Learn how to make a perfect French omelette recipe that’s tender throughout with a soft center and rich flavor! 

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A French omelette on a plate next to a salad.

Classic French omelettes might seem a little intimidating, but they’re actually pretty simple to make as long as you have a bit of patience. The key is to cook the eggs slowly and evenly and then to fold carefully before serving. 

If you’ve never attempted an omelette, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step and will share my top tips and tricks along the way to guarantee you have success. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a filling breakfast that’s worthy of an upscale café. 

Ingredients and Notes

See the recipe card below for the complete ingredients list and instructions. 

  • Eggs – For the best taste and presentation, make sure to use fresh eggs. To test your eggs, gently place them in a bowl of water. If they sink, you’ll know they’re fresh. Older eggs float and are best used for hard boiled eggs.
  • Butter – I prefer to cook eggs with butter instead of olive oil or avocado oil for a richer flavor. 

How to Make a French Omelette

A glass bowl of whisked eggs on a wooden cutting board.
1. Whisk the eggs. Add the eggs to a medium mixing bowl (I like to use three) along with a generous pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously with a fork until the egg yolks and whites are fully combined. I prefer to use a fork over a whisk to avoid adding too much air to the eggs. Then, set the bowl aside for ten minutes to allow the proteins to denature and form a solid texture when cooking. 
An omelette egg base cooking in a pan.
2. Cook the eggs. Place a medium nonstick pan (It’s important it’s nonstick!) over medium-low heat, and add butter. Once the butter begins to barely sizzle, add the eggs and stir continuously. Make sure to scrape the sides of the pan constantly, similar to how we prepare soft scrambled eggs. This prevents any thin pieces from forming on the top part of the skillet and creates nice, even, small pieces of egg. 

Tip: Strain before step two. Once the eggs turn a darker shade of yellow and appear thinner, whisk again for about 30 seconds to fully combine. Then, set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, and strain any lumps out of the egg mixture. This creates a smooth texture that allows the eggs to cook evenly and firm up nicely for a smooth omelette that’s easy to roll. 

A man flipping an omelette in a pan.
3. Roll. Once the soft curds have formed enough not to run down the pan, tilt the pan, and your omelette is ready to roll. Season once more with salt or any fillings you want. Then, using a larger spatula, gently push an outer corner of the egg down, rolling it onto itself. Continue to roll until you have an inch and a half left, fold the omelette onto the remaining soft curds to form a torpedo-like shape, and ensure the seal is on the bottom of the omelette. 
An omelette served on a white plate.
4. Serve. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with chives. 

Possible Mix-Ins 

Sometimes fresh herbs like chopped tarragon, parsley, or chives are stirred into the egg mixture before being cooked to create a fines herbes omelette. However, typically, classic French omelette recipes do not contain mix-ins. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t add any, though. Tasty options include: 

  • Ham 
  • Smoked Salmon 
  • Mushrooms 
  • Baby Spinach 
  • Gruyère, Feta, Parmesan, or Goat Cheese
  • Caramelized Onions
French omelette on a plate topped with chives.
4.50 from 2 votes

French Omelette Recipe

Learn how to make a French omelette recipe using four ingredients and simple steps to achieve a rich flavor and soft, almost creamy texture!
Servings: 1 serving
A French omelette on a plate next to a salad.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
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Equipment

  • 2 Medium Mixing Bowls
  • 1 Fine Mesh Strainer
  • 1 Medium Nonstick Skillet
  • 1 Small Spatula
  • 1 Large Spatula

Ingredients 

  • 5 large egg*
  • kosher salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (14 gram) butter
  • chives, for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the eggs and a generous pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously with a fork for 30-60 seconds, or until the egg yolks and whites are fully combined. Set the bowl aside for ten minutes to allow the proteins to denature.
    5 large egg*, kosher salt to taste
  • Once the eggs have turned a darker shade of yellow and appear thinner, whisk again for 30 seconds to fully combine.
  • Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, and strain any lumps out of the mixture.
  • Place a medium nonstick skillet over medium low heat, and add the butter. Once the butter begins to barely sizzle, add the eggs, and stir continuously with a small spatula, cooking about five minutes. Be sure to constantly scrape the sides of the pan to prevent any thin egg pieces from forming on the top part of the skillet.
    1 tablespoon butter
  • Pick up the skillet, and tilt it downwards. Once the soft curds have formed enough to not run down the pan when tilted, the omelette is ready to roll. Season once more with salt, and add any desired filling.
  • Using a larger spatula, begin from an outer corner and push the edges of the omelette down, rolling it onto itself. Once there is an inch and a half left to roll, fold the omelette onto the remaining soft curds to form a torpedo like shape and ensure the seal is on the bottom of the omelette.
  • Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with chives.
    chives

Video

YouTube video

Notes

*Use fresh eggs for the best results. To test your eggs’ freshness, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs sink, and older eggs float. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 458kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 960mg, Sodium: 445mg, Potassium: 348mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1700IU, Calcium: 143mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the difference between French and American omelettes? 

French omelettes are served plain or with light fillings and have a soft, almost custard-like texture, which is achieved by cooking the eggs slowly and whisking continuously.

Meanwhile, American omelettes are thicker and crispier with larger, more distinct egg curds, achieved by cooking without much stirring. In addition, American omelettes tend to have heavier fillings like meat, cheese, and veggies. 

Can I make a French omelette ahead of time? 

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days, but I don’t recommend it. The eggs are likely to dry out and become rubbery once reheated. 

How should I serve a French omelette? 

For an authentic meal, I like to serve this recipe garnished with fresh chives or chervil with simple sides like a light green salad, roasted potatoes, or crusty bread. 

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Nick DiGiovanni

Celebrity Chef & Content Creator

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4.50 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. Genesis Natalie Nangira says:

    4 stars
    Spectacular taste amazing 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

  2. Vito Nepomuceno says:

    5 stars
    Delicious