15 Cheesecake Crusts That Don't Feature Graham Crackers
Cheesecake is such a delectable dessert, and making your own can be very rewarding — and tasty! Many cheesecake crust recipes feature graham crackers. They're a little sweet, easy to find at the grocery store, and relatively easy to work with. Graham crackers can also offer a subtle, yet enjoyable, complement to different cheesecake flavors.
However, we all desire a little change every now and then. You might be looking for something a little more exciting than a traditional graham cracker crust to elevate your next homemade cheesecake. Or, perhaps, you're already in the middle of making a recipe and just realized that you don't have any graham crackers left in your pantry. Whatever your reasons for looking for graham cracker alternatives for a cheesecake crust, you're in the right place. Browse through the ideas below to find some inspiration for a crust that will really take your cheesecake to the next level. Keep an open mind — some of these ideas may be a bit surprising, but paired with the right cheesecake fillings, they're certain to wow a crowd.
1. Oreo crust
When it comes to the best substitutions for a graham cracker crust, you really can't beat Oreo cookies. This crust pairs beautifully with many different cheesecake varieties, including chocolate mousse cheesecake, peanut butter cheesecake, and, of course, cookies and cream cheesecake. While you can often find pre-made Oreo crusts at the supermarket, making your own is easier than you might think. Plus, it will taste better made fresh, and you'll be able to customize the size to fit the cheesecake recipe you're making.
When making an Oreo crust, use regular Oreos. (Avoid the Double Stuf variety because the crust won't turn out as well with the extra cream.) Grind the Oreos either by hand with a rolling pin or in your food processor. You want the crumbs to be pretty tiny in order for them to bind together well. Mix in melted butter and use your hands to press the crumbly and chocolatey mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a pie pan or baking dish. Bake the crust for about 12 minutes (give or take depending on your oven) for no-bake fillings. If the recipe you're making requires baking, pre-bake the crust for approximately 8 minutes before adding the filling and baking more.
2. Pretzel crust
Just imagine how delightful a slightly salty pretzel crust could taste when paired with a caramel cheesecake, peanut butter cheesecake, or even a traditional cheesecake recipe. Is your mouth watering yet? Well, you don't have to simply imagine these fantastic flavor combinations; you can make them a reality by baking your own pretzel cheesecake crust.
To make your own pretzel crust for a cheesecake recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients: pretzels, butter, and brown sugar. Crush the pretzels in a plastic bag with a rolling pin or grind them in a food processor. Add the tiny pretzel bits to a bowl and mix them together with melted butter and a little brown sugar. Once the mixture is well-combined, use your fingers to press it into a baking dish. Let it bake for a few minutes, exactly how long depending on whether you're making a no-bake cheesecake or one that will need to be baked in the oven.
3. Coconut crust
A coconut crust can be the perfect complement to a light and airy cheesecake to enjoy on a warm summer day — the coconut flavor will elicit feelings of sunshine and happiness. There are so many filling flavor options to consider, but some that you might want to try include raspberry cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake, banana cheesecake, or caramel cheesecake. Even a simple vanilla cheesecake will really bring out more of the coconut flavor. Coconut is also keto-approved, so you could even use it to help you whip up a keto-friendly cheesecake.
For this recipe, you'll want to use desiccated coconut (flaked and dried). Combine it with melted butter, egg whites, and a little bit of sugar or a sweetener of your choice. Before spreading over your springform pan or pie dish, use coconut oil to grease the pan. Then, press the coconut into the pan and press it along the sides. You may have better success removing the slices of cheesecake if you place a layer of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan before adding in the crust ingredients. Bake the crust until the coconut turns golden brown, which should take about 20 minutes. If you'll be continuing to bake the rest of the cheesecake recipe, only bake the coconut crust for about 10 minutes.
4. Rolled oat crust
You may have rolled oats sitting in your pantry right now. While oatmeal may be seen primarily as a breakfast food, we all know that it can be used to make some pretty scrumptious desserts, including cookies, bars, and cakes. What you may not have considered, though, is that you can also use rolled oats to make a cheesecake crust. Each bite of the cheesecake will be like eating a delectably topped oatmeal cookie. It doesn't get much better than that.
You'll need some rolled oats, melted butter, and brown sugar. Simply mix the three ingredients until they're well incorporated and spread them over the base and sides of a springform pan or pie dish. Bake until light brown and then fill with your favorite cheesecake recipe. You could even give the crust's flavor a little twist by adding in some coconut. Some of the best cheesecake fillings to try with this crust include strawberry cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake, and even just a classic cheesecake.
5. Pistachio crust
You can make a restaurant-worthy cheesecake by using pistachios for the crust. The pistachios will deliver a very unique flavor that will leave everyone wanting more. What you choose for the cheesecake's filling can help bring out this flavor even more; some good ideas to try include strawberry or raspberry cheesecake, a classic cheesecake with a chocolate drizzle, or a delicate lemon cheesecake. We bet you're already fantasizing about some of these delicious concoctions.
As with other cheesecake crust recipes, you will need to finely grind the pistachios. Otherwise, they won't bind together properly, and you'll end up with a crumbly mess. (It'll still taste yummy, though.) Add in a small amount of granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, and melted butter. Mix well to combine. Spread the mixture over the base of your pie or baking pan. Bake for seven to eight minutes and fill with your desired cheesecake recipe.
6. Gingersnap cookie crust
Planning an autumn gathering and looking to serve cheesecake to your guests? Wow them with a gingersnap cookie crust paired with a pumpkin, apple, or caramel cheesecake. With their hints of sweet and spice, gingersnap cookies deliver a very different flavor profile than you're able to achieve with a standard graham cracker crust. Their taste definitely makes one think about the cooler weather, fall, and the holiday season.
You can bake your gingersnap cookie crust, but this is also a good recipe to try if you're looking for a no-bake option to whip up quickly. Crush the gingersnap cookies and mix in a little sugar and some melted butter. Press the mixture into your baking pan, and voilà, your cheesecake crust is ready to fill and enjoy. If you're planning to make a no-bake cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, just remember that you'll want to find a cream cheese-based recipe.
7. Shortbread crust
Shortbread can help you create a buttery, crumbly, and utterly delicious cheesecake crust. The buttery flavor of shortbread can pair beautifully with a wide range of flavors, making this a very versatile crust option. It will taste amazing with a standard New York cheesecake, but it can also be used to make raspberry cheesecake, coconut cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, and a range of other flavors.
To make a shortbread crust, you'll need flour, powdered sugar, and butter. Cream the softened butter and mix in the flour and powdered sugar. Then, spread the mixture over the base and sides of your baking pan and bake it until it turns golden brown. If you're looking for an even simpler option — that won't require baking — take a bit of a shortcut by using shortbread cookies. Crush the cookies and add a little sugar and some melted butter. Press the ingredients into your pan, and you'll be ready to add your desired cheesecake filling.
8. Almond crust
Almonds are another item you may have sitting in your pantry right now. These nuts are great for snacking or adding over a bowl of cereal or oatmeal. They can also help you make a delightful cheesecake crust. As you can probably imagine, an almond crust will be a good option for so many different cheesecake recipes, such as coconut cheesecake, raspberry cheesecake, and more.
To prevent the crust from burning or sticking to your baking pan, line the bottom with some parchment paper and spray the sides with a little cooking spray. You'll need to finely grind the almonds if you want to have a smooth crust. The best tool to use for this will be a food processor. After the almonds are finely ground, pour them into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt, a little brown sugar, and some melted butter. Stir well and then press the mixture into the pan. Pre-bake the crust if you're making a no-bake filling recipe, or add the filling to bake everything together in the oven.
9. Chocolate chip cookie crust
Chocolate chip cookies are a popular dessert. The crunchy cookie combined with the soft and gooey chocolate chips is a little taste of heaven. Can you imagine how amazing a cheesecake with a chocolate chip cookie crust would taste? Whether you fill it with a plain, peanut butter, caramel, or even fruit-flavored cheesecake, the chocolate chip cookie crust will deliver a pleasurable experience. You could even make a death-by-chocolate cheesecake by choosing a chocolate cheesecake filling and drizzling some chocolate ganache over the top — yum!
There are a few different ways to make a chocolate chip cookie crust. If you want to be quick, you can grab a package of cookies from the grocery store, crush them into fine pieces, and mix the crumbs with some melted butter. Another option is to take your favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie dough recipe and press it down over the base of the baking pan. You may find that it works better to use mini chocolate chips when making the crust, since they'll be a little easier to keep in the right place. Still another option is to buy some ready-to-bake cookie dough and press it over the base of your springform pan. If you go the store-bought cookie route, you won't need to bake the crust, but you will if you use a homemade or a ready-to-bake dough.
10. Ice cream cone crust
Try making a special ice cream sundae cheesecake by using crushed ice cream cones to make the crust. Grind a few waffle cones up in your food processor and then mix them with some melted butter and a little bit of sugar. Press the waffle cone mixture over the base of a baking dish and bake for about 10 minutes. Hold off on baking it all the way if your filling will need to be baked.
