Two of my favorite desserts come together in this rich, creamy Keto Pecan Pie Cheesecake. And you can cook this delectable dessert in your Instant Pot in a fraction of the time. Oven instructions included too.
Imagine if you combined gooey keto pecan pie with super creamy keto cheesecake. Wouldn’t that be divine? Well, you don’t have to leave that heavenly thought in your imagination anymore!
This Keto Pecan Pie Cheesecake recipe is going to blow your mind. How do I know? Because it totally blew my mind. And let’s be honest… when it comes to low carb dessert recipes, it’s not easy to surprise me.
I expected this one to be good. But it wasn’t until I took that first bite that I realized HOW good. Rich vanilla cheesecake that has a pecan pie layer baked right in. Then you top the whole thing off with keto caramel sauce and toasted pecans.
Did I mention that it’s heavenly?
Why you will love this recipe
Aside from the aforementioned heavenliness of this dessert, you will love it because it doesn’t taste remotely sugar-free or low carb. It has the flavor and texture you’d expect from a conventional cheesecake, without the sugar spike. And only 3.1g carbs per serving!
If you own an Instant Pot, I highly recommend making it that way. Keto Instant Pot Cheesecake is truly amazing. The pressure cooks it in such a way that it becomes both dense and velvety smooth.
But I know not everyone has or wants multiple kitchen gadgets, so I included oven instructions as well. I want everyone to be able to enjoy this Keto Pecan Pie Cheesecake!
Reader Testimonials
“I made this yesterday. My husband wanted a small piece late last night. He took one bite and immediately proclaimed it was delicious. He commented that it was just as good as Cheesecake Factory. That is the highest praise in my book.” — Sharon
“I made this today for friends-giving. It looked like it would be a lot of work but turned out to be pretty simple. Lots of ingredients but I already had all of them in the house. I will make it again for sure. Very good flavor and creamy texture.” — Jess
“I made this for the first time last week. I am pretty new to the keto way of life. I must say this is by far one of my favorite recipes. I took samples to work and gave out. That is where I do all my testing on new recipes. Rave reviews. I am even making one for someone’s Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks so much for sharing. Can not wait to try more!!!” — Suzanne
Ingredients you need
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- Almond flour: I used almond flour for the crust but you could also use pecan flour. It would go very well with this cheesecake!
- Powdered sweetener: Powdered sweetener helps avoid grittiness in the crust and the cheesecake filling. I used Swerve Confectioners.
- Brown sweetener: Swerve Brown makes the pecan pie filling and the caramel topping darker and richer.
- Allulose: A little allulose helps the filling and the topping stay gooey and keeps it from recrystallizing.
- Pecans: Use chopped, toasted pecans in the filling. You can use whole pecans or more chopped pecans on top of the finished cake.
- Cream cheese: Use full fat cream cheese for best results, since reduced fat won’t be as creamy. It also contains fillers that can add carbs.
- Butter: You need butter in the crust, the pecan pie filling, and the caramel topping.
- Whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream helps the consistency of the caramel sauce.
- Eggs: Both the pecan filling and the cheesecake filling take large eggs.
- Pantry staples: Vanilla extract, salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Prepare the crust: Whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture begins to clump together. Press into the bottom and partway up the sides of a 7-inch springform pan. Place in the freezer while making the pecan pie filling.
2. Make pecan filling: Melt the butter with the sweeteners. Whisk until combined and the sweeteners have dissolved, then stir in the extract and heavy whipping cream. Add the egg and continue to cook over low heat until the mixture thicken. Immediately remove from heat and stir in the pecans and salt.
3. Add to the pan: Spread the pecan mixture over the bottom of the crust.
4. Make the cheesecake: Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then beat in the sweetener. Beat in the whipping cream and vanilla extract. Then beat in the egg until just combined. Pour this mixture over the pecan pie filling and spread to the edges.
5. Bake the cheesecake: Wrap the whole pan tightly in foil to keep out any moisture. Cook for 30 minutes on high in an Instant Pot, then let the pressure release naturally. Remove the pan from the pot and let cool, then refrigerate until set.
6. Prepare the topping: In a small saucepan over medium low heat, melt the butter with the sweeteners. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 minute, then stir in the extract and heavy whipping cream. Let cool until slightly thickened. Drizzle over the chilled cheesecake and garnish with toasted pecans.
Expert tips
You don’t have to make the crust go up the sides of the cheesecake. You can do it all on the bottom of the pan, if you prefer. It’s certainly simpler that way!
For the creamiest cheesecake filling, always beat the egg in last! And don’t over-beat the mixture, simply beat until just incorporated.
Other sweeteners: If you don’t have access to allulose or BochaSweet, you can try using xylitol. These three sweeteners will help keep your pecan filling and topping soft and gooey. Without it, you will find that you get some recrystallization.
Oven Baking Method:
- No need to wrap the pan in foil. You may also want to bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes at 325ºF to help it firm up.
