Baked frittata: everything you need to know about this dish.

Have you ever thought about making a nice baked frittata? Everyone, at least once in their life, has eaten frittata. Quick and simple, it is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. However, there are circumstances, especially if the pans are not non-stick, where one tends to overdo the oil, and the whole thing can end up being a bit heavy. For this reason, a great alternative can be the baked frittata, which, like the classic version, boasts many variations while being lighter and more digestible.
In general, this dish is very simple to prepare, but especially to customize. You can add seasonal vegetables, as well as cured meats and cheeses, depending on what you have available in the fridge. The advantage of baked frittata lies mainly in the preparation. Unlike the traditional frittata, you won’t need to keep stirring the eggs or checking to see that the base doesn’t burn. Just put it in the oven and there you have it! You can forget about it for about twenty minutes. The result will be a fluffy and light frittata, perfect to accompany with some bread and fresh vegetables.

How many eggs are needed to prepare the baked frittata?

Let’s start with the first question: how many eggs are needed to prepare the baked frittata? Or rather, in general, how many eggs are needed to make a frittata? Clearly, you can simply follow the quantities indicated in the recipe (which normally refers to serving the dish for four people), but just know that it all depends on the number of servings you want to prepare and what you intend to eat alongside it.
Let’s start by saying that eggs are a healthy and practically perfect food from a nutritional point of view thanks to the noble proteins, minerals, and vitamins they contain. They are also a food high in cholesterol, but for the reasons mentioned above, they shouldn’t be demonized. You just need to learn to manage your intake!
Typically, studies agree that the average intake of eggs should be 3-4 eggs per week, including those hidden in foods (egg pasta, cakes, savory pies, etc... Just check the ingredients list on the back of the packaging).
For a meal where frittata is the main food, two eggs per person should be sufficient. So prepare the frittata with confidence and toss away the fear!

Should eggs be washed before use? How should they be stored?

Many may wonder if eggs should be washed before consumption and some do, but be careful, let’s clarify this immediately: eggs should NOT be washed! Even if they are a bit dirty from soil, washing them under water can be counterproductive. The egg can be a vehicle for pathogens like salmonella, and washing it could create condensation on the shell that facilitates the passage of microbes inside. It’s better to handle the eggs and then wash your hands well.
To store them without contaminating other foods, it is best to place them on the middle shelf of the refrigerator, where the temperature is about 4-5 °C, in their original packaging.

Baked frittata, here’s the basic recipe

Finally, let’s get to the recipe for our delicious baked frittata.
For four people, you will need 6 eggs, 50g of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.

First, break the eggs and beat them with a fork. Add the other ingredients and mix until you achieve a frothy mixture. Wet and squeeze the parchment paper to line a baking tray, then pour in the eggs and bake for 40 minutes at 180°C. And there you go! Your baked frittata is officially ready. You just need to take a glance from time to time during cooking to check if the eggs are cooked. Of course, this is a basic recipe, but just like the skillet frittata, the oven version can also be enriched with vegetables or other ingredients. The version with zucchini or the one with potatoes is very good. Simply cube/julienne these two vegetables and add them to the mixture, extending the cooking time by ten minutes, so you can take the ready frittata out of the oven.
Delicious too is the version with chopped spinach or the Provençal version, with aromatic herbs.
In any case, the baked frittata should be consumed immediately, storing it for a maximum of one day in the fridge, in an airtight container.

Can it be baked in the microwave?

Yes, the frittata can also be baked in the microwave. You just need to grease a suitable container and then cook at maximum power for about 5 minutes, until the eggs have set.

Can the frittata be prepared without eggs?

Of course! The eggless frittata is simply the vegan variant of our beloved dish. The main ingredient, instead of eggs, is chickpea flour, a very protein-rich food ideal for making certain types of bread as well. The most common version of the famous baked frittata without eggs is undoubtedly the one with zucchini, but this doesn’t prevent you from trying it with other vegetables if zucchini doesn’t suit your taste.

To prepare this delicious alternative frittata, you will need 200g of chickpea flour, 300 ml of water (or half water and half milk), 2 zucchinis, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, one clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, salt, and pepper.

Start with the zucchini: wash them, trim them, and cut them into small cubes. Heat the oil in a pan, then let the garlic clove sauté. When it is golden, remove it, then add the zucchini and start cooking, allowing them to soften. Turn off the heat when they are soft but still firm. At this point, you can move on to the dry ingredients. In a bowl, combine the sifted chickpea flour with a bit of salt, turmeric, and pepper (note: pepper is highly recommended here as it helps make the turmeric, which is very beneficial for the body, more absorbable), then mix. Gradually add the cold water while whisking to obtain a smooth batter without lumps, thick but not too much. The consistency should resemble that of a cream. Grease a non-stick pan with a diameter of about 20 cm, then pour in the mixture and level it well.
Now, bake in a fan oven at 180 °C for half an hour, until the frittata is beautifully golden. And there you go! Your eggless baked frittata is also ready. You can enjoy it with some vegetables for a light dinner or cut it into cubes and serve it as a healthy and tasty appetizer.

The best ingredients for your baked frittata

Are you curious about baked frittata? Then all that’s left to do is put on your apron and get to work! For your recipe, take a look at our portal: among oil, cheeses, and vegetables, you will surely find the right mix of ingredients to prepare the frittata that best suits your tastes. We look forward to seeing you!