
Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe tastes light, cheesy, and savory with tender zucchini and a golden top that feels like comfort food without the heavy crust. It works perfectly for busy folks who want a make-ahead breakfast, a quick weeknight dinner, or a brunch dish on the table in about 50 minutes. I first made this on a sweltering July morning with way too much garden zucchini and zero desire to fuss with pastry, and it never left my rotation.
Why Make This Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe at Home
This crustless zucchini quiche recipe gives you all the flavor of a classic quiche without the extra work or calories from a crust. You whisk, pour, bake, and end up with a sliceable, protein packed meal that works warm, room temp, or chilled.
You also control the ingredients, which helps if you avoid gluten or want to keep things lighter. Leftovers taste great, so you cook once and eat breakfast or lunch for days.
“This crustless zucchini quiche recipe tasted rich and cheesy but still light enough for breakfast, and my whole family asked for seconds. ★★★★★”
Ingredients You Need
Fresh ingredients
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Zucchini:
- 2 medium zucchini, about 1 pound total, grated or very thinly sliced
- I like firm, smaller zucchini since they hold less water and taste sweeter.
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Eggs:
- 6 large eggs
- Use the freshest eggs you can since they give better structure and flavor.
-
Dairy:
- 1 cup whole milk or half and half
- You can use 2 percent milk for a lighter version, though the texture turns slightly less custardy.
- Avoid fat free milk since it makes the quiche watery.
-
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheese total, mix and match:
- Sharp cheddar for classic flavor
- Gruyère or Swiss for a nutty note
- Monterey Jack for a milder, melty option
- I prefer to shred cheese from a block since bagged shreds contain starch that can affect texture.
- 1 cup shredded cheese total, mix and match:
-
Aromatics:
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
-
Fresh herbs (optional but tasty):
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, basil, or chives
Pantry ingredients
-
Olive oil or butter:
- 1 tablespoon to sauté the zucchini and onion
- I often use olive oil for everyday cooking and butter when I want extra richness.
-
All purpose flour:
- 3 tablespoons
- This helps the quiche set and prevents a watery texture.
- Use a gluten free all purpose blend in the same amount for a gluten free version.
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Baking powder:
- 1 teaspoon
- This gives a slightly lighter, puffed texture.
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Salt and pepper:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-
Dried seasonings (optional):
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you like a little heat
Optional add ins
Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup total of extras so the quiche does not turn dense.
- Cooked bacon bits or crumbled breakfast sausage
- Diced cooked ham
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Chopped roasted red peppers
- Baby spinach, sautéed and squeezed dry
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese in place of part of the shredded cheese
Equipment list
- 9 inch pie dish or 9 inch round baking dish
- A glass or ceramic dish works best for even baking.
- Large skillet to sauté zucchini and onion
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Box grater for zucchini and cheese
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze moisture from zucchini
- Wire rack for cooling
Tips & Mistakes
- Squeeze the zucchini very well so the quiche sets nicely and does not turn soggy.
- Salt the grated zucchini and let it sit 5 to 10 minutes, then squeeze again to pull out extra moisture.
- Sauté the zucchini and onion until they lose most of their moisture and start to brown for deeper flavor.
- Cool the sautéed vegetables slightly before adding them to the egg mixture so the eggs do not start to cook too early.
- Use whole milk or half and half for the best texture, since very low fat milk can make the quiche watery.
- Shred cheese from a block instead of using pre shredded cheese, which can melt less smoothly.
- Do not overload with fillings, since too many add ins can keep the center from setting.
- Bake until the center barely jiggles and a knife near the center comes out mostly clean, so you avoid a runny middle.
- Let the quiche rest at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing so it holds together.
- Grease the pie dish well so slices release cleanly and do not stick to the sides.
How to Make Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe
Step 1: Prep the zucchini
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9 inch pie dish with oil or butter. Wash the zucchini and trim the ends. Grate the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater or slice it very thinly.
Place the zucchini in a colander over the sink and sprinkle with a big pinch of salt. Toss and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the salt pulls out moisture. Wrap the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze very firmly until you remove as much liquid as possible.
