Post updated Feb 2026. First shared 2017.

Before last week, I had made 2, maybe 3, cheesecakes in my life. I had reliable recipes, but the process always seemed a bit overwhelming and I would typically opt for another dessert instead. I have now made many more cheesecakes in my Instant Pot. And I’m here to tell you, it is sooooo much easier!

There are lots of cheesecake recipes out there, but I wanted to put my own twist on the popular Instant Pot cheesecake. How could I make a delicious cheesecake, but use a natural sweetener? How could I make it so that all my gluten-free friends could enjoy it too? (Not to mention the fact that I NEVER have graham crackers on hand and typically avoid recipes that require a special trip to the store).

I also tested the cheesecake with both fat-free and regular cream cheese– I can attest that both versions are very good! All the grueling hard work of eating so many cheesecakes paid off. I did it for you, I promise.

I now have another quick and easy dessert recipe for my Instant Pot which uses whole ingredients and natural sweeteners. Because life is just better with dessert, y’all.

Read this first!

Cheesecakes can be somewhat persnickety, so I’m going to throw a handful of tips at you that you’re going to want to heed. I did a lot of reading up on what makes a successful cheesecake, a lot of testing in the kitchen, and this is what you need to know…

1. Always use room temperature ingredients. This is important. Pull your cream cheese and yogurt and eggs out with plenty of time for them to come to room temperature. This will help your cheesecake to be smoother and prevent you from over mixing the filling. It will also keep your eggs from clumping when you add them to the cheesecake mixture.
2. DON’T OVERMIX.  The process of making the cheesecake filling should take no more than about five minutes. Mixing the filling too long can result in a wonky cheesecake with the potential of having scrambled eggs on top. I used a timer each time I turned on my mixer to make sure I was not mixing anything too long just because I wasn’t paying attention. (Times are in the recipe). A general rule of thumb when it comes to cheesecakes is: Less mixing = denser cheesecake. More mixing = creamier cheesecake. 
3. Release the air bubbles.  Immediately after you pour in the filling, tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles. Use a toothpick or the point of a knife to pop the bubbles.
4.  Cover the cheesecake before cooking. Use both a paper towel and a piece of foil to cover the top of the springform pan. The paper towel will help to absorb excess moisture that would collect on the top of the cheesecake, and it can be used after the cooking time to gently soak up any additional moisture.
5. You may want to use a fresh sealing ring. Twice before making cheesecake recently I cooked either a roast chicken or barbecue pork in the Instant Pot. Neither is a flavor I want to pass on to my cheesecakes. Invest in extra sealing rings so that you can reserve one or two for desserts. Totally worth it.
6. After the cheesecake cooks… Let the pressure release naturally from the Instant Pot, and then carefully remove the springform pan. Take off the foil and paper towel layer and gently soak up any excess moisture. At this point, you want to let the cheesecake rest for 10-15 minutes before releasing the outer wall of the springform pan. After 10-15 minutes, use a knife to run along the edges of the pan to separate the cheesecake from the pan, and then release the latch on the side wall. Letting the cheesecake cool without the wall can help to prevent cracks in your cheesecake.
7. Don’t rush the next part.  The success of your cheesecake is still up in the air, to a degree. The waiting is a VERY important part and one that shouldn’t be rushed. Let the cheesecake cool completely on the counter before placing it in the refrigerator (one to two hours). Your cheesecake will continue to cook and this time will help the middle of the cheesecake to further set up. After your cheesecake is cooled, you may place it in the refrigerator. But you still must wait! Give the cheesecake at least four hours in the refrigerator, though more time is better for an amazing cheesecake. If possible, it’s best to make the cheesecake a day ahead of time to give it plenty of time to chill.

Supplies you will need:

Must-Have: 

• Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
• springform pan (I use a 7″ pan that fits in my 6qt Instant Pot)
• rack to fit inside your Instant Pot

Very Helpful:

• extra sealing rings
• food processor (makes preparing the crust SUPER easy)
• stand mixer 

Watch this recipe being made on Instagram.

Instant Pot Cheesecake Makeover :: Gluten-Free, Naturally Sweetened, & Less Fat!

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews

• Author: Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Pressure Cooker

Print Recipe

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Description

Making Instant Pot cheesecake is shockingly simple! This amazingly quick and easy cheesecake is gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and is seriously delicious!

