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Home » Recipes » Breakfast

Keto Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe

By Kim Hardesty

A crustless zucchini quiche is a delicious way to utilize an abundance of summer zucchini. This vegetarian quiche is very low carb so it's perfect for keto diets, too.

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zucchini quiche in a quiche dish with grated zucchini

At first, I was leary of using zucchini in a quiche because I thought it might be watery. I was wrong. It's amazing! The rich custard filling, delicate zucchini flavor, herbs, and mellow saltiness from the smoked gouda cheese is winning combination. And, ditching the crust means this recipe is low carb!

THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO SHARE THE THINGS I LOVE.

What’s best? Sliced Zucchini or Grated Zucchini for Quiche?

You’ll see zucchini quiche recipes made with sliced zucchini and grated zucchini. After testing this recipe both ways, I found that grated zucchini works much better in this crustless zucchini quiche. Why?

  • Grated zucchini is easy to squeeze dry
  • Grated zucchini is easy to layer
  • Zucchini rounds release a lot of water in the quiche, even when salted and patted dry
  • Zucchini rounds need to be sauteed before adding to the quiche or they don't cook completely
  • Zucchini rounds sink to the bottom of the quiche

The Perfect Quiche Ingredient Ratio

The perfect egg-cream-cheese ratio for a quiche is ¼ cup of cream and 1 ounce of cheese for each egg. Because zucchini contains so much water, it was important to change the ratio for this zucchini quiche custard. Adding an extra egg and a little more cheese while decreasing the amount of heavy cream did the trick!

Crustless zuchini quiche slice on a plate

The Perfect Low Carb Crustless Zucchini Quiche

As far as low carb keto quiches go, this is an easy one. But for the best results you must grate the zucchini and remove as much water as you can. Don't worry, it's a piece of cake:

Grate one pound of zucchini and put it into a colander in the sink. Mix salt into the zucchini and let it sit for several minutes (the salt draws water out of the zucchini). Rinse the zucchini well to remove the excess salt. Then, using clean hands, squeeze out as much liquid as you can from the zucchini.

Then, go on to make the quiche but don't forget to layer the ingredients!

Layer Your Quiche Ingredients

Want the best quiche? Do me a favor... Layer. The. Ingredients. Layering the ingredients prevents heavier ingredients from sinking to the bottom and ensures even distribution.

Sprinkle a quarter of the cheese into a quiche dish or a pie plate. Layer roughly one third of the ingredients into the pie plate followed by another layer of cheese. Repeat twice more. Pour the frothy egg mixture over the layers and bake.

To refrigerate, allow your zucchini quiche to cool completely and cover with cling film. Reheat a slice of quiche in the microwave or in the oven. Serve with a green salad or this refreshing sweet bell pepper salad.

Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Low carb crustless zucchini quiche recipe

Customize your quiche!

I love this zucchini quiche as written, but I did experiment with other seasoning combinations. In one variation I added two teaspoons of my homemade ranch seasoning. While the quiche was delicious and VERY FLAVORFUL, I felt like the zucchini's delicate flavor was lost. However, if you aren’t a huge fan of zucchini, this may be a great option for you!

Here are some ideas for customization:

  • add 2 teaspoons of ranch seasoning or lemon pepper
  • try adding basil or parsley
  • use green onions instead of chives
  • add crumbled bacon or chopped ham for more protein
  • try topping the zucchini quiche with crumbled feta cheese or dollops of ricotta cheese
  • add a flaky low carb pie crust

Other Great Low Carb Keto Vegetarian Quiche Recipes

Low carb vegetarian recipes are sometimes hard to find. Quiche is great because it benefits from the protein contributed from the eggs and cheese. Plus, it looks so nice on a plate. Here are three more great low carb vegetarian recipes.