Step 2: Sauté the vegetables
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes until it turns soft and lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the squeezed zucchini to the skillet and cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until it looks dry and some bits start to brown. Taste and season with a little salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
Step 3: Mix the egg base
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until they look smooth and slightly frothy. Add the milk or half and half, salt, pepper, flour, baking powder, and any dried seasonings. Whisk until no dry pockets of flour remain.
Stir in the shredded cheese and any fresh herbs. Add any cooked meats or extra vegetables at this point, but keep the total add ins reasonable so the quiche still sets nicely. Fold in the slightly cooled zucchini and onion mixture until everything looks evenly combined.
Step 4: Fill the dish
Pour the mixture into the greased pie dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top if you want a more golden, cheesy crust. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips and to make it easier to move.
Step 5: Bake
Place the quiche on the middle rack of the oven. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your oven and the depth of your dish. The edges should puff and turn golden, and the center should look set with only a slight jiggle.
Check doneness by inserting a thin knife or toothpick near the center. It should come out mostly clean with no wet egg. If the top browns too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil and keep baking until the center finishes.
Step 6: Cool and slice
Remove the quiche from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let it rest 10 to 15 minutes so the structure firms up and slices hold together. Slice into wedges with a sharp knife and serve warm, or let it cool completely for easier, cleaner slices.
Variations I've Tried
I often swap half the zucchini for sautéed mushrooms and spinach, which gives a more earthy, veggie heavy version that tastes great with a sprinkle of feta. A bacon and cheddar version with zucchini still keeps some lightness but satisfies the meat lovers at my table. I also like a Mediterranean style twist with zucchini, roasted red peppers, olives, and a mix of mozzarella and feta.
For a dairy reduced version, I use lactose free milk and a smaller amount of a strong cheese like sharp cheddar so I still get flavor. A fully gluten free version works well when I swap the flour for a gluten free all purpose blend and grease the dish very well.
How to Serve Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe
Serve this crustless zucchini quiche recipe warm, at room temperature, or chilled straight from the fridge, depending on your mood and schedule. Pair it with a simple green salad, sliced tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, or a fruit salad for a fresh contrast. It also works nicely with roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes when you want a heartier plate. For breakfast or brunch, I like it with yogurt and berries or a slice of whole grain toast.
How to store
- Fridge: Cool the quiche completely, then cover the dish tightly or transfer slices to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freezer (whole): Bake, cool completely, wrap the entire quiche in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Freezer (slices): Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating from fridge: Reheat slices in a 325°F oven or toaster oven for 10 to 15 minutes until warm, or microwave in short bursts so you do not overcook the eggs.
- Reheating from freezer: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in a 325°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through.

Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9-inch pie dish with butter or oil.
- Wash the zucchini, trim the ends, and grate on the large holes of a box grater or slice very thinly.
- Place the zucchini in a colander over the sink, sprinkle with a big pinch of salt, toss, and let sit 5 to 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Wrap the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze very firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the squeezed zucchini to the skillet and cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture looks dry and some bits start to brown. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth and slightly frothy. Add the milk or half and half, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, flour, baking powder, and any dried seasonings. Whisk until no dry flour remains.
- Stir in the shredded cheese and any fresh herbs. Fold in any optional cooked meats or vegetables, keeping the total add-ins to about 1/2 to 3/4 cup so the quiche does not turn dense.
- Fold the slightly cooled zucchini and onion mixture into the egg mixture until evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into the greased 9-inch pie dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top if desired.
- Place the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake on the middle rack for 30 to 40 minutes, until the edges are puffed and golden and the center is just set with a slight jiggle.
- Check doneness by inserting a thin knife or toothpick near the center; it should come out mostly clean with no wet egg. Tent loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly before the center sets.
- Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes so the quiche firms up for clean slices.
- Slice into wedges and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled, as desired.
Notes
Approximate per serving (1 of 6, made with whole milk, cheddar, and no meat add-ins): 220–260 calories; fat 16 g; saturated fat 7 g; carbohydrates 7 g; fiber 1 g; sugars 4 g; protein 14 g; sodium 480 mg. Values will vary based on cheese choice, milk type, add-ins, and portion size.

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