Air Fryer Creamy Cheesecakes

What is Syrniki?

Syrniki is a type of Russian pancake (or a small cheesecake) made from Farmer’s cheese (or cream cheese), eggs, flour, and sugar. They are usually served for breakfast or as a snack and can be topped with fruit, jam, or sour cream.

Traditionally Syrniki are pan-fried in lots of butter (or oil) until golden brown. It’s delicious, however, soaked in grease.

I gave Syrniki an air fryer run, which resulted in easy creamy cheesecakes, surrounded by an appetizing caramelized crispy crust. And it’s easier and healthier than the traditional version. My kids were obsessed! Plus no babysitting by the hot grease-splattering stove.

How to Make Creamy Cheesecakes (Syrniki) in the Air Fryer

Please find the detailed instructions along with the ingredient list in the recipe card below

I’m using cream cheese for this recipe.

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C)

Mix: To make the syrniki, mix together the cream cheese, egg, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Here I’m using 2 tablespoons of Semolina, which is optional. I love how it gives a bit of coarse texture. If you don’t have Semolina, you can use an extra tablespoon of flour. (Pictures 1 and 2).

Make a patty: Divide the dough into 6 even parts. Using your hands, shape the mixture into a medium ¾ inch thick patties. If the dough is too sticky, pat it lightly in the flour. (Picture 3). Or scoop the mixture using a spoon directly onto the parchment paper. (Picture 4). Then spritz them with the cooking spray. I’m using Ghee butter spray.

Air fry: Place the patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

Serve: Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired and serve with fruit or jam.

What kind of Cheese to Use for Air Fryer Syrniki?

There are a few different types of cheese that can be used. Some of the most popular options include ricotta, cottage cheese, and farmer’s cheese. All of these cheeses have a fairly neutral flavor, which allows the sweetness of the syrniki to shine through.

In terms of texture, ricotta is the smoothest of the three kinds of cheese, while cottage cheese has a slightly grainy texture.

Farmer’s cheese is somewhere in between, with a fluffy texture that is similar to ricotta.

Can I make these Creamy Cheesecakes Low-carb or Keto-friendly?

Fortunately, there are a few simple substitutions that you can make to create a delicious and keto-friendly version of syrniki.

First, replace the flour with almond flour. This will give the syrniki a slightly different texture, but the flavor will be just as good.

Second, sweeten the syrniki with stevia or erythritol instead of sugar. These substitutes will not raise blood sugar levels, making them an ideal choice for those on a ketogenic diet. I’m using Monkfruit sweetener.

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