Souffle vs Quiche - What's the difference?

If you’re a big breakfast fan, you’ve probably seen hundreds of different soufflés and quiches on menus. However, you may be wondering what the difference is between these two foods.

Both are made with eggs and cheese, both are baked in an oven, both are savory, and most importantly, both are just as delicious.

So what is the actual difference between a soufflé and a quiche?

The biggest and most obvious difference is the shape. Soufflés are made and served in ramekins, creating a tall and fluffy shape, but relatively small compared to a quiche. The quiches are served on their large round tart plates and are about two centimeters high.

The other definite difference is the texture. Quiches are very dense due to the egg mixture used, while soufflés are fluffy due to the beaten egg whites.

Today we will dive into all the differences between soufflés and quiches, from the ingredients used, the preparation methods, the baking methods, and even the different flavor profiles.

What is a soufflé?

The simplest definition of a soufflé is that it is a light and airy egg-based dish.

Soufflés originate from France , but nowadays you’ll see virtually every kitchen have their own version of this fluffy dish.

First of all, it is important to understand that soufflés can be savory or sweet. Sweet soufflés, such as vanilla or chocolate, are made in a similar way to savory ones.

Salty soufflés are what we are going to see today and what many people confuse with quiches.

A soufflé is made primarily with eggs, cheese, and milk . The whites are whipped and incorporated into a seasoned yolk mixture that creates the world famous fluffiness.

This egg yolk mixture is where the flavor comes from. There are thousands of savory soufflé recipes to choose from, ranging from spinach and corn, to a wide variety of cheeses, such as a goat cheese souffle.

The soufflé mixture is placed in a special mold, often a white container , and then baked in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, depending on its size.

Soufflés are not too difficult to make, however, the biggest problem with the recipes is that they deflate once out of the oven. That is why many people strive to get a good recipe.

What is a quiche?

A quiche is a type of savory tart made with custard baked inside a puff pastry crust.

These pies are French, but there are records from England dating back to the early 14th century , in which custards (mixtures of eggs and cream) were baked into pies.

Quiches are always salty, otherwise they cannot be called quiches. The base is made with a savory dough, usually pâte brisée or more commonly known as pie crust. This dough is usually precooked in a pan.

The salty cream filling consists of eggs, cheese and cream. Other savory ingredients can be added to the custard to create different flavor profiles.

The custard is added to the pre-baked puff pastry topping and baked for another 20-40 minutes (depending on its size) until the egg mixture is completely set.

Quiches do not always have a crust, which is why they are called crustless quiches. This also creates confusion, as there are other dishes, like frittatas, that look similar.

What are the differences?

The first and most obvious difference between a soufflé and a quiche is their shape. Soufflés are baked in small ramekins, often white ramekins. Quiches are baked in tart pans that are flat and round.

The second big difference between them is how the eggs are prepared. In soufflés, the egg whites are beaten until stiff to create a light and fluffy dish. In quiches, the eggs are not beaten , which creates a denser product.

Soufflés also often contain milk, while quiches contain cream. This also contributes to differences in their texture.

A soufflé does not have any form of crust, while a traditional quiche has a savory pastry crust.

Both things are fired in an oven and at very similar temperatures and times. The big difference is that a quiche has to have a pre-baked pie crust, which essentially takes longer.