Food EditionCookFrenchSideYorkshire Pudding
1 hr 15 minIntermediateServes 4
French · Side

Yorkshire Pudding

There is no mystery to a proper Yorkshire pudding, only the physics of heat. If you respect the temperature of the oil, you will achieve the rise you are looking for every single time.

Total time
1 hr 15 min
Hands-on
10 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Intermediate
Before you start

Temperature is your only ingredient that matters.

Do not open the oven door until the puddings are set and deep gold, or they will collapse instantly. Ensure your beef dripping or oil is truly smoking.

  • 12-hole muffin tin
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring jug
Ingredients

What goes in.

  • 200 mlall-purpose flour
  • 200 mleggs (approx. 4 large eggs)
  • 200 mlwhole milk
  • 1/2 tspsalt
  • 1/2 cupbeef dripping or neutral high-smoke-point oil
The key technique

Resting the Batter

Let your batter rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and the proteins to relax, creating a structure strong enough to hold the steam.

Step by step

The method.

  1. Whisk the base

    Whisk the flour, eggs, and salt together until smooth. Slowly incorporate the milk until the batter reaches the consistency of heavy cream. Set it aside for 30 minutes.

  2. Heat the fat

    Place 1 teaspoon of fat into each hole of the muffin tin. Put the tin in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 10 minutes until the fat is shimmering and wisps of smoke appear.

  3. The pour

    Quickly remove the tin and divide the batter evenly among the holes. Return it to the center rack immediately. Do not delay, as the tin must remain searing hot.

  4. The bake

    Bake for 20 to 25 minutes without opening the door. When they are dark brown, puffed, and hollow-sounding when tapped, pull them out and serve immediately.

Variations

Other turns to take.

Herb-Infused

Add a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary to the batter before resting.

Large Tray

Use a metal roasting pan instead of a muffin tin to create one large, pull-apart pudding base.

Tips & troubleshooting

When it doesn't go to plan.

Tip

Measure by volume using a glass jug to ensure your flour, eggs, and milk are truly equal parts.

Tip

Cold batter hitting hot oil is what forces the rapid expansion; keep your milk and eggs chilled until you are ready to mix.

Tip

If the center is soft, leave them in for an extra two minutes; they should be brittle enough to snap.

Questions

The ones that keep coming up.

Why did my puddings turn out flat?

The fat wasn't hot enough, or the oven door was opened too early. The rapid steam generation relies on a massive initial temperature shock.

Can I use butter instead of beef dripping?

Butter has milk solids that burn quickly at the high heat required here. Use beef dripping, lard, or a neutral oil like grapeseed.

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