How to make an omelette

These steps assume

• 2–3 eggs go in a 20–24 cm pan so the egg forms a thin sheet.
• Filling is optional and warm; too much filling makes folding impossible.
• Heat is medium — not smoking, not too low.
• The omelette folds while the centre is still soft; residual heat finishes the set.

This is what it should look like

What you need

• 2–3 fresh eggs
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt
• 20–24 cm frying pan
• Whisk or fork
• Spatula
• Optional small amount of warm filling

Step by step

1. 1

   Whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt until the mixture is even.

   • Equipment: Bowl and whisk.
   • Heat: No heat.
   • Time: 30 seconds.
   • Looks like: No clear streaks of white; the mixture is an even yellow.
   • If it goes wrong: Unmixed egg — whisk a little more before it goes in the pan.
   • Done when: The eggs are whisked and ready.

2. 2

   Heat the pan, melt 1 tbsp butter and tilt so the fat coats the base.

   • Equipment: 20–24 cm frying pan.
   • Heat: Medium heat.
   • Time: 30–45 seconds.
   • Looks like: Butter foams; the pan is hot but not smoking.
   • If it goes wrong: Smoke — remove the pan, lower the heat and restart.
   • Done when: The pan is greased and ready for the eggs.

3. 3

   Pour in the eggs and gently pull the set edges toward the centre with the spatula so liquid egg runs underneath.

   • Equipment: Spatula.
   • Heat: Medium heat.
   • Time: 1–2 minutes.
   • Looks like: The underside is set and lightly golden; the surface is still glossy and soft in the centre.
   • If it goes wrong: Underside browns too fast — lower the heat; the centre is still liquid when the underside is dark.
   • Done when: The egg sheet is set enough to fold; the centre is still soft.

4. 4

   Add any filling to one half. Fold the other half over and slide the omelette onto the plate.

   • Equipment: Spatula and plate.
   • Heat: Medium or slightly lower for the fold.
   • Time: 15–30 seconds.
   • Looks like: The fold holds; no raw egg drips out; the centre is warm and soft.
   • If it goes wrong: Omelette splits — centre was too wet or filling too heavy; next time wait a moment longer or use less filling.
   • Done when: A folded omelette with a soft centre and golden underside.

If it doesn't turn out as expected

• Burnt underside and raw centre

  lower the heat and fold earlier.

• Omelette sticks

  use more butter and wait until the underside is set before moving it.

• Too thick and dry

  too many eggs for the pan, or too long on heat; use a larger pan or fewer eggs.

• Filling prevents folding

  use less, warm filling on one half only.

Food safety

Use fresh eggs. Make sure the centre is warmly set, especially if serving children or older adults.