Instant Pot Lemon Custard (2024)

Instant Pot Lemon Custard Cups are a tangy, light, and refreshing treat, perfect for spring and summer! So easy to make in the Instant Pot!

Homemade Lemon Custard Ingredients

Some simple custard ingredients that are staples in your home are the best Each ingredient is important in creating the best lemon custard that is thick, creamy, and delicious!

• Whole milk – This gives it that rich, thick, and creamy texture from the milk.
• Sugar – Added for sweetness and to balance the tart flavoring from the lemon!
• Cornstarch – Thickens the lemon custard and helps set up when baked in the instant pot.
• Lemon zest – Gives that delicious lemon flavor with the sunshine color.
• Salt – Just a pinch will help balance all the flavors.
• Eggs and yolks – This helps gives the beautiful color and thickens the custard.
• Butter – The smooth appearance is a silky ribbon that comes from the butter.
• Lemon juice – A zesty and fresh and vibrant flavor that comes straight from a ripe squeezed lemon juice.

How to Make Instant Pot Lemon Custard

Making lemon custard from scratch in a pressure cooking appliance makes these extra easy and special. The instant pot will cook from the bottom up and all around leaving these ramekins filled with custard cooked perfectly! This dessert is amazingly delicious!

1. Bring to a boil – In a medium-sized saucepot, bring milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, lemon zest, and salt to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture comes to a boil, remove it from the heat.
2. Whisk – Combine 2 eggs and 2 large egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Slowly add the hot lemon custard mixture a little at a time to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This will prevent the eggs from cooking.Whisk in butter until melted, then add lemon juice.Stir until smooth and creamy.
3. Instant pot – Pour equally into 4 8-ounce oven-safe ramekins, leaving about 1/2″ space at the top. Cover each ramekin with aluminum foil. Place the trivet in Instant Pot and add a cup of water at a time. Carefully place ramekins in the Instant Pot (3 on the bottom forming a triangle and 1 over the top in the center).
4. Cook – Place lid on Instant Pot and set tab to “sealing”. Set to “manual” and set to “high pressure” for 5 minutes.
5. Let cool – When the time is up, do a quick release, not the natural release, and turn Instant Pot off. Allow ramekins to cool to room temperature and then place in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours.

Tips for this Easy Lemon Custard Recipe

Instant pot lemon custard recipe is already gluten-free, can be made in a few different flavors, and can be served simply with whip cream on top or elegant over top of your favorite desserts. This is a simple and great way to have a light and tasty dessert at the end of your meal!

• Gluten-free – This recipe is naturally gluten-free so even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy a sweet treat after dinner.
• Flavors – Custard is generally made with milk or cream and egg yolk. It can be thick like a pie filling or thin like a sauce and made with many flavors. Lemon is a particular favorite because the zest and freshness of the lemon pair nicely with the richness of the custard base. Try it with oranges, limes, or grapefruit for all citrus flavors!
• Serving – This lemon custard recipe is super versatile and can be eaten in a million different ways. Generally, the custard is cooled after cooking in an Instant Pot and served chilled, perhaps with whipped topping. However, you could try it warm or hot. The texture and consistency will be more like a sauce, perfect for drizzling over ice cream or yogurt.
• Toppings – Although this classic custard tastes divine with just a bowl and a spoon, you can also try topping it with whipped cream, graham crackers, fresh fruit, cheesecake, or meringue. Mix it with oatmeal, or yogurt, or spread it on toast, waffles, or muffins like jams. You can even add a dollop to the thumbprint cookies.

“I LOVE anything and everything lemon. This recipe is super easy however, the hardest part is waiting the two hours to cool lol. Thanks for sharing your easy instant pot recipe! I needed an excuse to bring it out again 😀”

-Peter

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing Jars of Lemon Custard

Store lemon custard in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days. It is not the best frozen and can separate. When ready to reheat, slowly warm up over the stove top stirring it slowly on low heat.

Read Next: 27 BEST Instant Pot Recipes

More Lemony Desserts

If you like this recipe, be sure to try some of our other delicious lemon desserts: