Air-Fried Quiche: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making a quiche in an air fryer is a simple, quick, and delicious way to prepare a meal. Requiring minimal ingredients and prep time, this recipe is perfect for those short on time or looking for an easy breakfast, lunch, or dinner option. The air fryer's circulation of air creates light and fluffy eggs, making the quiche extra tasty. You can also get creative with your fillings, including broccoli, cheddar, tomato, mozzarella, bacon, spinach, and more.

Choosing your ingredients

Choosing the right ingredients for your quiche is essential to ensure it turns out delicious. Here are some tips and suggestions for selecting the best ingredients for your air fryer quiche:

Crust Options:

Firstly, decide whether you want a crustless quiche or one with a pastry base. Crustless quiches are often referred to as "impossible quiches" because you mix all the ingredients together, and the flour sinks to create a thick pretend crust. This option is quicker and easier, especially if you're short on time.

If you opt for a pastry crust, you can use a store-bought pie crust or make your own. Frozen puff pastry is a good option, or you can use a specific pie crust recipe. Some recipes suggest par-baking the crust in the air fryer for about 5 minutes before adding the filling to ensure it cooks through without overcooking the filling.

Eggs:

Eggs are the star ingredient in quiche, providing structure and binding the other ingredients together. Most recipes call for whisking the eggs with a form of dairy to create a custard-like filling.

Dairy:

Heavy cream is often used in quiche recipes to create a rich, creamy texture. However, milk is a suitable alternative and is preferred by some as it mixes better with the eggs, creating a lighter filling. Half-and-half is another option if you want something richer than milk but not as heavy as cream.

Fillings:

The beauty of quiche is that you can get creative with the fillings. Here are some popular options:

• Meats: Bacon, ham, sausage, ground beef or turkey, and seafood like shrimp or crab are common choices.
• Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, peppers, onions, scallions, leeks, and cooked asparagus all work well.
• Cheese: Swiss cheese, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, gruyere, goat cheese, and Monterey Jack are popular. Grate the cheese finely so it mixes well with the other ingredients.
• Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh or dried herbs like basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika can enhance the flavour of your quiche.

Remember to cook any vegetables and meats before adding them to your quiche unless you're using something that doesn't require cooking, like spinach. Also, ensure your fillings are somewhat dry and cut into small pieces so they fit neatly into your quiche.

Other Tips:

• Use an oven-safe dish that fits your air fryer. Ceramic or glass pie dishes or tart tins are good options.
• If using a pie crust, consider pokeing holes in the bottom to allow steam to escape, though this isn't necessary when using liquid fillings like quiche.
• Season your quiche with salt and pepper, but consider adding salt after baking, as a celebrity chef once suggested!

Preparing the filling

Step 1: Choose Your Ingredients

Select the ingredients you would like to include in your quiche filling. Common options include eggs, milk or cream, cheese, vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, peppers, onions, asparagus, or leeks), and meat (such as bacon, ham, sausage, or ground beef). You can also add herbs and spices for extra flavour.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables and Meat

If you are using vegetables or meat in your quiche, chop them into small pieces. For example, if using broccoli, you will want to use small florets. If using meat, such as bacon, you will need to cook it before adding it to the quiche. You can cook the bacon in the air fryer or in a pan on the stove until it is crispy.

Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, crack and whisk the eggs. Then, add your milk or cream and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. You can also add some extra air to the mixture by whisking it for a little longer. Next, stir in your chosen vegetables, meat, and cheese. Add any herbs and spices you would like to include. Common options include salt and pepper, basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning.

Step 4: Adjust the Mixture

Depending on the consistency of your mixture, you may need to make some adjustments. If it seems too runny, you can add a little more cheese or flour to thicken it. Conversely, if it is too thick, you can add a small amount of milk. Additionally, if you are using a lot of add-ins, you may need to increase the number of eggs or amount of milk/cream to ensure everything is coated in the egg mixture.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Once your filling is mixed and adjusted to your liking, it is ready to be poured into your pie crust or tart shells. Be careful not to overfill the crust, as the filling will puff up as it cooks. If you are using a pie crust, you may need to par-bake it before adding the filling. This helps ensure that the crust is fully cooked and not soggy. Simply place the crust in the air fryer and cook at a temperature of around 300-350°F for about 5 minutes.

