Rich, smooth, and slightly nutty cheesecake with a crunchy base made from cricket flour and biscuits. Perfect for dessert lovers seeking a sustainable and wholesome treat.
Difficulty: Medium
Preparation time: 25 minutes (+ 4h chilling)
Cooking time: 45 minutes (for baked version)
Serves: 8–10 slices
Ingredients:
For the base:
- 120g digestive biscuits (or graham crackers)
- 40g cricket flour
- 60g melted butter
For the filling:
- 500g cream cheese (room temperature)
- 150g Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 150g sugar (or honey for a natural sweetener)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon (optional, for freshness)
For topping (optional):
- Fresh berries, honey drizzle, or fruit compote
Instructions:
Prepare the base:
- Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs, then mix with cricket flour and melted butter.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan (lined with parchment paper).
- Chill in the fridge while preparing the filling.
Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add yogurt, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix until creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each.
Bake (or chill for a no-bake version):
- Baked: Pour filling over the base. Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C for about 45 minutes, until just set in the center. Let cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- No-bake: Skip the eggs. Add 5g of gelatin dissolved in warm water, mix into the filling, and chill for 4–6 hours until firm.
Serve:
Carefully remove from the pan, top with berries or compote, and enjoy your high-protein, sustainable cheesecake.
Tips & Twists:
- Replace digestive biscuits with oat cookies for a rustic base.
- Add cocoa powder to the base for a chocolatey note.
- Mix 1–2 tbsp cricket flour into the filling for a deeper nutty flavor.
- Serve with mango or passion fruit sauce for a tropical twist.
🦗 Try our new cricket-biscuit here – [Link internal]
🌱 Discover more sustainable cheesecake recipes – [Link external]
Why Use Cricket Flour?
Cricket flour is an excellent source of sustainable protein, making it a smart and eco-friendly choice for modern recipes. Packed with essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, it supports muscle growth, boosts energy, and contributes to overall well-being. Unlike traditional protein sources, cricket flour has a minimal environmental impact, requiring less land, water, and feed. Its mild, nutty flavor blends seamlessly into baked goods, snacks, and even savory dishes, adding a nutritional boost without altering taste. Whether you’re an athlete, a health enthusiast, or simply curious, cricket flour is a versatile and forward-thinking ingredient worth exploring.
Back in the 1990s, the idea of eating insects in Europe was more of a joke than a serious proposal. Crickets were associated with faraway countries, not dinner plates in Paris or Berlin. But over the past three decades, attitudes have started to shift.
Driven by environmental concerns and the search for sustainable protein sources, crickets are slowly entering the European food scene. Unlike traditional livestock, they require less water, space, and feed, and they emit far fewer greenhouse gases. That makes them attractive to a generation more conscious of their ecological footprint.
