Easy Air Fryer Frittata Recipe - Golden, Fluffy and Crisp (2024)

FAQs

How does the frittata get its fluffy texture? ›

Dairy, like milk or cream, is a crucial component of frittatas. This is the ingredient that gives frittatas their signature creamy, fluffy texture. Without this important addition, frittatas cook up flatter and a bit more dense.

Use the right number of eggs: If you underfill or overfill your skillet, the texture of the frittata may be compromised. Thin frittatas easily overcook; thick ones may cook too long on the outer edges before the inside is set. That leaves you with an eggy, spongy dish.

If meat and vegetables figure into your frittata, cook them in the pan before you add your eggs—and I leave mine ever so slightly underdone. That way, they don't get soggy when they keep cooking in the oven (and I tend to like my vegetables with a little “bite” anyway, but it's a personal preference).

The Frittata Formula

Frittatas are incredibly simple. For every six large eggs, you'll want to mix in ¼ cup of milk or cream, ¼ cup of cheese, and about 3 cups of meat or vegetables. The small amount of milk and cheese keeps the eggs soft and creamy and the meat and vegetables give you endless options.

Eggs will not burst in the air fryer unless you cook them on a high temperature.

Add the eggs to your air fryer basket in a single layer. I added 8 eggs. Air fry for 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs with thoroughly cooked yolks. Alternatively, you can cook for 9 minutes for very soft with slightly runny whites, 11 minutes for jammy eggs, or 13 minutes for just slightly undercooked yolks.

The eggs should be cooked through, not runny and a knife should come out clean when inserted into the centre. You can also give the skillet a gentle shake to determine if it is done; a runny frittata will jiggle when you shake the skillet.

Do you add water or milk to a frittata? Let's just say that full-fat milk or heavy cream is the best way to go. Water will work, but you won't get the density and rich texture you'll get when you use a full-fat liquid. Sour cream, crème fraîche or yogurt can be substituted for the heavy cream in this recipe.

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.

Use a cast-iron skillet.

The best choice for making frittatas, cast iron skillets can safely go from stovetop to oven, and they conduct heat well and evenly. Seasoning a cast-iron pan gives it a non-stick quality, so a well-seasoned skillet will result in the easiest slicing & serving.

When making a frittata, which ingredient should be pre-cooked prior to adding it to the egg mixture? ›

Tough vegetables like potatoes, squash and onions need to be pre-cooked since they will not have time enough to soften before the eggs are done. Raw meats such as bacon and sausage also need more time and heat to cook through safely, so get them prepped before your other ingredients.

Freshly grated parmesan is a solid choice that always pairs well with eggs. Other good options include goat, feta, cheddar, mozzarella or Gruyere. Pairing two cheeses together is also a great choice. Dollops of goat cheese would be delicious on top of this spinach frittata.

"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! A good frittata should have the texture of custard: trembling and barely set.

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.

Continually stirring the eggs increases the amount of air in the eggs, which results in pillow-soft scrambled eggs.

Whisking = EXTRA FLUFFY and Light!

Whisk the eggs vigorously before you add them to the pan and even once they're in the pan. The eggs should be foamy on the top. Foam = air pockets, which is the key to a fluffy consistency. Use a fork to whisk as this gives you more control, especially when whisking in the pan itself.