Care for a Perfectly-Cooked Frittata That Requires Zero Effort? Use Your Air Fryer

Spring is here, which can only mean one thing: We’re finally ready to reemerge into society after spending the entire winter in hibernation. That’s right, after several long months avoiding any type of social gathering at all costs, it’s time to muster the energy to respond to the group chat we’ve left on read since December circa 2022.

That said, it’s important to have a plan of action ready for when the besties bombard you with texts demanding a brunch reunion. (Because, surprise, you’re the one hosting it.) Before you panic and pull out your dusty copy of your favorite Barefoot Contessa cookbook, we’ve found one of the easiest—yet most impressive—springtime brunch recipes you’ll be making on repeat all season long: veggie air fryer frittata. Learn more about this zero-effort easy breezy recipe that screams a protein-packed breakfast meal that’s so Instagrammble, too.

How to make a zero-mess air fryer frittata because who wants to clean up the kitchen, anyway?

For some, a long ingredient list isn’t something to fret over. However, for others (hi, it’s me), the simpler the recipe, the better. This zero-effort air fryer frittata recipe obviously falls into the latter category. In a recent TikTok video by @emmaclaire_nutrition, nutritionist Emma Claire shares how to make a delicious frittata using an air fryer. Yep, that’s right, your air fryer. Seriously, is there anything that clunky (but lovable) equipment can’t do? And it gets even better; this recipe involves zero cleaning of any pots and pans whatsoever.

So, let’s get to the good stuff: how to make it. Claire starts by lining the inside receptacle of the air fryer with a piece of parchment paper, to which she drizzles about a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Next, she cracks six large eggs directly onto the paper—no whisking necessary. Then she adds an assortment of chopped, bite-sized pieces of fresh veggies: red bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, and scallions. Of course, to give the frittata even more flavor—and for a classic #SaltBae moment—Claire sprinkles salt, pepper, and paprika on top and finishes the dish with a handful of shredded cheese.

Then the fun part: You sit back and relax while the frittata cooks to perfection in the air fryer. (Aka, for 15 minutes at about 350-360°F.) Once the timer’s up, you’ll find the eggs are pillowy-soft, the veggies are nice and tender, and the cheese is gooey and melty. Using the sides of the parchment paper for leverage, Claire carefully transfers the frittata onto a cutting board and uses a pizza cutter to cut the frittata into the desired amount of pieces. In other words, it’s brunchtime perfection and soon-to-be a fan favorite among your friend group. And if this recipe isn’t your vibe, there are tons of other variations swirling around on the World Wide Web, like this air fryer breakfast frittata recipe by Recipe From a Pantry.

What are the benefits of this easy frittata recipe?

ICYMI, many folks aren’t consuming enough protein for breakfast as it is. It turns out registered dietitians recommend around 30 grams of protein for the first meal of the day. To put that into perspective, eating two eggs only offers about 12 grams of protein. However, finding ways to spruce up your protein intake is easy with the help of tasty recipes, like this easy frittata, obvi. So, when paired with other high-protein breakfast foods—like a bowl of Magic Spoon cereal with roughly 13 grams of protein per serving—meeting your 30-grams-of-protein goal is easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Additionally, eggs, which have been dubbed by dietitians as nature’s multivitamin, contain a boatload of nutrients. Namely, every single one necessary for making brain cells. To be precise, this includes protein, iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, folate, vitamin A, choline, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids 1 and 3. Aren’t sold on the benefits of eggs just yet? According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, research shows that out of a group of 177,000 people in 50 different countries, those that ate seven or more eggs per week had better cardiovascular health and lower inflammation than those who ate less than one egg a week.

That said, eggs aren’t cheap these days, and unless you have your own chicken coop at home, finding a carton of ‘em can be a challenge due to recent shortages. That said, there are plenty of delicious egg substitutes to use to help you fulfill your frittata-making dreams.

An RD shares the benefits of eating eggs: