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

Making quiche in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty meal without heating up your kitchen. You can use a variety of fillings and crusts, or go crustless, to make a quiche that's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The air fryer's circulation of air gives the eggs a light and fluffy texture, and the cooking time is typically around 10-20 minutes, making it a convenient option for a quick and delicious meal.

Choosing your ingredients

Crust

You can opt for a traditional pie crust, made with flour, butter, and water. Some recipes call for pre-made frozen pie crusts, which can be purchased and par-baked before adding the filling. Alternatively, you can go crustless or use tortillas for a keto-friendly option.

Eggs

Eggs are the star ingredient in quiche, providing protein and structure. Most recipes call for 4-6 large eggs, depending on the size of your quiche. You can adjust the number of eggs to achieve your desired thickness.

Dairy

Heavy cream is often recommended for a rich and fluffy quiche, but you can also use half-and-half, milk, or even almond milk. If using milk, consider adding a bit more cheese to thicken the filling. Sour cream is another option to add creaminess and tanginess to your quiche.

Cheese

The type of cheese you choose can enhance the flavour of your quiche. Cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Swiss cheese, mozzarella, gruyere, goat cheese, or a mix of several cheeses. Finely shredded cheese will melt more quickly and evenly.

Meat

Bacon, ham, sausage, and prosciutto are common meat options for quiche. Ensure that any meat you use is pre-cooked before adding it to the filling. You can also use leftover meat, such as holiday ham. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat.

Vegetables

Broccoli, spinach, peppers, onions, scallions, leeks, asparagus, mushrooms, and tomatoes are all great choices for adding colour, texture, and nutrients to your quiche. Just be sure to cook the vegetables beforehand and chop them into small pieces so they fit neatly into your quiche.

Seasonings

Don't forget to season your quiche with salt and pepper to enhance the flavours. You can also add fresh or dried herbs, such as basil, dill, parsley, or garlic powder. Just be mindful of the sodium content in ingredients like bacon, and adjust your salt accordingly.

Preparing the crust

To make the crust for your air fryer quiche, you'll need a nine-inch deep dish pie crust. You can use a premade sweet and savoury pie crust, or make your own.

First, roll out the thawed pie crust into your pie plate and, using your fingers, press the edges of the crust firmly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Press lightly to fit, and fill in any gaps or cracks using your fingers.

Once the crust is ready, put it in the air fryer and cook for five minutes at 350°F. It should look slightly golden with some bubbly brownish spots when it's ready.

If you are making mini quiches, you will need 12 mini frozen tart shells. Arrange the unfilled shells in the air fryer basket in a single layer and bake for three minutes. You will need to do this in two batches. Let the shells cool for a few minutes until they are cool enough to handle.

Making the filling

The beauty of making quiche is that you can get creative with the fillings. You can use anything from vegetables to meat and a variety of cheeses. Here are some detailed instructions and ideas to help you make a delicious quiche filling in your air fryer.

Ingredients and preparation

Start by gathering your desired ingredients. You can use a variety of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Here are some common combinations:

• Broccoli and cheddar
• Tomato and mozzarella with fresh basil
• Cooked bacon and cheddar
• Smoked salmon, goat cheese, and dill
• Gruyere cheese and crispy leeks
• Spinach and bacon
• Ham and cheddar
• Turkey sausage and cheddar cheese
• Bacon and gruyere cheese
• Asparagus and goat cheese
• Ham, green peppers, and onion

Once you've chosen your ingredients, prepare them by chopping any vegetables, cooking any meat, and grating or shredding any cheese.

Mixing the filling

In a large mixing bowl, crack and whisk the desired number of eggs until they are scrambled. A good rule of thumb is to use 3-4 large eggs for a standard-sized quiche. You can also add an extra egg yolk for a richer, denser filling.

Next, add your choice of dairy. Heavy cream or half-and-half will create a richer, fluffier quiche, but you can also use milk or even almond milk for a lighter option. If you're feeling indulgent, you can even add some sour cream or cream cheese for an extra creamy texture.

Now it's time to add your chosen fillings. Mix in your chopped vegetables, cooked meat, and grated cheese. Season with salt and pepper, and don't be afraid to add other herbs and spices to taste. You can also add a tablespoon or two of mustard for a little extra kick.

Filling the quiche

Once your filling is mixed, it's time to fill your par-baked crust or ramekins. Be careful not to overfill, as the egg will puff up as it cooks. Leave some space at the top to avoid spillage.

If you're using a pie crust, cover the entire pan with aluminum foil, ensuring the edges are secured and won't be lifted by the powerful air fryer fan. If using ramekins, you may not need to cover them.

Now, it's time to air fry your quiche! The cooking time and temperature will depend on your air fryer model and the size of your quiche, but on average, it should take between 10-40 minutes at around 350-400°F.

For a standard-sized quiche, start by air frying at 400°F for 35-40 minutes, or until the eggs are set. Then, remove the foil and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes to brown the crust and top of the quiche.

For mini quiches, air fry at 360°F for 6-7 minutes, or until the egg filling just starts to puff up and the crust is browned.

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

And that's it! You now have a delicious air-fried quiche with a fluffy, flavourful filling. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and feel free to experiment with different fillings to find your favourite combinations.

Cooking the quiche

The cooking time for your quiche will depend on the number of eggs you use and the type of air fryer you have. For example, a 4-egg quiche in a Philips air fryer will take around 10 minutes to cook, while a 6-egg quiche in a different model may take upwards of 25 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on your quiche to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn't burn.

Before you start cooking, it's a good idea to preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F (175°C). This will help ensure your quiche cooks evenly.

If you're using a pie crust, it's recommended to par-bake it before adding your quiche filling. To do this, place your frozen pie crust in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5 minutes at 350°F (175°C). This will ensure your crust is cooked through without overcooking your filling.

Once your crust is par-baked (if using), it's time to add your filling. For a simple quiche, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add mix-ins like cooked bacon or ham, vegetables, or herbs. Pour the filling into your pie crust or ramekin dishes, being careful not to overfill.

If using a pie crust, cover the quiche with foil, ensuring it doesn't touch the filling. Then, air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the eggs are set. If you're making a crustless quiche in ramekins, air fry at 325°F (160°C) for 12-14 minutes, or until puffed up and firm.

Once the eggs are set, remove the foil (if using) and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes to brown the crust and top of the quiche. If making a crustless quiche, simply garnish with some fresh herbs or cracked pepper and serve.

Let your quiche rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

As a Main Course

The quiche can be served as a main course for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For a light meal, pair it with a side salad and/or some air fryer potato wedges, baby potatoes, or slices. For a more indulgent option, serve it with roasted potatoes. If you're looking for something crunchy, consider a side of mixed greens with a light vinaigrette.

As a Snack

The quiche can also be served as a snack or late-night treat.

As an Appetizer

The mini quiche version is perfect as an appetizer, especially for a party.

As a Brunch Option

This is a great option for a lazy Sunday morning or a cozy family dinner. Serve it with a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of tomato soup.

For a Bigger Crowd

If you're feeding a bigger crowd, you can make a full-sized quiche in a regular oven.

Storing and Reheating

Leftover quiche can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It is not recommended to freeze quiche, as the crust can become soggy and the eggs can be overcooked when reheating. However, if you do choose to freeze it, it will last for up to 2 months.

To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F until warm, or use the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions