Air-Frying Quiche: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of dishes beyond chips and chicken wings. One such dish is quiche, which can be made in an air fryer with a variety of fillings and flavours. The cooking time for an air fryer quiche varies depending on the model, but it typically takes around 10 to 35 minutes. The air fryer's ability to cook quiche without heating up the entire kitchen is a significant advantage, making it a convenient option for a quick and easy meal.

Air fryer quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a classic bacon, cheese, and egg flan that can be baked in an air fryer. The recipe makes a modest-sized quiche that can serve four people with side dishes or a substantial salad. The air fryer's intense heat and circulation make the food crisp quickly, and you don't need to heat up your oven for one dish.

Ingredients:

• 150 g (5 ounces) bacon lardons (pancetta pieces)
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsp milk
• 120 ml (½ cup) double cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 150 grams (⅔ cup) grated cheese (cheddar in the pastry and Gruyere in the filling)
• 1 8-inch (20 cm) pie dish

Method:

• Cook the bacon lardons in your air fryer at 180°C/375°F for 6 minutes. You can cook the bacon directly in the air fryer or on a piece of foil/in an oven-proof dish.
• Beat the eggs, milk, and cream in a jug.
• Add the mustard and pepper to the egg mixture.
• Spoon the bacon pieces evenly across the base of the pastry case.
• Sprinkle the grated cheese over the bacon.
• Place the tart tin into the air fryer and pour the egg mixture over the bacon and cheese.
• Bake at 160°C/300°F for 30-35 minutes. Check after 20 minutes and cover with foil if starting to brown.
• Remove the quiche and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the tin and serve warm with potatoes and vegetables or at room temperature with a salad.

You can also make a vegetarian version of the quiche by replacing the bacon with broccoli. Broccoli does not need to be cooked beforehand and can be placed in the dish raw. The quiche can be cooked in the air fryer for 10 minutes, during which the broccoli will be cooked to perfection.

Air fryer mini quiche

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes, including quiche. Here is a recipe for Air Fryer Mini Quiche that is simple, quick, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even as an appetizer.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Milk or heavy cream
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• Vegetables/meat of your choice (e.g. broccoli, spinach, spring onion, ham, or bacon)
• Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or any variety of your choice)
• Mini tart shells or pastry case (optional)

Method:

Start by preparing the filling. In a bowl, crack an egg and whisk it with milk or heavy cream. You can adjust the ratio of egg to milk/cream according to your preference for a lighter or richer quiche. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. If you want to add cheese to the filling, grate it and mix it in now.

Next, prepare your chosen vegetables and/or meat. For vegetables, small pieces or florets work best, ensuring they fit into the mini tart shells. You can use raw or cooked meat, dicing it into small pieces. Common ingredient combinations include broccoli and cheddar, spinach and ricotta, or broccoli, ham, and Swiss cheese.

If you are using mini tart shells, thaw them at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. If you prefer a pastry base, roll out your chosen pastry dough and cut it into circles to fit your mini quiche tins. Blind baking the pastry is recommended, which means baking the empty pastry shell before filling it. This ensures the base cooks properly and gives it a crisp texture.

Now it's time to assemble your mini quiches. Place your desired fillings into the bottom of each mini tart shell or pastry case. Pour the egg mixture over the fillings, ensuring it covers the ingredients. If using cheese, you can also sprinkle some on top.

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Place the mini quiches in the air fryer and cook them for around 9-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model. The quiches are done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.

Air fryer quiche temperature and timing

The ideal temperature and timing for cooking quiche in an air fryer depend on the size of the quiche, the ingredients used, and the model of the air fryer.

For a 5-inch (13 cm) quiche, set the air fryer to 325°F (160-162°C) and cook for 10 minutes. For a 9-inch quiche, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the crust for 5 minutes. Then, fill the crust with the desired mixture and cook for another 20-25 minutes until the center is set.

If you're making a crustless quiche, a temperature of 180°C for 10 minutes should be sufficient. For a 10-inch (25 cm) quiche, you can cook it at 325°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.

It's important to note that different air fryer models may vary in cooking time and temperature. The above instructions are based on specific models mentioned in the sources. Be sure to check your quiche after 10 minutes to ensure it doesn't overcook, and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly.

Air fryer quiche fillings

Broccoli and Cheddar

For this filling, you'll need eggs, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Broccoli florets are distributed on the bottom of the quiche dish, followed by the egg and cream mixture, and topped with more grated cheddar cheese. This quiche is then air-fried for about 10 minutes. The broccoli cooks perfectly in this time, retaining its bright green colour and tender texture without overcooking.

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a classic French quiche with a bacon, cheese, and egg filling. For this, you can use bacon lardons or pancetta, or cut smoked streaky bacon into small pieces. The bacon is cooked in the air fryer first, then mixed with eggs, milk or cream, and grated cheese. Season with black pepper and Dijon mustard for a punch of flavour. This quiche is then baked in the air fryer for about 30 minutes.

Tomato and Mozzarella

This filling option involves creating an egg and heavy cream custard mixture, which is then poured over raw broccoli florets. It is then topped with fresh basil and mozzarella cheese. This quiche is also air-fried for about 10 minutes.

Leek and Comté

This filling features leeks and Comté cheese, a variety of Swiss cheese with a nutty, slightly sweet flavour. This combination creates a rich and savoury quiche.

Other Options

Feel free to mix and match your favourite cheeses, meats, and vegetables. Some options include Swiss cheese, feta, ham, smoked salmon, and thyme. You can also add in seasonings like salt and pepper to enhance the flavour of your quiche.

Air fryer quiche pastry

Yes, you can cook quiche in an air fryer! The cooking time will depend on the size of your quiche and the type of air fryer you have. For example, a 10-inch quiche may take 30 minutes to cook, while a 5-inch quiche may only take 10 minutes.

Now, let's talk about the pastry. You can make your own pastry or use a ready-made option. If you want to make your own, a standard shortcrust pastry is a good choice. However, if you want to go the extra mile, you can make a cheese pastry by adding cheddar to your shortcrust pastry. This will give your quiche a lovely extra hit of flavour!

If you don't want to make your own pastry, you can use a ready-made shortcrust pastry or a 'ready-to-fill' savoury baked pastry case. While a homemade pastry will taste better, the ready-made options will save you time and effort.

• Blind baking: If you're making your own pastry, consider blind baking the pastry shell before filling it. This means baking the empty pastry case first, which helps ensure the base is cooked properly. It's especially important if you plan to fill your quiche with a wet filling, as it prevents a 'soggy bottom'.
• Par-baking: When using a frozen pie crust, it's a good idea to par-bake the crust before adding the filling. Air fry the crust for about 5 minutes at 350°F (177°C) to ensure it's cooked through before adding the filling.
• Temperature and timing: The temperature and timing for cooking your quiche pastry will depend on your air fryer and the size of your quiche. For a 5-inch quiche, set your air fryer to 325°F (160°C) and cook for about 10 minutes. For larger quiches, you may need to reduce the temperature to 160°C and cook for 30-35 minutes. Always check the manufacturer's instructions for your air fryer and adjust timings as needed.
• Filling options: The beauty of making quiche in an air fryer is that you can get creative with the fillings. Classic options include broccoli, thyme, cheddar, bacon, and ham. But feel free to experiment with other ingredients, such as spinach, tomato, mozzarella, or leek.
• Reheating: Quiche is best served fresh, as it doesn't freeze well due to the crust becoming soggy. However, if you need to reheat your quiche, you can do so in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions