Air Fryer Quiche with Broccoli and Cheddar

Air Fryer Quiche

What I like about this air fryer quiche method is that the gentler heat gives the eggs time to set without turning tough, but only if the dish is small enough and not filled to the rim. I usually look for a center that is just barely jiggly instead of waiting for a dark brown top.

This crustless version keeps things simple with broccoli and cheddar, so it works for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch. The small dish size fits the air fryer better than a full-size quiche pan, and very small broccoli florets cook through right in the custard.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Quiche

• 4 to 5 large eggs (about 225g)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g)
• 1 cup small broccoli florets (about 85g), cut quite small
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (about 55g)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste after baking
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon butter or a light coating of nonstick spray, for the dish

Optional additions: 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped chives or scallions, 2 to 3 tablespoons cooked and drained bacon, or other well-drained add-ins.

Half-and-half can replace the heavy cream for a slightly lighter custard, though the filling will not be quite as rich. Gruyère works well in place of cheddar. If you use frozen broccoli, thaw it first and drain it very well.

Why Small Broccoli Florets Work Best

This is one of the details that matters most for texture. Large broccoli pieces can stay too firm by the time the eggs are set, so I cut the florets quite small and skip precooking.

The same moisture rule applies to other vegetables. Tomatoes should be drained, spinach should be squeezed dry, and mushrooms should be cooked down first so the center does not stay loose and watery.

How to Make Quiche in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat and prepare the dish: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F to 330°F (160°C to 165°C) for a few minutes. Lightly grease a 5-inch ceramic quiche dish or a similar small oven-safe dish.
2. Make the custard: In a bowl or spouted pitcher, whisk the eggs, heavy cream, salt, and pepper until fully smooth, with no streaks of egg white left. Stir in most of the cheddar if you want less browning on top, or reserve a little for the surface.
3. Assemble the quiche: Scatter the broccoli in the prepared dish, then pour in the custard. Do not fill the dish to the top; leave a little space so the eggs can rise and set evenly. Add any reserved cheese on top.
4. Air fry gently: Set the dish in the basket in a single layer with some space around it for airflow. Air fry at 320°F to 330°F (160°C to 165°C) for 18 to 25 minutes. Do not shake or flip. If your air fryer browns unevenly, rotate the dish once partway through.
5. Check for doneness: I rely on the visual cue more than the clock here because air fryers vary, especially with ceramic dishes. Start checking around 16 to 18 minutes. The quiche is done when the edges are set, the center is just barely jiggly, and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
6. Rest before slicing: Let the quiche rest for 5 to 10 minutes so the custard finishes setting and slices more cleanly. Taste and add a little more salt after baking if needed.

Air Fryer Time and Temperature for Quiche

Use a lower temperature here: 320°F to 330°F (160°C to 165°C). That gives the custard time to cook through before the top browns too hard.

Cook time is usually 18 to 25 minutes, but start checking early. Air fryer models run differently, and dish material makes a difference too.

If the top is browning faster than the center is setting, the part I pay attention to is the cheese placement. Stirring more of the cheese into the custard instead of leaving it all on top can help. In some air fryers, a loose foil tent also helps if your manual allows it.

Why Is My Air Fryer Quiche Still Undercooked in the Center?

The most common cause is an overfilled dish. A small quiche dish works best because the custard can stay tender without making the center take too long to cook.

The other common mistake is cooking for color instead of doneness. This is where the texture can go wrong. If you keep going until the top is deeply browned, the edges can turn firm and rubbery before the middle is right. Look for a slight wobble in the center and let the rest time finish the job.

Easy Variations

Tomato Mozzarella Quiche

Swap the broccoli and cheddar for well-drained diced tomato and mozzarella. This version is a little softer, so draining the tomato well matters.

Spinach Quiche

Use chopped spinach that has been cooked and squeezed very dry, along with cheddar or mozzarella. The main thing here is keeping excess water out of the custard.

Bacon and Cheddar Quiche

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped cooked bacon for a heartier version. Make sure it is fully cooked and drained before it goes into the dish.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Quiche

Serve the quiche warm with a green salad and vinaigrette for lunch, or pair it with fruit, toast, or muffins for breakfast.

For a more filling breakfast, add air fryer two ingredient bagels. It also fits nicely into a brunch spread with air fryer blueberry scones or air fryer Mickey cinnamon rolls.

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Quiche

Cool leftovers completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. If you stack slices, separate them a bit so they hold their shape better.

To reheat, warm slices gently in the air fryer just until heated through. Avoid high heat, which can dry out the eggs and make the custard spongy. The texture will still be good, but the top will not be quite the same as when freshly cooked.

If you are planning ahead, it is better to prep the vegetables and cheese in advance and cook the quiche fresh.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition, based on 4 servings and the core ingredients only.

• Serving size: 1/4 of the quiche
• Calories: about 165
• Protein: about 9g
• Fat: about 13g
• Carbohydrates: about 3g

Approximate nutrition per 100g:

• Calories: about 185
• Protein: about 10g
• Fat: about 14g
• Carbohydrates: about 3g

These values are estimates and will vary with the number of eggs used and how much cheese you add.