Ham And Cheese Frittata | Instant Pot Frittata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How does the frittata get its fluffy texture? ›

Forgetting to add milk or cream.

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. Follow this tip: After whisking the eggs together, be sure to whisk in some milk or cream.

And, unlike omelets, frittata fillings are mixed in with the eggs in the pan rather than folded in the center. To make a frittata, well-beaten eggs are cooked on the stove in a hot skillet, along with the fillings, for a few minutes until the outer edges are set.

If the center is still liquid, you've got to cook longer. If it's almost set, cook the frittata a few more minutes, then remove it. As long as the frittata is still in the hot pan, it will continue to cook. That's why it's important to pull the dish from the oven as soon as it reaches that "set" stage.

Pre-seasoning the eggs with salt helps them retain moisture during cooking. Cooking the vegetables in batches gives us more control over their texture. Keeping the cheese in large chunks gives us oozy pockets in the frittata. Flipping the frittata ensures a creamy, dense center.

Easy Formula For a Frittata

6 eggs. 1/4 cup heavy cream. 1 cup cheese. 2 cups veggies and/or meat.

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.

But unlike omelets, egg frittatas can serve a family fast. And unlike most egg recipes, a four-serving frittata cooks all at once without any flipping or fuss. Plus, since there's no crust (like quiches), it makes it a healthier breakfast option.

The frittata originates from the Mediterranean region, and a very similar dish with eggs, cheese, and vegetables was known in ancient Rome. All the efforts of tracing this dish to a particular Italian region defies attempts, as it is popular all over Italy.

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.

Salt's the cure

Not only do you want to make sure to season your beaten eggs with a hefty dose of salt and pepper, but sprinkle the stuff on whatever fillings you pre-cook, too. More seasoning = maximum flavor.

Should a frittata jiggle? ›

Keep an eye on your frittata while it's in the oven.

Bake until the eggs are puffed and opaque, and the center of the frittata jiggles just a bit when you give it a gentle shimmy.

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.

Never use uncooked vegetables in a frittata

Therefore, if you add them to the mixture raw, you'll end up with a watery frittata with undercooked vegetables. That's precisely why leftover vegetables are traditionally used, so while you could use fresh vegetables, you'll need to sauté them beforehand.

Watch your Frittata ever so closely as it cooks

One rule of thumb is when the top is golden brown the inside is overdone. You can achieve the golden brown top by shredding cheese on the top of your fully cooked frittata and place it under a broiler for just a few minutes.

Whisk with a fork, well. By getting more air in the mixture you're more likely to get that fluffy finish, so get stuck in and give them a good mix for 30 seconds until the top layer has a thick, frothy foam. Drizzle a combination of vegetable oil and a knob of butter onto your pan.

Add 1 tbsp of milk into your egg mix. The milk will make your omelette nice, fluffy and light. Sprinkle some salt into your mixture and add some chopped vegetables in it. Whisk with a fork, well.

But besides the nutritional benefits there are a few other good reasons to use egg in breadmaking. It makes the bread lighter and fluffier. The reason for that is the fat in the yolk that inhibits gluten formation just as any other fat would. This results in a looser dough that can expand and puff up more.

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