Once the crust is ready, fill it with a cream cheese-based cheesecake recipe and top it with some chopped brownie pieces, a sprinkle of peanuts, maraschino cherries, and some whipped cream. You can also break a few waffle cone chunks off to use as a garnish. This recipe can also work really well when made in a muffin tin. Doing so will allow you to make individually sized "sundaes" to serve to friends and family at your next gathering.
11. Animal cracker crust
Shirley Temple's "Animal Crackers in My Soup" is a catchy tune. However, changing the words ever so slightly could help you craft a delicious cheesecake to share or keep to yourself. Simply place some animal crackers in your food processor and finely grind them. Add some melted butter into the food processor and turn it back on for a few seconds to combine the ingredients. Then, place the animal cracker mixture into the base and along the sides of your springform pan or pie dish. Bake it by itself, or fill it with your favorite recipe and bake it all together.
The lightly sweet flavor of the animal crackers will complement many different cheesecake fillings nicely. It could pair well with a strawberry or lemon cheesecake, caramel cheesecake, or even a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. You can stick with the animal crackers theme and use a few animals to garnish the top of the dessert before serving it.
12. Peanut butter cookie crust
You're probably sensing a theme here. Pretty much any cookie can be turned into a scrumptious cheesecake crust. The trick is picking the right cookie flavor to really elevate the overall taste of the cheesecake you want to make. If you've been thinking about making a peanut butter, caramel, or chocolate cheesecake (or some combination of these three flavors), then you can't go wrong by starting with a peanut butter cookie crust.
Grab a pack of peanut butter cookies from the grocery store and crush them up into very fine pieces. Mix in melted butter and press the resulting mixture into your springform pan. You can also make a peanut butter cookie crust using your favorite peanut butter cookie recipe. Simply place it into the springform pan and bake for about 12 minutes before adding your desired filling (or a few minutes fewer if the filling will also need to bake).
13. Brownie crust
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! You can make a delectable cheesecake crust using brownies. And, even better, making a brownie cheesecake crust is no more difficult than mixing up a batch of brownies. Start with your favorite boxed brownie mix and follow the directions on the package. Most mixes call for eggs, oil, and water. After combining and stirring all of the ingredients together, spread the mixture into a greased springform pan or baking dish. Bake until the brownies are cooked through.
Then, just let the crust cool before filling it with a scrumptious no-bake cheesecake recipe. Some of the top ideas to try with a brownie crust include cookies and cream cheesecake, vanilla cheesecake, raspberry cheesecake, and caramel cheesecake. You can even make a chocolate overload cheesecake by adding a chocolate filling and shaved chocolate topping. This cheesecake is sure to disappear quickly at your next get-together — you might even want to double the recipe for a large crowd.
14. Vanilla wafer crust
Vanilla wafers are another store-bought cookie that can be used to make a tasty cheesecake crust. This is also a good recipe to try if you're looking for a no-bake option for days when you want a quick dessert or don't want to deal with turning on the oven. You can probably already guess how to make the crust if you've been paying attention to some of the other recipe ideas shared above. Put the vanilla wafers and a little brown sugar into your food processor. Process until finely ground and well mixed. Then, add some melted butter and turn the food processor back on to combine all of the ingredients together. Press the vanilla wafer mixture into your springform pan and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
After the crust is chilled, you can fill it with your favorite cheesecake filling. Because vanilla wafers are a more subtly flavored cookie, this crust can be paired with lots of different fillings. If you're looking for something lighter, try a lemon, raspberry, or strawberry filling. For something more decadent, opt for a chocolate peanut butter, caramel, or cookies and cream filling.
15. Cereal crust
Cereal isn't just for breakfast anymore. Believe it or not, you can use it to make an incredible cheesecake crust. Take your favorite cereal, grind it up, and mix it with some butter. Depending on how sweet the cereal you chose is, you may also want to add a little sugar. Spread the crust over the bottom of your baking pan and fill with your favorite no-bake filling.
There are so many delectable combinations to try. Some ideas include lime cheesecake with a Fruity Pebbles crust, cinnamon cheesecake with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch crust, honey cheesecake with a Honey Nut Cheerios crust, and chocolate peanut butter cheesecake with a Reese's Puffs crust. Once you try one of these recipe ideas, you'll want to keep experimenting. The possibilities and combinations really are endless. Because Cheerios are gluten free, they can work as a great substitute for cheesecake recipes that call for graham crackers or other ingredients with gluten.