I Tried IHOP's Secret for Super Fluffy Omelets, and It’s Truly Magical

If you’ve somehow managed to stay off social media (which, honestly, more power to you), you may not have caught the buzz about IHOP’s omelet trick. The secret? They add pancake batter to make their omelets incredibly fluffy. After we got over the initial shock and processed the idea of pancake batter being the magic ingredient, we had to give it a try ourselves. Could this technique really make homemade omelets as fluffy as IHOP’s? Spoiler: it works!

IHOP’s Secret for the Fluffiest Egg Omelets

Yes, you heard it right—IHOP adds a “splash” of their famous buttermilk and wheat pancake batter to their omelets. This little secret, revealed earlier this year on TikTok, was both eye-opening and controversial. While the pancake batter helps create the ultra-fluffy texture, it also means these omelets aren’t an option for those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or anyone on a keto diet. Though it’s clearly stated on the menu, many customers were taken aback, and understandably so—who would expect pancake batter in an omelet?

Why Pancake Batter Makes Omelets Extra Fluffy

IHOP's pancake batter secret is actually quite clever from a culinary perspective. The batter provides structure and body to the omelet, much like how chefs often add flour to their omelet batter for the same reason. The leavening in the pancake batter also gives the omelet a “lift,” creating that thick, fluffy texture diners love. But could this technique work when making omelets at home?

How to Make a Fluffy Omelet with Pancake Batter

You may think that more is better, but when it comes to using pancake batter for your omelet, that’s not the case. Just a small amount of batter is all you need for the perfect fluffy omelet. We found that 2 tablespoons of prepared batter was enough to get the desired fluffy effect. To make things even easier, use store-bought pancake mix and save any extra to make a batch of pancakes later (since they’re great with omelets). The trick is to whisk the batter into the eggs right before cooking. It might feel wrong and look a bit strange, but don’t worry—everything will work out. Follow your usual omelet recipe and watch as the magic happens in the pan.

Does the Pancake Batter Trick Actually Work?

I was impressed with the results. I made two Denver omelets as usual, but added two tablespoons of pancake batter (I used Bisquick) to one of them. The omelet with the pancake batter turned out delightfully fluffy, with a tender, springy texture. I even enjoyed the subtle sweetness it brought to the dish, more than I had expected. Sure, it’s a bit of extra work to make the batter, so I might not do it every time. But if I’m making pancakes or have guests over, you can bet I’ll be adding pancake batter to my omelets from now on.