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Ingredients

Crust:

• 2/3 C pecan halves
• 4 pitted dates
• pinch of salt
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (if using salted, leave out the additional salt)

Filling:

• 16oz neufchâtel cheese (1/3 less fat cream cheese)
• 1/4 C plain Greek yogurt
• 1/3 C maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Blueberry topping: 

• 1 C fresh blueberries
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Citrus Topping:

• 1/4 C plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

Make the crust:

1. In a the bowl of a food processor, blend the pecans, dates, and salt together for about 30 seconds until the pecans and dates are broken up into very small pieces. Add the butter and pulse 2 to 3 times until the butter is incorporated.
Alternately, if you do not have a food processor, use a blender or knife to finely chop the dates and pecans. Transfer to a bowl and use a fork to mix in the butter. (Your crust may have bigger pieces if you do this method).

2. Transfer the pecan/date mixture to the bottom of a springform pan and use the back of a spatula to gently press out the mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan and out to the sides.

3. Place the springform pan in the freezer until your filling is ready, about 15 minutes.

Make the filling:

1. Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer. Set a timer for 1 minute and turn the mixer on low. While the cream cheese is mixing, add the yogurt, syrup, and vanilla to the bowl. Turn off the mixer when the timer goes off and scrape the sides of the bowl.
2. Turn the mixer on medium-low and mix again, this time for thirty seconds.
3. Set the timer for thirty seconds one more time, turn the mixer back on low, and add the eggs one at a time. After about thirty seconds, the eggs should be incorporated in the cream cheese mixture. If there are still any streaks of yellow, simply give the filling a quick stir with your spatula.

Fill and Cook the Cheesecake

1. Take the springform pan out of the freezer and pour the cream cheese filling into the pan. Gently tap the cheesecake on the counter to bring up any air bubbles. Pop the bubbles with the tip of a toothpick or small knife.
2. Cover the springform pan with a paper towel, and then a piece of foil. Press the foil down over the sides of the pan to hold the paper towel in place.
3. Pour a cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot, place in a trivet, and then set the springform pan on top of the trivet. Cover the Instant Pot, select MANUAL, and set the cooking time for 30 minutes on high pressure.
4. When the cheesecake has cooked for 30 minutes, let the pressure release naturally. Once the pin has dropped and the pressure is released, you can take off the lid and carefully take out the cheesecake. Set the pan on the counter and remove the foil and paper towel. Use the paper towel to gently soak up any moisture on top of the cheesecake.
5. Let the cheesecake rest on the counter or a cooling rack for 10 minutes. After ten minutes, run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake and then release and remove the wall of the springform pan. Leave the cheesecake cool completely on the counter for 1-2 hours before refrigerating.
6. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours before slicing.

Prepare the topping:

Blueberry Topping:

1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup of blueberries and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely before topping your cheesecake.

Citrus Topping:

1. Stir together the yogurt, lemon juice and zest, and maple syrup. Pour on top of cheesecake and spread evenly across with a spatula. Optional: sprinkle a little extra zest on top. Tip: make the citrus topping and add to cheesecake before you are ready to serve. Refrigerate the topping for best results.

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Notes

• I use a 7″ springform pan for my cheesecakes. If you want to use a 6″ pan, try adding a few minutes to the cooking time since your cheesecake will be slightly thicker.
• You will know that the cheesecake is done because the center of the cheesecake will be set–not runny. A little jiggle is normal as the cheesecake will continue to set up as it cools.
• This recipe does not need lemon juice. The tartness of the yogurt is sufficient and when I tested it with lemon juice, the cheesecake was too tart.

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More healthy Instant Pot desserts!

The post Instant Pot Cheesecake Makeover :: Gluten-Free & Naturally Sweetened appeared first on This Pilgrim Life.

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I have been working up to this post of Instant Pot holiday recipes all week long, eating sweet barbecue meatballs and too much cheesecake, making videos to show you how to make one of my favorite holiday appetizers, and drooling over the weeks of holiday feasts and parties coming up!

I am just so excited to share this list of ideas and recipes to put your Instant Pot to work all season long. Hint: it’s not just for making mashed potatoes! 

