As cast iron enthusiasts, we often get asked about the different recipes that may or may not be suitable for using a cast iron pan, skillet, griddle, or dutch oven. Truth is, as versatile as they are, cast iron is not ideal for many different inf=gredients. It can be difficult trying to work out what works well and what doesn’t.
Luckily for you, we have already done lots of that exploration. Years of experience using cast iron have allowed us to get a good sense of what works well and what doesn’t.
One of the main things we get asked is whether eggs are suitable for use in a cast iron pan. The egg dish we get asked about specifically is quiche.
We get it, something that eggy and pastry laden does not seem like something that would suit cast iron. People worry that it will stick or may not cook as well. However, this is simply not true.
In this article, we are going to be exploring whether quiche can be cooked in a cast iron pan and giving tips and tricks on how to cook a quiche in cast iron successfully. So, if you have a hankering for quiche and want to use your new cast iron pan, this may be the article for you.
Can you cook a quiche in a cast iron pan?
Yes! We are happy to tell you that you certainly can use a cast iron pan to cook a quiche. In fact, a cast iron pan is an ideal vessel for your delicious quiche recipe as it provides a robust container that encourages it to cook well and does not require fat or oil to grease it or stop it from sticking.
The reason it works so well is because of the fact that your cast iron pan is likely to be seasoned well with oil, providing a successful non-stick surface for which you can use to cook a variety of foods.
It also allows for a really even bake. Some people may choose to cook the quiche base separately first. This is called blind baking and is an optional element to making a quiche. Alternatively, you can simply place in your raw pastry and cover it with your quiche filling and cook it all at the same time.
There is even a recipe known as crustless quiche. This does not use a pastry crust and simply involves cooking the quiche filling alone. The egg solidifies so it can be cut into slices and enjoyed as a pastry-free treat (as such, it is often enjoyed by followers of low-carb diets). Crustless quiche can be made with ease in a cast iron pan.
Can I use a cast iron skillet as a pie pan?
Yes! You certainly can use a cast iron skillet like a pie pan. As you may know, a quiche uses a pastry crust (typically shortcrust pastry) as a means of holding the filling. This is exactly what a pie does!
As such, it makes sense that you can also use a cast iron skillet (or indeed, a cast iron pan) as a pie can. Simply place your pastry in the pan and blind bake if needed (this means cooking the pastry first before putting the filling in), or you can just put the filling into the uncooked pastry and cook them all together.
You can make an open-top pie (like a tart) or you can layer more pastry on top to seal it. Either way, both can be done with much success in a cast iron skillet!
How to make a quiche in a cast iron skillet?
To make a quiche in a cast iron skillet you will first need to make sure you have a properly sized skillet that will be adequate for a quiche. We recommend using a 10.5 inch cast iron skillet for this. The great thing about using a skillet, as you will know from the questions we answered earlier in the article, is that you do not need to ‘grease’ or use oil for the quiche. It will not stick to the bottom of the cast iron skillet because it has been seasoned with oil to create a non-stick coating.
When you have your skillet ready, set your oven to preheat at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As the oven is preheating you can ready your ingredients. You can use whatever quiche recipe you like, choose your favorite!
If you are making your own pastry base you can make this now (or prepare it before so it’s ready to roll. I quite like using ready-to-roll pastry from the store as it is quicker and always tastes great. Ensure whatever pastry you use is shortcrust.
Place the pastry into the pan, pressing it down to form the pie crust in the skillet. Set this aside and get to work on your filling. Of course, you do not need to use a pastry base. As we mentioned in the first section, you can also make crustless quiche in your cast iron pan. Simply follow the next steps for making the filling and pour it straight into your cast iron pan.
Chop up any fillings you want such as smoked ham, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions. Set these aside too and then make your egg mix. For this, you want to beat together some eggs with cream, cheese, and any seasoning you want to use.
When you are happy with your egg mixture, add in your chopped up toppings, mix it, and pour it into your base. You can then set this into your refrigerator until it is ready to cook. This will also help it to set a little, too.
When you are ready, place it into your preheated oven for around 40 minutes until the top gets a gorgeous golden brown color. You need to ensure the filling has totally set. Serve it warm or cold as you wish.
