Omelet making is an art. When prepared properly, the eggs create a fluffy foundation that supports traditional omelet ingredients, such as ham and cheese or sautéed veggies, creating a visually appealing—and tasty—meal.

But despite the dish's simplicity—just crack, whisk, heat, and flip—almost every cook has a few omelet disasters in their past. Flip too early and you've got a scrambled egg mess. Flip too late and you risk the whole thing sticking to the pan. Luckily, we're here to offer up a few tips and tricks that will ensure you know how to make an omelet that turns out perfect every time.

How to Make an Omelet

What You Need:

• 2 eggs (or 3, if you're feeling extra hungry)
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp butter
• Dash salt
• Dash pepper
• Fillings (types and amounts are totally up to you, but typically 1/2 cup total is the maximum you'll want to try and stuff into any one omelet)

What to Do:

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat.

2. While skillet is heating, whisk eggs, water, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

3. Add butter to skillet. Tilt pan to ensure the entire base is coated.

4. Pour in egg mixture. The edges of the omelet should set within just a few seconds.

5. Using a rubber spatula, gently pull the edges of the omelet toward the center, allowing the liquid portion to flow underneath and cook. Continue until no liquid egg remains, but eggs are still soft in the center (don't worry if your eggs seem too soft... they'll continue to cook even after your omelet has left the pan).

6. Working quickly, so as not to overcook the eggs, add toppings to one side of the omelet. Use spatula to fold the opposite side of the omelet onto the filled half.

7. Slide the omelet off the pan and onto a plate.

8. Enjoy!

Tips and Omelet Ingredient Inspiration from the Pros

If you've mastered your flip, and grown tired of the same old cheese-and-bacon affair, step up your game and borrow a few ideas from the famous omelet-makers at these spots:

Switch Up Your Eggs

Inspiration: The duck-egg omelet at Chillbar | Hollywood, FL
Turkey bacon and cheese in an omelet—big whoop, right? But this omelet's decadent duck eggs add enough richness—in the form of extra fat and protein—to get you hootin' and hollerin'. Finding them can be tricky, so try asking an egg supplier at your farmer's market, or check the local grocer to see if they take special orders.

Incorporate Snack Food

Inspiration: The caramelized onion and popcorn omelet at Gooseberries | St. Louis

With the knowledge that popcorn is a superfood, think outside the box and toss some in your omelet. If adding snack foods to an egg omelet sounds crazy, consider this: Gooseberries also counts pretzels, crispy noodles, potato stix, pepitas, and wasabi peas among its possible omelet fillings.

Serve family style

Inspiration: The Pizza with the Works omelet at Amy's Omelette House | Burlington, NJ

The best omelet is the omelet that brings people together. Grab your biggest skillet; double (or triple or quadruple) your egg count; add pizza toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, peppers, and cheese; and treat your guests to a generous slice.

Go Comfort-Food Crazy

Inspiration: The mac 'n' cheese omelet at Ladybird Diner | Lawrence, KS

When Dr. Phil refers to a safe place to land when life's troubles get you down, surely he means a serving of elbow-shaped pasta covered in a gooey cheese sauce, folded up inside a fluffy egg blanket.

Go Breakfast for Lunch (or Vice Versa)

Inspiration: The reuben omelet at Chickadees Diner| Irmo, SC

Often, the finest lunch, dinner, and breakfast ideas are one and the same. This dish combines the best of each meal by wrapping eggs around the iconic sandwich's fillings: corned beef, sauerkraut, and russian dressing.