Sweet Potato and Sage Frittata

My Sweet Potato and Sage Frittata offers a simple, one-pan solution for breakfast or brunch. This Italian-style omelet combines sweet potatoes and aromatic fresh sage leaves, creating a comforting dish that can be made ahead and makes delicious leftovers.

When a frittata meets sweet potato hash and crustless quiche, this simple sweet potato frittata becomes a perfect way to feed a crowd. Offering endless flavor combinations, you can enjoy it for any meal, served hot, at room temperature, or cold. Pair it with bacon, a salad, a piece of toast, or fresh fruit for a complete and satisfying dish.

A frittata resembles a Spanish omelet (tortilla española), but the omelet uses specific ingredients, while the frittata does not.

Most people call these orange yams sweet potatoes (a more popular name), though technically, they are yams. This dish balances flavors typically associated with autumn and winter, but you can find yams or sweet potatoes year-round.

Because potatoes take a long time to cook, they need to be partially (par-cooked) before being added to the frittata. This can be done by microwaving them with their skins on, peeling and cutting them into bite-sized pieces to roast in the oven on a baking sheet/tray, or peeling and boiling them.

Cheese in Frittata

For me, this is a must. In this recipe, I like the combination of grated fontina and Parmesan cheese. Cheddar can also be added, or creamy goat cheese or cream cheese. I have also used ricotta in my Ricotta and Spinach Frittata.

How to Properly Cook a Frittata

Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C with the rack in the upper ⅓ of the oven. (This will prevent the bottom from overcooking while the top sets.)

Partially cook the yams/sweet potatoes before adding them to the egg mixture. The same applies to the sautéed onions. The reason for this is that potatoes take longer to cook, and if you add them raw, the eggs will overcook, resulting in an overcooked frittata with the bottom overcooked (see more on this below).

Peel and chop the potatoes into bite -size pieces. 

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Mix the beaten eggs, cheeses, potatoes, fresh sage, good pinch of salt, and black pepper.

Soften yellow onion or red onion in the pan over medium heat you are using to bake the frittata (in this case, I use a cast-iron skillet).

Once the diced onions are softened, pour egg mixture into the pan, stir to combine and bake until the top of the frittata shows no liquid and is set and slightly golden brown.

How to Know when a frittata is cooked

The eggs should be set on top with no liquid visible. If you shake the pan, the frittata should not jiggle. Allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes.

Frittata Optional Additions

Baby spinach, fresh herbs (such as fresh thyme or rosemary), a little bacon, chopped ham, and butternut squash. Unique ingredients like cooked pasta can also be mixed in. If using ingredients that contain excess moisture, like peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini/courgette, they should be pre-cooked, as they can make the frittata wet and soggy.

Milk in Frittata

Extra liquid is not traditional in a frittata. Whole milk or cream can be added—1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid per egg will soften and lighten the texture.

Make Ahead Frittata

Leftover frittata makes for an easy breakfast or lunch. Make a frittata and store it in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Best Pan for Frittata

I prefer a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or any heavy bottomed oven-safe skillet/pan. A stainless steel pan is not a good idea, as I have never had luck with it without sticking. The size will depend on how many eggs you use.

How Many Eggs for a Frittata

This is dictated by the size of your pan and how many people. Frittatas are usually made in an 8-inch (20 cm) pan, which requires 8 large eggs. A 10-inch (25 cm) pan would require 10 eggs. If you were to cook 10 eggs in an 8-inch pan, it would be thicker than if it were cooked in a 10-inch pan. Use 2 large eggs per person for serving size.

Overcooked Bottom of Frittata

This can happen the pan is too low in the oven and the pan is hotter on the bottom than the top. You can avoid this by simply positioning the oven rack in the upper 1/3 of the oven. You can also layer the bottom of your pan with an even layer of sliced sweet potatoes (lightly coated in oil).

Frittata Made with Leftovers

Frittata is the perfect dish for using leftovers. Any leftover vegetables and meats that are cooked can be added. A blank canvas to add pretty much anything you like.

If you’ve made my Sweet Potato frittata recipe, please rate the recipe. If you have a question you can ask that below or leave comment.