Soak pinto beans in enough hot water to cover them for 1 hour.
Drain, add beans into your Instant Pot, add 2 cups of water, and cook at High Pressure for 30 minutes. Allow it to release pressure naturally to avoid spluttering.
Once they're cooked, you can either mash them with the back of a spoon for a more rustic finish, or if you prefer a smoother finish, use an immersion blender on your beans to get a smooth paste. You may have to remove some of the cooking water so it's not too runny.
While the beans are cooking, Heat a frying pan and fry the bacon on a medium low heat to render all the bacon fat. Cook until the bacon is crisp and then remove bacon and reserve for another use (which means, eat it before anyone else sees it).
To the fat, add chopped onion and cook until until onion starts to brown at the edges.
Add chopped garlic and sauté for a minute.
Add mashed or puréed beans along with a little water, as well as the cumin and salt. Mix everything well, and let it cook. You may have to add water. Your goal is to get the beans heated through, and you will want to add enough water to ensure it is a slightly loose mixture. This will take about 4-5 minutes.
Serve with a spring of cilantro, and pass shredded cheese as you serve.
Tips and Tricks for Making Instant Pot Refried Beans
Heat. Make your beans with a little kick by adding half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the seasoning list.
Texture. Make your beans smooth by using an immersion blender on the cooked beans. Leave them with some more "whole bean" texture, by using a spoon instead of a blender.