Easy Yorkshire Pudding Recipe (Small Batch) (2024)

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(This post has been updated from the original January 2021 version to provide a better experience for you)

Are your Yorkshire puddings too small or don’t rise? Do they deflate when you take them out the oven? What if I told you that with just a few simple tricks, you could guarantee perfect Yorkshire puddings EVERY time? Keep reading to learn all my secrets, and see just how easy this no fail Yorkshire pudding recipe is!

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Alongside crispy roast potatoes, honey roast vegetables and pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puddings are a Sunday roast staple! So why do we struggle so much to make them at home? Well, there are quite a few places to go wrong. From oven temperatures and oil types, to resting and cooking times – there’s a fair few variables.

But don’t worry! This Yorkshire pudding recipe honestly couldn’t be any easier. And when used alongside my simple but very effective tips – guarantee great results every time!

But PLEASE make sure you keep scrolling and read the tips section before you have a go. I promise, you won’t regret it!

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What’s the best oil to use for Yorkshire Puddings?

In my experience, I’ve had the best results with Rice Bran oil (affiliate link). Why? Because it has a very high smoke point (250ºC). Meaning that you can get this oil really hot before it starts smoking.

Olive oil’s smoke point can be as low as 190ºC, making it a bad choice for cooking Yorkshire puddings.

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Can you reheat homemade Yorkshire Puddings?

Yes! I actually find this to be the most convenient method. You don’t want to cook the rest of your Sunday roast at 230ºC do you? No, you’ll burn everything to a crisp.

Cooking them a little before the rest of your Sunday dinner, then reheating to crisp them up for 4-5 mins before serving, means you get the best Yorkshire puddings without spoiling the rest of your dinner! Giving you time to do other things, like learning how to steam broccoli!

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Can you freeze homemade Yorkshire Puddings?

Yes, you can freeze homemade Yorkshire puddings! Simply cook them, cool completely, then freeze for another day. Just make sure you pack them well so they don’t get freezer burn. Make sure you use them within 1 month.

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What is the secret to making Yorkshire puddings rise?

The secret to perfect Yorkshire puddings is all in the resting, and the temperature of your oven/oil. If you allow your batter to rest at room temperature for at least 1-2 hours before baking, the rise will be a million times better.

Preheating the oil in your tin before adding the batter, and having a very hot oven, is equally as essential. Do them both and your Yorkshire puds are going to be seriously bad boy!

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How do you stop Yorkshire puddings deflating/getting soft?

The answer to this is three fold. Firstly, your oven needs to be hot enough, and they need to be cooked on the top shelf, as that’s where it’s hottest.

Secondly, you need to preheat the oil in the tin until it’s SUPER hot before adding the batter.

And thirdly, you need to cook them until they are dark brown. None of this flimsy light golden nonsense – that’s a recipe for deflating Yorkshires. Push the cooking as far as you can before burning. This will make the batter more crisp and sturdy, preventing deflation and sogginess!

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How long should you let Yorkshire pudding batter rest for?

This is a really important part of making Yorkshire puddings, as it gives them a much better rise. To show you exactly how much – I did an experiment to test how different resting times would effect the rise. Here are the results…

The following Yorkshire puddings were rested for 1 hour before baking…

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These Yorkshire puddings were rested for 2 hours…

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And these ones were rested for 4 hours…

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Let’s take a look at a side by side comparison shall we? From left to right they were rested for 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours.

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That’s a pretty big difference isn’t it?! Some things really are worth waiting for! In my experience, I recommend resting for a minimum of 2 hours before baking, to get a really good rise. Have 4 hours to spare? As you can see, you’ll get an even better result!

Ingredients and substitutions

Confused about what ingredients to buy? Not sure about a substitution? Here’s what you need to know…

  • Egg – I prefer free range organic but whatever you have will work fine. Try to use an average sized egg (not too big, not too small).
  • Milk – I find semi skimmed to work best but you can substitute with most milks, including dairy free. Just be aware that it may effect the flavour.
  • Water – Cold tap water is perfect!
  • Flour – Use only plain/all purpose flour for making Yorkshires. Do not substitute with self raising flour.
  • Salt – Regular table salt will work fine as we want flavour, not texture (which is where sea salt etc comes in).
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Easy Yorkshire pudding recipe tips

Important, please read!These tips are paramount to making perfect Yorkshire puddingseverytime.

