Frittatas are enjoyed worldwide as a delicious breakfast or brunch dish. They are easy to make and can be made with lots of different types of ingredients.
But, if you’ve found yourself with some leftover frittata slices or want to do some meal planning, knowing how to reheat frittata successfully is essential.
I like to describe frittatas as a mix between an omelet and a quiche. They are slightly thicker than an omelet, but thinner than a quiche. They can sometimes be called a crustless quiche but I don’t necessarily agree with that description.
A frittata is an Italian egg dish and usually cooked over a stove in a saute or frying pan. The only time I’d place a frittata in the oven is if I were to reheat it. I explain how to do that method further below.
Whether your reheating day-old frittata day or 3 month-old frozen frittata, these easy tips and steps will help you enjoy a delicious quick breakfast with the best results.
How to Reheat Frittata – General Overview
Since frittatas consist mainly of egg as the primary ingredient, people often wonder if it’s even possible to reheat frittata without it becoming hard or rubbery. The good news is that you can most certainly enjoy your frittata leftovers without any issues.
I’ll explain the various reheating methods and you can decide which one is best for you.
If you have frittata leftovers that you kept in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer, you can easily reheat them using any of the following appliances.
- Stove top
- Oven/Toaster Oven
- Microwave
It is best to reheat the frittata no more than three days after storing in the fridge, otherwise you need to freeze it. The longer the frittata is in the refrigerator the more it will lose moisture and start to dry out.
If you plan on storing your frittata longer than three days, I recommend reading my post about how to freeze frittata. Knowing how to properly freeze it is just as important as knowing how to reheat it.
By following these simple steps you’ll be able to enjoy your frittata without compromising taste or texture.
How to Reheat Frittata in a Skillet
For reheating individual portions, I recommend using a skillet over medium heat.
- Remove individual portions from refrigerator. It is not necessary to let it get to room temperature, but I recommend it if you have time.
- Remove any outer wrappings such as foil and plastic wrap.
- Heat a medium skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Place the thawed frittata slices in the skillet, add a drop of water. The drop of water helps the frittata reheat in its own steam, preventing it from drying out.
- Cover with a lid and let it heat through, approximately 10 minutes. Make sure the portions are not overlapping.
How to Reheat Frittata in the Oven or Toaster Oven
If you’re reheating a large whole frittata I recommend using the oven or toaster oven.
- Remove frittata from refrigerator and let it get to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Remove any plastic wrap and cover the frittata with foil if it’s already slightly brown on top. This will help trap any steam and avoid burning the already cooked top.
- Cook in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes.
How to Reheat Frittata in the Microwave
Reheating a frittata in the microwave works best for individual portions, not the entire frittata. As you see in the image above, I used the microwave to reheat my thawed spinach frittata as leftovers. My microwave is old and it took 2 minutes.
If you have a whole frittata, it is best to use the oven method.
To reheat your frittata servings in the microwave, follow these steps.
- Remove any plastic wrap and foil.
- Place the frittata on a microwave safe plate or dish.
- If the frittata seems a little dry, place a damp paper towel on top of it.
- Reheat for 1 to 2 minutes on high or until warmed through. If you have a high powered microwave that heats up very quickly, use the reheat option.
PRO TIP: Keep in mind the length of time for reheating depends on the strength of the microwave. So, adjust accordingly. It’s easy to overcook an already-cooked egg dish in the microwave.
How to Reheat Frozen Frittata
You can also reheat frittatas that have been frozen, with great results. The biggest concern with reheating a frittata that’s been frozen is how to do it without causing the texture to change from soft to rubbery.
This is a common problem when reheating any type of breakfast dish where the egg mixture is the main ingredient. One of the most important steps is to make sure you allow the frittata to fully thaw, including the center. Otherwise the edges will become overcooked while the center is still thawing.
Follow these tips and you’ll be all set.
How to Thaw Frozen Frittata
A little bit of forethought will go a long way, and thawing your frozen frittata is a critical step before reheating it. Follow these steps.
- Take the frittata out the night before and remove any foil, leaving just the plastic wrap.
- Let it thaw thoroughly for at least 8 hours for a whole frittata, and 4 hours for individual portions. This makes it easier to reheat without having parts of the frittata overcooked while other parts are still cool.
