The IHOP-Approved Secret Ingredient for Tender, Fluffy Omelets
IHOP, the International House of Pancakes, is unsurprisingly famous for their soft, buttery pancakes. But as a breakfast lover who has dined at the establishment dozens of times throughout my life, I'm here with a very bold proclamation: If you’ve never indulged in the IHOP omelet (or omelettes as they spell it), you've been seriously missing out. There are few things better than an IHOP omelet at 2 AM.
Related: Kourtney Kardashian Divulges Her 'Not on Brand' IHOP Order
What Makes IHOP Omelets So Good?
First of all, the omelets are pretty much the size of my head, which makes them perfect for sharing. And there’s no need to choose between having a sweet or savory breakfast. My go-to move is to order my own stack of pancakes and then split one of their ginormous omelets with a pal.
When I first had an IHOP omelet I was surprised by how fluffiest and delicate they were. As a food writer and recipe developer, I’ve always been curious about the secret to their cloud-like perfection. My research led me to an answer that was shocking, and dare I say...a bit scandalous? There is one very unexpected, but very on-brand, ingredient that makes IHOP omelets undefeated.
Drum roll, please! The secret to super fluffy IHOP omelets is…buttermilk pancake batter.
For what it's worth, the IHOP menu does indicate in small text at the top of the page that their omelets contain pancake batter, but such a detail can go unnoticed by even the most dedicated IHOP eaters.
Related: IHOP's 'Wonka' Menu Offers 6 New Scrumdidilyumptious Items
Why You Should Add Pancake Batter to Your Omelet
Aside from a very mild sweetness, IHOP pancake batter has a very neutral taste, so it doesn’t disrupt the flavor of the eggs, but the leavening in the batter transforms the eggs into plush, airy omelet perfection. The addition of pancake batter also makes the omelet sturdy enough to withstand the vast array of fillings and toppings available on IHOP’s menu. Here's just a small sampling of your options: steak, chicken fajita fixings, fire-roasted poblanos, spinach and mushrooms and/or lots of bacon. You can choose one of the pre-set flavor combos or choose your own adventure.
How To Make IHOP-Style Omelets At Home
This diner-approved hack is easy to try with any omelet recipe, take our Western-style omelet, for example. After whisking your eggs, add about 1/2 cup of pancake batter and whisk some more to combine before pouring the mixture into a skillet. Boxed pancake mix will probably be the best to use here, plus it's easier than making your pancakes from scratch.
Related: 14 Recipes That Prove You Can Make Anything With a Box of Store-Bought Pancake Mix
Can You Make IHOP-Style Omelets Gluten-Free?
Maybe this goes without saying, but the addition of pancake batter does mean IHOP-style omelets are pretty much off-limits for my gluten-free friends. You could use a gluten-free pancake mix, but you may not achieve the same exact sweet and fluffy results. I personally am not gluten-free, so I still love to indulge in these delicious omelets whether I make them at home or order them at IHOP late at night.
