With a creamy filling and crunchy crust, this easy-to-make vegan cheesecake recipe will surely be a hit! It's perfect for a delicious mini dessert.

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This dairy-free alternative to traditional cheesecake is made with plant-based ingredients. The dessert is a great option for vegans or those with lactose intolerance. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, the cheesecake filling delivers the same indulgence as regular cheesecake, minus animal products.
Creating a baked vegan cheesecake is easier than you might think. The key is to use ingredients like vegan cream cheese and yogurt for the filling. You will also need dairy-free crackers for the graham cracker crust.
So why wait? Get ready to indulge in creamy goodness that will leave you wanting more!
Reasons to Love
- Easy to make. You only need a few simple ingredients, an electric mixer, and an oven. With minimal effort, you can whip up a batch in no time.
- Incredibly versatile. When serving, you can customize your mini vegan cheesecake with any topping or filling you like – from fresh fruit to chocolate chips to crushed nuts – so you can always find something new to try.
- Portion control. Each one is a single-serving so you don't have to worry about overindulging
Ingredients
You'll need a handful of vegan specialty products to make this cheesecake. These dairy-free products are generally made with cashew milk, almond milk, coconut milk, coconut cream, or tofu. If your grocery store doesn't carry them, you can check for them at a natural food store or make your own.
Here are the items you'll need to make the recipe:
- dairy-free graham cracker crumbs
- coconut oil or vegan butter
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- vegan yogurt (cashew, almond, coconut milk, or coconut cream based)
- vegan cream cheese (almond, cashew, coconut cream, or coconut milk based)
- sugar (or preferred sweetener)
- vanilla extract
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
The great thing about this easy vegan baked cheesecake recipe is that you don't need a springform pan. The mini desserts are baked in a lined muffin pan.
Mix the graham cracker crumbs, coconut oil, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon in a bowl.
Spoon the mixture into the bottom of the cupcake liners, and press to form the crust of the cheesecakes. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes.
Place vegan cream cheese into a medium mixing bowl.
Add vegan sour cream to the bowl.
Sprinkle in sugar.
Add vanilla extract and blend until creamy.
Top the baked crusts evenly with the filling mixture.
Bake for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and only slightly jiggly.
Variations
If you love cheesecake, you may want to experiment with some simple changes to the recipe. Here are a few different flavor combinations you can try:
- Get Creative with Crusts: Step outside the box and experiment with various crust options. For a delightful crunch, try using crushed nuts instead of the traditional graham cracker base. Or, use gluten-free cookies to cater to those with dietary restrictions.
- Infuse Flavors: Add fruit puree or extracts to elevate your mini cheesecakes. For a burst of fruity goodness, incorporate strawberry puree into the batter or infuse it with the delicate essence of almond extract.
- Indulge in Decadence: Swirl in melted chocolate for a decadent chocolate cheesecake or canned pumpkin and spices for a pumpkin cheesecake flavor. Peanut butter is another delicious option that will add an extra layer of richness and indulgence.
- Garnish Galore: Top each mini cheesecake with an array of garnishes. Fresh berries will add a pop of vibrant color and a burst of freshness. You can also sprinkle some chopped nuts for added texture or top them with shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
With a bit of creativity, you can create the best vegan cheesecake recipe to suit your taste preferences.
Tips
- Have all ingredients at room temperature. Before blending all the ingredients, ensure that they are at room temperature. This allows for better incorporation and ensures a smooth and cohesive mixture.
- Use an electric mixer or food processor to combine the filling ingredients well.
- Grease the muffin tins well if you don't have cupcake liners. This will help prevent sticking and make it easier to remove the mini cheesecakes once they are ready.
- Serve chilled but let them sit. This vegan dessert is best served chilled, allowing its flavors to develop fully. However, before indulging in these delightful treats, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This slight warming will enhance their taste.
Serving suggestions
Adding fresh fruit is one way to serve and garnish a mini vegan cheesecake. Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries work well with the tangy flavor of the filling. Another option is to drizzle a fruit sauce such as raspberry or mango over the top of the cheesecake for added sweetness.
Another suggestion is to add a dollop of non-dairy whipped cream on top. This adds a creamy texture to the dessert and can be topped with chocolate shavings or chopped nuts for added crunch. Alternatively, a cinnamon or cocoa powder sprinkle can add flavor and visual appeal.
Storage
The cheesecake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. To store them, wrap each cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help keep the cakes from drying out and prevent any absorption of odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
If you plan on storing the cakes for longer than five days, it’s best to freeze them. Place the wrapped cakes in an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Related Recipes
If you follow a plant-based eating plan, you may also want to try one of these other vegan recipes.
- Vegan gluten-free oatmeal cookies are another easy to make treat.
- Ratatouille is perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Healthy single-serve cookie bakes up quickly when you want something sweet.
- Mexican rice goes well with a side of black beans.
- Aloo gobi masala is a tasty cauliflower potato curry.
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Recipe
Mini Baked Vegan Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- ¼ cup dairy free graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or vegan butter) melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
Filling
- ⅓ cup vegan plain yogurt
- 4 ounces vegan cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Line 4 sections of a muffin tin with cupcake liners, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, coconut oil, ½ tsp. Vanilla and cinnamon.
- Spoon the mixture into the bottom of cupcake liners, and press to form the crust of the cheesecakes.
- Bake for 5-6 minutes.
- Blend together the filling ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- Fill the cupcake liners evenly with the filling mixture.
- Bake for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and only slightly jiggly.
- Cool to room temperature, and then chill for 1 hour before serving.
Magda
if it's vegan, why call it cheese cake? call things after what they're made of, I.e. coconut oil soy cake. etc.
start normalizing vegetarian/vegan foods. just sayin'
Lisa MarcAurele
It's because those following a vegan eating plan will search for "vegan cheesecake" and not "coconut oil soy cake." The recipe needs to be easily found by those looking for it.
Liz
We had a few friends over so I made these little cheesecakes. So good! they were a hit and no one would have guesssed thyey're vegan!
Katrin
Finally, a vegan cheesecake that tastes AMAZING! My husband asked for seconds. This was such a simple and quick recipe and I'll definitely be making it again.
Erin
Wow! I didn't know baked vegan cheesecake was doable. These were amazing! Everyone loved them.
Jane
I'm going to share this recipe with everyone I know. It is simple and makes such a delicious dish! I don't know what took me so long to try it out!
Jessica
These little cheesecakes were everything I look for in a traditional cheesecake! I'm so glad to find this recipe because I'm no longer able to tolerate dairy. Looking forward to trying many variations.