Bake the perfect Air Fryer Cheesecake using my classic and foolproof cheesecake recipe. Rich, creamy and smooth with a buttery crust and delicious cherry topping. Once you make cheesecake in an air fryer you will never look back!
1 ½cups(180g) graham cracker crumbs or digestive biscuits (see notes)
6tbsp(85g) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling
24oz(450g) cream cheese full fat
1cup(225g) sour cream full fat
14oz( 400g) sweetened condensed milk
2large eggs
2tspvanilla bean paste or extract
For the Topping
7oz(200g) frozen pitted cherries
½cup(100g) sugar
¼cup(60ml) water
1tbspcornstarch(cornflour)
1tspvanilla extract
2tbsplemon juice
2dropsalmond extract
Instructions
Make the crust
Line the base of a loose-bottomed pan with parchment paper or a reusable liner. Cover the bottom with a layer of foil making sure the pan is level. Mist with cake release.
Pulse the graham crackers (see notes for other options) in a mini chopper or food processor until you have fine crumbs. Alternatively place in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Transfer the crumbs to a mixing bowl, add the melted butter to the graham crackers and stir to combine. You want a wet sand texture. Add the crumbs into the lined pan and press down firmly to create an even layer. Set aside.
Make the filling
Put the cream cheese, sour cream, condensed milk and vanilla into a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the ingredients together until creamy and smooth.
Add the eggs and beat on low speed until the filling is smooth. Do not whisk too vigorously as this will add too much volume to the filling causing it to rise.
Pour the filling over the crust and tap gently on the counter top to help settle any air bubbles.
Carefully transfer the pan into the basket of your Air Fryer.
Bake in the Air Fryer at 285°F (140°C) for 30 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 250°F (120°C) and bake for further 10-15 minutes or until the cheesecake is baked with a bit of a jiggle in the centre. Allow the cheesecake to cool in the Air Fryer basket after you turn it off.
Once the pan has cooled down, cover with a plate and chill for 8 hours or overnight.
Make the topping
Prepare the topping the same time as the filling so it can chill in the frirdge before using. Mix the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Place in a saucepan with all the remaining topping ingredients.
Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the cherries are soft and syrupy. Cool completely and chill before using.
Assemble the cheesecake.
Run a thin knife blade around the edges of the pan. Carefully release the cheesecake from the pan and transfer to a plate or cake stand.
Spoon the cherry filling over the cheesecake when you are ready to serve.
Video
Notes
• Air Fryers are all a little bit different so you might need to adjust the cooking time if you use a different model than the one I tested the recipe on. If the cheesecake is not baked, i.e. mostly set with a slight jiggle in the middle, add a few minutes to the cooking time.
• If the cheesecake is browning too quickly you can also reduce the temperature and bake for slightly longer.
• Allow the cheesecake to cool in the Air Fryer basket after it has finished baking to avoid cracks.
• Chill the cheesecake for at least 8 hours and ideally overnight so that it can set properly before slicing.
• Prepare the filling in advance and chill before using or top with cherry pie filling or Black Cherries in Kirsch instead.