How to Make a Perfect Frittata (2024)

FAQs

What is the frittata ratio to memorize? ›

The answer is a ratio. For every six eggs, use 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup cheese, and 2 cups total of vegetables and/or meat. This will get you a frittata with a hearty filling — especially if you're using something like potatoes and bacon — and a creamy egg custard shot through with the tang of cheese.

Tips for Fluffy Eggs

Don't overcook! Overcooking eggs makes them rubbery. When you remove the Frittata from the oven, it will continue to cook, especially if you are using cast iron, which retains heat well. You do want it to be set and not liquidy, but keep this in mind so you keep the texture perfect.

A frittata is often called an Italian open-faced omelet. Frittatas are cooked on the stovetop with vegetables on the bottom and finished in the broiler. An omelet is a French dish cooked on the stovetop with vegetables added on top. After the eggs are set, the eggs are folded in half around the filling.

Cook the frittata in the oven just until the centre is no longer wobbly and the edges are golden-brown. If still unsure, place a knife into the centre of the frittata. If raw eggs run out, keep cooking. You want the eggs to be just set as the frittata will keep cooking while it's standing.

If the center is still liquid, you've got to cook longer. If it's almost set, cook the frittata a few more minutes, then remove it. As long as the frittata is still in the hot pan, it will continue to cook. That's why it's important to pull the dish from the oven as soon as it reaches that "set" stage.

Milk: A little bit of milk is added to the eggs in a frittata just to keep them extra light and fluffy. Unlike quiches, which contain a lot of milk or cream to create an egg custard, frittatas use only a small amount of milk and maintain an egg-like texture.

I love to use soft cheeses like goat cheese. Sharp cheddar and Parmesan are delicious as well. You can stir up to one cup of grated or crumbled cheese directly into the egg mixture, or reserve some for topping the frittata.

Pre-seasoning the eggs with salt helps them retain moisture during cooking. Cooking the vegetables in batches gives us more control over their texture. Keeping the cheese in large chunks gives us oozy pockets in the frittata. Flipping the frittata ensures a creamy, dense center.

Use a cast-iron skillet.

The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving.

While often compared to quiche, a frittata is a healthier option because it doesn't have a crust. The benefits are a lot like those of an omelet. At home, you can pile on vegetables and control the amount of oil you use to make it even healthier.

Is a crustless quiche the same as a frittata? ›

The crust: A quiche contains a crust, while a frittata does not. A pastry crust—similar to a standard pie crust— holds the quiche's filling. A frittata, sometimes called a crustless quiche, has no crust, and you can bake it directly in a pan or skillet.

Q: What is a fun fact about frittata? A: The Italian expression 'ho fatto la frittata' (literally “I made a frittata”) means “I made a mess”. It might reference the number of eggs you need to break in order to make this breakfast dish.

Add olive oil to grease – this will stop frittata from sticking. Add frittata mixture to the pan.

Tough vegetables like potatoes, squash and onions need to be pre-cooked since they will not have time enough to soften before the eggs are done. Raw meats such as bacon and sausage also need more time and heat to cook through safely, so get them prepped before your other ingredients.

When you pour in your eggs, let the frittata set for a couple of minutes on the stovetop. Then keep an eye on it when it's in the oven, and take it out when it's still a touch jiggly—not quite creme brulee-level jiggly, but when the top is a still a tiny bit shaky, get that frittata out of the oven and serve it warm.

If you apply too much direct heat, the egg will overcook, causing the sauce to break and curdle. Over-boiling an egg is another common mistake. Going a few minutes too long will draw out the iron and sulfur, turning the yolk into a nasty grey color with a green ring.

To make scrambled eggs for two, you'll need 4 to 6 eggs, 4 to 6 tablespoons of milk (figure 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg), and salt and pepper to taste. Chopped fresh parsley and other herbs add flavor and visual appeal, but they're completely optional.

When determining how many eggs to use in a frittata, generally egg(s) per person I'd sufficient. 4. Frittatas are typically baked in pastry shells.

A frittata is partially cooked in a skillet on the cooktop then finished in the oven. It also has a lower egg to dairy ratio making it closer to an open faced omelet than a pie. Quiche has a creamier, custard-like texture due to more dairy and is cooked entirely in the oven.