This Egg-to-Milk Quiche Ratio Gives You a Perfect Custard Center Every Time (2024)

Kelli Foster

Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor

Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

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updated Aug 15, 2023

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This Egg-to-Milk Quiche Ratio Gives You a Perfect Custard Center Every Time (1)

Quiche is one of those perfect dishes that’s great morning, noon, or night. Whether you love the classic quiche Lorraine, or you’re a fan of throwing whatever is in the refrigerator into one, you can’t deny its versatility and deliciousness. At its core, the ingredients are simple — pie crust, eggs, milk or cream, and favorite fillings. The key to getting your quiche just right is the custard, and this means having the correct milk to egg ratio.

It’s essential to have just enough eggs to set the dairy, but not so many that the quiche becomes rubbery. When your quiche comes out of the oven, you want to see a little wobble. The wobble is the telltale sign of creamy, silky-smooth custard in every bite. Once you have this quiche milk to egg ratio memorized you won’t even need to look up a recipe (although, we do have this essential quiche recipe on hand if you need it!).

Quick Overview

What’s the Perfect Quiche Ratio?

The best quiche ratio is 1 large egg to 1/2 cup of dairy. The ratio of the fat content from the dairy and the protein from the eggs determine the custard’s final texture. The egg proteins bond to form a soft gel-like texture, while the dairy gives the quiche a creamy flavor.

A Foolproof Formula for Perfect Quiche Every Time

So how do you get a quiche with a smooth, creamy custard? It all comes down to this foolproof formula. Remember this formula and you’ll be rewarded with a perfect quiche.

Quiche Ratio: 1 large egg to 1/2 cup of dairy

This ratio, at its heart, is 1 part egg to 2 parts dairy, by weight. A standard large egg weighstwo ouncesand 1/2 cup of dairy (whole milk) isfour ounces, therefore a handy 1:2 ratio!

You’ll need to increase the amount of eggs and milk based on the size of your quiche, so knowing the basic ratio makes it really easy to scale up or down.

For a standard9-inch quiche:

  • Use 3 large eggs (6 ounces)
  • 1 1/2 cups of whole milk or cream (12 ounces)

This will fill the crust (or the pan itself, if you prefer a crustless quiche).

What kind of dairy should I use for quiche?

The dairy can be whole milk or anything with more fat than that, like half-and-half, cream, or a mix. The fat content of the dairy will affect how thick and firm (or, conversely, how wobbly) the custard will be after baking.

This Egg-to-Milk Quiche Ratio Gives You a Perfect Custard Center Every Time (2024)

FAQs

What is the ratio of eggs to milk in a quiche? ›

The ratio maintains your custard's consistency. A good quiche custard typically features: 1 large egg to 1/2 cups of dairy. The dairy can be any combination of milk and/or half-and-half, for example: 1 large egg : ½ cup milk.

What is the ratio of eggs to cream in quiche reddit? ›

I use the rules 1 egg to 1/2 cup dairy, so my standard is 3 eggs and 1.5 cups of a mix of cream and milk (depending on how healthy I'm making it!). More cream = more rich. I've seen recipes fully heavy cream, and recipes fully semi-skimmed milk. I tend to do half and half or 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup cream.

What happens if you put too many eggs in quiche? ›

The best quiche consists of a custard that's the perfect ratio between eggs and milk. Using too many eggs in the custard results in a quiche that rubbery and too firm when baked, while not using enough will prevent the custard from setting.

What is the function of milk in quiche? ›

The ratio of the fat content from the dairy and the protein from the eggs determine the custard's final texture. The egg proteins bond to form a soft gel-like texture, while the dairy gives the quiche a creamy flavor.

What is the ratio of eggs to milk? ›

Egg-to-Milk Ratio

I took a quick look at various recipes and found the typical range to be anywhere from two to four eggs per cup of milk.

How much milk instead of egg? ›

Using a 1/4 cup of milk or yogurt in place of eggs is perfect for baked goods where moisture is key, such as cakes or muffins. (Vegans can use plant-based milks or yogurt in its place.

Is heavy cream better than milk in quiche? ›

Heavy Cream and Milk – For the best tasting quiche, use a combination of whole milk and heavy cream. (Or simply use half-and-half.) Using just heavy cream produces an overly thick filling. Whole milk is great, but a combo of heavy cream and milk is better.

Should you beat eggs for quiche? ›

BEAT eggs, milk, thyme and salt in medium bowl until blended. Carefully POUR over filling in pie shell. BAKE in center of 375°F oven until center is almost set but jiggles slightly when dish is gently shaken and knife inserted near center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.

Why is my quiche like scrambled egg? ›

Quiche will have a texture similar to scrambled egg if it is baked at too high of a temperature or too little fat is incorporated into the custard. Follow your recipe closely and be sure to bake your quiche at a lower temperature for the correct amount of time, using the prescribed amount of cream and whole milk.

Can you substitute Greek yogurt for heavy cream in quiche? ›

If you're low on dairy ingredients, don't fret. Greek yogurt can substitute milk, sour cream and heavy cream. Milk: If you're short on milk, half and half or light cream, Greek yogurt can be used to make up for the difference.

Why does my quiche sink when I take it out of the oven? ›

Excess moisture is one reason why quiches collapse in a watery pool on your plate. Vegetables and meats like ham give off tremendous amounts of water when they're cooked. Therefore, if you're using vegetables in your quiche, it's imperative that you cook them first.

Why isn't my quiche creamy? ›

Too little dairy, and your quiche will be dry instead of creamy.

What is the main function of eggs in a quiche? ›

Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

How much milk per egg for scrambled eggs? ›

Adding milk or plain water to scrambled eggs is an optional step that affects the texture of your finished dish. For creamy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg. For fluffy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of water for every egg.

Why is quiche called quiche? ›

The word 'quiche' itself comes from the German word for cake, 'Kuchen. ' According to foodreference.com, the savory breakfast food was first concocted in the medieval German kingdom of Lotharingia, which stretched across France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

How much milk should you add per egg? ›

How much milk do you put in scrambled eggs? Adding milk or plain water to scrambled eggs is an optional step that affects the texture of your finished dish. For creamy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg. For fluffy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of water for every egg.

What is the ratio of eggs to liquid eggs? ›

Liquid eggs can be used in place of whole eggs in almost any recipe. The conversion is 3-4 tablespoons to 1 whole egg.

How many eggs does it take to thicken milk? ›

It really depends on how thick you want it. Some sites recommend one egg or 2 yolks per cup of milk. Ruhlman mentions 2 eggs per cup as 'standard', with 1 egg able to thicken 3/4 of a cup of liquid (but more fat helps).

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