Vegan Instant Pot Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
A moist and tender banana cake studded with chocolate chips, made effortlessly in your Instant Pot. The pressure cooking method creates an incredibly soft texture while keeping the cake perfectly moist. Sweet ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and flavor, while chocolate chips add delightful bursts of richness throughout. This foolproof recipe is perfect for when you want homemade cake without heating up the oven, making it ideal for warm weather or quick weeknight desserts. The hands-off cooking method means you can set it and forget it while the Instant Pot does all the work.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Combine mashed bananas, sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl
- 2
Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the banana mixture and mix until just combined
- 3
Fold in chocolate chips
- 4
Pour batter into a greased 7-inch cake pan that fits in the Instant Pot
- 5
Add water to the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside
- 6
Carefully lower the cake pan onto the trivet
- 7
Close the lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes
- 8
Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure
- 9
Carefully remove cake from Instant Pot and let cool before slicing and serving
Tips
Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and natural sweetness in your cake.
Don't overmix the batter once you add the flour to keep the cake tender and avoid a tough texture.
Make sure your cake pan fits comfortably in your Instant Pot with room for steam circulation around the sides.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can be made 1 day ahead and stored covered at room temperature.
Serve at room temperature, optionally with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Common Mistakes
Don't open the Instant Pot during cooking to avoid interrupting the pressure cycle and uneven cooking.
Ensure proper natural pressure release time to prevent the cake from becoming dense or gummy.
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, thaw frozen bananas completely and drain excess liquid before mashing. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
What if I don't have a 7-inch pan that fits my Instant Pot?
You can use any oven-safe dish that fits in your Instant Pot with at least 1 inch clearance on all sides for proper steam circulation.
How long will this cake keep fresh?
The cake stays moist for 3 days at room temperature covered, or up to 1 week refrigerated in an airtight container.