Instant Pot Cheesecake

5 from 9 votes

This Instant Pot Cheesecake recipe uses the moist heat of the Instant Pot to create a creamy, classic cheesecake featuring a graham cracker crust.

Prep Time20

Cook Time35

Pressure Time + Chilling12 45

Total Time13 30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Equipment

Ingredients

Cheesecake Graham Cracker Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon sugar
pinch of sea salt

Cheesecake Filling

2 (8-ounce packages) full-fat cream cheese at room temperature
⅔ cup granulated sugar
½ cup full-fat sour cream at room temperature
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs at room temperature

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For Graham Cracker Crust

Spray a 7x3-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. If baking crust, preheat the oven to 325°F/165℃.
Place the graham crackers in a storage bag and roll them with a rolling pin until finely ground. Measure out 1 cup graham cracker crumbs and place them into a medium mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and pinch of sea salt and mix until fully combined. Add in 3 tablespoons butter (melted) and mix until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Pour in the graham cracker crumbs mixture. Gently press down the crumbs with a cup or measuring cup to form a firm, even layer on the bottom of the pan.
Place the crust in a 325°F/165℃ oven for 15 minutes. After baking, remove the crust from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the batter. Alternatively, place the prepared crust in the freezer while you prepare the batter rather than baking it.

Cheesecake Batter

In a large bowl, mix 2 (8-ounce packages) full-fat cream cheese, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch with a handheld mixer on medium-low speed until smooth, being careful to not overmix, as this incorporates a lot of air into the cheesecake.
On low speed, in the ½ cup full-fat sour cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, until just combined, this should only take 15-20 seconds. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, and continue to mix until blended. Don’t overmix!
Pour the batter into the springform pan on top of the crust. Tap the filled pan gently on the counter to bring air bubbles to the surface and pop with a fork or a toothpick.

Pressure Cook

Pour 1-½ cups of cold tap water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Place the metal trivet in the inner pot. Place the cheesecake pan on top of the trivet, using a foil sling under the pan if desired.
Close the lid, be sure the vent knob is sealed, and set it to cook on high pressure for 25 minutes, using the manual or pressure cooker button.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally FULLY. Once the pressure has been released, open the lid slowly. Check the cheesecake to see if the middle is set. If the cheesecake isn’t quite done, return the lid and cook at High Pressure for an additional 5 minutes, followed by a full natural release of pressure.
Use a paper towel to gently absorb any condensation on the surface. Carefully, remove the cheesecake from the pot and let it cool on a wire rack. After 10 minutes, use a butter or pairing knife to loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan.
Continue to allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover well with plastic wrap and/or foil and chill for 8-12 hours. Unmold the cheesecake, slice, and serve as desired.

Video

Notes

Storage: Cheesecake can be stored in the fridge for 4 days if wrapped well in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. If desired, you can opt to freeze your cooled cheesecake for up to 1 month. Wrap it well in two layers of plastic wrap followed by two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil, and then place the wrapped cheesecake into a large freezer-safe storage bag. Defrost the cheesecake overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy the defrosted cake within 4 days.

Springform Pan: A 7-inch pan is a perfect size to fit inside a 6 or 8-quart pressure cooker If you use a 6-inch cheesecake pan, you will need to add 7 minutes to the cooking time.

If cooking at higher elevations refer to Instant Pot High Altitude Conversion.

Nutrition