Treat Your Omelet Like Whipped Cream. Give It Stiff Peaks | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

Our fluffy omelet is delicate and airy with impressive height and rich taste.

Treat Your Omelet Like Whipped Cream. Give It Stiff Peaks | Cook's Illustrated (1)By

Published Apr. 26, 2023.

Treat Your Omelet Like Whipped Cream. Give It Stiff Peaks | Cook's Illustrated (2)

Senior Editor Lan Lam (unofficially dubbed our omelet queen) has made all kinds of omelets in her restaurant past, from the trickier, refined French roll to the more standard hearty diner version.

There is also a third kind.

Often referred to as a fluffy omelet, this puffed up style dwarfs classic versions by at least a couple of inches. Some are so big that they resemble soufflés—which, in a way, they are.

Impressive height isn’t the only exciting thing about this light, airy omelet. It’s also incredibly forgiving and easy to make: You just spread the eggs in a pan and let the oven do the rest.

Here’s how Lan ensured an impossibly puffy omelet that also tasted rich and tender.

Master eggs in two weeks

Crack the code on 6 novel techniques

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3 Keys to an Ultra-Fluffy Omelet

1. Whip the egg whites separately. Some fluffy omelets call for whipping whole eggs, which doesn’t lead to as airy—or as stable—an omelet.

That’s because the fat in the yolk weakens the structure of the egg foam, the cluster of air bubbles made by whipping. Whites on their own whipped to stiff peaks form a far stronger foam.

2. Whip them with cream of tartar. When whites are whipped, their proteins unfurl and form a network that holds water and air bubbles in place. But egg whites contain sulfur atoms that form bonds that are so strong, they can squeeze out some of the water and air they hold.

An acidic ingredient such as cream of tartar slows the formation of these sulfur bonds, preserving the stability of the network, so air and water stay put.

3. Add butter to the yolks. Before folding the yolks into the whipped whites, she whisked in 1 tablespoon of melted butter.

The extra fat lent richness and tenderness to the omelet, and because the whipped whites were so stable, they could handle the added fat without weakening.

Treat Your Omelet Like Whipped Cream. Give It Stiff Peaks | Cook's Illustrated (3)

After creating a foolproof method that anyone can replicate, Lan introduced boldly flavored yet delicate fillings in small amounts that wouldn’t weigh down the omelet: asparagus and smoked salmon, mushroom and shallot, and artichoke and bacon.

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How to Make a Fluffy Omelet

  1. Whisk egg yolks, melted butter, and salt together in bowl. Place egg whites in bowl of stand mixer and sprinkle cream of tartar over surface. Fit stand mixer with whisk and whip egg whites on medium-low speed until foamy. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks just start to form. Fold egg yolk mixture into egg whites until no white streaks remain.
  2. Heat butter in 12-inch ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom of pan. When butter foams, quickly add egg mixture, spreading into even layer with spatula. Remove pan from heat and transfer to oven and cook until center of omelet springs back when lightly pressed.
  3. Run spatula around edges of omelet to loosen, shaking gently to release. Slide omelet onto cutting board and let stand for 30 seconds. Using spatula, fold omelet in half. Cut omelet in half crosswise and serve immediately.

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Treat Your Omelet Like Whipped Cream. Give It Stiff Peaks | Cook's Illustrated (6)

Treat Your Omelet Like Whipped Cream. Give It Stiff Peaks | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

Can I put heavy whipping cream in my omelette? ›

A small amount of heavy cream enriches the omelet, making it a good candidate for a final sprinkle of powdered sugar – or a jam filling. Served sweet or savory, it's an ethereal dish that truly melts in the mouth.

What happens when cream or milk are added to the omelet? ›

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.

How do you fluff an omelette? ›

Foamy eggs – beat the eggs and salt with a fork until the eggs are foamy. The bubbles will give your egg more rise and become puffy as it cooks. My kids also love to use this hand-cranked egg beater for the fluffiest omelettes.

Why add heavy cream to eggs? ›

and slows down the coagulation, aka, making it not as tough. Also, dairy has moisture, so when you add that to the eggs to cook, it will naturally steam and make the eggs fluffy, light, and just more moist in general. This is why adding heavy cream or butter. is ideal for scrambled eggs.

Can I put whipping cream in my eggs? ›

Use 1 tablespoon of cream, milk or water for each egg that will be scrambled. Using milk, half & half or even whipping cream creates a deliciously creamy texture.

Why are restaurant omelettes so fluffy? ›

When eggs are cooked in a butter-coated pan, the butter serves to not only enhance their flavor but also coat the egg white proteins with fat. That fat prevents the proteins from forming those dense, linked bonds, so the eggs turn out soft, fluffy, and creamy.

Is water or milk better for fluffy omelette? ›

For a perfect omelet, he recommends using two eggs plus 2 tablespoons water. "Water lightens the omelet and makes it more mobile." As he explains it, in an omelet, it's the filling, not the eggs, that's the star. For scrambled eggs, use milk, half-and-half or heavy cream, which will make the eggs thick and rich.

What makes an omelette taste better? ›

Here Are 5 Simple Tips To Make Your Omelette Tastier And Fluffier
  1. Add tiny amounts of milk or cream while preparing the batter. ...
  2. Use butter. ...
  3. Another important tip is to whisk the egg white and yolk separately till they thicken.
May 17, 2021

How to make an omelette Gordon Ramsay? ›

For the omelette
  1. To cook the omelette, break 3 large eggs into a well buttered skillet pan.
  2. Season and stir then let the egg cook out to form the omelette base.
  3. Remove from the heat and sprinkle on grated cheddar cheese and gruyere cheese.
  4. Add the haddock sauce mix to evenly cover the omelette.

What is the difference between a French style omelet and an American style omelet? ›

A French omelette does not require a filling and can be served plain. For presentation, a French omelette (pictured above) is rolled up into a cylindrical shape before serving, whereas an American omelet is folded in half.

Do you put water or cream in an omelette? ›

Water for omelets and scrambles and frittata's. I add about a tablespoon of cold water for every three eggs. Cream is good for making a French toast mix because it blends well with the vanilla and cinnamon and brown sugar. Milk is good also for the latter if you can't find or afford ...

Do you put butter or oil in an omelette? ›

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.

Can you substitute heavy cream for milk in omelette? ›

The ingredients needed for a french omelette are quite simple: eggs, butter, milk or heavy cream, salt and pepper, and some herbs.

Does heavy cream taste good in eggs? ›

Adding Salt, Pepper, and Cream

What about a splash of milk or cream? This can give you more leeway when quick-cooking eggs and help keep the eggs softer, but isn't really necessary with our slow-cooked version. Even so, I still like the touch of velvety richness a tablespoon of heavy cream adds to the eggs.

What can you substitute for milk in an omelette? ›

Milk causes the excessive browning of your eggs. Try substituting a tablespoon of cold water for every 2 eggs. Not only will your omelette be prettier, but it will be light and frothy, too.

Can you cook with heavy whipping cream? ›

Yes! Since they are the same product, you can use heavy whipping cream and heavy cream interchangeably. Both are a versatile, all-purpose product for adding thick, creamy elements to sauces to soups to desserts, so it's worth keeping one on hand in your fridge.

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