Toast Frittata Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Egg

by: Rebecca Firkser

June23,2021

5

6 Ratings

  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Cook time 35 minutes
  • Serves 4

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Author Notes

As the weather shifts from Chilly Spring (which, in my opinion, mostly just means it’s still winter but you don’t need a puffer coat anymore) to Actual Spring, when you can wear shorts but not be sweaty, dinner becomes less about warming my belly and more about which meals travel well, what tastes just as good hot as it does room temperature. Indeed, the season of outdoor socializing approacheth (of course, this particular year, pretty much all socializing has been outdoors, even when it was 20 degrees out), and we’re going to need a meal to match. Because as much as I love a park sandwich or a backyard burger, sometimes one simply needs to change things up. Enter: frittatas, specifically this toast frittata, which will feed four and run you less than $10. It packs up nicely and tastes great hours after it’s been made. The next time one of those “dinner-picnic in the park tomorrow?” or “having a potluck this weekend!” texts comes in, just send back this recipe with an “I’ve got this.”

I certainly didn’t invent pairing eggy custard with bread (you’ve likely met strata, bread pudding, and stuffing at some point), but I’ve always wondered why frittatas are so often served with toast, when you could put the toast into the frittata and get moments of crunch as well as that magic chewy-squishy texture that happens when you soak bread in liquid. Here, you’ll toast a couple cups of torn whole-wheat bread in a pan with olive oil (about $1.50): That’s typically a hunk of whatever I have in the freezer leftover from the last time I bought bread—anything from a country-style miche to ciabatta rolls. Could you toast sliced bread in the toaster and then tear it up instead? Sure, but it won’t taste as good.

To tether together pockets of salty-creamy feta ($1.25) and plump green peas ($0.60), whisk up a dozen eggs (about $4), whole milk ($0.60), and a couple fat cloves of grated garlic with plenty of salt and pepper. Scatter thinly sliced red onion ($0.40) all over. Bake it low and slow, until the eggs are barely set, then when you’re ready to eat, scatter the whole thing with fresh herbs ($0.30), chile flakes, and—duh—plenty of flaky salt.

At this point, you’ve spent a little over $8, and you can call it a day; or, to round out the meal, toss together a quick salad: a head of green-leaf or romaine lettuce runs about $2. Toss that with whatever acid you have on hand (any vinegar, fresh lemon juice), season well with salt and pepper, then drizzle with a big glug of olive oil. Tell your friends to bring the wine. —Rebecca Firkser

Test Kitchen Notes

Nickel & Dine is a budget column by Rebecca Firkser, assigning editor at Food52 and picnic-fan. Each month, Rebecca will share an easy, flavor-packed recipe that feeds four (or just you, four times)—all for $10 or less.
—The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 5 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 ounceswhole-wheat crusty bread, such as country-style miche, baguette, or ciabatta, torn into 2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 1 teaspoonplus 1 large pinch kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1/2 cupwhole milk
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1/2 cupthawed frozen peas (or fresh peas, blanched in well-salted water and drained)
  • 1 ouncefeta, crumbled
  • 1/2 large red onion (halved lengthwise), thinly sliced through the root
  • 1/2 teaspoonmild chile flakes, such as Aleppo pepper or gochugaru, or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 to 3 tablespoonschopped fresh tender herbs, such as parsley, chives, and/or tarragon, for serving
  • Flaky sea salt, for serving
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 300°F. In a 10-inch oven-safe nonstick (or well-seasoned cast-iron) skillet over medium, heat 3 tablespoons of oil. Toast the bread for 5 to 7 minutes, until it’s crispy and golden on all sides (the timing can depend on your stove: If it’s charring quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for a couple more minutes). Transfer the toast to a plate; season with kosher salt and pepper. Set the toast aside and turn off the heat.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and garlic until totally combined. Season with a big pinch of kosher salt and lots of pepper (basically just grind until your arm gets tired).
  3. In the same skillet over medium-low heat, swirl the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Pour in the egg mixture and cook, using a rubber spatula to agitate the mixture a bit and encourage curds to start forming, 1 to 2 minutes. Continue to cook, undisturbed, for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Nestle in the toast pieces, sprinkle with the peas, and scatter the feta and onions evenly over the frittata. Remove from the heat.
  5. Transfer the frittata to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until it’s just set at the edges and barely set (still a bit jiggly) in the center.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven, slide the frittata onto a serving plate (use a heat-safe or offset spatula to help encourage it out), and shower with chile flakes, herbs, and sea salt. Slice into 8 wedges and serve.

