I love a dessert that looks indulgent but comes together in minutes — this No Bake Oreo Cheesecake (Gluten Free) is exactly that. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and holds its shape without an oven, and I’ve made it for potlucks and weeknight treats with consistent success.
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick: No baking means the hands-on time is about 20 minutes and you can chill while you do other things.
- Crowd-pleaser: Rich cream cheese filling and crunchy cookie crust please both kids and adults.
- Gluten-free friendly: Use certified gluten-free sandwich cookies to serve those avoiding gluten without losing flavor.
- Make-ahead convenience: It improves after a day in the fridge, so it’s perfect for parties.
- Personal insight: I love this because it’s forgiving — if the filling is a bit soft at first, extra chilling fixes it and the flavor deepens overnight. Also try this for a fall menu alongside a no-bake pumpkin option I like: no-bake gluten-free pumpkin cheesecake.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Chill time: 4–8 hours (best overnight)
- Total time: 4 hours 20 minutes (or overnight)
- Servings: 8–10 slices (9-inch springform)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Method: Pulse cookies into crumbs, press into a buttered springform, whip cream and fold into sweetened cream cheese, fold in cookie pieces, assemble and chill until set.
My Experience Making This Recipe
I tested this several times to get the texture reliably creamy yet sliceable. The biggest discovery was folding whipped cream in gently and chilling long enough (at least 4 hours) to firm the filling without overwhipping.
How to Make No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe (Gluten Free)
Start by making the crust: pulse 24 gluten-free sandwich cookies (about 300 g) in a food processor to fine crumbs, mix with 6 tablespoons (85 g) melted unsalted butter, press into the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan, and chill 10–15 minutes. For the filling, beat 24 oz (680 g) room-temperature cream cheese with 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Whip 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy cream to medium-stiff peaks and fold one-third at a time into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it. Fold in 1 cup (100 g) chopped gluten-free cookies, pour over the crust, smooth with an offset spatula, and chill 4–8 hours until set. Release the pan sides before slicing; top with extra cookie crumbs or whipped cream if desired.
Equipment notes: use a 9-inch springform for clean removal, a food processor for even crumbs, and a stand or hand mixer for stable whipped cream.
Expert Tips for Success
- Soften cream cheese properly: let it sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes for a lump-free filling. Cold blocks create lumps that are hard to beat out.
- Stabilize whipped cream: chill your bowl and whisk, and stop at medium-stiff peaks so the filling holds shape but still folds smoothly. For extra stability, add 1 tablespoon gelatin (bloomed in 2 tbsp cold water and warmed) or 2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar stabilizer.
- Press crust firmly: use the bottom of a measuring cup to compact crumbs for a firm base that doesn’t crumble when sliced.
- Use certified gluten-free cookies: many sandwich cookies look the same but contain wheat — check the label to keep it safe for guests with celiac.
- Chill long enough: at least 4 hours, ideally overnight; quick-chill in the coldest part of the fridge for best texture.
How to Serve No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe (Gluten Free)
- Serve chilled with a drizzle of chocolate ganache (pour warm ganache and chill 10 minutes) for an elegant finish.
- Add fresh berries or a salted caramel sauce to cut the richness and add color.
- For parties, make mini versions in a muffin tin lined with parchment cups for bite-size desserts.
- Garnish with whole gluten-free sandwich cookies or crushed crumbs for texture and visual appeal.
Storage and Reheating Guide
Store in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze whole or sliced pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm (about 1–2 hours), then wrap each slice in plastic and foil and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving; do not microwave — it ruins texture. If frozen as a whole cheesecake, thaw in the fridge 24 hours for best results.
Recipe Variations
- Dairy-free: use full-fat vegan cream cheese (about 680 g) and unsweetened dairy-free whipped topping; use vegan butter for the crust. Press and chill as usual.
- Lower sugar: reduce powdered sugar to 3/4 cup (90 g) and taste, adding another 2–4 tablespoons only if needed.
- Chocolate lovers: fold 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder into the cream cheese mixture and increase chopped cookies to 1 1/4 cups.
- Mini cheesecakes: make in a lined 12-cup muffin tin — press crust into each cup, use about 2–3 tbsp filling per cup, then chill 3–4 hours.
Nutritional Highlights
- This dessert is high in calcium from cream cheese and cream but also calorie-dense due to butter and cookies — aim for modest slices (1/10 of the cake).
- Allergen info: contains dairy and soy (check cookie label); not suitable for those with tree nut allergies unless cookies are nut-free.
- Gluten-free only if you use certified gluten-free sandwich cookies; always verify label for cross-contact warnings.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Filling too soft after chilling: likely under-whipped or under-chilled; whip the cream a touch stiffer next time and chill overnight. Optionally add 1 tablespoon gelatin (prepared) to stabilize.
- Soggy crust: pressing crumbs firmly and chilling the pan before adding filling helps; don’t use too much butter — about 6 tablespoons is ideal for a 9-inch pan.
- Lumpy filling: cream cheese was too cold — return it to room temp and re-whip, scraping bowl sides to ensure smoothness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this without heavy cream?
A: You can use stabilized whipped topping or whipped aquafaba for a dairy-free option, but the texture will be lighter and slightly less rich. If avoiding cream, ensure your substitute whips to medium-stiff peaks for structure.
Q: How can I prevent the crust from crumbling when slicing?
A: Chill the cheesecake thoroughly (overnight is best). Run a sharp knife under hot water, dry it, then slice with a single clean stroke; wipe the knife between slices.
Q: Is gelatin necessary in a no-bake cheesecake?
A: No — many no-bake cheesecakes set well using whipped cream and chilled cream cheese alone. Gelatin helps on humid days, for warmer serving climates, or if you want a firmer slice for transport.
Q: Can I add whole cookies into the filling without making it gritty?
A: Yes, but chop cookies into 1/4-inch pieces. Fold them in gently at the end to avoid breaking them down into fine crumbs, which can change the texture.
Conclusion
If you want more recipe ideas or inspiration, check out these gluten-free no-bake Oreo cheesecake variations and guides: No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe (Gluten Free) – Flavor Walk, Gluten Free Oreo Cheesecake (No Bake!) – Let Them Eat Gluten …, Ultra Creamy Gluten-Free Oreo Cheesecake (Easy) – Best Recipe!, Gluten-Free Oreo Cheesecake, and Gluten-Free Oreo Cheesecake – Meaningful Eats.
Print
No Bake Oreo Cheesecake (Gluten Free)
A creamy and chocolatey no-bake cheesecake made with gluten-free sandwich cookies, perfect for potlucks and weeknight treats.
- Total Time: 260 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 24 gluten-free sandwich cookies (about 300 g)
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) chopped gluten-free cookies
Instructions
- Pulse the gluten-free sandwich cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs.
- Mix crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan; chill for 10–15 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Whip cold heavy cream to medium-stiff peaks and fold one-third at a time into the cream cheese mixture.
- Fold in chopped gluten-free cookies.
- Pour the mixture over the chilled crust and smooth with an offset spatula.
- Chill for 4–8 hours, ideally overnight, until set.
- Release the sides of the springform pan before slicing. Top with extra cookie crumbs or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Ensure to use certified gluten-free sandwich cookies for the recipe to be truly gluten-free. Chill the cream and mixing bowl for best whipped cream results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free