Easy Frittata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

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.

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.

Since the dish is finished in the oven, you should cook the ingredients in an oven-safe, well-seasoned skillet to make it a one-pan meal. Frittatas wind up with a firmer texture compared to egg bakes, though they're still tender. Unlike egg bakes, frittatas can also be prepared with little to no dairy.

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.

But unlike omelets, egg frittatas can serve a family fast. And unlike most egg recipes, a four-serving frittata cooks all at once without any flipping or fuss. Plus, since there's no crust (like quiches), it makes it a healthier breakfast option.

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.

The word omelet is basic French while the Italians call their version a frittata.

A frittata, on the other hand, doesn't have a crust and contains much less dairy and more eggs, which gives the filling a firmer texture. Unlike a quiche, a frittata is typically made in a skillet on the stovetop, similar to an omelet.

The eggs should be cooked through, not runny and a knife should come out clean when inserted into the centre. You can also give the skillet a gentle shake to determine if it is done; a runny frittata will jiggle when you shake the skillet.

It is important not to cover-cook your oven frittata to achieve light, fluffy, creamy perfection. Cook the frittata until the cheese is melted and the center is set and jiggles ever so slightly – do NOT cook the frittata until the top is golden – a golden exterior means an over-baked interior.

Why is my frittata fluffy? ›

Beat eggs until just blended: Overbeating the eggs invites too much air in to the egg mixture. As the frittata bakes, the eggs will expand and puff up. That can leave them with a spongy texture that's dry and unappealing. You want to combine the eggs well, but stop once everything is fully incorporated.

Summer pisto frittata

Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas 7. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Whisk together and put to one side. Add the peas, broad beans and a good pinch of salt to a pestle and mortar, then pick in the mint leaves and bash to a rough paste.

Too much time on the stovetop, or too high of a flame, and the frittata will easily get too much color or burn on the bottom. Follow this tip: Cook the frittata on the stovetop, keeping the heat at medium-low to low, just until the edges have set, which takes about a few minutes.

This also holds true for aromatics, like onions, and sturdy veggies, like raw potatoes. "They won't get much more tender once you add the beaten eggs," says Perry, "So cook them fully before combining everything." Don't be afraid of getting a little color on the vegetables: That's what makes them so delicious!

I keep a lower heat to try to keep the bottom from burning. I strongly suggest using a nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron pan (I LOVE this pan - crisps, frittatas, casseroles, the best)…or the whole thing can be baked in a well greased, oven-proof dish.

Origin: Frittata is an Italian dish whereas quiche is a French dish. Crust: A quiche has crust while a frittata does not. Sometimes, quiche is baked without crust. Base Ingredients: While both frittatas and quiches are made with eggs, quiche is made with an egg custard, which also includes cream or milk.

Frittatas make great use of leftovers, cook up in 15 minutes and are mealtime-agnostic: they don't feel out of place at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any snack time in between. Plus, if you have leftovers, frittatas reheat quite well, making them a double leftover combo.

Frittata is an egg-based Italian dish similar to an omelette or crustless quiche or scrambled eggs, enriched with additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, or vegetables. The word frittata is Italian and roughly translates to 'fried'.

History of Frittata

The frittata originates from the Mediterranean region, and a very similar dish with eggs, cheese, and vegetables was known in ancient Rome. All the efforts of tracing this dish to a particular Italian region defies attempts, as it is popular all over Italy.