Crustless Quiche - Love and Lemons (2024)

No time to fuss with crust? You'll love this easy crustless quiche! Filled with broccoli and cheese, it's healthy, satisfying, and delicious for any meal.

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This crustless quiche recipe is for those of us (ahem, me) who love quiche but don’t love making pie crust. Like a classic quiche, it’s flavorful and satisfying, the rich egg custard studded with broccoli, herbs, and cheese. But without a crust to fuss with, it’s SO much easier to make!

This crustless quiche is the perfect simple-yet-special dish for the hectic holiday season. Serve it for brunch alongside fresh fruit and mimosas, or make it for an easy weeknight dinner. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, warm them up for a healthy breakfast or lunch the next day. You’ll love having this versatile recipe in your back pocket!

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What is the difference between a crustless quiche and a frittata?

Great question! Traditionally, quiche is a savory egg custard tart or pie—yes, with a crust. The famous bacon, cheese, and onion quiche Lorraine originated in northeast France with influence from neighboring Germany.

A frittata, on the other hand, is a classic Italian egg dish. Itdoesn’thave a crust.

So, if you make a quiche without a crust, is it any different from a frittata?

Yes! This crustless quiche recipe and my frittata recipe differ in two key ways:

  • Milk to egg ratio. Quiche recipes typically call for a higher milk to egg ratio than frittata recipes do. For reference, when I make a frittata, I use 8 eggs and 1/4 cup milk. When I make this crustless quiche, I use 6 eggs and 1/2 cup milk. Some quiche recipes call for even more milk or cream!
  • Cooking method. Frittatas aretypically cooked in a skillet. The eggs start cooking on the stovetop and finish in the oven. In a crustless quiche, the eggs bake entirely in the oven.

Crustless Quiche Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this crustless quiche recipe:

  • Eggs and unsweetened almond milk – They create the egg custard. Feel free to swap out the almond milk for 2% or whole milk if you prefer.
  • Shallots – They infuse the crustless quiche with savory, umami flavor.
  • Broccoli – It adds satisfying texture to the delicate egg custard.
  • Gruyere cheese – For rich, nutty flavor.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil –For greasing the pie dish and sautéing the vegetables.
  • Fresh herbs – They add depth of flavor to this simple recipe. Take your pick between thyme or chives. The thyme is citrusy and earthy. The chives are fresh and oniony.
  • And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

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How to Make Crustless Quiche

This crustless quiche recipe is easy to make!

Start by whisking the eggs.Crack them into a large bowl and beat them with the milk, salt, and pepper until no streaks of egg white remain.

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Next, cook the veggies.Sauté the shallots over medium heat until they soften, about 4 minutes. Then, add the broccoli and water and cook, stirring, until the water evaporates and the broccoli is bright green, another 4 minutes or so. You want the broccoli to just lose its raw bite.

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You’re ready to assemble the crustless quiche.Lightly oil a 9- or 9.5-inch pie plate and evenly spread the vegetables on the bottom. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.

Pour in the egg mixture. I like to gently shake the pie pan to distribute the eggs and remove any air bubbles. Finally, top with the thyme or chives!

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Bake the crustless quiche at 350°Ffor 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the eggs are set. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve!

Tip

Wondering what to serve with crustless quiche?This recipe pairs nicely with a green salad for lunch or dinner. For a simple breakfast, serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad and toast.

Recipe Variations

I love this crustless quiche recipe as written, but it works well with a variety of add-ins. Feel free to change it up to suit your tastes or use what you have on hand. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Toss in other veggies. Replace the broccoli with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or asparagus. Roasted butternut squash would be delicious too!
  • Change the cheese. Use cheddar, feta, or Swiss cheese instead of Gruyere.
  • Swap the herbs.Not feeling thyme or chives? Add tarragon, basil, or chopped fresh rosemary instead.

Let me know what variations you try!

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Storage

Store leftover crustless quiche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

It also freezes well. Allow the quiche to cool completely before sealing it in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More Favorite Brunch Recipes

If you love this crustless quiche, try one of these delicious brunch recipes next:

  • Spinach Quiche
  • How to Make a Frittata
  • Breakfast Egg Muffins
  • How to Make an Omelette
  • Baked Eggs
  • Scrambled Eggs
  • Best Shakshuka
  • Or any of these 51 Best Brunch Recipes!

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Crustless Quiche

rate this recipe:

5 from 42 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Serves 6 to 8

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This crustless quiche recipe is just as delicious as a classic one, but it's so much simpler to make! Serve it with a green salad and fresh fruit for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Gluten-free.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch or 9.5-inch pie dish.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and several grinds of pepper.

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the broccoli and water and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the broccoli is bright green and has just lost its raw bite.

  • Transfer the vegetables to the prepared pie dish and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the cheese evenly on top. Pour in the egg mixture and gently shake the pan to distribute. Sprinkle with the thyme and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the eggs are set.

Crustless Quiche - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a frittata and a crustless quiche? ›

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. Some frittatas are made with egg whites only.

Why is my crustless quiche soggy? ›

If your quiche appears too watery to serve it could be because it was overbaked or underbaked, the egg to dairy ratio was not correct, the ingredients have too much liquid or it was baked on the wrong rack in the oven.

Which is healthier, frittata or quiche? ›

A: A frittata is generally considered healthier because it doesn't have the extra carbs and calories that a quiche has due to its crust.

Is crustless quiche just an omelette? ›

A crustless quiche is quite simply baked eggs and literally anything else you want to throw in. Like so many of our classic heroes, the easy egg bake of a crustless quiche goes by many names: egg bake, egg casserole, oven omelet.

How long does crustless quiche last in fridge? ›

TO STORE: Refrigerate quiche in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a pie dish in the oven at 350 degrees F. TO FREEZE: You can freeze a crustless quiche.

What is another name for a crustless quiche? ›

WHAT IS A FRITTATA? Frittatas are Italian in origin and can be described as a cross between an omelet and a crustless quiche. Frittatas take less time to make than quiche or strata.

How do you keep the bottom crust of a quiche from getting soggy? ›

Brush the Bottom with Corn Syrup or Egg White

Coating the inside surface of the bottom crust will create a barrier to prevent sogginess.

What is the ratio of milk to eggs in a quiche? ›

What Is the Best Eggs-to-Dairy Ratio for Quiche? The ratio maintains your custard's consistency. A good quiche custard typically features: 1 large egg to 1/2 cups of dairy.

Should you beat eggs for quiche? ›

Overview: How to Make Quiche

Prepare Add-Ins – This includes cooking meats and vegetables, shredding cheese, etc. Combine Eggs & Milk/Cream – Beat together, then whisk in the add-ins. Bake – Pour filling into crust and bake until just about set, at least 45 minutes.

Is it OK to eat quiche everyday? ›

Is quiche healthy? Quiche is bad news when it comes to a healthy diet. It's usually made with cheese and cream in the filling as well as butter in the pastry case, so it's often high in saturated fat and calories. Ingredients like bacon will add salt and more saturated fat.

How do you keep 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.

Is quiche okay for weight loss? ›

Crustless quiches are a good way to control fat and calorie intake. If you don't want to skip the crust, make your own rather than buying one because this allows you to control ingredients. Using mostly egg whites and just a couple of yolks is a good way to keep your quiche healthy.

Can I substitute yogurt for milk in quiche? ›

I love using yogurt because it gives it an extra bit of tang and some richness. I use Greek yogurt because regular yogurt has too much liquid. If you don't have yogurt, you can substitute it with a cup of cream or half-and-half.

What is an ABC omelette? ›

Avocado, bacon, and mixed cheddar cheese.

Is egg tart the same as quiche? ›

Preparation: A tart crust is pre-baked before adding the filling, and then baked again until the filling is set. A quiche crust is filled with the raw egg mixture, and then baked until the custard is cooked. Serving: A tart is usually served cold or at room temperature, and can be eaten as a dessert or a snack.

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

While it's similar to an omelet, crustless quiche, and Spanish tortilla, the way a frittata is cooked is what sets it apart. Frittatas are generally thicker than omelets. A frittata is made with the exact same ingredients as an omelet, but here, the milk, or more preferably, cream, is crucial.

What defines a frittata? ›

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'.

What's healthier frittata or omelette? ›

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.

Is a frittata the same as a Spanish omelette? ›

Frittata can be made with virtually any set of veggies and eggs (spinach frittata is one I make often), while a Spanish omelette is made of: eggs, potatoes, onions, olive oil, and a dash of salt (I add a pinch of sweet paprika, but that is just my personal preference).

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