Air-Fryer Cheesecake

While cheesecake is a favorite go-to dessert for any occasion, this air-fryer cheesecake recipe makes it that much simpler. This recipe combines a graham cracker crust with a classic cheesecake filling, consisting of cream cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and salt. The key? Bake the cheesecake as an air-fryer recipe for a dreamy, creamy treat—no water bath required! You’ll still need to wait for the cheesecake to chill in the refrigerator, but it’s absolutely worth it. With a sour cream layer to finish it off, you’ll have the ideal balance of sweet, tangy and creamy in every bite.

Ingredients for Air-Fryer Cheesecake

• Graham cracker crumbs: As with most cheesecakes, this cheesecake in the air-fryer starts with a graham cracker crust. Find graham cracker crumbs at the grocery store or pulse whole crackers in a food processor to form your own.
• Butter: Unsalted melted butter serves as the “glue” to help bind the graham cracker crumb crust together.
• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar is added to the graham cracker crust and cheesecake filling for a touch of sweetness.
• Cream cheese: At the base of all cheesecake recipes is plenty of cream cheese. This air-fryer cheesecake recipe calls for two bricks of softened cream cheese.
• Eggs: Add eggs to the mix for a fluffy texture. Use lightly beaten room-temperature eggs for easier incorporation.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds depth to the flavor of this cheesecake. A good vanilla extract makes a world of difference in baking recipes.
• Salt: Just a touch of salt goes a long way in helping balance the sweetness and flavor of this cheesecake.
• Sour cream: Make a sweetened sour cream topping to add a rich finish to the cheesecake.
• Whipped cream: Use store-bought or homemade whipped cream to garnish the top of the cheesecake before serving.

Directions

Step 1: Make the crust

Preheat the air fryer to 325°F. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar.

Pat into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of an 8-inch springform pan that fits into the air fryer. Chill while preparing the filling.

Editor’s Tip: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to help compact and smooth the graham cracker crumbs in the springform pan.

Step 2: Prep the filling

For the filling, beat the cream cheese and eggs in a bowl on medium speed for one minute.

Add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and salt. Continue beating until well blended, about one minute.

Pour into the crust.

Step 3: Bake the cheesecake

Cook until the center is almost set, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Add the sour cream topping

For topping, combine the sour cream and remaining sugar and vanilla in a small bowl. Spread it over the cheesecake and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen the sides of the pan with a knife. Cool for one hour longer.

Step 5: Chill the cheesecake

Refrigerate the cheesecake for three hours or overnight. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

Air-Fryer Cheesecake Variations

• Add citrus: Liven up the flavor of this cheesecake with citrus. Incorporate citrus zest into the crust, or add freshly grated lemon, lime or orange zest into the filling mixture.
• Use another crumb crust: There are so many options for crumb crusts, making them ideal for cheesecake. Try cinnamon or chocolate graham crackers, or go for something different entirely, such as a gingersnap crust.
• Incorporate jam: Add a fruity flavor by swirling your favorite jam on top of the cheesecake before baking it, or smooth jam over the sour cream topping.

How to Store Air-Fryer Cheesecake

Store air-fryer cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can you freeze air-fryer cheesecake?

You can absolutely freeze air-fryer cheesecake. Place the whole cheesecake or slices on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, wrap the cheesecake in storage wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Store the cheesecake in the freezer for up to two months. Let thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Air-Fryer Cheesecake Tips

How do you know when a cheesecake in the air fryer is done?

Even though you use an air fryer instead of a regular oven for this cheesecake, you can use the same wobble test to tell when the cheesecake is done baking. Tap a wooden spoon against the springform pan. If the center of the cheesecake only slightly jiggles or wobbles, it’s done. If the center ripples or jiggles significantly, it requires an additional few minutes of baking time.

Why did my air-fryer cheesecake crack?

Cheesecake is notorious for cracking. If the cheesecake is overbaked and dries out too much, it can crack. The cooling process, as the cheesecake contracts and pulls away from the sides of the pan, can also cause it to crack. Greasing the springform pan can help prevent this. If you do end up with a cracked cheesecake, don’t worry too much. It’s still just as tasty! Serve it as-is or cover the crack on top with whipped cream, a sauce topping or fresh fruit.

What else can you serve with cheesecake?

Cheesecake serves as a blank canvas, and there are so many options for dressing it up. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a blueberry sauce for an extra burst of flavor. You can also top it with fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries and raspberries, or spread lemon curd on top.