This TikTok Hack Will Have You Cooking Your Omelet In A Plastic Bag

If TikTok has taught us anything, it's that there are endless ways to cook eggs. Whether it be frying them in pesto instead of oil, or poaching them in a ladle, TikTok's egg cooking hacks always seem to go viral — and for good reason. They're quick, easy, and convenient. Such is the case with a viral breakfast hack posted by TikTok creator chef Lisa Brooks. Brooks' hack calls for putting all the ingredients and seasonings for an omelet into a plastic bag, then proceeding to cook it — bag and all — in boiling water for seven to 10 minutes. When she removes the omelet from the bag, it appears to be cooked to perfection.

This TikTok hack works because it mimics the sous vide method of cooking. According to Serious Eats, sous vide translates to "under vacuum" and refers to cooking food low and slow in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. Brooks' hack differs slightly, as she uses an airtight plastic bag instead of one that is vacuum-sealed. She also boils the water instead of cooking it over low heat. But although chef Lisa Brooks' method still yields favorable results, you may want to practice caution if you test this hack out for yourself.

If you're planning to cook up an omelet the TikTok way, don't just grab any random sandwich bag. As Our Everyday Life shares, not all plastic is meant to withstand high temperatures, so cooking with the wrong kind could be dangerous. Though the TikTok video shows that sandwich bags are just as effective as sous vide bags, they may not always be a good substitute. The bag you choose is just as important as the ingredients you choose to add to your eggs.

Therefore, when preparing your omelet, make sure to use actual sous vide bags or Ziploc-brand freezer bags, which are made with low-density polyethylene. Bon Appétit explains that sous vide bags are certified BPA-free and made of polyethylene instead of polycarbonate. That means that for cooking, plastic can be heated without releasing harmful chemicals like BPA into your food. Because the TikTok hack calls for boiling water, the plastic must have a higher melting point or chemical leaching is inevitable. As long as you use BPA-free plastic, however, your omelets will be both tasty and safe to eat. So grab your safe materials, savory ingredients, and get ready to try this TikTok hack!