This delicious Potato Frittata has sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced potato, and scallions for a flavorful savory breakfast dish. It can feed a crowd, and leftovers keep beautifully. Make this easy recipe in less than 30 minutes!

Potato Frittata - in Cast Iron Skillet with Tomatoes and Arugula

Once you know how to make a frittata, you can make a thousand different frittatas, and its versatility is only one of its many merits.

A frittata is an egg-based blank canvas for so many different flavor combinations, either ones you want to dream up and try, or frittatas that use up leftover ingredients you have in the fridge. Sometimes using up what you’ve got in the fridge is the best way to find new favorite renditions!

Just like how eggs and Hash Browns go together, the potato here is hearty and delicious in this setting.

Often times I’ll take little bits of leftovers, like grilled peppers from dinner or a half-used package of goat cheese, and throw them together into this dish. You can use the ratios in this recipe to make other kinds of frittatas, and I do that all the time with different vegetables and ingredients.

What is a Frittata?

It’s basically a giant egg omelet that’s started on the stove and finished in the oven. It is then cut into slices, and looks like a crustless quiche. However, frittata recipes have significantly less cream added than the typical French quiche.

I love plating it either in the pan at the table, or cut it into slices on plates:

Potato Frittata Recipe - Sliced and Served on Plate with Tomatoes

Vegetables and cheeses are very common ingredients for frittatas, but one of my favorite ingredients to add is potato. It’s reminiscent of the Spanish Tortilla I ate often while living in Spain, but is much less work to make.

Plus, potatoes are such a classic breakfast ingredient and add great heartiness to this recipe.

Frittatas are also great for entertaining, because you can whip up a big batch and cut it into slices for everyone. Even though I love waffles and pancakes, something about having to cook them in batches for guests feels stressful. I love how a frittata feels very easy!

Tips for Best Results

Use a cast-iron pan if possible – While any oven-safe nonstick skillet will do, what I like about cast-iron is how well it retains heat. Because this starts on the stove, when you transfer the potato frittata to the oven to finish cooking, the pan will already be hot, and cooking will be more even. Make sure the pan is well-seasoned.

Give the potatoes a head start on cooking – You will want to cook the potatoes before you add the frittata filling, so that they are tender by the time everything’s finished in the oven.

Keep your eye on the frittata while it’s in the oven – Even though I’ve determined a consistent bake time from my recipe testing process, it’s important to check on the frittata toward the end of cooking. Sometimes ovens heat differently and temperatures can fluctuate. You don’t want to overcook this.

Step by Step Guide:

Heat a large oven-proof non-stick pan over medium heat with some olive oil, then layer thinly sliced potatoes in the pan, and sprinkle with salt:

Sliced Potatoes in Cast Iron Skillet

What Kind of Potato To Use

I have made this both with starchy potatoes like Russets, and waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. They both work fine here. The difference is in the texture, and that is preference.

Russets have a fluffier texture (think French Fries) whereas the waxy potatoes are what are typically used in Potato Salad.

While the potato slices cook, prepare the frittata ingredients for the filling. Combine 8 large eggs, a splash of heavy cream, freshly grated cheddar cheese, sliced scallions, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl:

Frittata Ingredients in bowl including Eggs, cheddar, cream, scallions

Ingredient Substitutions

I personally love the cheddar scallion combination with the egg and potato, but here are some other ideas. My favorite thing about a frittata is how versatile it is.

Swap the Cheese – Instead of cheddar, you may also try gruyere, Jack, mozzarella, Fontina, and other melty cheeses. Feel free to add some Parmesan cheese or harder cheeses, but keep half the cheese as a gooey or melty choice.

Swap the Green Onions – You may also try sauteed leeks, fresh snipped chives, or other herbs of your choice in place of the scallions.

Add more vegetables – You will need to saute it all separately, but you can add some sauteed red peppers (or any color bell pepper), sauteed zucchini, or sauteed broccoli. Try up to 1 cup.

Whisk that all together until the egg is well blended:

Egg Frittata Batter in Bowl with Whisk

When the potatoes are tender, sprinkle with paprika, then pour the batter into the cast iron pan:

Pouring Egg Potato Frittata Batter in Cast Iron Skillet

The egg will start cooking on the bottom and sides.

Quickly but carefully transfer the skillet to the oven, which should be preheated to 375 degrees F.

