Easy Italian Frittata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How does the frittata get its fluffy texture? ›

The Italian word frittata derives from friggere and roughly means 'fried'. This was originally a general term for cooking eggs in a frying pan (or skillet in the US), anywhere on the spectrum from fried egg, through conventional omelette, to an Italian version of the Spanish omelette, made with fried potato.

Use a cast-iron skillet.

I like to use an enameled cast iron skillet, which does not require any pre-seasoning. If you don't have a skillet, go make this breakfast casserole recipe instead.

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!

Go for high moisture cheeses

According to Cheese Science, high moisture cheeses like mozzarella and smoked Gouda are great melting cheeses that give frittatas their desired texture. Meanwhile, a low moisture cheese like Parmesan won't melt in the oven, especially when it's surrounded by a mixture of eggs.

Adding a bit of dairy, whether it's cream or thick yogurt, is essential for getting the moisture and creaminess of the frittata just right. For every dozen eggs, use a half cup of dairy. It can be cream, whole milk, sour cream, yogurt, crème fraîche, even cottage cheese.

It's made using eggs, cheese, and vegetables and/or meat of your choice. And there's an abundance of great frittata recipes you can try. Popular ingredients include potatoes, peppers, broccoli, bacon, prosciutto, salmon, and various cheeses like ricotta, parmesan, or mozzarella.

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.

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.

The solution is to partially cook the frittata on the stove. To prevent the bottom from burning on the stovetop, give the frittata a few stirs until you can see some large curds of egg and it starts to turn opaque, but it's still wet enough to flatten off the top.

How do you keep frittata from burning on the bottom? ›

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.

When cooking a frittata, it's always a good idea to add dairy, specifically whole milk. Dairy isn't absolutely required to make a frittata, but if you want an ideal creamy consistency, you should add it. If milk isn't your style, you can even add yogurt to your frittata recipe to thicken it.

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.

Replace cover on the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the egg is lightly browned on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip the frittata and cook until the bottom is again lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes more.

One reason your frittata is soggy, is that an ingredient you used had water or other liquid that was released when cooking the frittata. One solution, is to drain all ingredients first before mixing, or to reheat the ingredients seperately, until the liquid is removed.

How to Make a Fluffy Omelet. Whisk egg yolks, melted butter, and salt together in bowl. Place egg whites in bowl of stand mixer and sprinkle cream of tartar over surface. Fit stand mixer with whisk and whip egg whites on medium-low speed until foamy.

The main way to make cakes fluffy is to incorporate air. This can be done by beating the egg whites separately from the yolks and incorporating them carefully into the batter. Like that, you retain the air bubbles created while beating the egg whites and your cake is fluffier.

This is the key to making fluffy omelettes, just whisk the egg yolk and egg white separately. This helps in giving that perfect restaurant-like texture to the homemade omelettes. Also make sure you whisk the egg portions in a way that they turn frothy, this will add on the fluffiness of the omelettes.