Check out the list below and start pinning and planning for your next holiday meal. There are so many great recipes to choose from–and many of them are make-ahead so you can get a LOT of use out of your Instant Pot and make all your friends and family wish they had one too. Just kidding. Kind of.

Before I jump into the recipes, here are five recommendations to make time in the kitchen easier this year: 

1. Pressure cookers! (of course!). I have the Instant Pot 6qt Ultra, the 6qt MAX, and the 8qt DUO PLUS. I also have a Mealthy MultiPot which I love as well! (While I don’t necessarily think everyone needs so many pressure cookers, having more than one comes in handy very often!)
2. Victorinox chef knife. A good knife is one of the BEST things you can have in your kitchen. This one is highly recommended by America’s Test Kitchen (and me). Don’t forget to keep it sharp!
3. Extra Instant Pot stainless insert and sealing rings. Both are certain to come in handy with all the cooking and “baking” you’ll be doing.
4. Springform pan. If you haven’t made a cheesecake in your Instant Pot yet, now is the time to jump right in!
5. Mini spatulas. Okay, this one may seem silly, but next to my knife, mini spatulas are one of my favorite kitchen tools and I’m asked about them all the time! I love having several on hand when I’m cooking.

You can shop more of my favorite recommendations for the kitchen, home, & family in my Amazon shop, or shop my favorite Instant Pot accessories. 

Instant Pot Holiday Recipes

I sincerely hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday season, full of great food and better company!!! Remember, it’s not about having the perfect home or the perfect menu– it’s about connecting with those we love and sharing with those in need! (More about practicing low-stress hospitality).

After you check out the list of Instant Pot holiday recipes below, you can find more great recipes in the recipe archives. I’d also love for you to join me on Facebook, Instagram, and/or YouTube!

Getting Ready — Using the Instant Pot to Prep Food

• Make chicken broth.
• Cook sweet potatoes for casserole. (Peel and cube sweet potatoes, then cook on steamer basket for 5 minutes).
• Proof bread for dinner. (One-Hour Focaccia, Whole Wheat Everything Rolls, Whole wheat no-knead bread, Instant Pot Yogurt Whey Dutch Oven Crusty Bread)
• Make pumpkin puree.
• Make hard boiled eggs for deviled eggs. (how-to video)
• Make dulce de leche for pies and treats. (with just milk and sugar, with canned sweetened condensed milk, or dairy free) (how-to video— start @ 15:00)
• Make iced tea.

Before the Feast — Appetizers & Snacks

• ‘Lil Smokies in Homemade Sweet Barbecue Sauce:: This Pilgrim Life
• Everything Dinner Rolls :: This Pilgrim Life
• Spinach & artichoke dip :: This Pilgrim Life
• Chicken wings :: Sweet & Savory Meals
• Butternut squash and apple soup :: This Pilgrim Life
• Deviled Eggs :: Skinny Taste
• Sweet barbecue meatballs :: This Pilgrim Life
• Spiced Cider :: This Pilgrim Life

During the Feast — Main Dishes

• Turkey (Using turkey quarters, or cooking a turkey breast)
• Bone-in ham with maple-honey glaze :: Simple Awesome Cooking
• Ham with Honey Mustard Glaze :: This Pilgrim Life
• Chicken Cacciatore :: This Pilgrim Life (this is not a traditional main, but it IS deliciously tender and flavor chicken thighs with a tasty gravy– perfect for a smaller scale celebration)

During the Feast —  Sides

• Healthy Green Bean Casserole :: This Pilgrim Life
• Mashed potatoes  :: Pinch of Yum
• Dairy-Free Creamed Corn :: Instant Loss
• Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole :: This Pilgrim Life
• Cranberry sauce :: Pressure Cooker Recipes
• Mac’n’cheese :: Pinch of Yum
• Creamiest Ranch Mac & Cheese :: This Pilgrim Life
• Make the gravy and keep it warm
• Collard greens :: This Pilgrim Life (how-to video)
• Cauliflower au gratin :: This Pilgrim Life
• Honey ginger carrots :: This Pilgrim Life (how-to video– start watching @ 12:30)
• Cinnamon apples :: This Pilgrim Life
• Green Beans with Bacon :: Two Sleevers

After the Feast — Sweets and Treats

• Pumpkin pie creme brûlée :: This Pilgrim Life
• Carrot Layer Cake (gluten-free, naturally sweetened) :: This Pilgrim Life
• Healthier cheesecake :: This Pilgrim Life
• Grain-Free Pumpkin Pie :: Instant Loss
• Healthier creme brûlée :: This Pilgrim Life
• Apple brownies with maple cream frosting :: This Pilgrim Life (video)
• Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Dulce de Leche and Pecans :: This Pilgrim Life

Sharing is caring! Help support this blog by pinning and sharing. Thank you!

