Perfect Puffy French Omelette Recipe
on May 26, 2022
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Give your breakfast that je ne sais quoi with a perfect French Omelette. It may sound fancy, but this simple recipe can be mastered by beginners, once they’ve learned the proper technique. All it takes is a bit of practice.
A classic French omelette has a smooth, tender texture with little or no browning. It’s pillowy soft and fluffy on the outside with a moist, sem-scrambled interior. The omelette is usually neatly rolled or folded and can be served with cheese or topped with herbs.
What is a French Style Omelette?
Omelets are a popular breakfast food all over the world, but the French have quite a unique way of preparing it. Considered the OG omelet, the French version is traditionally served plain or with very few fillings. The hallmark of a French omelette is its silky smooth texture, thanks to the lack of browning or crisping of the eggs.
What’s Special about French Omelet?
French Omelets are known for their incredibly tender and smooth texture that seems to melt in the mouth. French omelets are very soft and pillowy to the touch and feel divine in the mouth. The interior of the French omelet is moist and softly scrambled. Appearance-wise, these omelets have a smooth and uniform look without any browning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- eggs
- unsalted butter
- salt
- cold water
- chives or chopped parsley (optional)
How to Make French Style Omelette
- Beat the eggs with the salt in a mixing bowl until smooth. Strain the egg mixture through a sieve.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter into a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, pour in the egg mixture.
- Constantly scrape the bottom of the pan in a circular motion, using a rubber spatula. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until small curds form.
- Spread the eggs evenly in the pan, and cook until the edges solidify.
- Roll the omelette carefully into a log shape. Make sure the eggs are not overcooked. It’s normal if the egg rolls are not perfectly folded.
- Add more butter to the pan and lift the omelette to let the melted butter run underneath. Brush more melted butter on top of the omelette.
- Transfer the omelette onto a plate, seam side facing down. Sprinkle with optional herbs.
Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh eggs for best result: For the best taste and texture, you’ll want to use the freshest possible eggs for your French omelet. Older eggs are better used for hard boiling.
- Use high-quality unsalted butter: Butter is a key ingredient for making French omelets and you’ll be using quite a bit of it. Use high quality butter and ensure it’s unsalted to avoid over-salting the final product.
- Make sure to use a non-stick skillet: It’s extremely important to use a non-stick skillet for making a French omelet. This allows the egg to smoothly and seamlessly be removed from the pan for a neat and perfect omelet.
- Constantly scraping is key: Every so often, be sure to scrape the side of the pan to prevent any section of the omelet from becoming overcooked and ruining the uniformity of the omelet.
What’s the Difference Between a French Omelette and an American Omelette?
American omelets tend to be cooked “well done” over higher heat and have a denser, heavier texture. French omelets are cooked very slowly with lower heat and have a much lighter, fluffier texture. American omelettes are usually loaded with fillings such as cheese, meat or vegetables. Traditional French omelets are served plain, with very light fillings or simply a sprinkling of herbs on top.
What is a French Omelette Called in France?
In France, they’re simply called “omelettes.” The French have not adapted the American spelling of “omelet”
Are There Any Fillings in French Omelet?
Traditionally speaking, a French omelette is made without fillings, allowing you to enjoy the taste and texture of the eggs. Modern restaurants will make French omelettes with fillings such as cheese, meat or vegetables, but many gastronomers argue that these should no longer be called French omelettes.
How to Make French Omelette with Cheese?
If you’d like to add cheese to your French omelette, it’s very easy to do it. Just before rolling your omelette, add in some shredded cheese. After rolling, the heat will melt the cheese and you’ll be ready to eat.
French Omelette Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, (best to use fresh eggs)
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cold water
- optional chives , or chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Beat the eggs with the salt in a mixing bowl until smooth and no spots of egg white remaining.
- Strain the egg mixture through a sieve.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter into a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melt, pour in the egg mixture.
- Constantly scrape the bottom of the pan in a circular motion, using a rubber spatula. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until small curds form.
- Spread the eggs evenly in the pan, and cook until the edges solidify.
- Roll the omelette carefully into a log shape. Make sure the eggs are not overcooked. It’s normal if the egg rolls are not perfectly folded.
- Add more butter to the pan and lift the omelette to let the melted butter run underneath.
- Brush more melted butter on top of the omelette.
- Transfer the omelette onto a plate, seam side facing down. Sprinkle with optional herbs. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