Making the egg custard

At this stage, you can add in your choice of fillings. For a classic Quiche Lorraine, add grated Swiss cheese, cooked bacon bits, and some diced ham. You can also add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or peppers. If you want to add meat, go for ham, sausage, ground beef, or even seafood like shrimp or crab.

Once you have added your desired fillings, pour the mixture into your par-baked pie crust or mini tart shells. Make sure you don't overfill the crust, just fill it to the top edge. Now it's ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Adding cheese

Choosing the Right Cheese

The type of cheese you use can vary depending on your preference and the other ingredients in your quiche. Some popular options include Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, goat cheese, and feta. If you're making a quiche Lorraine, Swiss cheese is traditional, but you can also use other types of cheese such as regular or white cheddar.

Grating or Shredding the Cheese

It's important to finely grate or shred your cheese to ensure it melts evenly and quickly in the air fryer. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment to achieve the desired consistency.

Amount of Cheese to Use

The amount of cheese you add to your quiche will depend on your personal preference and the intensity of the cheese flavour you want. A good rule of thumb is to use around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of grated or shredded cheese for a standard-sized quiche.

Mixing the Cheese

Once you've selected and prepared your cheese, it's time to add it to your quiche mixture. Simply sprinkle or stir the cheese into the egg and cream mixture. If you're making a quiche with multiple fillings, you can also layer the cheese with other ingredients before pouring in the egg mixture.

Avoiding Overcooking the Cheese

Different air fryer models may vary in terms of how they brown the cheese. To avoid overcooking the cheese, keep an eye on your quiche during the cooking process. If you notice the cheese browning too quickly, you can stir it into the egg custard or reduce the temperature slightly.

Presentation and Serving

After your quiche is done cooking, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish it with some freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your quiche warm or cold, paired with a side salad or some air fryer potatoes for a delicious meal.

Cooking the quiche

Now that you've prepared your quiche fillings and egg custard, it's time to cook your quiche in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Place your quiche dish or pie tin in the air fryer basket. If you're making mini quiches, arrange the unfilled shells in a single layer in the basket. For a full-sized quiche, you may need to cook it in batches or use an air fryer with a larger capacity.

Step 2: Cook the Crust (If Applicable)

If you're making a quiche with a crust, you'll need to par-bake it before adding the fillings. Set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and cook the crust for about 5-6 minutes. This step ensures that your crust is cooked through without overcooking the fillings.

Step 3: Assemble the Quiche

Once your crust is par-baked (if applicable), it's time to assemble your quiche. If you've removed the crust from the air fryer, place it on a hot pad or a wire rack to cool slightly. Then, pour the egg mixture into the crust, being careful not to overfill it. The filling should reach just below the top of the crust to avoid spillage.

Step 4: Add the Fillings

If you're making a quiche with meat, vegetables, or other fillings, now is the time to add them. You can get creative with your fillings, but make sure they are already cooked (if necessary) and cut into small pieces that fit neatly into your quiche. Some popular filling options include cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, chopped broccoli, grated cheese, and chopped onions.

Step 5: Cover with Foil (Optional)

If you're concerned about the top of your quiche getting too brown, you can cover it with foil. Make sure the foil doesn't touch the filling. This step is especially important if your air fryer cooks primarily from the top.

Step 6: Air Fry the Quiche

Place the assembled quiche back into the air fryer basket, if you haven't already. Set the temperature to between 325°F and 400°F (160°C and 200°C), depending on your air fryer model. Cook for 10-40 minutes, or until the eggs are set. The cooking time will depend on the size of your quiche and the power of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Step 7: Brown the Crust (If Applicable)

If you're making a quiche with a crust, you may want to remove the foil (if used) and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes to brown the crust and the top of the quiche. This step gives your quiche a beautiful, golden finish.

Step 8: Let the Quiche Rest

Once your quiche is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the quiche to set and makes it easier to handle.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Your quiche is now ready to be served! You can serve it warm or cold, depending on your preference. Quiche is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy your delicious, homemade quiche!

Frequently asked questions