The post Instant Pot Holiday Recipes :: Prep, Apps, Mains, Sides, & Desserts! appeared first on This Pilgrim Life.

The links below may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small compensation at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure policy here.

I love giving gifts just about as much as I love spending time in the kitchen cooking or baking. I also really love putting together gift guides and thinking about which items deserve a place on a well-curated list.

I’ve put together a list of 30 kitchen gift ideas ideas (plus a few bonus items at the end) that would make great gifts for anyone on your list. Everything on this list is something that I use regularly or can recommend without reservation. 

Use this gift guide for giving or for hinting. (I will be doing a mix of both, too). I recommend pinning it for later, too, because it’s FULL of great ideas you can use all year long.

25 Kitchen Gift Ideas for $25 or Less

FOR THE BAKER…

Set of Mini Spatulas

I HIGHLY recommend one-piece silicon spatulas. I have several, and often use all of them in one day!

Stainless Steel Measuring Cups

I often get comments about my measuring cups in videos. These measuring cups are similar to mine– shallow and sturdy, easy to clean, and will last a lifetime.

Set of Assorted Beeswax Wraps

I have been using beeswax wraps for a few years now. I love them for covering cheese, bread, and even cut vegetables. I use this brand and it lasts for years!

Danish Dough Whisk & Bread Lame

I have this set and love it to use with all my sourdough baking. The lame is the best for easy slashing and scoring.

Silicon Baking Mats

Silicon baking mats are a recent favorite of mine. They are even easier than parchment paper, if you can believe it. I use them for cookies, biscuits, bread, etc.

Victorinox Bread Knife

This bread knife is GREAT. If you don’t already have a quality bread knife, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

3-Cup Stainless Steel Measuring Cup

I love the look of this, but it could also be great for baking with kids (no breaking) or other jobs in the kitchen.

Apple Peeler

This tool peels, slices, and cores apples in seconds. It’s amazingly helpful for making apple pies, cinnamon apples, galettes etc.

Naturally Sweet

If you are interested in learning more about natural sweeteners, and having reliable recipes using them, this cookbook is great.

FOR THE HOME CHEF…

Lodge Cast Iron Griddle

We use this pan almost daily. It’s a great addition to a cast iron collection, or a great introduction to cooking with cast iron.

Victorinox Paring KnivesAll our knives are Victorinox, including this set of paring knives. They are incredibly useful and great quality.

Beautiful Wooden Cooking Spoons

I could live my wooden spoons, but I wouldn’t want to. Like the silicon spatulas, you can’t really have too many. (Someone please get me these).

Garlic Press 

Using fresh garlic makes a huge difference in recipes, and this garlic press makes it EASY to have fresh minced garlic. We’ve had this garlic press for years and it’s still going strong!

Large Bamboo Cutting Board

Cutting boards are so handy, and I use large ones for charcuterie and lunch boards every week. This one even has built in compartments on one side.

Kitchen Scale

A kitchen scale is super helpful for more precise cooking and baking, and is one of those items you never knew you needed…until you really do.

Terracotta Pinch Bowls

Pinch bowls are a great gift idea for the home cook who “has it all”. They’re really handy for prepping ingredients, and work as dip bowls too.

Immersion Blender

I went back and forth for a couple of years before deciding to get an immersion blender, but as soon as I got one, I wished I hadn’t waited so long–especially since it’s so inexpensive!

Digital Thermometer

A good digital thermometer is a must-have for safe, accurate cooking!

FOR THE INSTANT POT FAN…

Strainer Basket

A strainer basket is great for cooking eggs, vegetables, reheating ribs, etc. It’s incredibly helpful for making stock in your Instant Pot too.

Coriningware 1.5QT Round Baking Dish

I use this dish most frequently for pot-in-pot cooking in my Instant Pot. It’s handy for so many things!

Tall Trivets

A pair of stacking trivets are great for pot-in-pot cooking. I use these for several recipes in my cookbook.

Set of RamekinsRamekins have lots of uses around the kitchen, but they are essential for making creme brûlée in the Instant Pot. This is my favorite set. All six ramekins can fit in the 6qt Instant Pot.

Family Meal from Scratch in Your Instant Pot

76 Instant Pot specific recipes from scratch for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and more! This cookbook is a great resource for anyone who loves real food AND their Instant Pot! Get more details here.

FOR THE KIDS IN THE KITCHEN…

Kids Chef Knife

This knife is perfect for little hands who want to help prep ingredients and chop their own apples for an afternoon snack. I often throw it in our picnic basket too.

Lego Molds & Gummy Animals Mold

My kids love these molds for gummies, ice, chocolates, etc.

Ultimate Kids Cookbook & Ultimate Kids’ Baking Book

I love these cookbooks that Tiffany Dahle and her girls have put together are wonderful. They are written FOR kids to use and follow themselves. They are FULL of tips and important things to know for any young cook. Be prepared to hand over the kitchen.

Sharks Waterproof Apron & Fashion Apron

How fun is this shark apron?! And the girls’ apron…Gorgeous!

Cookie Cutter Set

Gift kids with a set of fun cookie cutters to bake and have fun in the kitchen!

FOR THE COFFEE & TEA ENTHUSIASTS…

Stainless Steel French Press

A French Press is an EASY and portable way to make great coffee.

Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Moka Pot 

{currently unavailable, but I can’t bring myself to take it off the list. Hopefully back in stock soon!}

We use this stovetop espresso maker multiple times a day to make our coffee. This is a great gift for anyone who enjoy a good cup of coffee!

Professional Whipped Cream Dispenser

This is on my personal wishlist after seeing Kate from Venison for Dinner use it so often on Instagram!

Handheld Milk Frother

Take your homemade coffee and tea up a notch!

OXO Tea Infused with Lid

This ingenious tea infuser has a lid to keep the tea warm, and then to use as a place to rest the infuser when you remove it from the mug!

2 Liter Stainless Steel Electric Kettle

Speed up the coffee and tea making process with an electric tea kettle. (This is on my list!)

FOR THE DESIGN LOVER…

Printed Tea Towels

I love the design on these tea towels! (There are several others available too). New towels in the kitchen are an easy and inexpensive way to bring in something new and fun periodically.

Linen Tea Towels

As functional as a towel is, it’s still nice to have a collection of pretty tea towels. I replace ours periodically, replacing the stained, dingy towels with fresh ones that make being in the kitchen just a little more pleasant.

Oversized Butcher-Striped Apron

Every kitchen needs an apron on hand, and this classic design works for men or women.

Handcrafted Soaps 

Lots of hand washing goes on in the kitchen. This handmade soap will help keep hands soft.

Bonus Kitchen Gift Ideas ::

These kitchen gift ideas are a little more than $25 (though not much), but are definitely still worth mentioning. We use each of these every single day and I highly recommend them all.

Le Creuset Salt Crock

We keep our salt crock full of kosher salt for cooking and seasoning as meals. I have a yellow one and get so many comments about it!

Market Tote

I love this market tote! How fun to gift this with some yummy goodies inside!

Victorinox Chef Knife

A great knife is one of the first things I recommend to people who say they don’t really enjoy cooking. A sharp, good-quality knife is one of the most important tools to have in the kitchen. I have been using this Victorinox knife for years, after reading a recommendation in America’s Test Kitchen.

Fondue Pot

How fun is this fondue pot?! My kids would love this!

Hand Warmer Mugs

These come in right hand and left hand options, and in a lot of different color combinations. We love ours!

More Gift Guides ::

• Best Toys for Kids 10 and Under: 50 Toys That Last
• Mega List of Outdoor Gift Ideas for All Ages
• Easy Handmade Gift Ideas for All Ages
• Shop Small Gifts for Women
• Unique Gift Ideas for the Person Who “Wants Nothing”

Sharing is caring! Don’t forget to pin and share. Thank you!

The post 30 Kitchen Gift Ideas for $25 or Less appeared first on This Pilgrim Life.