Most people think Yorkshire puddings are too hard to make at home, but the recipe is actually very simple.
There are just a few things you need to get right first to ensure that your Yorkshire puds are light and fluffy and rise, rather than sink, before they even hit the plate.
The Good Housekeeping cookery team has had years of experience in making Yorkshire puddings. here's their full proof recipe and their expert tips on getting Yorkshire puddings right every time.
How to get crisp Yorkshire puddings
The secret to crisp Yorkshire puddings is to get both the tin and fat piping hot. There should be a sizzle when you pour the batter into the hot oil. The batter will immediately start cooking, resulting in higher and crispier puds. The hot pan also means your Yorkies are less likely to stick to it when you remove them later.
How to stop Yorkshire puddings sinking
To prevent your Yorkshire puddings from sinking, don’t open the oven door before the end of cooking time. When you remove the tin from the oven, do not leave the puddings near any drafts. The most foolproof way to stop your puddings from sinking? Eat them straight away!
Always rest the batter first
Resting the batter really does result in better-risen Yorkshire puddings with an airier texture (rather than chewy). About an hour is sufficient to allow the starch molecules to swell, giving a thicker consistency, and for the gluten to relax. Your batter will have a more uniform structure, so rising will be easier for the puds.
And room temperature batter is ideal
Room temperature vs cold batter: if your batter is at room temperature when it hits the hot pan, you will get a better rise with a crispier hollow pudding. If your batter is cold, your Yorkshires will be slightly more dense inside but with that perfect gravy-pooling cup shape. So it’s completely down to personal preference!
Add herbs for flavour
To jazz up your Yorkshire puds, try adding chopped herbs such as thyme or sage to the batter. If serving with beef, add a pinch of mustard powder with the flour for added punch.
And beef fat too
Use the fat from your roast beef when it comes out the oven to grease your pudding pan for added flavour.
Freeze Yorkshire puddings in advance
If making Yorkshire puddings is too stressful just before serving roast dinner, why not make them in advance and freeze? (They may not be as risen and puffy as fresh, but we won’t tell!) Wrap the puddings well in clingfilm and foil once cool, then keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen on a baking tray in an oven preheated to 220°C (200°C fan oven) mark 7 for about 8-10min until hot and crisp.
Yorkshire puddings for dessert - no, really!
For the Yorkshire Pudding mega fan, top puds with golden syrup and ice cream for a deliciously indulgent dessert (just don’t cook them with beef dripping – that would not be a match made in heaven)!
Yorkshire pudding recipe
Ingredients
- Beef fat from the roasting tin, spooned off and reserved
Directions
- Sift flour into a large mixing bowl with pinch of salt. Stir and make a well in centre. Pour in beaten egg and a generous splash of milk. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine all ingredients. Add a splash more milk to loosen mixture.
- Switch to a balloon whisk and whisk vigorously, gradually adding in remainder of milk in stages until batter is smooth and consistency of cream. Cover and chill for 30min then pour into a jug.
- Heat 1tsp of beef dripping in each hole of a large muffin tin at 220°C (200°C fan) mark 7 for 5min.
- Pour batter into holes, about halfway full. Cook for 20-25min until puffed up and golden. Don’t be tempted to open oven door before end of cooking time or puddings may sink.
FAQs
Resting the batter overnight is key for developing better flavor. Forget about cold batter: letting it rest at room temperature helps it rise taller as it bakes. A combination of milk and water gives the Yorkshire puddings extra rise and crispness.
Do more eggs make Yorkshire puddings rise? ›
Yorkshire puddings are made with a classic batter, but switching up your egg quantities can make a difference. Using one extra egg white could help make them extra tall.
What consistency should Yorkshire pudding batter be? ›
Top Tips for the Best Ever Yorkshire Puddings
The batter should be the consistency of pouring cream and you should let it rest for about an hour in the fridge. Cold batter and hot oil are the successful combination for a well risen and crisp pudding.
Why won't my Yorkshire pudding rise? ›
The fat must be smoking hot in the pan before you cook the batter. If your Yorkshire pudding tin isn't hot enough before the batter is added, all attempts are destined to flop – so add fat or oil to the tin, and heat in the top of the oven at 230? C for 10 minutes first (and keep it at that temperature when cooking).
Should you let yorkshire pudding batter rest? ›
How do you make Yorkshire puddings rise higher? Let the batter sit. Make sure you rest your batter rest for at least an hour before you cook to ensure a good rise and deliciously light puddings.
Should yorkshire pudding batter be cold or room temperature? ›
And room temperature batter is ideal
Room temperature vs cold batter: if your batter is at room temperature when it hits the hot pan, you will get a better rise with a crispier hollow pudding. If your batter is cold, your Yorkshires will be slightly more dense inside but with that perfect gravy-pooling cup shape.
Can you put too much oil in Yorkshire pudding? ›
This is about the oil. As mentioned, you need the oil to be very hot before adding your batter, but it's also important to use the right amount. Too much will make the bottom of your Yorkshires greasy, while too little could see your puds stick to the pan.
What happens if you put too much milk in Yorkshire puddings? ›
Always use equal volumes of egg, milk, and all-purpose flour. If you use too much flour, the resulting pudding will be heavy and dense. Without enough egg, there will be insufficient air beaten in for a successful rise. Too much milk will make the batter too loose.
Does baking powder help Yorkshire puddings rise? ›
No and here is the reason why! It must be plain flour (no baking powder). 1/ High temperature oven. Yorkshire puddings rise due to quick cooking of the flour and steam being formed in the batter mixture, hence the requirement of a very hot oven and hot oil as you pour the batter into the yorkshire pudding tin.
Is milk or water better for Yorkshire puddings? ›
What is the secret to making Yorkshire puddings rise? Mary likes to add more eggs and omit a little milk in her recipe as decades of experience have convinced her this gets the best results. If you only have full-fat milk, replace a quarter of the milk with water. It is very important to get the oil piping hot.
These days, the beef drippings are placed in the muffin tin with a spoon, and the batter is cooked in the drippings. You can of course use olive oil/vegetable oil, but beef drippings certainly bring extra flavor. If you are using oil, remember that the best oil to make Yorkshire puddings will have a high smoke point.
Why do Yorkshire puddings go cakey? ›
I think everyone has or will make at least one flat Yorkshire pudding at some point. The most common reason is that it isn't hot enough. Sometimes because the oven door is open too long or the pan or fat isn't hot enough before the batter is added.
Why do my Yorkshire puddings go flat when I take them out the oven? ›
It is almost always because the oil wasn't hot enough. Yorkshire Puddings rise because the water molecules in the milk turn to steam and as they rise, they force the batter upwards to make the puddings grow.
Can I open the oven when cooking Yorkshire puddings? ›
Don't open the oven door during the cooking time as the puddings may collapse.
Why are my Yorkshire puddings rubbery? ›
Cooking notes
You leave the batter to rest to allow the gluten in the flour to relax, this makes the batter tender. If you don't allow the batter to relax the yorkshire pudding will be slightly tough and rubbery.
What makes Yorkshire puddings puff up? ›
Yorkshire pudding batter has just three ingredients – milk, eggs and flour – but the addition of water can make the finished result puffy and light. The fat content of the milk and eggs brings richness, but it's the water that helps them crisp up.
How do you keep Yorkshire puddings from going flat? ›
Don't Open the Oven Door
Avoid opening the oven door during cooking because the cooler air will make the puddings collapse. Sometimes they make a recovery but will never rise quite as high as they should.
