Food

My family loves my fried-egg 'omelets,' and they're surprisingly easier to make than the real thing

By Steven John
fried egg omelet next to two pieces of toast on a plate
The omelet pairs nicely with toast. Steven John
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Now that eggs are actually affordable again after record-high prices in 2023, they're a staple in my family's diet.

I've been making what I jokingly call my "Patented Fried Egg Omelet" for years now. Although it's entirely likely that someone else is cooking the exact same meal, I've yet to come across it.

They're easy to make, delightful to eat, and an impressive crowd-pleaser.

Here's how I make them.

Most of the ingredients are really up to you.

ingredients for a fried egg omelet sitting around a frying pan on a counter
The omelet is completely customizable. Steven John

The base of the recipe is just two eggs. You could try it with three, but be warned, it may be a harrowing experience.

As for the other ingredients, my favorite combination is chopped bacon, chives or green onions, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkling of cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese.

But you can make a fried-egg omelet with just about anything you want — mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, onions, etc.

I start by prepping the eggs.

chopped tomatoes and chives next to a glass with an egg in it
Things like tomatoes and chives don't need extra cooking time, so I add them to the eggs. Steven John

My first big tip is to ensure the yolks stay intact when you crack the eggs. Otherwise, it won't really be a fried egg.

I always crack one egg into my egg cup (yes, I have a dedicated egg cup), then add half of the ingredients that need the least cooking, usually chives and tomatoes.

Then, I add the other egg and the rest of those ingredients. This helps them spread out more evenly across the eggs, though you will have some leeway to maneuver things as the eggs cook.

Before throwing the mixture in a pan, I cook up anything that needs extra time.

hand pouring pieces of bacon into a frying pan
I cook the bacon first. Steven John

The next secret is timing when each ingredient gets added to the mix.

I add the chopped bacon to the pan first. If you're using onion, bell pepper, or anything that needs a bit of extra time to cook, add that to the heat before the eggs.

I just try to make sure the ingredients in the pan stay rather close together so the omelet can come together.

Once everything's ready, carefully pour the egg mixture into the pan.

hand carefully pouring eggs into a frying pan with bacon
You want to be gentle so you don't break the yolks. Steven John

Next, pour the egg mixture on top of the bacon (or onions or what have you).

Then, use a fork or similar implement to carefully distribute the ingredients evenly around the egg whites.

A good, hot pan helps this recipe along — think sizzling-bacon hot, not grease-fire hot.

Let the eggs firm up well before flipping.

two eggs with veggies and other ingredients in a frying pan
I let everything cook for about two minutes before flipping. Steven John

The key to a good fried-egg omelet is not flipping the eggs too soon. I recommend waiting about two minutes.

Flip prematurely, and the eggs will likely lack the structural integrity for a smooth, even flip.

If the half-cooked omelet falls apart, it's basically impossible to repair it. But, you can still mix everything up and turn it into a plate of fancy scrambled eggs, so it's not a total loss.

Using a spatula, carefully free the eggs from the pan by working around the edges, then get the spatula under the eggs and flip them right over.

If everything is successful, the ingredients that were under the eggs should have blended into the whites.

I finish it off with a sprinkle of cheese and serve.

hand sprinkling cheese on a fried egg in a pan
The recipe has all the best parts of a fried egg and an omelet. Steven John

As soon as the eggs are flipped, I sprinkle cheese on top and let things cook for about a minute. If you like runnier yolks, take it off the heat sooner.

And that's it. You have a perfectly customized fried-egg omelet — or, depending on how things went, a beautiful plate of scrambled eggs.

I typically top mine with pepper and hot sauce and serve it with toast.

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Headshot of Steven John
Steven John
Steven John has been a freelance writer for more than a dozen years and has been a regular contributor to Business Insider since 2017. His work includes a focus on the tech world, covering companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and others. He also reviews restaurants, shares how-to cooking articles, and writes general interest pieces.Steven also writes for publications including Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, Forbes, and more. In the past, he also wrote for New York Magazine, Mashed, U.S. News & World Report and other outlets. He runs his own outdoor lifestyle site, Dad Gear Review, and co-hosts the Fact Trekkers podcast with his son. He has had two novels published, Three A.M. and Outrider. He graduated from Emerson College with a degree in communications focused on filmmaking.He is an avid outdoorsman and can be frequently found in a kayak or on a mountain trail, often with his family along for the adventure.Expertise:Tech industryTech hardwareOutdoorsCookingRestaurantsDIYPopular articles:Microsoft: A history of the software giant co-founded by Bill Gates, its products and services, jobs, layoffs, and moreYouTube is a major entertainment force. Here's the platform's history, plus how to create a channel and upload videos.Inside the life and career of Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropistTim Cook net worth: How the Apple leader earns and spends his moneyBecoming an Amazon seller is a simple process. Here's what's involved, plus how you make money and get paid.
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