Crustless Quiche: The Low Carb Version of a Classic Dish

When you think about quiche, there are probably two major components that come to mind. First, there’s that delicious eggy center, perfectly baked with cheese and other delights, like spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs, or meat. But beyond the eggs, there’s another important element: the crust. Most quiches feature a flaky pastry that adds just the right buttery bite. Some quiches, however, don’t have a crust. That’s right — crustless quiche is most definitely a thing, and it gives you the chance to enjoy this delicious dish if you’re not eating gluten or carbs. It’s also known as a frittata. Quiche with no crust can be just as yummy as the version of quiche with which you’re already familiar. It’s also easy to prepare! 

Keep scrolling to learn more about how to make a crustless quiche. You’ll also find a great line-up of crustless quiche recipes to prepare for any meal of the day. 

Low-Carb Quiche: A Healthy Choice

Since quiche isn’t generally something that most people make for themselves on a daily basis, it can feel a little indulgent. It’s a dish that you might be accustomed to seeing on special occasions, like for breakfast on Christmas morning or at a fancy brunch. A quiche’s flavor and ingredients also add to the indulgence factor. All that melty cheese and savory egg? Hello, gorgeous! Wrap it all in a pastry crust, and it’s game over. 

If you’re watching your carbs or trying to stick to a keto diet, though, eating a traditional quiche is pretty much a no-no. That pastry crust is made of, well, carbs. 

But if you take away the crust, a quiche can be a great low-carb meal. The other key ingredients in most quiches—eggs, cheese, plus meat and vegetable fillings—are low on carbohydrates. In fact, they’re all frequently recommended for people who are trying to minimize carbs in their diet. 

Too often, diets—including low-carb diets—are associated with deprivation and missing out on delicious foods. While sacrifices are typically necessary for anyone changing up their regimen, it doesn’t need to be so negative. Making a crustless quiche is a fantastic way to indulge even as you work toward your wellness goals by cutting out carbohydrates. You’ll feel super satisfied and satiated after a slice (or three) of low-carb quiche. 

Crustless Quiche Recipes 

Ready to try a quiche without crust (a.k.a. a frittata)? Great! Now that you’re hooked on the idea of crustless quiche, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of variations on the basic recipe. Read on for some crustless quiche recipes to try. 

Crustless Spinach Quiche 

Spinach quiche tends to be a popular variety of this brunch dish. Take away the crust and it’s just as good! This recipe from Taste of Home is made using frozen spinach, fresh mushrooms, onion, and Muenster or Monterey Jack cheese. For added flavor notes, you can also toss in ham. 

Crustless Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a classic French dish and one of the most basic quiche recipes in the game. It’s usually prepared with cheese and bacon bits. Who said it needs to have a crust? This version from Skinnytaste proves that Quiche Lorraine can be made without carbs. It features bacon and Gruyere cheese, but you can swap in other cheeses if you prefer. 

Crustless Broccoli Quiche With Cheddar and Onions

Is there a more delicious combination than broccoli and cheese? Probably not. Bring this dream team together in a no-crust quiche, like this one from Healthy Recipes. In addition to broccoli and shredded cheddar, this recipe calls for onions, sour cream, garlic powder, and scallions. Put it all together and you’ve got yourself a flavor explosion—with minimal carbs! 

Crustless Caprese Quiche

You probably don’t often think about a caprese salad and a quiche in the same breath, but put them together and you’ve got something pretty fantastic. This crustless quiche from Food Network incorporates plum tomatoes, ricotta cheese, basil leaves, mozzarella, and whole grain breadcrumbs. Deliziosa! 

Practice Your Egg Techniques

Kitchen Basics: Eggs 101 

Take the Class

Crustless Ham and Cheese Quiche

Ham and cheese make for a flawless sandwich, but if you’re on the hunt for something a little lighter on the carbs, you might consider putting them in a quiche with no crust. This crustless quiche from RecipeTin Eats will be perfect for breakfast or brunch… or any meal! Add a little side salad and you’ve got a little bit of everything on the plate. 

Spinach and Mushroom Crustless Quiche 

If you’re a vegetarian or prefer your quiche and other egg dishes without meat, this spinach and mushroom crustless quiche from Budget Bytes will hit the spot. Parmesan, mozzarella, and feta cheese add some extra richness to the veggie mix. Portion it out and freeze it so you can get your fix of protein and vegetables later on. 

Crustless Keto Quiche

Are you on the keto diet? You can enjoy a delicious brunch or breakfast too! This crustless keto quiche recipe from Simplify Life Love is basically a carb-free quiche. It invites you to use almost any combination of low-carb fillings you’d like, though it recommends bacon, onion, chopped kale, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes. 

Tips for Making Crustless Quiche

Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your crust-free quiche is as successful as possible. 

Cook Your Vegetables Before Adding Them to the Eggs

A common complaint for first-time crustless quiche chefs is that the final product is watery. This issue is especially prevalent in quiches made with vegetables that have a high water content, such as mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, and spinach. If you’re making your quiche using any of these veggies—or any vegetables, really—you should give them a quick saute before mixing them with the eggs and cheese. In the process, the vegetables will release excess moisture so that the quiche isn’t soggy. 

Use a Cast-Iron Skillet If You Have One 

If you have a cast-iron skillet on hand, it’s probably your best bet for making your quiche without crust. Crustless quiches prepared in a cast-iron are less likely to stick, which means you’ll get to enjoy every last bite. 

Prevent Sticking With Extra Oil or Butter

If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can prevent your quiche from sticking to your oven-safe pan by greasing it with extra olive oil or butter. This way, you’ll lose less of your delicious ingredients (and have an easier cleanup, too). 

Don’t Overcook Your Quiche 

The best crust-free quiches have a fluffy texture, but a few too many minutes in the oven will land you with something more rubbery. It’s easy to overcook crustless quiches and frittatas, especially if you get nervous about preparing eggs to the proper temperature. 

A traditional quiche has a crust that can help you determine if your dish is ready, and without that, you’ll have to look to other indicators. Bake your quiche only until the center has stopped being jiggly. You can also place a sharp knife into the center of the eggs to test if they’re ready. Keep the quiche in the oven for a few minutes only if raw eggs run into the cut.

Bon Appetit! 

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to enjoy a low-carb quiche—and they’re not that difficult to prepare. Next time you’re craving something delicious and indulgent, choose one of these recipes and treat yourself. A bite of crustless quiche is the perfect savory mouthful. Happy eating! 

Learn to Make Eggs From the Pros

Restaurant Kitchen Basics: Cooking with Eggs Mini Course 

Take the Class