  1. Crustless Mushroom Quiche
  2. Spinach and Mushroom Quiche
  3. Zucchini gratin by my friend Mellissa at I Breathe I’m Hungry.
Crustless zuchini quiche slice on a plate

Crustless Zucchini Quiche Recipe

This Zucchini quiche promises rich custard filling, delicate zucchini flavor, herbs, and mellow saltiness from smoked gouda cheese - a winning combination!
5 from 36 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 314kcal
Author: Kim Hardesty

Ingredients

  • 1 pound grated zucchini
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz smoked gouda cheese (or add ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke)
  • 2 tablespoon snipped fresh chives
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 teaspoon soft butter

Instructions

Preparation

  • Place the zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Thoroughly mix salt into zucchini with your hands. Let sit for 10 minutes. Grate the cheese.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F and set rack to middle position. Butter a 9 - 10 inch pie plate or quiche dish.

Method

  • Rinse the zucchini with running water very thoroughly. With clean hands, squeeze out as much liquid from the zucchini as you can. Place the zucchini into a medium bowl and mix well with the dried dill and chives.
  • Measure salt, pepper, eggs and heavy cream into a medium bowl and beat until frothy.
  • Layer ¼ of the cheese into the pie plate followed with ⅓ of the zucchini. Alternate layering cheese and zucchini until used up. Gently pour the egg mixture over the quiche.

Bake

  • Bake for 40-50 minutes depending on you oven or until the quiche is browned and just slightly soft in the middle. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature before serving.
  • Cover with cling film and refrigerate any leftovers. Reheat in the microwave or oven. Great served with a green salad.
  • Serve warm with a green salad. Serves 6 at 4.1g NET CARBS per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 291mg | Sodium: 577mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 1.75g
Spinach and mushroom quiche (vegetable quiche) slice on a plate.

Spinach and Mushroom - Vegetable Quiche

Slice of broccoli cheddar quiche with bacon on a plate.

Broccoli Cheddar Quiche with Bacon

These Spinach Feta Quiche Muffins taste like spinach artichoke dip and are a breeze to make! | low carb, gluten-free, keto, thm

Low Carb Spinach Feta Quiche

About Kim Hardesty

Kim is a self taught cook with over 30 years experience in the kitchen. She develops and tests low carb and keto recipes in her California home. She began her low carb journey in 2009 and at the urging of friends, started blogging in 2014. Kim shares delicious low carb and keto recipes no one would believe are sugar-free. Her recipes are featured in newsstand publications and on sites all over the internet.

View all posts by Kim Hardesty | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

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  1. Kathy Roth

    October 27, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    Sorry have not commented earlier, love this recipe!!! Changed up zucchini for spinich, kale etc. Even have added breakfast sausage. Everyone I have fed this to loves it.

    Reply
  2. John M

    September 13, 2023 at 2:18 pm

    I’ve made this twice this summer-absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  3. Ingrid Borthen

    September 11, 2023 at 7:17 am

    Very tasty.

    Reply
  4. JudyB

    August 15, 2023 at 12:47 pm

    I loved the creamy texture. I didn't have smoked gouda so I used Greyere but I don't think it had enough flavor. I will definetly make again with gouda. I didn't see the part about rinsing zucchini so I left out the added salt and it was fine. Thank you for delicious recipe.

    Reply
  5. Victoria

    August 05, 2023 at 9:37 pm

    I made two of these tonight - one for now and one for tomorrow. It is absolutely delicious - light and mild, but also flavorful and savory! I used regular gouda and followed the remainder of the recipe as written - however, I also made a crust, which did not add to the baking time (I did not pre-bake the crust). I've only made a few quiches in my time, and this was by far the best. I think beating the egg mixture until frothy, layering, and not overcooking were the keys to success. And of course a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      August 15, 2023 at 9:44 am

      This makes me happy, Victoria. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe and your quiche. Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment. Have a great week. Kim

      Reply
  6. Michele

    August 05, 2023 at 9:53 am

    Great recipe! Everyone loved it

    Reply
  7. Michele

    July 25, 2023 at 10:17 pm

    This was delicious. Made it for the first time and was so pleased. Used my fresh zucchini from the garden. The only extra step I did was add a few mushrooms and more chives. I will be making it again.

