How to Cook a Basic Omelette

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You may have heard that the true test of a cook is whether or not they can make a good basic omelette. Fortunately, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines, you can easily whip up an inexpensive, filling dish that tastes like a pro made it. Fold your omelette in half for a traditional option or roll it up it for a softer, French-style dish. Feel free to customize your basic omelette by adding your favorite fillings just before you fold or roll it.

Ingredients

Folded Diner-Style Omelette

  • 2 to 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of oil, such as vegetable, sunflower, canola, or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon (4 g) of butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Makes 1 omelette

French-Style Rolled Omelette

  • 3 large eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) of unsalted butter, plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespoon (3 g) of chopped fresh herbs, such as chives, tarragon, or parsley, optional

Makes 1 omelette

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making a Folded Diner-Style Omelette

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  1. Crack as many eggs as you'd like into a small bowl or dish. Then, sprinkle in salt and pepper according to your taste. Take a whisk or a fork and beat the eggs until the mixture is a uniform yellow color. Whisk for at least 10 seconds so the omelette is consistent in texture. [1]
    • You could also flavor the omelet with dry seasonings of your choice. Sprinkle a little curry powder or cajun seasoning, for instance.
  2. Set an 8 or 9 in (20 or 23 cm) nonstick skillet on the stove and turn the burner to medium-low. Put 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of oil and 1 teaspoon (4 g) of butter into the pan so they melt and coat the bottom of the skillet. [2]
    • Use your favorite oil, such as vegetable, sunflower, canola, or olive oil.
    • The oil prevents the butter from burning in the skillet. If you prefer, you could use all butter or all oil instead.

    Tip: If you're trying to cut calories, spray the skillet with nonstick cooking spray instead of using the oil and butter.

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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Basic Omelette
    Once the skillet is hot and the butter is foaming, slowly pour the beaten eggs into it. Hold the handle and slowly tilt the pan until the egg mixture coats the entire surface of the skillet. [3]
    • Keep the burner at medium-low heat so the omelette cooks evenly. If the burner is up too high, the omelette will become rubbery.
  4. Leave the eggs to cook for about 20 seconds before stirring the edges of the skillet with a rubber spatula. Scoot the curds along the edges towards the center of the skillet. Then, tilt the skillet so the egg mixture runs to the empty edges of the skillet. [4]
    • Cook the omelette until it's set, but still slightly glossy on top. This should take about 1 minute.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Basic Omelette
    Although you don't need to add any fillings to a basic omelette, it's easy to customize one. Sprinkle about 1/3 cup (78 g) of fillings over 1/2 of the omelette. You could use: [5]
    • Shredded cheese, such as cheddar, monterey jack, or colby jack
    • Sautéed vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions
    • Diced cooked meat, such as ham, sausage, chorizo, or bacon
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Basic Omelette
    Take a rubber spatula and gently lift up the edges of the omelette on 1 side. Then, slide the spatula under the omelette and lift 1/2 of the omelette over to the other side. Slide the omelette onto a serving plate and enjoy it while it's hot. [6]
    • Although the omelette has the best texture immediately after cooking, you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making a French-Style Rolled Omelette

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Basic Omelette
    Crack 3 large eggs into a bowl and use a whisk or fork to beat the eggs. Keep beating until the yolks are incorporated into the whites and the eggs are a uniform yellow color. Whisk for at least 10 seconds to ensure that the omelette has a consistent texture and color. [7]
    • Avoid beating the eggs until they become foamy or they won't cook evenly.

    Tip: To make a classic French omelette, add 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (3 g) of finely chopped fresh herbs, such as chives, tarragon, or parsley to the beaten eggs.

  2. Set an 8 in (20 cm) nonstick skillet on the stove and put 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) (14 g) of unsalted butter into it. Turn the burner to medium-high and tilt the pan a little so the butter coats the skillet as it melts. [8]
    • You could also use a seasoned carbon steel pan.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Basic Omelette
    Slowly pour the eggs into the hot skillet and begin shaking the pan gently to keep the eggs moving. Use a spatula or chopsticks to stir the eggs in the skillet for about 1 minute. This breaks up the curds so you get a smoother, softer omelette. [9]
    • Ensure that you stir the edges of the omelette since these usually cook faster than the eggs in the center of the skillet.
    • Although you can add fillings, keep them to a minimum so the omelette is easy to roll.

