Baking a Cheesecake in an Air Fryer

Can you believe it? Is there anything the air fryer can't do?!? Try baking a cheesecake in your air fryer and watch it come together even creamier than you might have imagined. Becky Abbott and Jennifer West, who wrote the new cookbook Air Fryer All Day, stopped by Tonia's Kitchen to talk about a recipe which, quite frankly, no one was expecting. But both Becky and Jennifer told Tonia this is their signature dish. In fact, they say this has been so popular, it was the most shared recipe for the New York Times cooking section. The ingredients are standard and the baking time is only 20 to 22 minutes.  What you'll get is a light and fluffy texture and a marvelous flavor. Give this a try and never go back to baking a cheesecake the same way again! Listen to both Becky and Jennifer talk with Tonia. Get the full interview on our new Tonia's Kitchen podcast

6 tablespoons of salted butter, melted. Plus more for greasing the pan

1 ¼ cups of graham crackers, finely crushed

24 ounces of cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1 (14 ounce) can of condensed milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 (28 ounce) can cherry pie filling (optional)

Step 1
Finely crush a package of graham crackers with a food processor.

Step 2

Add melted butter to the crushed graham crackers and mix until they are combined well.

Step 3
Prepare your 7 inch springform pan by buttering the insides of the pan well. Then place parchment paper in the bottom of your pan.

Step 4

Carefully press the graham cracker crumbs mixture into the bottom of your pan using a spoon. Set aside.

Step 5

In a medium mixing bowl mix the cream cheese until it is creamy and there are no lumps remaining.

Step 6

Add the eggs, condensed milk, and vanilla to your bowl and blend for an additional 2 minutes until the mixture is completely creamy. Pour ingredients into the pan and place into the air fryer basket.

Step 7

Bake in the Air Fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-22 minutes, or until the center is no longer jiggling. (It will still wiggle, but won't be a wet jiggle.) If needed, continue to add 2-minute increments at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until the center is perfect.

Step 8
Carefully remove the springform pan from the Air Fryer basket and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, or overnight.

Step 9

Once chilled, carefully remove the circular sides of the springform pan and place the cheesecake on a serving platter.

Step 10

OPTIONAL: Top with the cherry pie filling just before slicing and serving.