    Reply
  8. Janette Fratto

    July 22, 2023 at 4:37 pm

    I cube the zucchini. Gives it more texture. 1 cup of Bisquick, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan , 6 eggs beaten and salt, pepper and parsley to taste. Delish!!

    Reply
  9. Teddy’s mom

    August 07, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    Hi. Can you make this and then freeze it?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      September 21, 2022 at 5:11 am

      Yes. I do all the time - cook and freeze. -Kim

      Reply
    • Vivian Sullivan

      June 30, 2023 at 5:47 am

      This is absolutely delicious. The more I eat it, the more I like it. Only thing I did was use 1 T. of fresh dill instead of dried. The smoked gouda from Sam's Club is very good as well.

      Reply
  10. Tracey Jones

    July 11, 2022 at 8:51 am

    Love this recipe I add a creamy cheese sometimes for texture and taste

    Reply
  11. Carla

    March 28, 2022 at 7:56 am

    Could I mix this the night before & bake in the morning? Most egg dishes are fine to do this but wondering about the shredded zucchini here.

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      March 28, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      I don't know Carla. I haven't tried that with this recipe. The zucchini could release the rest of its water or not... There is only one way to find out and that is to try it. Have a wonderful week. -Kim

      Reply
  12. Rosemary

    February 24, 2022 at 4:57 pm

    This came out absolutely delicious

    Reply
  13. Carol Destefano

    November 30, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    My husband is a diabetic and has lost 50lbs cutting carbs in his diet. He no longer uses insulin and for now takes 2 pills a day, maybe nine if he loses a little more. Loving the low carb recipes.

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      December 03, 2021 at 7:15 am

      Wow! Carol, he is doing so great. I'm so glad you are enjoying the recipes. -Kim

      Reply
  14. Perla

    September 18, 2021 at 8:00 am

    I did this once but didn’t post. Not sure why. This was delicious! I made some minor changes. Used green onion instead of chives and regular Gouda cheese instead of smoked. I also added 3 finely chopped garlic cloves. Totally fabulous flavor! Will make this again.

    Reply
  15. Perla

    September 18, 2021 at 6:31 am

    This was delicious. Used green onions not chives bc it’s what I had and regular Gouda cheese, not smoked. I also added 3 finely chopped garlic cloves. Sooo good!

    Reply
  16. Albena Todorova

    September 11, 2021 at 12:48 am

    Hello! Can I make porridge with plain yellow cheese instead of gouda? :-)

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      September 12, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      Sure you can make the quiche with (I'm assuming you mean cheddar?) another type of cheese. The smoked gouda gave this a really nice flavor but use what you have - Kim

      Reply
      • Vicky

        August 29, 2022 at 4:43 pm

        I made this tonight and it is delicious! I added a little bacon to it. My husband didn't think he'd like it but was willing to try it. He had 2 helpings. It surprised him that he liked it. I'll make this again.

        Reply
        • Kim Hardesty

          September 21, 2022 at 4:44 am

          I'm glad you BOTH liked it. Thanks for coming back to share, Vicky. Have a nice week. -Kim

          Reply
  17. Costin

    September 03, 2021 at 5:37 am

    Delicious !

    Reply
  18. Peggy

    August 27, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    Can I use guyer cheese in place of Gouda?

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      August 28, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      Sure, Peggy. -Kim

      Reply
  19. Sheilagh MacDonald

    August 05, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Delicious. Will definitely make this again and again.

    Reply
  20. Jeanine Jones

    August 02, 2021 at 9:43 am

    Excellent! Added cayenne pepper and used up Mexican and Gouda I had at home instead.

    Reply
  21. Ilona

    July 25, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    This was very quick and easy, the flavor was fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing. This recipe is definitely a keeper.

    Reply
  22. Judi

    April 21, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    This quiche is delicious and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly. I made it exactly as directed.

