Orange Almond Air Fryer Basque Cheesecake (Small Batch)

Ohhhhh this is a dangerous. This delicious orange almond basque cheesecake is creamy, fragrant, and refreshing, a perfect small dessert that can be whipped up in just a few minutes and without using your stove or oven. Realizing how easy and fast it is…my waistline may never recover.

You might also like: What to Make When Your Stove & Oven Goes Out: Getting Creative

Can you make cheesecake in an air fryer? Turns out, the answer is yes! I’d heard of Instant Pot cheesecake, but this is totally different. In fact, the air fryer is kind of perfect for achieving the iconic charred top and the custardy texture of a basque cheesecake, since it cooks from the outside-in. You can make an air fryer cheesecake in just 30 minutes.

What prompted this, you ask?? Well, over winter break this year, I didn’t have a working stove or oven for nearly two weeks. And winter break is when I love trying new recipes and indulging myself a bit…plus I’d just had surgery, and was craving some comfort food. I was also trying to figure out a gluten-free dessert for my sister. My explorations took me here, as well as MANY other places (more to come on that).

You might also like: How to Make Delicious & Easy Air Fryer Bread

I’ve tried to give detailed instructions of what works best for me, but it may take a bit of trial and error and gut feel your first time or two—this is because there will be some variance depending on your air fryer, its settings, and what bakeware you have on hand.  I used my older 5.8-quart air fryer, and found that it perfectly fit a 6-inch cake round in it (I wished I had a loose bottom one though I suppose I’d have to see if that would leak). 

I’ve tried a number of pan lining methods but nothing has worked terribly well (which you can see below). No matter how I tried to line it, somehow the parchment kept getting blown into the cheesecake as it baked. That’s not the end of the world, but not my preference.

Now I usually just do some non-stick spray or grease the pan with butter. While you then miss the parchment crinkle that basque cheesecakes usually have, I think it’s better overall.

Most air fryers’ max temp is 400 F, so that’s what we’ll do it on. Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes. Prepare a 6″ cake pan (or whatever fits in your air fryer) with non-stick spray or grease with butter. See notes above on pan preparation options.

In a small bowl measure out the sugar and add the orange zest. Rub them together with your fingers until your have orange zest sugar (this releases the flavorful oils for a more punchy flavor).

Add all the ingredients to your food processor fitted with the blade attachment. I’ve found that my 8-cup one is the best for this, rather than my giant fancy Cuisinart.

Process the batter until it’s smooth and lump-free, about 5 minutes (yes, this long!), scraping around the bowl about halfway through. You’re not only getting it super smooth, but aerating it.

Pause the air fryer, place the pan inside, and pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Carefully close the air fryer and bake at 400 F (on air fryer mode, if you have multiple) for 20-25 minutes.

Start checking at the 18-minute mark…you’re looking for a top that’s deep-dark brown (burnt-looking), the edges just set, the center still fairly jiggly, and a digital thermometer inserted 1″ from the edge and 1″ down should just barely read 185°F. Check often from here on out, it tips over 20+ degrees very fast! It also keeps cooking after you remove it, so err on the side of very slightly underdone.

Remove the pan from the air fryer safely (I use 2 sets of silicone tongs) and place on a rack to cool to room temperature.

I unmold by running a knife around the edges, then carefully flipping into my hand and quickly onto a plate.

Serve at room temp for the best texture, but it’s delicious (but more dense) cold.

I’ve been making this mini (well, 6-inch) basque cheesecake on repeat, and can’t wait to try other flavor combos out!

Other creamy desserts you’ll love:

• Easy & Delicious Coconut Flan (regular & dairy-free versions)
• How to Make Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)
• Creamy 5-Minute Peanut Butter Pudding (dairy-free)
• The Best Homemade Key Lime Pie
• Caramelized White Chocolate & Coffee Tarts
• My Mom’s Delicious Chocolate Pudding

Adapted from both King Arthur’s original recipe & their air fryer adaptation

Pin for later!