Golden, airy, and deliciously crisp on the outside with a soft, eggy interior, Yorkshire Pudding is the quintessential British side dish that turns any roast dinner into a feast. Whether you’ve tried them once or grew up with them every Sunday, these puffy delights are unforgettable. Serve them with gravy and roast beef, or make them the star of your brunch table with sweet or savory fillings.
The magic of Yorkshire Pudding lies in its humble ingredients and high oven heat. The batter is simple—just eggs, milk, and flour—yet the result is a dramatic rise and beautifully browned crust. It’s a recipe that feels like kitchen alchemy, where timing and heat do all the heavy lifting. Once you crack the code, it’s the kind of dish you’ll want to whip up again and again.
What Kind of Fat Should I Use?
Traditional Yorkshire Puddings are made using beef drippings, which add incredible flavor and help develop that signature crispy texture. If you don’t have beef drippings on hand, no worries—a high smoke-point fat like vegetable oil or even duck fat will also work beautifully. Just make sure the oil is sizzling hot when you pour the batter in—this is the key to that glorious puff!

Ingredients for the Yorkshire Pudding
- Eggs: Eggs are the structure builders in this recipe, giving the pudding its lift and creamy center.
- Milk: Whole milk adds richness and moisture to the batter, balancing out the egginess.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the foundation of the batter. Sift it to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the overall flavor and helps balance the savory notes.
- Fat (Beef drippings or oil): Essential for creating a hot, sizzling base that lifts the batter into a tall, crispy delight.
How To Make the Yorkshire Pudding
Step 1: Prepare the Batter Early
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, and salt until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Let the batter rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the flour fully hydrate and leads to better rise.
Step 2: Heat the Oven and Muffin Tin
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a muffin or popover tin in the oven while it preheats. Add about 1 teaspoon of beef drippings or oil into each cup. The pan and fat must be smoking hot before adding the batter—this is what ensures the puddings rise dramatically.
Step 3: Pour the Batter Quickly
Once the fat is shimmering and hot, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Quickly pour the rested batter into each cup, filling them only about halfway. The sizzling sound you hear means you’re on the right track.
Step 4: Bake Without Peeking
Place the tin back into the hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Do not open the oven door during baking! The steam and heat are what create the lofty rise. The puddings are done when they’re deeply golden brown and puffed above the tin.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Yorkshire Puddings are best enjoyed fresh from the oven. Serve them alongside a roast dinner with gravy, or fill with eggs and bacon for a cozy breakfast twist.
Serving and Storing Your Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire Puddings are at their absolute best when served piping hot and freshly puffed from the oven. Traditionally paired with roast beef and rich brown gravy, they also shine when stuffed with savory breakfast fillings or even sweet cream and jam for a creative twist.
If you have leftovers (a rare event!), let them cool completely and store in an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 2 days in the fridge. To reheat, pop them in a 400°F oven for 5–7 minutes until crispy again. Avoid the microwave—it’ll make them rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Yorkshire pudding batter ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, making the batter a few hours in advance (or even the night before) improves the texture. Just store it in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before baking.
Why didn’t my Yorkshire puddings rise?
The most common culprits are cold batter or fat that wasn’t hot enough. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and your oil is sizzling before pouring in the batter.
Can I use non-dairy milk?
You can use unsweetened almond or oat milk, but the puddings may be slightly less rich and not rise as high.
Can I freeze Yorkshire puddings?
Absolutely! Let them cool, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat directly from frozen in a hot oven until crisp.
What’s the difference between Yorkshire pudding and popovers?
They’re very similar! Popovers are usually made in taller tins and sometimes use butter instead of beef drippings, but the batter is nearly identical.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can work. Just be aware that the texture might be slightly different, and results can vary depending on the brand.
Want More Side Dish Ideas?
If you’re loving the cozy, carby magic of Yorkshire Pudding, here are some other comfort-packed side dishes you might want to try next:
- Cheesy Cauliflower Patties for a crispy, low-carb option that still satisfies.
- Potatoes au Gratin layered with rich cream and melted cheese.
- Sweet Honey Glazed Carrots to bring a touch of sweetness to your savory plate.
- Grilled Peach and Honey Mustard Dressing if you’re craving something vibrant and tangy.
- Green Olive and Feta Cheese Dip that pairs beautifully with crackers or warm bread.
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest board for cozy dinners or holiday feasts—you’ll want to revisit it again and again.
And if you give it a go, let me know how it turned out! Did you use beef drippings, or try a twist with herb-infused oil? Did they puff perfectly or flop dramatically (hey, it happens!)?
Leave a comment, share your tips, or ask a question. I’m always here to swap stories and learn from your delicious experiments.
🔗 For more daily recipe inspiration, visit my Pinterest board: Life with Jam on Pinterest

Yorkshire PuddingYorkshire PuddingYorkshire Pudding
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy on the outside and pillowy inside, this classic Yorkshire Pudding is the perfect side dish to any roast dinner or hearty breakfast. With just a few pantry ingredients, you’ll get that dramatic rise and golden crust every time.
Ingredients
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 teaspoons beef drippings or high-smoke-point oil (1 tsp per muffin cup)
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, and salt until smooth and lump-free.
2. Let the batter rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to fully hydrate the flour.
3. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a muffin or popover tin in the oven while it heats.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of beef drippings or oil to each muffin cup.
5. When the fat is hot and shimmering, remove the pan from the oven and carefully pour the batter into each cup, filling halfway.
6. Quickly return the tin to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. Do not open the oven during this time.
7. Bake until the puddings are puffed and deep golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite roast, gravy, or breakfast filling.
Notes
Resting the batter is key to achieving height and a custardy center—don’t skip this step.
Your fat must be smoking hot before adding the batter to get that iconic puff and crisp.
For best results, avoid opening the oven during baking to prevent deflation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pudding
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg


