These healthy 3-ingredient no bake cheesecake cups are the ultimate tasty, quick, and easy dessert since they can be prepared in less than 10 minutes! Perfectly sweet, creamy and easily customizable, they’re packed with protein and will be your new favorite way to enjoy cheesecake! {Gluten-free & Vegetarian}
3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake – So Easy & Healthy!
If you’re a fan of cheesecake, but don’t love the idea of turning on a hot oven, then you’ll absolutely love these super easy no-bake 3-ingredient protein cheesecake cups!
Made with Philadelphia cream cheese, Greek yogurt and maple syrup, this healthy no bake cheesecake filling is piled into individual cups or jars and loaded up with your favorite toppings for a super creamy, delicious and lightened up dessert.
The best part is, because this recipe is so simple, you can memorize the ingredients and whip it together in less than 10 minutes with absolutely no cooking or oven required. Aren’t those the best types of desserts?
Whether you make it on a weekday or serve it up for those special occasions, you can’t go wrong with this quick and easy no bake recipe!
For more light and creamy desserts, check out this English Trifle Recipe with Custard and Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip!
Why We Love These 3-Ingredient Protein Cheesecake Cups
- Quick: This is probably the easiest cheesecake you’ll ever make. You only need 3 simple ingredients and it can be prepared in one bowl…with no springform pan or oven required!
- Lightened up: Unlike lots of other cheesecake recipes, this easy no-bake protein cheesecake recipe is made without sour cream, condensed milk, heavy cream or gelatin. Instead, it uses low fat Greek yogurt and cream cheese for a extra protein and a lighter, yet equally creamy and delicious dessert!
- Easily customizable: It’s so easy to spruce up these cups with any of your preferred toppings and add-ins. You can even make each cup a different flavor to suit individual taste preferences. The perfect dessert to serve up at parties or anytime you get a cheesecake craving!
- Naturally sweetened: Maple syrup adds all the sweetness this 3 ingredient cheesecake needs and balances the tanginess of the yogurt and cream cheese perfectly.
Cheesecake vs. No Bake Cheesecake
If you’ve never tried no bake cheesecake, you might be wondering how exactly it differs from regular cheesecake. There are a few key differences!
First off, your classic cheesecake generally consists of a graham cracker crust, cheesecake layer and optional toppings. The cheesecake filling typically has a firmer consistency since the cheesecake is baked in the oven. Similar to no bake cheesecake, you can serve it up with whatever toppings you prefer.
No bake cheesecake, on the other hand, has a softer and creamier consistency and requires no oven or cooking, and is ready in much less time. It’s typically served cold or at room temperature. The creamy filling can be served in a large dish or individual cups or jars either with or without a crust. You can also serve it plain or with additional toppings. Because no heat is required, it’s especially perfect for hot summer days!
Ingredient Notes
- Cream cheese: Provides that classic cheesecake taste and texture. I typically use a brick of reduced fat Philadelphia cream cheese to limit overall saturated fat and calories, but you can use full-fat if preferred for a richer and creamier texture.
- Greek yogurt: Is used to replace your typical sour cream or heavy cream for a ligher, and higher protein option. Use plain low fat Greek yogurt (I typically use one with 0% milk fat, but 2% works great too).
- Maple syrup: Added to sweeten the cheesecake filling. Use 100% pure maple syrup, or sub in sugar-free maple syrup if you prefer a lower sugar and lower carb option.
How to Make Healthy No Bake Cheesecake Cups
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, mix together the cream cheese and maple syrup in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
- Mix in Greek Yogurt and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Evenly distribute the no-bake cheesecake batter between 3 larger cups or 6 small cups or jars.
- Place in fridge for at least an hour to allow the mixture to firm up slightly.
- When ready to serve, top up cream cheese mixture with berries and crushed graham crackers or other desired toppings (see post below for some ideas)!
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable no-bake cheesecake recipe!
Recipe Tips:
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing it to make it easier to blend. This will result in a creamier texture.
- Dairy products with a higher fat content will produce a creamier cheesecake filling, with a thicker texture. You can use a higher fat percentage cream cheese and Greek yogurt if you want the cheesecake to be creamier, or stick with lower fat if you’re watching your calorie and fat intake. It tastes great either way!
- For best results, store these cups in the fridge for at least an hour after preparing to allow the yogurt cheesecake filling to firm up slightly.
- If making these cups ahead of time, I recommend holding off on adding any toppings until you’re ready to serve to keep the topping ingredients nice and fresh. It tastes better and makes for a nicer presentation!
How to Store
You can store the individual cheesecake cups in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or in mason jars with lids for up to five days.
Recipe FAQs
Generally speaking, you can freeze no bake cheesecake, although keep in mind that the texture may change a bit once thawed. Most no bake cheesecake will freeze well for up to 3 months. Just be sure to cover the mixture tightly or store in an airtight container to prevent potential freezer burn. I haven’t tried freezing these cups yet, so let me know how it turns out if you try it!
The firmness of the cheesecake filling will depend on the recipe you’re following and the ingredients used. Since these cheesecake cups are made without gelatin, they’re softer and creamier than some no-bake and baked cheesecake recipes, but still have that the traditional cheesecake flavor.