    Reply
  23. Jill Langton

    February 07, 2021 at 10:38 pm

    I have made this many times, always changing it slightly what goes in. Thanks for sharing it and your advice too.

    Reply
  24. Joyce

    January 30, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    This is a yummy dish! I added ham and half an onion but I would suggest sweating the onion first. It’s a keeper!!

    Reply
  25. ema b

    January 25, 2021 at 11:52 am

    Perfect! Thank you!

    Reply
  26. Jill Langton

    November 23, 2020 at 1:45 am

    a great base for creating, thanks for liquid smoke suggestion as it added a wonderful taste.

    Reply
  27. Rita

    November 08, 2020 at 6:49 am

    This quiche was absolutely delicious! I thought it would be really wet from the zucchini and it was not. Had one of those giant zucchinis that gets away from you before you pick it. Will make again.

    Reply
  28. Phyllis Gerzich

    October 04, 2020 at 11:44 am

    Excellent. The layering made everything even, the taste was fabulous.
    Great recipe.

    Reply
  29. Bernadette

    August 27, 2020 at 8:45 am

    What is a lb. of zucchini? Before or after grating? Draining?
    Really should do it in cups of grated, drained zucchini!

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      August 27, 2020 at 10:50 am

      Hi Bernadette. Weigh the zucchini before grating. A medium zucchini (about 5-6 inches long) is around 5-6 ounces. So 1 pound is approximately 3 medium zucchini. The reason I didn't offer measurements in cups is because people following low carb diets carefully watch their carb intake. This is a low carb blog so I strive to provide the most accurate nutritional information that I can. This means weighing ingredients so I enter them properly into my nutritional calculator. The amount in a "cup" of zucchini will vary depending on how coarsely or finely it is shredded and how much one packs into a cup measure. I feel more comfortable using weights in some of my recipes because it's more accurate. And since food scales are so inexpensive nowadays, I don't see it as an inconvenience.

      Thank you for your feedback, Bernadette. I read each comment and appreciate the time it took you to come back, formulate your feedback and submit it. Have a nice day. -Kim

      Reply
      • Bernadette

        August 27, 2020 at 11:41 am

        How can I add a picture!

        Reply
        • Kim Hardesty

          August 28, 2020 at 8:27 am

          Did it turn out nice? Send me one on Instagram or in an email. I can't wait to see it! -Kim

          Reply
      • Leslie

        August 20, 2021 at 1:02 am

        I agree Kim - I weigh everything, especially when baking, as it is more accurate (sometimes even eggs). Great recipe, truly enjoyed it!

        Reply
      • Janaya

        January 16, 2023 at 5:02 pm

        Love this recipe and I add bacon. Would it work if you sliced the zucchini or diced it? Just curious

        Reply
        • Kim Hardesty

          June 16, 2023 at 3:06 pm

          I tried this recipe with sliced and chopped zucchini. It was the best with grated zucchini. -Kim

          Reply
    • Debbie B

      August 01, 2022 at 1:16 pm

      I used about 3 cups grated zucchini.

      Reply
  30. Laura

    August 15, 2020 at 10:07 pm

    This is sooooo good!!!! I have made it several times so far and my whole family eats it. Super easy to make! I just use whatever cheese I happen to have on hand and occasionally put crumbled bacon in it which is awesome. Thanks so much for the recipe!

    Reply
  31. Ms. Tini

    August 14, 2020 at 6:01 am

    Absolutely delicious! I put in an 8x8 casserole dish so portions were easier to gage. I didn't change a thing...besides I don't like pie crust anyway so this will be on my "make again" list.

    Reply
  32. Sue

    August 11, 2020 at 8:42 am

    314kcal? equals 314,000 calories?

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      August 13, 2020 at 8:49 am

      Hi Sue. Sorry for the confusion. That's a problem with my recipe card. I will look into trying to fix it. It's 314 calories per serving.-Kim

      Reply
      • Sue

        August 24, 2020 at 7:46 am

        Well that is very good news! A delicious recipe and low calorie per serving, thank you!!