  • Whisk the batter until smooth, you don’t want any lumps.
  • 100% rest your batter before you bake it. (See the sectionHow long should rest Yorkshire pudding batter for? for specifics.)
  • UseRice Bran oil(affiliate link) as you can get it much hotter than other oil types.
  • Cook your Yorkshire’s an hour or so before the rest of your Sunday dinner, then warm through/crisp up for 4-5 mins before serving.
  • Don’t have the time or oven space on the day? You can freeze your Yorkshire puddings and reheat them straight from the freezer instead.
  • Bake Yorkshire puddings on the top shelf of your oven as this is where it’s hottest.
  • Get the oil as hot as you can! It should sizzle when you add the batter.
  • Don’t open the oven door during cooking or they could deflate. If you absolutelyhaveto – make it QUICK!
  • Don’t be fooled by the colour. Keep baking them until they’re a dark brown colour. They’re less likely to deflate this way.
  • Have your Yorkshire puddings deflated? It could be that your oven wasn’t hot enough, the oil wasn’t hot enough when you added the batter (did it sizzle?), or you didn’t cook them for long enough. Don’t aim for pale golden, go darker!
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Time management

Have limited time? Struggle with recipe timings? Or juggling around other things? Here’s some time managing info to make your life easier.

  • The batter itself will take you less than 5 minutes to prepare.
  • Resting time is up to you. You need to allow a minimum of 1 hour. 4 hours is best if you have the time!
  • You could let the batter rest overnight in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature and mix it until smooth again before using.
  • Allow time to preheat your oven (usually about 20 minutes). The oil and pan will need to preheat within this time too.
  • Cooking will take about 20 minutes.
  • You can make your Yorkshire puddings ahead of time. Then cool completely, store in a tub or bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Simply reheat straight from frozen for about 5 mins or so.
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If you like this recipe…

…you might also like:

  • Vegetarian mince and onion pie
  • Best ever pigs in blankets
  • Ultimate roast vegetables
  • Easy crushed baby potatoes

Easy Yorkshire Pudding Recipe – Step by Step Picture Recipe

(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)

Ingredients

Here is what you will need to serve 2-3 people (makes 5-6 small / 2-3 large).

Please be aware of the resting time required in this recipe before making.

  • 1 Egg, beaten
  • 60ml (4 tbsp) Milk
  • 60ml (4 tbsp) Water
  • 32g (4 tbsp) Plain/All Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Oil for Cooking

Essential equipment

  • Jug
  • Fork/Whisk
  • Yorkshire Pudding Tin

Batter instructions

To make the batter, beat together the egg (x 1 beaten), milk (60ml | 4 tbsp) and water (60ml | 4 tbsp) in a jug with a fork, until it’s nicely blended together.

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Then add the flour (32g | 4 tbsp) and salt (1/4 tsp) and beat again. You want it to be as smooth as possible. If you can’t achieve this with a fork, grab a whisk and use that instead to beat out any lumps.

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Easy Yorkshire Pudding Recipe (Small Batch) (18)

Once completely smooth, cover the jug and leave to rest at room temperature for an absoluteminimumof 1 hour. Ideally 2 hours or, if you have it, 4 hours!

When there’s about 15-20 mins left on the ‘resting time’ clock, it’s time to prep for cooking…

Baking instructions

Pour about 1 tsp of oil into each of the 6 holes of a Yorkshire pudding tin.

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Place it onto the top shelf of your oven then preheat to 230ºC/Fan 220ºC/446ºF.You want that oil HOT!Wait for your oven to come up to temperature and the oil to heat up before moving on to the next step.

If your batter has split during resting, give it a stir with a fork to bring it back together again. Then,acting quickly, take the hot tin out of the oven (close that door quick!) and pour the batter into each hole.The oil should be so hot it sizzles when the batter hits it.

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Carefully but quickly, put the tin straight back in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Until the Yorkshire puddings are a dark brown colour.

Don’t be tempted to open the door constantly. Leave it closed the whole time! If you absolutelyneedto check, open and close the door very quickly.

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And there you have it! Some seriously epic homemade Yorkshire puddings! Well done you 🙂

How to store homemade Yorkshire puddings

If you’d like to remove some Sunday dinner making stress – cool your Yorkshirescompletelyand freeze in an airtight container or bag. Then simply reheat straight from frozen at a later date! Use within 1 month.

Loved this easy Yorkshire pudding recipe? Pin it!

