100% Carnivore Mini Cheesecake Bites
While on a trip to Hawaii, my husband was hit with a serious craving for cheesecake. Since staying strictly animal-based while traveling is a non-negotiable for us, I decided to whip up a quick, single-serve dessert right in our vacation rental using my favorite travel companion—my air fryer!
These mini cheesecake bites are rich, tangy, and impossibly smooth. The secret to that authentic, multi-layered cheesecake flavor is combining softened cream cheese with a splash of plain yogurt (or sour cream), which adds a light, bright acidity. To solve the classic carnivore “crust” problem, you can press a high-fat Carnivore Bar into your mini baking cups, or make a custom caramelized “cookie crumble” by browning milk powder in melted butter.
Whether you pop them in an air fryer set inside a small oven-safe bowl to keep their shape or bake them in batches, these are the ultimate make-ahead sweet treat. We keep a batch stored in the freezer for when island cravings strike—just thaw them overnight and serve chilled with a side of cold butter!
100% Carnivore Mini Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
- Cheesecake Batter:
- 8 oz 225g cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 raw egg room temperature (pre-whisked)
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tbsp sweetener of choice such as allulose (Optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract Optional
- Crust Options:
- Option A Quickest: 1 Carnivore Bar (malleable, high-fat bar pressed into the bottom of paper/silicone cups)
- Option B Homemade Crumble: 2 sticks unsalted butter + 1 1/3 cups skim milk powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, spread and soften the room-temperature cream cheese with a spatula until smooth.
- Mix in the sweetener and vanilla extract (if using).
- Fold in 2 tablespoons of yogurt to add lightness and depth of flavor.
- Pour in the pre-whisked egg and mix until the batter is silky, creamy, and completely lump-free.
- Prepare the Crust:Carnivore Bar Method: Tear off small pieces of a Carnivore Bar and press them firmly into the bottom of your mini baking cups.
- Milk Powder Crumble Method (Pan or Air Fryer): Melt 2 sticks of butter over low heat. Pour 1 1/3 cups of skim milk powder directly over the melted butter without mixing, and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes to absorb and brown. Once a caramelized bottom layer forms, break it into crumble pieces. Drain residual fat before using as a base. (Air Fryer Alternative: Cook butter and milk powder at 350°F (177°C) in 10-minute increments, stirring until golden and dry).
- Assemble & Cook
- Scoop roughly 1 tablespoon of batter into each mini crust-lined cup.
- (Pro-Tip for Shape): To prevent soft mini paper cups from collapsing, nestle 5 cups closely together inside a small, round, oven-safe ceramic bowl.
- Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 12 minutes until the tops turn a light golden brown.
- Chill & Serve
- Transfer the cooked bites to a plate or container and place them immediately into the refrigerator or freezer.
- Allow them to chill thoroughly before serving—these bites taste best served ice-cold!
