Best Instant Pot Cheesecake Recipe

Avoid cracking and hassle by making creamy, flavorful cheesecake in your Instant Pot! This is the best Instant Pot cheesecake recipe! It cooks perfectly every time and tastes delicious served solo or with fruit, chocolate or caramel as a topping.

Original post: April 2019 | Updated: March 2023

Why This Recipe Works

There is something so deliciously special about cheesecake, am I right? It is difficult to describe a really good bite of this delicious dessert in words, but I’d start with creamy, dreamy, rich, smooth and the perfect dessert of all time.

• I learned after perfecting this cake in the Instant Pot that baked goods turn out indescribably scrumptious when cooked inside a pressure cooker.
• After that cake win, I set out on a quest to make the perfect pressure cooker cheesecake and THIS IS IT.
• This recipe is a labor of love because it took a few tries to get it just right. And just right it is, my friends.
• You will knock people’s socks off by making your next cheesecake in your Instant Pot.
• This is the best Instant Pot cheesecake recipe you’ll find. It is SO creamy and delicious and tastes very similar to a New York cheesecake! It is one of my favorite desserts of all time.

Recipe Ingredients

Graham crackers – Use any variety of graham crackers to make the crust. Go for a gluten free variety to make it a GF dessert!

Butter – Either salted or unsalted butter will work great, but using unsalted butter gives you more control of the saltiness of the end result.

Cream cheese – Use full-fat cream Philadelphia cheese for the best, tastiest possible outcome.

Sour cream – Also here you will want to use a full fat variety for best results.

Vanilla extract – To add unique flavor to your cheesecake, replace the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract with an equal amount of a different flavored extract. Try orange, coconut, strawberry or rum extract!

Lemon zest – Replace the lemon zest with lime or orange zest instead for a delicious twist.

Toppings – Fruit filling, ganache, chocolate sauce or caramel sauce all make great toppings.

How to Make Instant Pot Cheesecake

Step 1

Pour 1 1/2 cups water into an electric pressure cooker. Wrap the bottom of the pan with foil and coat the inside with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter and mix to combine. Press into the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of the prepared pan. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Add 2 packages cream cheese along with sour cream to a large bowl or stand mixer (or use a hand mixer). Beat the cream cheese mixture on low speed until creamy. Add the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and lemon zest and mix until fluffy and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs and mix until just incorporated.

Pour the cheesecake filling into the prepared graham cracker crust and cover tightly with a piece of foil (spray the inside with cooking spray first). Place the pan on the trivet and lower it into the Instant Pot. Place the cover on the pot and lock the lid into place.

Set the timer to 50 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the Instant Pot around 7 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.

Step 4

When cooking time is done, do a natural release to get rid of remaining pressure in the pot (this will take approximately 30 minutes).

Step 5

Remove the cover and pull the pan out by holding onto the handles of the trivet in the bottom of the pot. Remove the aluminum foil and transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve, a minimum of 1 hour. Top with fruit filling, ganache or caramel sauce if desired, just before serving.

Recipe Notes

• You will need to use either a 6 inch or 7 inch springform pan to make this recipe. I personally think a 7-inch pan is the perfect size.
• The filling for this luscious cheesecake fills up a 7-inch cheesecake pan (spring form) really full, so pour carefully if you only have a 6-inch pan.
• When you remove the foil from the top of the cheesecake after it is done cooking, you may find that a bit of moisture has accumulated inside the pan. No worries! Simply dab the top lightly with a paper towel to remove the moisture.
• Before creating the crust mixture, pulse the graham crackers in a food processor to create fine crumbs, if desired.
• Always use room temperature ingredients when baking. This includes cream cheese, eggs and butter.
• Crush Oreos in place of graham crackers to create a scrumptious oreo cookie crust.

Substitute for Cream Cheese in Cheesecake

There are a handful of substitutes that you can use in place of cream cheese in cheesecake. Here are a few options:

Greek yogurt – This is an excellent substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake. The texture is very similar to cream cheese and the tangy flavor complements the sugar in the recipe.

Cottage cheese – Another good substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake is cottage cheese. Blend it beforehand to make it smooth and it will taste delicious.

Tofu – Silken tofu is a great a vegan-friendly option for substituting cream cheese in cheesecake. Blend or puree it to create a creamy filling.

Ricotta cheese – Ricotta can also be used in place of cream cheese in some cheesecake recipes. It has a slightly different flavor and texture, but it still adds creaminess and richness to the recipe.

