Air Fryer Basque Burnt Cheesecake

What is Basque Cheesecake?

A Basque burnt cheesecake, unlike a New York cheesecake, is baked at a high temperature creating a scorched or burnt caramelized top similar to a creme brulee with a creamy but gooey, just-set interior.

It's like a combination of all your favorite desserts with the taste of cheesecake and the creaminess of a souffle.

Basque Burnt Cheesecake Origin

The Basque cheesecake originated in a cafe called La Vina, in the town of San Sebastian, part of the Basque region of Spain in 1990. The chef, Santiago Rivera was attempting to make a new cake every day and created this delicious cheesecake.

What is the Difference Between Basque Cheesecake and Normal Cheesecake

A New York cheesecake is cooked in a moderate oven, usually in a water bath, and has a rich, dense creamy texture. The burnt basque cheesecake is cooked at a higher temperature, sans water bath, where the top becomes scorched creating a complexity of salted caramel and brown butter flavors and the center is baked until just set for a creamier more delicate interior.

Why This Is The Best Burnt Basque Cheesecake Air Fryer Recipe

The air fryer is one of the easiest ways to make a rich and creamy cheesecake. You only need two things - an air fryer and a springform pan. The hardest part is waiting for the cheesecake to set. As the air fryer bakes the cheesecake, you'll smell it, and want to dig right in!

This burnt cheesecake with a graham cracker crust has all the flavor of a regular cheesecake but with the creaminess of a souffle.

The basque style makes this a standout with its balance of texture from the soft creamy interior to the creme brulee-type top to the crunchier graham cracker crust.

Equipment Needed

• Air Fryer - I love my Cosori Air Fryer. Still works great after two years!
• 7-inch Springform Pan - fits perfectly in my air fryer.

Basque Cheesecake Ingredients

For the graham cracker crust:

• Graham Cracker Crumbs - used boxed crumbs or make your own with whole graham crackers. I use my Ninja chopper to crumb them.
• Sugar
• Butter

For the cheesecake filling:

• Cream Cheese - make sure it is room temperature for a creamier cheesecake
• Sour cream - room temperature is best for blending
• All-purpose Flour
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

How to Make Cheesecake in Air Fryer

Graham Cracker Crust

1. Place graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Pour in melted butter.
3. Mix well until all the crumbs are moistened.
4. Pat into the bottom and up the sides of a buttered springform pan. Chill.

Cheesecake Filling

1. Place softened cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl.
2. Beat until creamy.
3. Add eggs, vanilla extract, flour, and salt and continue beating until well mixed.
4. Add sour cream.
5. Fold in gently.
6. Pour mixture into chilled graham cracker crust.

7. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees for 3-4 minutes. Carefully place the pan into the center of the air fryer basket.
8. Air fry the cheesecake for 30 minutes then allow it to sit in the warm air fryer for another 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature then refrigerate for 4-8 hours.

Recipe Tips

• Make sure the springform pan will fit in your air fryer basket before making the recipe.
• Make sure to grease the side and bottom of the springform pan along with placing parchment on the bottom and buttering it too. This prevents the cheesecake from sticking to the sides and makes it easy to slide it onto a serving platter.
• If the cheesecake still jiggles in the center after cooking for 30 minutes, add an additional 2 minutes until the center is no longer jiggly. It's okay if it has a little jiggle to it.
• Don't remove the cheesecake from the air fryer for 30 minutes so it can continue to cook with the residual heat.
• Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6-8 hours or overnight so that it firms up.
• Cheesecake is best served cold.

Recipe Variations

One great thing about cheesecake is how easy it is to make different versions from the same base recipe. Here are some ideas:

• Flavors: Almond, Caramel, Lemon, or Maple extract
• Fruit: Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, or Peach
• Chocolate Chips: Milk, Dark, Semi-sweet, white, or any flavored chips.
• Nuts: Almonds, Hazelnuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pistachios, or Walnuts
• Cookies: Biscoff, Oreos, or Vanilla Wafers
• Mini Air Fryer Cheesecakes: Use mini springform pans and check the texture after 20 minutes. If it seems wet and is too jiggly continue to air fry and check after 3 minutes.

Cheesecake Toppings

• Fresh Fruit: Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, or Peaches
• Pie Filling: Apple, Cherry, Blueberry, or Peach
• Sauce: Caramel, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, or Lemon Curd
• Candy: Chopped Heath Bars, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, etc.
• Whipped Cream

How to Store Air Fryer Basque Cheesecake

Store this burnt cheesecake in the refrigerator as you would any other type of cheesecake. Place it in an airtight container or wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. It will last up to 3 days in the fridge.

To Freeze: Either wrap the whole cheesecake or wrap individual slices with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cheesecake Recipes

• New York Cheesecake - is decadently creamy and rich. No water bath needed!
• Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake - blueberries highlight this bright lemony cheesecake
• Citrus Honey Cheesecake - are little mini cheesecakes sweetened with honey and fruit juice
• Carrot Cake Cheesecake - is both your favorite desserts rolled into one!

Find lots of easy dessert recipes and the best air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!