Ferran Adrià's trick for a potato omelet with express fries

Three ingredients and not a single potato to peel

Ferran Adrià has it figured out. In a video he posted on YouTube, the elBulli chef proposes a quick version of the classic Spanish omelet: eight eggs, olive oil, and a bag of potato chips. No onions, no mandoline, no pan full of boiling oil at ten o'clock at night.

• 8 eggs
• Olive oil, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
• 1 bag of potato chips

The step-by-step process is also straightforward. Beat the eggs in a bowl until well combined, heat the oil in a frying pan, and add the potato chips to the bowl. Stir to coat them well with egg—this will soften them—and pour the mixture into the hot pan. Medium heat, no rush.

When the tortilla has set on the bottom, place a plate over the pan and carefully flip it over to cook the other side. The exact doneness is up to you: if you like it runny, remove it sooner; if you like it firm, leave it for a few more seconds. And that's it.

Why a bag of potato chips really works

Here's the detail that bothers many people. Potato chips are already fried, salted, and crispy, so when they come into contact with the egg, they soften and release their starch, which is exactly what a poached potato does, but without the prior processing. Translation: you save yourself the peeling, cutting, and the hassle of the deep fryer.

Just be careful with the salt. The potatoes are already salted, so taste the mixture before adding anything else. If you choose a bag of thick potato chips instead of the thin snack kind, they'll hold the egg better and the tortilla will be firmer.

The potato omelet with fried potatoes doesn't fool anyone: it changes the process, not the dish, and it gives you back fifteen minutes of life.

On social media, more and more content creators are trying it out, and reactions range from skepticism to immediate conversion. There are more critical voices, of course. I'm among those who think it's an everyday tactic: perfect for a lazy Tuesday, but not enough for a celebration.

The trick that was already being used before TikTok (and my verdict)

Mind you, this isn't something new. Potato omelets made with potato chips have been around in Spanish kitchens for decades, and more than a few neighborhood bars have made them their signature dish when time or ingredients were scarce. There are countless variations of potato omelets, but this is the only one that can be assembled in the time it takes for the pan to heat up.

Is it worth it? If you're looking for the best tortilla of your life, no. That still needs perfectly cooked potatoes and patience. But if you're looking for a decent dinner in fifteen minutes, with three ingredients and a frying pan, this trick works perfectly and is also cheap. That's what it's for.

💡 The trick of the almond

Total time: about 15 minutes. Difficulty level: easy. Extra tip: if the mixture is too thick, add another egg rather than a splash of milk.