    Tip: If you want to fill the omelette with cheese, sprinkle about 2 tablespoons (14 g) of shredded cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, across the entire omelette.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Basic Omelette
    The omelette will probably crack if you try to roll it tightly. Instead, take a spatula and loosen the edges of the omelette. Tilt the handle of the skillet up while you lift the closest edge of the omelette up. Roll it towards the center of the omelette away from the handle. Keep lifting and rolling about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the omelette until you've rolled it to the side of the skillet that's opposite from the handle. [10]
    • If you're struggling to roll the omelette with the spatula, try using chopsticks for greater control.
  5. Bring your serving plate over to the skillet. Slowly tilt the skillet up and over the plate so the rolled omelette lands on the plate seam-side down. [11]
    • Serve the omelette while it's hot. You could garnish it with more fresh herbs if you like.
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  • Question
    How do restaurants make their omelettes so fluffy?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Adding milk will help fluff up your omelette, as will whipping your eggs. You can even separate a couple of the eggs and beat the whites until they form soft peaks. Adding a pinch of baking soda before you put the eggs in the pan will also help them rise a little.
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    How many eggs go into an omelette?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Staff Answer
    Typically, an omelette has 2-4 eggs in it. If you try to use more than 5, it might become too big and difficult to handle during the cooking process.
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  • Question
    What are the 4 types of omelettes?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    4 of the most common types are American style, French style, frittata, and souffle. American, French, and souffle omelets are all folded or rolled over, while the frittata is served more like a quiche. American omelets tend to be more thoroughly cooked than their European counterparts, and are usually folded in half rather than neatly rolled. Souffle omelettes are extra fluffy because the eggs are thoroughly beaten. French omelettes are very thin and neatly rolled, like crepes.
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      Tips

      • To make an omelette for a few people, choose the folded omelette and stuff it with your favorite fillings, such as mushrooms , cheese, or ham and cheese.
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      Things You'll Need

      Folded Diner-Style Omelette

      • Measuring spoons
      • Small bowl
      • Whisk or fork
      • 8 or 9 in (20 or 23 cm) nonstick skillet
      • Spatula
      • Serving plate

      French-Style Rolled Omelette

      • Bowl
      • Whisk or fork
      • 8 or 9 in (20 or 23 cm) nonstick skillet
      • Spatula
      • Serving plate

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Linda McNally .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/basic-omelette
      2. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/basic-omelette
      3. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/basic-omelette
      4. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/basic-omelette
      5. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/basic-omelette
      6. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/basic-omelette
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/X1XoCQm5JSQ?t=221
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/X1XoCQm5JSQ?t=214
      9. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/cooking-techniques/how-make-french-rolled-omelet
      1. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/article/perfect-french-omelet-hint-will-butter
      2. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/cooking-techniques/how-make-french-rolled-omelet

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      A basic diner-style omelette can be an easy and nutritious meal for any time of the day. All you’ll need is a few eggs, oil, and butter. You can also add fresh herbs, like chives, tarragon, or parsley for extra flavor. Start by melting 1 teaspoon each of oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk 2 or 3 eggs in a bowl and add salt and pepper to your taste. Once you’ve seasoned the beaten eggs, pour them into the skillet. After about 20 seconds, lift the edges with a spatula to make sure the omelette doesn’t stick to the pan. Cook it for about a minute or until it’s firm but still glossy on top. To serve your omelette, fold it in half and add any fillings of your choice, such as cheese, sautéed vegetables, and cooked meat. For more tips, including how to roll a French-style omelette, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Kim Sun Hee

        Dec 20, 2016

        "So great. It is so tasty and sweet. I think it will be better if I eat it with some vegetables. Thank you so much!"
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