- Bake the cheesecake at 300ºF for at least 30 minutes. Check on it every 5 minutes after that. The edges should be set but the center should still jiggle slightly when the pan is shaken.
- Let cool and refrigerate as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baking in the Instant Pot is not only possible, it’s also fun and delicious! I’ve used it for everything from Keto Cinnamon Bread to Sticky Toffee Pudding. And, of course, this delicious Pecan Pie Cheesecake.
Most conventional recipes have ridiculous amounts of carbs. I even saw one that had 99g per slice! But this Keto Pecan Pie Cheesecake has only 4.8g of carbs and 1.7g of fiber. So it has a NET CARB count of 3.1g.
Store this cake in the fridge in a covered container for up to 6 days. It can also be frozen for several months. To freeze, let it cool and chill completely to set properly. Then wrap it up tightly. I recommend waiting to add the topping until you are ready to serve.
Keto Pecan Pie Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
Crust
- ¾ cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoon powdered Swerve Sweetener
- Pinch salt
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
Pecan Pie Filling
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup Swerve Brown
- 2 tablespoon allulose (or BochaSweet)
- 1 teaspoon caramel extract or vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Cheesecake Filling
- 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- 5 tablespoon powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon Swerve Brown
- 1 tablespoon allulose (or BochaSweet)
- ½ teaspoon caramel extract or vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- Whole toasted pecans for garnish
Instructions
Crust:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture begins to clump together.
- Press into the bottom and partway up the sides of a 7-inch springform pan. Place in the freezer while making the pecan pie filling.
Pecan Pie Filling:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the sweeteners. Whisk until combined and the sweeteners have dissolved, then stir in the extract and heavy whipping cream.
- Add the egg and continue to cook over low heat until the mixture thickens (this should only take a minute or so). Immediately remove from heat and stir in the pecans and salt.
- Spread mixture over the bottom of the crust.
Cheesecake Filling:
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then beat in the sweetener. Beat in the whipping cream and vanilla extract, then beat in the egg until just combined.
- Pour this mixture over the pecan pie filling and spread to the edges.
To Bake:
- Wrap the bottom of the springform pan tightly in a large piece of foil. Place a piece of paper towel over the top of the springform pan (not touching the cheesecake) and then wrap foil around the top as well. Your whole pan should be mostly covered in foil to keep out excess moisture.
- Place the rack that came with your Instant Pot or pressure cooker into the bottom. Pour a cup of water into the bottom. Carefully lower the wrapped cheesecake pan onto the rack.
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual mode for 30 minutes on high. Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure to release naturally (do not vent it).
- Lift out the cheesecake and let it cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for 3 or 4 hours, or even overnight.
Topping:
- In a small saucepan over medium low heat, melt the butter with the sweeteners. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 minute, then stir in the extract and heavy whipping cream. Let cool until slightly thickened.
- Drizzle over the chilled cheesecake and garnish with toasted pecans.
Notes
- No need to wrap the pan in foil. You may also want to bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes at 325ºF to help it firm up.
- Bake the cheesecake at 300ºF for at least 30 minutes. Check on it every 5 minutes after that. The edges should be set but the center should still jiggle slightly when the pan is shaken.
- Let cool and refrigerate as directed.
Sherri lamarche says
You are amazing love your books and Pinterest site everything you write and watch all your videos; so will you be working on a keto instant pot book next.? please lol. From Newmarket Ontario Canada ??
Carolyn says
Love that idea!
AMY WEBB says
I made this for Christmas and it was great. I thought I had a 6 inch pan so put it on for 35 minutes. It turns out I have a 7 inch pan so 30 minutes would have been probably more awesome. I find that’s one disadvantage of instant pot is that it’s harder to check for doneness. Definitely a keeper.
CarolynH says
I have a question about the egg in the cheesecake portion. I normally add them until creamy, but I saw on the Facebook IP sites several comments saying you should “just” still them in, not beat them in. Can you clarify for me how you did the egg portion? I want to make this, but don’t want to make it a mess like the samples some showed n their posts.
TIA
Carolyn says
I just beat them until combined…but I didn’t overheat. Once they were combined, I stopped. So I have no idea about any other way of doing it.
SunnySky says
This looks like a yummy replacement for a dessert I enjoyed last night (which did not meet my ‘healthy criteria—LOL. As if, right?)
Do you think xylitol would work vs Swerve or an erythritol-based sweetener?
I adore maple syrup, but understand the moisture from it could make the cheesecake quite unmanageable. Thoughts on either xylitol or even partial maple syrup in this recipe?
Thank you.
Carolyn says
Xylitol should work in the cheesecake itself…not sure how it would fare in the caramel sauce.
Kathy Hopson Holley says
After reading this post, I ordered the Instant Pot and planned to make the cheesecake for Thanksgiving. I ran out of time and didn’t make the cheesecake until Christmas. It was so delicious. We loved the combination of the pecan pie filling, cheesecake, and the caramel topping. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Carolyn says
Glad to hear it!