If you prefer the mixture to be firmer, use full fat cream cheese and higher fat Greek yogurt, and store the cups in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours.
If I’m making larger cheesecake cups, I prefer to use 7-9 ounce clear plastic or glass cups or mason jars. If making mini cheesecakes, I like to use the smaller 4 ounce mason jars. These work especially well when serving to a larger crowd like at parties or showers and they look super cute too!
Serving Suggestions
You can serve up the yogurt and Philadelphia no bake cheesecake filling in a cup or in a jar. Top with any desired toppings or flavor add-ins as listed below.
You can also make a parfait by layering the creamy cheesecake filling and topping ingredients. The layers look so pretty served up in a clear glass or jar!
No Bake Cheesecake Toppings
This recipe is designed to be very easy and basic so that you can customize the cups according to what you’re feeling!
For the pictures, I sprinkled the mini protein cheesecakes with some graham crackers that I crushed with my fingers and fresh berries, but you can also top them up with any of the following ideas:
- Frozen thawed berries
- Sliced banana
- Shaved white chocolate + raspberries
- Drizzle of peanut butter + sprinkle of chocolate chips
- Strawberry chia jam
- Fresh cherries (or cherry pie filling)
- Crushed cookies (for cookies and cream!)
- Crumbled energy balls (try these no-bake oatmeal balls or protein cookie dough bites)
- Salted caramel sauce
- Chocolate sauce
- Strawberry sauce
- Whipped cream
- Chopped nuts
- Diced peaches
- Diced or pureed mango
- Cooked diced apple + cinnamon
- Mixed fresh fruit
Tip: Feel free to use a combination of toppings for your own creative spin! If you choose to use graham crackers, you can either crush them with your hands or blend the crackers up in the food processor.
Flavor Ideas
You can either serve up the 3-ingredient no bake cheesecake as is (which is delicious on its own!) OR try out any of the following flavor suggestions along with any of the toppings listed above.
Feel free to come up with your own unique flavor combination!
- Vanilla: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling.
- Lemon flavor: Add about a 1/2-1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
- Key Lime: Add 1/2-1 teaspoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon lime zest.
- Orange: Add a bit of freshly squeeze orange juice and zest.
- Peppermint: Add a few drops of peppermint extract.
- Chocolate: Add a couple tablespoons of cocoa powder to the filling for chocolate cheesecake. You can even throw in some chocolate chips or chunks of chocolate for a double chocolate flavor!
- Peanut Butter: Mix in a few tablespoons of natural peanut butter or peanut butter powder to the filling. Top with chocolate for a chocolate peanut butter flavor.
- Pumpkin: Add a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree and a dash of pumpkin spice for pumpkin cheesecake.
Recipe Substitutions
- Use a different liquid sweetener: Try honey or date syrup instead of maple.
- To make keto or low carb: Use sugar-free maple syrup and look for yogurt with the least amount of carbs.
- For low fat: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and 0% plain Greek yogurt.
- For a really high protein dessert: Although these cups already have 13 grams of protein per serving, you can give them even more of a protein boost by mixing in some vanilla protein powder instead of maple syrup.
More Tasty Treats
- Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Crepe Filling
- Mini No Bake Cheesecake {Vegan}
- No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Bites {Vegan}
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites {Vegan}
- Healthy Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Healthy 3-Ingredient No Bake Protein Cheesecake Cups
Ingredients
- 8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese (1 whole brick) at room temperature
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Optional toppings:
- Fresh berries
- Crushed graham crackers
Instructions
- Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, mix together the cream cheese and maple syrup until creamy.
- Mix in Greek Yogurt and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Evenly distribute the no-bake cheesecake mixture between 3 larger cups or 6 small cups or jars.
- Place in fridge for at least an hour to allow the mixture to firm up slightly.
- When ready to serve, top with berries and crushed graham crackers or other desired toppings (see post above for some ideas). Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing it to make it easier to blend. This will result in a creamier texture.
- Dairy products with a higher fat content will produce a creamier cheesecake filling, with a thicker texture. You can use a higher fat percentage cream cheese and Greek yogurt if you want the cheesecake to be creamier, or stick with lower fat if you’re watching your calorie and fat intake. It tastes great either way!
- If making these cups ahead of time, I recommend holding off on adding any toppings until you’re ready to serve to keep the topping ingredients nice and fresh. It tastes better and makes for a nicer presentation!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in July 2022 and was updating in June 2024 to include more helpful tips.
ACTUAL HEAVEN!
IT TASTES LIKE NORMAL CHEESECAKE .
I USED GINGER OAT CRACKERS INSTEAD AND IT WAS SOOO GOOD!
Right?! So glad you loved it! I bet it was delicious with the ginger oat crackers! Thanks so much for your kind review :)
Is it okay to use light and fit vanilla yogurt instead of plain greek yogurt?
You could try it! The consistency might not be as thick and creamy as it would be with the Greek yogurt, but I’m sure it would still taste good. Keep me posted on how it goes if you try it out!
I only found your recipe by chance because I forgot a major ingredient in my grandma recipe, this is probably the best recipe I’ve tried and for the yogurt I used a triple berry flavor with teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Love the addition of the triple berry yogurt and vanilla extract..yum!! So happy you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks so much for returning to leave a rating and review :)