What is Crustless Quiche?
Crustless quiche is a version of the classic French egg-custard tart quiche that is made without the standard pastry crust. Instead of being baked in a pie dish lined with flaky pastry, crustless quiche is baked directly in a pie dish, casserole dish, or baking pan. The baked custard is creamy and smooth like traditional quiche, but has an exposed top surface without any crust. Crustless quiche is lower in carbohydrates and calories compared to regular quiche since it eliminates the carb-heavy pastry shell. It’s often an option for those avoiding gluten or excessive carbs. The custard filling usually contains eggs, milk or cream, cheese, vegetables, meats and seasonings baked together into a sliceable pie.
Does Crustless Quiche Contain Gluten?
The defining factor of whether a crustless quiche contains gluten or not is the specific ingredients used in the egg custard filling recipe. Quiche made without wheat flour or other gluten-containing grains/flours in the filling would be considered gluten-free. However, some recipes do include wheat flour or other glutenous ingredients as thickeners or binders in the custard.
So in summary:
– Crustless quiche made only with eggs, dairy, meats, vegetables and gluten-free thickeners/binders would be gluten-free.
– Crustless quiche made with wheat flour or other gluten-containing grains/flours added to the custard would contain gluten.
It depends entirely on the particular recipe and ingredients used. Checking the ingredient list is the only way to know for sure if a crustless quiche contains gluten or not.
Common Gluten-Free Crustless Quiche Recipes
There are many naturally gluten-free recipes for crustless quiche that rely on eggs and dairy for thickness instead of wheat flour. Here are some of the most common gluten-free crustless quiche recipes:
– Basic crustless quiche: Eggs, milk or cream, shredded cheese, salt, pepper and vegetables and/or meat.
– Broccoli and cheddar crustless quiche: Eggs, milk, cheddar cheese, cooked broccoli, onions.
– Ham and Swiss crustless quiche: Eggs, milk, Swiss cheese, cooked ham, onions, peppers.
– Spinach and feta crustless quiche: Eggs, milk, feta cheese, cooked spinach, tomatoes, onions.
– Bacon and gruyere crustless quiche: Eggs, gruyere cheese, cooked bacon, caramelized onions.
– Crustless veggie quiche: Eggs, milk, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, onions.
As long as no wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients are added, recipes like these are naturally gluten-free. Always check the recipe to confirm no glutenous thickeners are included.
Is Crustless Quiche Healthier Than Regular Quiche?
Eliminating the pastry crust does remove some calories, carbs, fat and sodium from crustless quiche. However, the creamy egg-based custard filling still contains a lot of calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat.
Here is a nutritional comparison of 1 slice (1/6th of a pie) of a standard quiche vs. crustless quiche:
| Nutrition Facts | Standard Quiche (with crust) | Crustless Quiche |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 460 | 300 |
| Total Fat | 36g | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 14g |
| Cholesterol | 215mg | 195mg |
| Sodium | 660mg | 480mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g | 5g |
| Protein | 19g | 19g |
As you can see, crustless quiche is lower in calories, carbs, fat and sodium compared to regular quiche with a crust. However, it still remains high in cholesterol and saturated fat.
Both crustless and regular quiche would be considered high-fat, high-cholesterol options. In general, quiche made with 2-3 whole eggs, 2 cups milk/cream and 1-2 cups cheese provides around 300-600 calories and at least half of the daily limits for saturated fat and cholesterol.
So crustless quiche is relatively healthier, but not necessarily a light or low-fat food choice overall. Those looking for a lower calorie breakfast may want to portion a slice of quiche with fruit or swap some of the eggs and cheese for healthier ingredients like Greek yogurt or low-fat milk.
Tips for Making Gluten-Free Crustless Quiche
Here are some tips for preparing delicious gluten-free crustless quiche at home:
– Choose high-quality gluten-free thickeners like cornstarch, arrowroot starch or tapioca flour instead of wheat flour. Or simply rely on eggs and cheese for thickness.
– Grease the baking dish well before pouring in the custard to prevent sticking.
– Bake at 350°F until the center is just set, about 30-45 minutes. It will continue to firm up after cooling.
– Allow the quiche to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set.
– Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
– Try mixing up the fillings like ham and gruyere or broccoli and cheddar for variety.
– For a vegetarian quiche, use mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, onions and bell peppers.
– For extra richness, substitute heavy cream or creme fraiche for some of the milk or add a splash of white wine.
With the right ingredients and simple preparation, you can easily whip up gluten-free crustless quiches at home. Experiment with different fillings and serve it for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
Where to Find Gluten-Free Crustless Quiche
If you don’t have time to make crustless quiche from scratch, there are some store-bought options to look for:
– Frozen crustless quiches: Many brands like Amy’s, Caulipower and RealEats make gluten-free frozen crustless quiches in flavors like broccoli and cheddar, bacon and gruyere, or spinach and feta. These can be found in the frozen food aisle of well-stocked grocery stores.
– Pre-made fresh crustless quiches: Some bakeries and cafes will stock individual crustless quiches that simply need reheating. Check the ingredients to ensure it’s made without wheat flour.
– Gluten-free bakeries: Dedicated gluten-free bakeries often offer crustless quiches fresh or frozen. Search for local bakeries in your area.
– Online ordering: Companies like RealEats allow you to order gluten-free crustless quiches online to be shipped frozen straight to your door.
Just double check the ingredients and nutrition info to confirm the crustless quiche you choose is gluten-free and meets your dietary needs. Reach out to manufacturers directly if ever in doubt.
Crustless Quiche Recipe (Gluten-Free)
Here is a simple recipe to make your own delicious gluten-free crustless quiche at home:
Ingredients
– 6 large eggs
– 1 1⁄2 cups whole milk or unsweetened non-dairy milk
– 1⁄4 cup arrowroot starch or cornstarch
– 1⁄2 tsp salt
– 1⁄4 tsp pepper
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup diced ham
– 1 onion, diced
– 1 cup sliced mushrooms
– 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, arrowroot starch, salt and pepper until well combined and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in cheddar cheese, ham, onions, mushrooms and spinach until fully incorporated.
4. Pour egg mixture into prepared pie dish.
5. Bake for 40-50 minutes until quiche is set in the center when gently shaken. Allow to cool 10 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve warm or refrigerate and reheat leftovers within 4 days.
This gluten-free crustless quiche is endlessly adaptable. Swap different fillings like broccoli and cheddar or tomato and basil. Adjust baking time as needed for deeper dishes. Enjoy this easy gluten-free meal for breakfast, brunch or dinner!
Troubleshooting Gluten-Free Crustless Quiche
Here are some common troubleshooting tips for gluten-free crustless quiche:
– Not thick enough: The filling should be thickened properly with starch and sufficiently baked to set. Make sure to whisk the eggs and starch thoroughly and bake until puffed and set in the center.
– Eggs curdled: If the eggs look curdled, the oven temperature is likely too high. Bake at 350°F or lower and make sure to mix ingredients gently.
– Quiche cracks: Cracks happen if baked too long. Check a few minutes early and remove once the center is just set.
– Watery or loose: Underbaking is the main cause. Be sure to bake until the quiche is set but not overbaked which can cause drying.
– Dry and tough: Overbaking will lead to a dry, rubbery quiche. Closely monitor timing and don’t exceed 50 minutes max.
– Stuck to pan: Grease the pan very well before baking. Also allow the quiche to rest before attempting to remove slices.
Follow the recipe tips and bake time carefully to ensure your gluten-free crustless quiche turns out perfect every time! Proper mixing, baking, cooling and storage are key.
Conclusion
Crustless quiche can be either gluten-free or not depending on the specific ingredients used. Gluten-containing grains like wheat flour are sometimes added to the custard as a thickener or binder. But eggs, cheese and starch thickeners like cornstarch or arrowroot work just as well to create a smooth, sliceable crustless quiche without gluten.
When prepared with naturally gluten-free whole foods, crustless quiche provides a great high-protein meal full of veggies and lean protein. It does remain high in cholesterol and fat from all the eggs and cheese. But for those avoiding gluten, crustless quiche can be an easier, more nutrient-dense option than traditional quiche with a pastry crust. With the right gluten-free ingredients and baking tips, anyone can whip up delicious gluten-free crustless quiches at home.