Carol says
Caroline, I’ve read that paper towels have chemicals that could get into the cake. Is there any alternative that would work?
Carolyn says
I am quite certain that there are plenty of all natural paper towels you can use. Whole Foods probably carries some.
Amy says
I just made this and LOVED it! A very close second to your brownie cheesecake!
Leah says
Do you think this would work using a silicone round cake pan? I dont have a springform pan…..
Carolyn says
I don’t know. I don’t own that kind of pan so it’s tough for me to say….
Tracey says
I have made this 3 times for family gatherings. It has been met with raving reviews. I have an 8 qt ip and an 8″ springform. I did follow the recipe as written. My crust was just on the bottom of the pan but must say other than that (haven’t wanted to adjust it to throw off the calculations) it is by far my favorite cheesecake keto or not.
Sara says
Followed this recipe exactly and it didn’t get done at all 🙁 Smelled great. Had to put it in the oven to finish. Maybe something is wrong with my instant pot.
Carolyn says
Oh dear, I am sorry to hear it. it’s turned out well for most folks so I have to think something went wrong…
Anitra Lauro says
Amazing. I made it once for Thanksgiving and again today. You would never know it was low carb! My father loved it and doesn’t like “diet” food. Thank you!!
Lori says
Is there a sub for the sweetener? New to this type of sweeteners, so I have no clue. Local store doesn’t have that and no time to order before Sunday family dinner. Thanks!
Carolyn says
You will need some sort of erythritol-based sweetener for this recipe.
Karen H says
Hi Carolyn! Have you tried this recipe using Lakanto monk fruit blend? They have a golden version too, and I use both the golden and white versions in my kitchen, but wonder how they would work in this recipe. Just curious. Can’t wait to test this recipe!
Carolyn says
It should work fine.
Charissa says
I could kiss you! Just took this out of my IP. Patience is hard! Everything tasted soooooo good as I made it. I cannot wait to try it!
Cynthia Law says
Have you made a video of the lifting in and out of the Instant Pot with the cheesecake? I have a small pressure cooker (not Instant Pot) and would like to see the mechanics of the process. Did you make one already and I missed it?
Carolyn says
I had enough room on either side to lift it out but many recipes have you make a tin foil sling. Like this https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-get-a-pan-out-of-the-pressure-cooker/
Ebony says
Firstly Carolyn, you are a truly gifted culinary artist. God bless you for sharing your passion and creativity with the rest of us! Your dedication and hard work are inspiring! Secondly, I plan to make this soon. Since I only have Sukrin fiber syrup (the dark kind), might I be able to use it in place of Yacon syrup? Thank you again for everything. You really do make this world a better place.
Carolyn says
Yes, the sukrin syrup will work well.
Ree says
How would you prepare this “without” an insta pot?
Carolyn says
Read the comments, a lot of folks had great tips!
Stacy Hansen says
I’m hoping to make this cheesecake for Thanksgiving but will be making it in the oven. I’m trying to figure out how to make this work. I’m assuming that by following the brownie cheesecake recipe, you are saying to prebake the crust. But, what about the pecan pie layer? Does that get added to the crust after the crust has baked and then they both are baked together? And then, after that the cheesecake layer gets added and everything is baked again?
Thanks in advance for any clarification!! Looks amazing!
Carolyn says
Pecan layer only cooks along with the cheesecake part so don’t bake it first.
Stacy Hansen says
Thank you!! I would have done it wrong…
Sherri M Gust says
Just bought your cookbook and saved your website as a favorite. I want to know if you can come up with a pretty slight variation of this that is like the Cheesecake Factory’s pumpkin pecan for Thanksgiving https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/desserts/cheesecakes/pumpkin-pecan-cheesecake/ Thanks
Carolyn says
Thank you! I do have a pumpkin cheesecake recipe already and it has a pecan crust so this might help! https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/pumpkin-bourbon-cheesecake-with-spiced-pecan-crust-low-carb-and-gluten-free/
Terri B says
Oh my goodness, this turned out so good! I was worried because the center was a little jiggly (as someone else posted) but after refrigerating over night, it is perfect. I may use a little less sweetener next time, but that’s just me. Hubby loved it too. Not having the crust up the sides of the pan was not an issue, as you thought. The 7″ size is perfect! Pecan Pie and Cheesecake are probably my two favorite desserts, so this is a match made in heaven. What a fun way to use my Pressure Cooker! Thanks Carolyn. I posted some pictures on Instagram.
Carolyn says
So glad it worked out!
Terri B says
Mine is in my pressure cooker right now! I missed the part where I needed to spread the crust all the way up the sides of the pan. Oops. Not sure what I’ll have when it’s done. Also not sure if my pecan filling got thick enough, but I cooked it for 2 minutes. We’ll see. I’ll let you know. Very excited about this.
Carolyn says
I think the sides won’t be an issue. IN fact, I found the crust on the sides a bit useless and kind of wished I’d just done it into the bottom of the pan.
Terri says
Good to know! Hard to wait overnight, but wait I shall.