Popovers, also known as Yorkshire puddings, are light and airy and easy to make. They puff up when they bake for a fun presentation. They’re a great side dish that’s easier to make than dinner rolls.
I really loved the popovers I made last time, but I wanted to experiment with other recipes. I initially wanted to try a recipe provided by Neiman Marcus for the popovers they serve at their cafe, but after reading the recipe, it seemed too complicated after the easy popovers I had previously made.
So, instead of the Neiman Marcus recipe, I chose a popover recipe I found on Umami Girl, which she adapted from Gourmet Magazine. I made a couple of adjustments to the recipe and the instructions based on my previous popover baking experience.
What Are Popovers?
If you haven’t had popovers before, they are a very light and airy bread. They are almost hollow on the inside, and the outside is a chewy bread crust. The name comes from the fact that the batter “pops over” the baking molds when they are baking.
Ingredients
- Cubed unsalted butter
- Large eggs
- Milk – fat-free, 2%, and whole milk will work.
- Melted unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
Recipe Instructions
Place the cubed butter in each mold in the popover pans. Place the pans in a 375°F oven until the butter is melted. It should only take about two minutes. Once it’s melted, take the pans out of the oven.
Whisk the eggs and milk in a large bowl. Blend the melted butter into the egg mixture and then stir in the flour and salt. Mix until combined, but there should be some small lumps.
Pour the batter into the molds about 1/2 way with the batter and place the pan in the oven. For large popovers, the bake time is about 45 minutes, and the small ones are done in about 30 minutes. They should be puffed, and the popover tops should be golden brown when they’re done.
Popover Pans
I previously bought this Popover Pan*. It’s been working great, except that it only makes six. This is fine if I’m just baking for me and the BF.
But usually, when I make popovers, I have more people over. Since popovers need to bake for about 40 minutes, it’s a problem not being able to make more than 6. Rather than buy a regular popover pan, this time, I purchased this Mini Popover Pan* that bakes 12. These popovers aren’t really mini. They are still pretty big, and I think they are really the perfect serving size.
With this recipe, I was able to make 12 smaller ones and six regular popovers. Of course, if you don’t have a popover pan, you could use a standard muffin tin, but they won’t pop up nearly as much or look as pretty.
Recipe Tips
Don’t open the oven while they are baking because it can cause them to collapse. They won’t be as tall or airy.
You can add mix-ins to the batter, but don’t add too many because you don’t want the batter to be too heavy. Things like shredded cheese, chopped fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, rosemary, or dried herbs work well.
You can mix the batter by hand, or I’ve seen recipes that use a blender.
I like these best when they’re warm from the oven, but leftover popovers will keep at room temperature for a few days.
These popovers came out very light and airy. They were airier than the previous popovers I made.
More Recipes to Try
*Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. Much like referral codes, this means I earn a small commission if you purchase a product I referred (at no extra charge to you).
Popovers
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups fat free milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- additional 3 tbsp butter for pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut the unmelted butter into 18 small chunks. Place a small chunk of butter at the bottom of each popover mold. Place the pans in the oven while the oven preheats until the butter is completed melted and then remove pans (about 2 minutes).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk. Add in the melted butter. Add the flour and salt and mix until well combined but still slightly lumpy. Divide the batter among the pans, filling each mold 1/2 full.
- Bake for 45 minutes without opening the oven for large popovers (or 30 minutes for mini popovers).
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Hi There! Awhile ago I tried several different popover recipes and called those posts “The Popover Experiment’. I was just checking on my online popover photos and saw your fabulous popovers. They look a lot like a few of the recipes I tried BUT I was pleased to see that you made yours with fat free milk (I just typed in ‘mink’… imagine… ‘fat free mink’?) and even without using whole milk your popovers came out so great. And now I know!
You have a wonderful blog. I’m gonna start following you on Pinterest. Wishing you and yours a merry, merry holiday season. ; o )
thanks! it’s been so long since I made these. Might be time to make some more!
LOVE popovers too. I was impressed with Alton Brown’s recipe, from the Food Network. My popover pan only makes 6. Where did you ever find your pan that makes more? Can’t wait to try your recipe. Martha Stewart’s is good too. (My daughter’s favorite as she prefers them doughy). I grew up on the Better Homes and Garden recipe (real crispy). Thrilled to come across your blog when I was looking for a popover pan!! Happy Holidays. Jill
There is a mini one that makes 12! And it’s not really mini. It’s actually quite a good size. I think the six popover pan popovers are a little too large. I didn’t think so at first but after I bought the mini pan, I prefer the mini one. Plus you can bake more. You can view the mini one I own here
Your popovers look wonderful! With my lack of sweet tooth, I always wished more coffee shops had them. They’re more filling than a croissant and easier to eat! (No dealing with all them flakes in your car…)
Hmm, I never thought about the fact that they are easier to eat. You’re right though. As someone who is a messy eater (and who often eats in the car), I don’t have a crumb mess after eating these. =)
I love popovers. They are so easy to do but still come out looking impressive. Love the recipe!
I used to think they were so hard to make and enjoyed having them at fancy restaurants. But now I know how easy they are to make so I can have them all the time!