Tags:

  • Frittata
  • Italian
  • Egg
  • Breakfast

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Lisa London

  • rox L

Popular on Food52

2 Reviews

Lisa L. August 6, 2021

This sounds good and I’m gonna try it, but I have to question the dozen eggs for $4. I pay $8-11/dozen and they’re worth every penny.

rox L. May 21, 2022

Lisa, I've experienced very different prices depending on where I am. In Arizona store eggs are $3-6/doz in store and farm grown $6-10/doz. When in Michigan, farm eggs are $2/doz and store bought organic $4.
Washington state falls between the two.

Toast Frittata Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What's healthier frittata or omelette? ›

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.

Why is my frittata not fluffy? ›

Forgetting to add milk or cream.

Dairy, like milk or cream, is a crucial component of frittatas. This is the ingredient that gives frittatas their signature creamy, fluffy texture.

How do you make a frittata not soggy? ›

Never use uncooked vegetables in a frittata

If your frittata turned out soggy, it's because you used uncooked mix-ins. According to Bon Appétit, many common frittata ingredients like tomatoes, mushrooms, and zucchini have a high moisture content, and that means they seep water when cooked.

Do you eat frittata hot or cold? ›

Most frittatas are delicious at just about any temperature, from fresh-out-of-the-oven hot, to room temperature or even cold. For lunch or dinner, you complete the meal with a side of lightly dressed greens; for breakfast, add fruit or a slice of bacon.

What makes a frittata so different from an omelet? ›

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.

Which omelette is best for weight loss? ›

Egg + Green Peppers + Tomatoes + Cheddar Cheese

"Top it off with salsa for extra fiber and antioxidants, and for only a few additional calories, which keeps it appropriate as an omelet combination for weight loss," says Harris-Pincus.

What kind of cheese is best for frittata? ›

Go for high moisture cheeses

According to Cheese Science, high moisture cheeses like mozzarella and smoked Gouda are great melting cheeses that give frittatas their desired texture. Meanwhile, a low moisture cheese like Parmesan won't melt in the oven, especially when it's surrounded by a mixture of eggs.

What kind of pan is best for frittata? ›

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.

How do I know when my frittata is done? ›

Cook the frittata in the oven just until the centre is no longer wobbly and the edges are golden-brown. If still unsure, place a knife into the centre of the frittata. If raw eggs run out, keep cooking. You want the eggs to be just set as the frittata will keep cooking while it's standing.

What is the frittata formula? ›

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.

What size pan is best for frittata? ›

It's important to pull it from the oven before it's completely finished. The size of your pan is important- general rule of thumb- a 12 egg frittata should ideally be cooked in a 11-inch pan, a 6 egg frittata should be cooked in a 9-inch pan.

When determining how many eggs to use in a frittata generally? ›

The egg to dairy ratio: If you are making a smaller frittata use 6 eggs and 1/4 cup of dairy, and if you are making a larger frittata use 12 eggs and 1/2 cup of dairy. You can use milk, sour cream, yogurt, milk kefir, or any other form of dairy you have on hand - just make sure it is full fat.

Do you flip a frittata? ›

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.

Why is my frittata bland? ›

Here, we'll discuss these mistakes and how to fix them. You don't season the frittata. If you don't add seasoning to your frittata, it will end up tasting bland.

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

This also holds true for aromatics, like onions, and sturdy veggies, like raw potatoes. "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!

Are omelettes OK for weight loss? ›

A breakfast omelet made with a couple of eggs and some vegetables makes for an excellent and quick weight-loss-friendly breakfast. You can find plenty of low carb breakfast ideas, many of which feature eggs, on this page. Eggs are inexpensive, widely available, and easy to prepare.

Which is healthier omelette or eggs? ›

Both boiled eggs and omelettes have their own unique set of nutritional benefits. Boiled eggs are a great source of protein, vitamin D, and choline, while omelettes are rich in fibre, iron, vitamin C, and healthy fats. Ultimately, the better option for your health depends on your specific dietary needs and preferences.

Is omelette healthy or junk food? ›

The health factors of omelette depends on the ingredients added while preparing the dish. If we just add veggies it adds the nutrition and makes it more healthier than plain boiled eggs. On contrary if we add it with more oil, cheese and unhealthy fat then your delicious omelette is your worst enemy for your body.

What's healthier omelette or scrambled eggs? ›

So: eating a cooked egg would let you absorb 91% of the protein. A raw egg would give you 50% of the protein. This means that since (normally) an omelet is cooked slightly more then a scramble you might get a very small increase of protein (absorbed)then by scrambling.

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