        Reply
    • sandy halliburton

      November 10, 2021 at 8:49 am

      What does kcal mean?
      The calorie content is often given in kcals, which is short for kilocalories, and also in kJ, which is short for kilojoules. A kilocalorie is another word for what's commonly called a calorie, so 1,000 calories will be written as 1,000kcals.

      Reply
  33. Lizzy

    August 09, 2020 at 9:24 am

    Excellent!

    Reply
  34. Meredith

    August 03, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    This was SO. GOOD. My kids even ate and loved it. Thank you! It was voted as a “keeper.”

    Reply
  35. Patti

    July 30, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    This was a huge hit for our dinner! My husband loved it and told me this was a keeper recipe!

    Reply
  36. Jana

    July 19, 2020 at 11:01 am

    It was amazing! I didn’t use dill but Italian seasoning and added bacon. I made it last week and again tonight!

    Reply
  37. Susan Dubiel

    July 03, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    Holy cow, this recipe is just fabulous as is! Thank you for giving me a use for all that garden zucchini. Delicious!!!

    Reply
  38. Bev

    July 02, 2020 at 11:53 am

    Absolutely delicious. Only change I made was to add some fresh mushrooms. This is a real"keeper" recipe. Thank you.

    Reply
  39. Sharonett

    June 29, 2020 at 9:22 am

    Thank you for this awesome recipe. We have a garden full of veggies and I needed a new recipe twist for zucchini. This one met the challenge beautifully! Added dill,garlic powder and a dash of nutmeg. My cheeses were grated swiss and cheddar. The end result was absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  40. Ann

    June 18, 2020 at 12:27 am

    Hi
    I want to try this recipe but need some advice, could I use oat cream and parmesan instead and what baking dish to use? Thank you so very much!

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      June 18, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      Hi Ann. I have never used oat cream and are use using 8 oz of parmesan cheese? Parmesan cheese is dryer than what I used and I don't know how it would affect texture. You may use whatever ingredients you need to or have, but I can only speak to ingredients similar to what I used. -Kim

      Reply
  41. Marilyn Crawford

    June 15, 2020 at 10:26 pm

    5 stars
    very easy to prepare; great flavor and taste; Three of us ate the whole quiche in one meal!

    Reply
  42. Julie Ann

    May 24, 2020 at 7:11 am

    I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised when my picky, anti-veggie husband said this recipe is a keeper. I followed the recipe exactly and had to sub Monterey Jack for the Gouda, since it wasn’t available at my market. I added liquid smoke and the dried ranch dressing and baked for 40 minutes. Note it does deflate as it cools down, but still looks good and cuts beautifully at room temperature. It was a lovely side dish and was full of flavor. I will be making this recipe again.

    Reply
    • Kim Hardesty

      May 25, 2020 at 7:41 am

      Well, if you can win over a anti-veggie husband, Julie Ann! Lol. I'm glad you tried the version with the ranch seasoning, as I mentioned in the post it was very flavorful. I love all the subs you made in your quiche and it's no wonder your husband enjoyed it. You are clearly a good cook! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment. Have a wonderful week. -Kim

      Reply
      • Sherri

        August 17, 2021 at 10:04 am

        Can you freeze this dish??

        Reply
        • Kim Hardesty

          August 17, 2021 at 1:51 pm

          Yes, Sherri, if you grate the zucchini as the recipe suggests and not slice it. Enjoy. -Kim

          Reply
  43. Mary

    February 28, 2020 at 8:37 am

    This was so delicious Kim! Actually made it for dinner last night. The flavors blend so well together. The best part is there are leftovers and it will be breakfast today!

    Reply
  44. Trish

    February 24, 2020 at 12:53 am

    Very yummy quiche!

    Reply
  45. regs

    February 02, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    Love your recipe, super delicious and healthy. I love the cheese in it, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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