Ham and Cheddar Skillet Omelette
A fluffy stovetop omelette folded around golden sauteed ham and melting cheddar. Ready in under 15 minutes, it is a high-protein breakfast or quick dinner.
- Total
- 12 min
- Prep 4 · Cook 8
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
You'll practice: Sautéing · Folding
- Savory
- Quick
- Stovetop
Instructions
-
Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the salt and black pepper, and beat with a fork until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy.
~2 min
Beating until frothy incorporates air, which makes the omelette fluffier and helps the eggs cook evenly.
-
Cut the ham into 1 cm pieces and grate the cheddar.
~2 min
-
Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the ham and cook until the edges are lightly golden and it smells nutty, about 2 minutes.
~2 min
Cooking the ham first renders its fat, which seasons the pan and creates a savory base for the eggs.
Cook the ham first so its fat seasons the pan and the eggs pick up that savoury base.
Sautéing Keep the heat at medium and stir occasionally; the ham should turn lightly golden and smell nutty, not brown too fast or burn.
-
Pour the beaten eggs over the ham in the skillet. Let them set undisturbed for about 30 seconds, then draw the set edges toward the centre with a spatula, tilting the pan so raw egg fills the gaps.
~3 min
Drawing the set edges toward the center and tilting lets raw egg fill the gaps, creating even layers and preventing a rubbery bottom.
Keep the heat at medium; high heat makes the eggs rubbery before the centre sets.
-
When the eggs are mostly set but the top is still glossy, scatter the cheddar over one half. Fold the bare half over the cheese and cook for 1 more minute, until the eggs are fully set and the cheese has melted.
~1 min
Folding the omelette over the cheese traps heat, helping the cheese melt while the eggs finish setting.
Folding Use a spatula to gently lift the bare half and fold it over the cheese; avoid pressing down, which can squeeze out filling.
-
Slide the omelette onto a plate and serve immediately.
~1 min