Raw Egg Batter in Skillet with Green Onion and Cheddar Cheese

Continue cooking for another 15-18 minutes in the oven, until the egg is completely cooked through and the edges look lightly golden brown.

Potato and Egg Frittata Baked in Cast Iron Skillet

Take care to watch the frittata in the oven toward the end with a close eye, to prevent overcooking. You can tell it’s done if you jiggle the pan and there’s no liquidy egg moving around.

Slice of Potato Frittata Close Up View

That right there is perfect!

How to Serve It

I like to serve the Potato Frittata with fresh cut cherry tomatoes and arugula to accent it with fresh flavors, but you can certainly enjoy it plain. It’s a fabulous recipe and healthy meal for breakfast, a light lunch, or even a light dinner.

Sometimes I put the whole thing right on the table and let people slice and serve from the pan as they choose, and sometimes I will put individual portions sliced with a Kale Salad on the side for brunch.

A side of Drop Biscuits or Homemade English Muffins is also wonderful to serve alongside this dish.

For more savory breakfasts, I love a classic Breakfast Burrito or Bacon Cheddar Waffles.

For sweet breakfast, I love these fluffy English Scones and Whole Wheat Pancakes. Enjoy!

Tips and FAQs:

How do you store leftover Potato Frittata?

Let the frittata cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You may also cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.

How do you reheat potato frittata?

I recommend reheating in a warm oven, wrapped, so it doesn’t dry out or overcook. 250F for 10 minutes should work well as a starting point. Be careful not to cook the frittata more when you reheat. The microwave is not recommended because it cooks too harshly and makes the egg spongey.

Can you freeze a Potato Frittata?

Yes, for up to two months. Let the frittata thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, otherwise you risk overcooking the egg.

Can potato frittatas be made in advance?

Yes, in multiple ways. First, you can whisk together the batter ahead of time and pre-cook the potatoes, then put the pan on the stove, heat up the potatoes, add the batter, and bake fresh. Or, you can completely make the entire thing in advance and reheat later.

Can you serve this Potato Frittata cold?

Generally yes, but I find that I like the texture of a warmed up potato better than cold, so I always reheat.

Can you make this recipe on the stovetop entirely?

No. Since the heat is coming from the bottom, the bottom will be quite overcooked by the time the top is done. You need the oven so the air cooks the frittata evenly on all sides.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

A close up of a slice of Potato Cheddar Frittata

Potato Frittata

Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
This Potato Frittata is flavored with cheddar cheese and has thinly sliced potato on the bottom. It’s great for breakfast or brunch, and leftovers keep beautifully!
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb potato*
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • salt
  • dusting of paprika optional (about 1/4 tsp)
  • 2 scallions sliced
  • 4 oz freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375F.
  • Using a mandolin, slice the potatoes thinly (no need to peel the potatoes, unless you want to).
  • Add the olive oil to an ovenproof 12-inch nonstick skillet that has a lid available, then layer the sliced potatoes in a single even layer.
  • Season the potatoes with a pinch of salt (about 1/4 tsp), and a light dusting of paprika, if using.
  • Place the pan over medium heat, and cover with a lid. Cook for about 8 minutes** until the potatoes are fork tender.
  • In the meantime, whisk the scallions, cheddar, eggs, cream, and 1/4 tsp salt in a large bowl, until combined and a little frothy on top.
  • Once the potatoes are cooked, pour over the egg mixture. 
  • Place the skillet into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until the frittata is cooked through. You’ll know it’s done when there’s no visible liquidy egg on top when the pan is jiggled.
  • Cut into slices and enjoy!

Notes

*I have used both russet potatoes and waxy potatoes like red potatoes or yukon, and they both work. Russet potatoes will be a bit more fluffy in texture.
**Cooking time really depends on the thickness of the potato slices. Go by doneness, not by time.
Storing leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating: I recommend reheating in a warm oven, wrapped, so it doesn’t dry out or overcook. 250F for 10 minutes should work well as a starting point. Be careful not to cook the frittata more when you reheat. The microwave is not recommended because it cooks too harshly and makes the egg spongey.
Freezing: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Let the frittata thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Make-ahead Tips: You can whisk together the batter ahead of time and pre-cook the potatoes, then put the pan on the stove, heat up the potatoes, add the batter, and bake fresh. Or, you can completely make the entire thing in advance and reheat later.

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 411mg, Sodium: 481mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Joanne Ozug

Post updated in April 2022. Originally posted March 2014.

How to Make Potato Frittata (video):