredient ham recipe from Eating Richly only takes an hour to make in your Instant Pot. Just place all three ingredients in the appliance, switch on the pressure cooker setting, and let the Pot work its magic.

Try the 3-ingredient pressure cooker ham recipe from Eating Richly

3. Lightning-fast mashed potatoes

During the holidays, we’re always looking for ways to cook things faster, and this Instant Pot mashed potato recipe does just that. According to Crunchy Creamy Sweet, “it takes longer to peel the potatoes and cut into chunks than cook them in the Instant Pot.” After you peel and cube your potatoes, pressure cook them for only seven minutes and then mash them up with some butter, sour cream and seasonings. The result is a fluffy, delicious side dish for any holiday meal.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot mashed potatoes from Crunchy Creamy Sweet

4. Rich, tasty mac and cheese

Is mac and cheese a holiday dish in your house? Well if not, it is now. This Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe from Pinch of Yum looks so good that you simply have to try it out this holiday season. Plus it cooks in just five minutes! What’s not to love?

Try the recipe for Instant Pot mac and cheese from Pinch of Yum

5. Classic green bean casserole

Here’s another holiday classic, and guess what? That’s right: You can make it in an Instant Pot. This green bean casserole from Joanie Simon is made solely using the all-purpose appliance, freeing up valuable stove and oven space during the frenzy before any holiday dinner.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot green bean casserole from Joanie Simon

6. Homemade cranberry sauce

Why do we only eat cranberry sauce during the holidays? This delicious side dish really deserves to be enjoyed year 'round, and with this super easy Instant Pot cranberry sauce recipe from Mommy’s Home Cooking, you’ll probably want to make it more often.

Try the recipe for Easy Instant Pot cranberry sauce from Mommy’s Home Cooking

7. Gluten-free, vegan pumpkin soup

A warm bowl of soup is perfect as a side dish during the winter, and you’ll love how this Instant Pot pumpkin soup recipe from The Foodie Eats makes your kitchen smell—so festive! Like many Instant Pot recipes, this pumpkin soup is incredibly fast and easy, making it a great addition to your holiday menu. Plus, it's perfect for virtually any dietary restrictions.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot pumpkin soup from The Foodie Eats

8. Traditional stuffing you can customize

Stuffing is a must-have on Thanksgiving, of course, and you can make an argument for eating it on Christmas too, especially if the main entree is turkey. Regardless of which holiday you’re celebrating, this Instant Pot stuffing recipe from Simply Happy Foodie is perfect, as you can easily customize it to fit your family’s tastes. Just add in cranberries, walnuts, apples, mushrooms, or any combination of them for an amazing side dish.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot stuffing from Simply Happy Foodie

9. Delicious Brussels sprouts with bacon

I’m not sure why Brussels sprouts get such a bad rap—they’re honestly one of my favorite foods. Even if you’re family isn’t keen on these veggies, they’re sure to love this recipe for Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic drizzle from Instant Pot Miracle. The sprouts are browned with the bacon to get a good crispiness, then drizzled with balsamic vinegar for a hint of sweetness.

Try the recipe for brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic from Instant Pot Miracle

10. Warm and cozy spiced apple cider

Thanks to your Instant Pot, it’s now incredibly fast and easy to make homemade apple cider. This Instant Pot spiced apple cider from Recipes to Nourish cooks in just 10 minutes, and you can store it in the fridge for a couple days if there are any leftovers—though, that seems unlikely.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot spiced apple cider from Recipes to Nourish

11. Gooey, pull-apart monkey bread

In my family, monkey bread is an essential dish at any holiday gathering. It’s perfect to pick at while dinner is cooking or before dessert “officially” begins, and this year, you can make Instant Pot monkey bread to make the whole process even easier. Just note that you’ll need loaf pans or a bundt pan that can fit inside your Instant Pot to make this recipe from FoodNService.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot monkey mread from FoodNService

12. Decadent, creamy hot chocolate

If you’re a hot chocolate snob like I am, this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is for you. It’s designed for a slow cooker, but wouldn’t you know your Instant Pot has a slow cooker setting! The recipe uses real chocolate, milk, and cream to create a beautifully rich, decadent drink that will quickly disappear at any holiday gathering.

Try the recipe for decadent slow cooker hot chocolate from Sally’s Baking Addiction

13. Drool-worthy caramel cheesecake

Believe it or not, you can actually make a cheesecake in your Instant Pot. This salted caramel cheesecake from Cookies & Cups will make the perfect dessert for your holiday feast! Just make sure you have a springform pan that will fit inside your Instant Pot.

Try the recipe for Instant Pot salted caramel cheesecake from Cookies & Cups

14. Vegan-friendly apple crumble

Apple crumble is another quintessential holiday dessert, and The Honour System has instructions on how to make a vegan version of this tasty treat in your Instant Pot. The recipe cooks in a whopping eight minutes, and the end result looks simply mouth-watering!

Try the recipe for Instant Pot Apple Crumble from The Honour System

15. A classic pumpkin pie

Rounding out the list of Instant Pot holiday desserts is everyone’s favorite: pumpkin pie. For this recipe from Pressure Cooking Today, you’ll need a springform pan that’s small enough to fit in your Instant Pot, like this 6-inch Hiware pan for $11.45](http://amzn.to/2zV2MgM), but beyond that, it’s a straightforward recipe that’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

Try the recipe for Pressure Cooker Pumpkin Pie from Pressure Cooking Today

Don't have an Instant Pot yet? Check out the best-selling Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker on Amazon for $99.95

Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.