Note: These alternatives may alter the taste and texture of your cheesecake.

Can You Use a Springform Pan in an Instant Pot

You can definitely put a springform pan inside a pressure cooker. Just be certain that the pan fits inside the Instant Pot prior to cooking.

How To Remove Cheesecake From Springform Pan

There are a few tricks you may employ that will help you remove your cheesecake from the springform pan without ruining it!

1. Allow it to cool completely to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. This will firm it up nicely.
2. Run a large sharp knife around the edges. This will help easily separate the cake from the sides of the pan.
3. Open the latch on the springform pan and gently lift the attachment ring from the base. If parts of the side are still sticking, pause and gently run a knife along the side to loosen it.
4. Once the ring attachment is removed, slide a long sturdy spatula between the crust and the bottom portion of the pan. Gently transfer to a cake stand.

Note: If it sticks to the pan, place the entire cheesecake pan on a warm surface or inside a shallow warm water bath for 10 minutes.

How To Store Cheesecake

Tightly wrap cooled cheesecake in plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cheesecake freezes extremely well! Wrap the cheesecake tightly in foil and place inside a resealable freezer bag or airtight container for up to 6 months. When you are ready to enjoy the cheesecake, allow it to thaw completely in the fridge overnight.

How Long Does Cheesecake Last in the Fridge

When stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, prepared cheesecake will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

Can Dogs Eat Cheesecake

Small amounts of cheesecake are safe for most dogs to eat. If you have a dog with allergies or if given in large quantities, you should avoid giving this dessert to your pup.

Should I Use Salted or Unsalted Butter For Cheesecake

Many bakers use unsalted butter in their baked goods in order to have more control over the saltiness of the end result.

If you prefer adding that extra salty touch to your baked goods, use half salted and half unsalted!

How Long Does Sour Cream Last

How long does sour cream last? If you have a container staring at you from inside your refrigerator and you don’t know whether to toss or eat.. read on!

Cheesecake Toppings

There are so many different toppings that taste delicious when piled on top of a really great cheesecake. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

• Canned or fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, blackberries, cherries)
• Strawberry Sauce
• Blueberry Sauce
• Chocolate Ganache
• Salted Caramel Sauce
• Chopped or crushed cookies or candy bars
• Whipped cream, cherries and chocolate for a black forest cheesecake

Ultimate Cheesecake Recipes

• Blueberry Peach
• Caramel Swirl

Best Instant Pot Recipes

• Make a comforting, hearty Goulash for dinner!
• Making Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup will save you time from simmering soup on the stove all day and produce a perfectly tasty, healthy soup.
• Put your pressure cooker to work by transforming a box cake into a perfect Cake!
• Packed with turkey meat, white beans and veggies, this White Turkey Chili quickly becomes a dinner favorite!

Why Does it Take My Instant Pot So Long To Pressurize?

The time leading up to actual cook time may seem long and even confusing (“What is going ON in there?!”), but it’s an important part of the process! The Instant Pot is working on building up the appropriate amount of pressure that it will be pressure cooking the food at.

It handles liquids and solids differently and also fresh and frozen differently, so the time can vary. Most recipes take between 10 and 25 minutes to build up pressure.

How To Clean An Instant Pot

Keep your Instant Pot shiny, clean and scent-free by following these simple steps:

Exterior

Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down any grease or gunk on the outside of the Instant Pot. Use a brush or the edge of a clean cloth to reach inside the rim to remove food that may have gotten stuck in the grooves. The exterior “housing” should never ever be immersed in liquid or run underwater.

Inner Pot

The stainless steel inner pot can be hand-washed OR run through a dishwasher. See below tips for deep cleaning when needed.

Cover

The inside of the IP cover can usually just be wiped down with a clean cloth after use. If there is food stuck to the inside of the cover, remove the sealing ring and run the cover under hot water and scrub with a brush or cloth.

Sealing Ring

The sealing ring can be easily removed from the Instant Pot and hand-washed with warm, soapy water OR run through a dishwasher when needed.

Trivet

The trivet that is inserted into the Instant Pot can be scrubbed with a brush, hand-washed with warm, soapy water or run through a dishwasher.

Deep Clean

If the inner pot starts to show signs that it needs a deep cleaning (cloudiness or discoloration), pour either 2 cups of white vinegar OR 2 cups of water plus 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the pot. Place the cover on the pot and set to STEAM for 3 minutes.

Let the pressure release naturally and remove the cover. Remove sealing ring and inner pot and allow to air dry.

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