- Remove from the fridge to allow the frittata to get to room temperature before reheating. This is not required, but does help for quicker and more even reheating, especially when using an oven or toaster oven.
Other Considerations When Freezing Frittatas
Not all frittatas are created equal. Depending on the frittata recipe you use whether a simple Italian potato frittata or sausage frittata, your freezing and thawing process might vary slightly.
Regardless of the type of frittata you are reheating, it is best practice to allow the frittata to thaw completely and even get to room temperature before you reheat it.
Reheating Vegetable Frittatas
Frittatas that use lots of vegetables with high water content, such as zucchini or tomatoes, will be prone to crystallization in the freezer. I’d recommend reheating these no more than 3 months after being in the freezer.
Frittatas with vegetables will be less prone to drying out regardless of which reheating method you use.
Reheating Simple Frittatas
However frittatas like a regular Italian frittata or spinach frittata recipe, won’t have as much moisture content and can be stored longer in the freezer. I’d recommend adding a tablespoon of water when reheating over the stove or in an oven.
If you’re reheating in the microwave, place a damp paper towel over the frittata.
Reheating Sausage Frittatas
If you have a sausage frittata that you’ve frozen, then reheating it in a covered dish, with a drop of water will help it heat in its own steam. Make sure to thaw this type of frittata fully, and for best results allow it to warm to room temperature before placing in the oven or skillet to reheat.
Which Method is the Best?
Each method has its pros and cons and which is the best option or the quickest option depends on what your needs are.
In my experience, the easiest and quickest method for reheating frittata portions is in the microwave. With that said, I also think it’s the most risky. It’s so easy for the egg to become overcooked and rubbery, so I recommend keeping a close eye on it.
I prefer to reheat frittata over the stove in a skillet, unless it’s whole, in which case I recommend the oven method. The key is to remember that you don’t want the frittata to dry out. Using a lid and adding some water to help create steam will help heat the top of the frittata while the skillet heats the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can easily make a frittata in advance and reheat it using the oven, stove, or microwave. Some people even use an air fryer.
An egg frittata can last up to three days and no more in the fridge. The longer it remains in the fridge the dryer it will get.
Yes, reheated frittata can taste just as good reheated if you follow the proper steps and do not overcook it.
Related Topics
If you enjoyed this post, I recommend checking out the following recipes and how-to articles.
It’s important to know how to freeze frittata properly so it keeps its fresh taste when reheating. You won’t be disappointed.
Knowing how to reheat alfredo can be tricky. But with these helpful tips you’ll soon be on your way!
Learn how long to cook frozen stuffed shells so you can enjoy a delicious pasta recipe for dinner, just as if it was freshly baked!
I hope this article helped you learn how to reheat frittata, frozen or otherwise. Let me know how this turned out for you and what you learned. Do you have your own tips you want to share?
Let me know in the comments below so we all can learn together!
Instructions
How to Reheat Frittata in a Skillet
- If the frittata is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove frittata from the refrigerator and Let it get to room temperature if you have time.
- Remove any outer wrappings such as foil or plastic wrap.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
- Place the thawed frittata in the skillet or frying pan with about 1 Tablespoon of water for steam.
- Cover with a lid and let it heat through, approximately 5-10 minutes, making sure not to overcook. Remember, we're just reheating.
Reheat Frittata in the Oven or Toaster Oven
- Make sure the frittata is thawed. Let it get to room temperature if time permits.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Remove any plastic wrap and cover the frittata with foil if it's already slightly browned on the top.
- Cook for 10-13 minutes being careful not to let it overcook -we just want it to reheat.
How to Reheat Frittata in the Microwave
- Remove any plastic wrap and foil.
- Place the frittata on a microwavable plate or dish.
- Cover with a damp paper towel if the frittata seems to be dry. This is optional.
- Reheat in the microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, making sure to check periodically especially if your microwave is very strong. You don't want the eggs turning rubbery.
Notes
- I recommend using the microwave method or stove top for individual slices.
- Use the toaster oven or oven method for whole frittatas.
- Remember to check periodically because your oven or microwave may operate at a lower or higher power than mine, so reheat times may vary.
- Frittatas with lots of veggies or meat may require longer reheat times and I strongly recommend reheating these types of frittatas when they have been brought to room temperature.
