How to make an omelette (2024)

loading...

Try our app for ad-free recipe inspiration

Learn how to make the perfect omelette for a quick and tasty meal. We have tips for folding and rolling to achieve that fluffy texture in five easy steps.

If you have a couple of eggs and some butter then you have enough ingredients to make a simple but satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner. Add a few more ingredients as a filling and you’ve made something more substantial with little extra effort. There are two types of omelette: a thin one that is folded over to serve it, and a thick one like a Spanish omelette or a frittata.

Advertisem*nt

The size of pan you use to make your omelette is vital, because it needs to suit the amount of eggs you are using. A 22cm pan will make a two-egg omelette of the right thickness – if you use a larger pan, your omelette will be too thin and overcook rather than have a soft interior. A non-stick pan is the easiest to use, but a heavy-based pan will retain more heat and cook the eggs a little faster.

It goes without saying that the better quality your eggs are, the better your omelette will taste. Also, bear in mind that some eggs have more orange-looking yolks than others, so what you choose will affect the colour of your omelette. Bring your eggs to room temperature to help them cook faster.

How to make an omelette (1)

How to make an omelette - basic recipe

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • a knob of butter
  • choice of fillings, if you're using them
  1. Whisk the eggs in a bowl until they're combined and there are no large blobs of white still separate (or you’ll end up with a blotchy omelette).
  2. Heat the butter in your frying pan until it starts to foam and sizzle but don’t let it brown.
  3. Add the eggs in one go and swirl and shake the pan so they cover the surface.
  4. As soon as the eggs start to set pull the edges of the omelette into the centre of the pan and shake the pan so any liquid egg spills into the gaps. Add the fillings now if you are using them. Your omelette is ready when the centre is still slightly liquid – it will continue to cook when you fold it over.
  5. Fold the omelette in half as you slide it onto a plate, or fold the two sides in and then tip it in half as it goes onto the plate to make a neat oblong shape.

The most famous omelettes in the world were made by La Mère Poulard in France and she claimed to use only eggs and butter. If you want a lighter (not lighter in calories) and fluffier omelette, you can add a splash of water to the eggs which will create steam as it cooks. Or if you want a richer omelette, you can add a splash of milk or cream.

Top 5 omelette recipes

Ultimate French omelette

More like this
How to make an omelette (2)

Hone your skills with a classic omelette. Our recipe uses parmesan for seasoning plus Gruyère cheese and herbs.

Chorizo, potato & cheese omelette

How to make an omelette (3)

Adding chorizo, potato and cheese makes this a substantial lunch for one. Or serve with a salad and split it between two.

Bombay omelette

How to make an omelette (4)

Ramp up the flavour with this spicy omelette. You can line a tortilla with it and roll it into a wrap for an exotic lunch.

Asparagus omelette

How to make an omelette (5)

Add asparagus, pesto and seeds to make fresh-tasting omelettes for two. Perfect for lunch-time entertaining.

Feta & sun-dried tomato omelette

How to make an omelette (6)

Omelettes are brilliant for using up leftovers. If you have feta and sun-dried tomatoes to hand, then try this simple meal idea.

Advertisem*nt

Liked this? Enjoy more recipe ideas...

Basic omelette recipe
Our best breakfast recipes
Our best brunch recipes
Frittata recipe collection

Comments, questions and tips

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

How to make an omelette (7)

Exclusive: 25% off Mindful Chef

Save 25% on your first two curated recipe boxes.

Claim the offer

Advertisem*nt

How to make an omelette (2024)

FAQs

How to make an omelette in 5 steps? ›

directions
  1. Crack eggs in a bowl, add the milk, and whisk until yolks break.
  2. Add milk, peppers, and onions and whisk again.
  3. Put bowl in microwave and cook for 1 minute, checking occasionally.
  4. Take out bowl, put omelet on a plate, sprinkle cheese and cook for 30 seconds to melt cheese.
  5. Take out and enjoy!

Should I put milk in my eggs for an omelette? ›

Do you add milk to an omelette? Many people add either milk or cream to their omelettes in order to bulk them out and have a more substantial dish without the need to add an extra egg. While this does work, it's crucial not to go overboard or you'll end up with a mixture that's too loose.

What is the secret to a perfect omelette? ›

Whisking air into the eggs is one secret to a fluffy omelet. Also, if you cook the omelet in a pan that's too large for the number of eggs used, it will naturally be flatter. On the other hand, you don't want to overload a small pan. This only increases the time needed to cook the eggs and can lead to a rubbery omelet.

How do restaurants get omelets so fluffy? ›

If you have hot melted butter or hot oil, then add whipped eggs, they will fluff up a lot. Halfway through start to stir with a silicone spatula and cook to desired doneness. One other thing is some restaurants add either a couple spoons of water or milk, which also adds to fluffy eggs.

How many eggs are usually in an omelette? ›

Beat the eggs: Use two or three eggs per omelette, depending on how hungry you are. Beat the eggs lightly with a fork. Melt the butter: Use an 8-inch nonstick skillet for a 2-egg omelette, a 9-inch skillet for 3 eggs.

Should an omelette have 2 or 3 eggs? ›

Eggs: Just 2 large eggs are needed for cooking up the perfect omelette with an 8-inch pan. If you've got a 10-inch pan, 3 eggs are ideal. Filling: The world is your oyster when it comes to omelette fillings!

Is it better to cook an omelette in oil or butter? ›

Though butter does have nutritional value, olive oil might be the better choice. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, liquid fats like olive oil are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, while butter has more saturated fats.

Do you cook omelettes on high or low heat? ›

Omelettes should be cooked in the medium-low range on the stovetop. The temperature you cook an omelette on will depend on the heat of your stove and the type of pan you are using, but a medium heat is usually appropriate. The goal is to cook the omelette slowly, so that it sets properly and becomes fluffy.

What makes eggs fluffier, water or milk? ›

But you don't need that much water to achieve fluff. Even a little makes a difference. As cookbook author J. Kenji-López-Alt explains it in The Food Lab, adding water to scrambled eggs “means more vaporization occurs, creating larger bubbles in the eggs and lightening them.”

How much milk is in a 4 egg omelette? ›

Yes,to make a soft and fluffier omelette ,we can add one tablespoon of milk per egg and beat the mixture .

Do you cook omelette fillings first? ›

Omelettes cook fast—far too fast for fillings to do much beyond warm up a bit. So the key to great filled omelettes is to cook your fillings beforehand and have them warm and ready to go. Par-cooking the filling while the salted eggs rest is a good way to do it.

Should you cover an omelette when cooking? ›

While the eggs are still wet on the top, turn the heat down to low. Sprinkle the fillings (if using) on top of the eggs evenly (so there is filling in every bite) and cover the pan with a tight fitting lid; I recommend a tempered glass lid so you can keep an eye on the progress.

Do you cook the filling in an omelette first? ›

Omelettes cook fast—far too fast for fillings to do much beyond warm up a bit. So the key to great filled omelettes is to cook your fillings beforehand and have them warm and ready to go. Par-cooking the filling while the salted eggs rest is a good way to do it.

What is 10 steps in making omelet? ›

directions
  1. Crack the eggs into a bowl.
  2. Add anything else you would like in the omelet.
  3. Add the splash of milk and whisk until yolks are broken.
  4. Put the bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. ...
  5. Check on the bowl every 30 seconds.
  6. Peel the string cheese.
  7. Take out the bowl and put the omelet on a plate.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5558

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.