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Easy Yorkshire Pudding Recipe (Small Batch) (23)

No Fail Easy Yorkshire Pudding Recipe - Printable

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Rest Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

This easy, no fail, Yorkshire pudding recipe will become your go to for guaranteed perfection! No more deflated disasters in THIS kitchen!

Ingredients

  • 1 Egg, beaten
  • 60ml (4 tbsp) Milk
  • 60ml (4 tbsp) Water
  • 32g (4 tbsp) Plain/All Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Oil for Cooking

Essential Equipment

  • Jug
  • Fork/Whisk
  • Yorkshire Pudding Tin

Instructions

  1. Beat together the egg, milk and water in a jug with a fork.
  2. Add the flour and salt and beat again until smooth and lump free. If you are struggling with a fork, use a whisk instead. Cover and rest at room temperature for up to 4 hours (a minimum of 1 hour).
  3. When 20 mins is left on the timer, pour 1 tsp of oil into 6 of the Yorkshire pudding tin holes and place it on the top shelf in your oven. Preheat to 230ºC/Fan 220ºC/446ºF.
  4. When the oil is hot and the oven has preheated, pour the batter into the Yorkshire pudding tin holes. The oil should sizzle.
  5. Quickly put the tin back in the oven and bake for 15-20 mins until a dark brown colour.
  6. Serve immediately, or reheat for 4-5 mins just before serving.

Notes

See the main post for a more detailed, step by step picture recipe.

Be sure to read the sections Ingredients and Substitutions, Easy Yorkshire pudding Recipe Tips and Time Management for lots of helpful information before you begin making this recipe. You can find them in the main body of this post.

If you'd like to reduce Sunday dinner stress - cool your Yorkshires completely and freeze in an airtight container/bag. Then simply reheat straight from frozen when needed. Use within 1 month.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 37Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 115mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g

Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment on the blog or tag me on Instagram.

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Other tasty Sunday Roast sides

Easy Yorkshire Pudding Recipe (Small Batch) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making Yorkshire pudding rise? ›

There is a secret to every Yorkshire pudding recipe when it comes to getting Yorkshire puddings to rise properly. In fact there are two. The first is to let the batter rest once you've mixed and the second is to heat your tin and beef dripping so it's piping hot when you do pour the batter in.

Why don t my Yorkshire puddings stay crispy? ›

The general rule of thumb is that substituting some, or even half of the milk in your recipe for water will make your puddings lighter and crispier, so try this modification if your puds are too dense or soft. The amount of eggs that you use matters, too – use an equal amount of flour, eggs and milk or water.

Should Yorkshire pudding batter be thick or runny? ›

Yes, the batter should be runny, about the consistency of heavy cream. Here is my very quick, easy and amazing cheap recipe together with some important points which will make sure the puddings are a success.

Does Yorkshire pudding batter need to rest? ›

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.

Do more eggs make Yorkshire puddings rise? ›

Yorkshire puddings don't need baking powder or other raising agent, the secret to a good rise is plenty of eggs, hot fat and a hot oven.

Does baking powder make Yorkshires 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? ›

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.

Should Yorkshire pudding batter be room temperature or refrigerated? ›

Combine eggs, flour, milk, water, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk until a smooth batter is formed. Let batter rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, for best results, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate batter overnight or for up to 3 days.

What oil is best for making Yorkshire puddings? ›

Use a fat that will get hot enough to puff up the yorkies. Olive oil isn't the best choice, but sunflower or vegetable oil reach a higher temperature, which is essential for achieving the maximum reaction when the batter is added.

Is Yorkshire pudding mix best left overnight? ›

You can make the batter up to 24 hours ahead, or use it straight away. If making ahead, cover and chill. Heat oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Pour a little vegetable or sunflower oil into each hole of a muffin tray and heat for at least 10 minutes until hot.

Can you open the oven door when cooking Yorkshire puddings? ›

Don't keep opening and closing the oven door

It can be very tempting to check if your Yorkshire puddings have risen or not. But resist the urge to keep opening and closing the oven door. Doing this causes the puds to sink as you'll be letting out too much steam.

Why do my Yorkshire puddings collapse when I take them out of the oven? ›

If it's as soon as you take it out, it's a problem with it being undercooked. If it takes a few minutes to deflate, it can be an issue with cooling them too quickly. You can get around this problem by taking a sharp knife or skewer and poking a couple of holes in the top of each one.

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.

What is the raising agent in Yorkshire puddings? ›

Steam is a common physical raising agent. It is produced from the liquids (e.g. water, milk, eggs) that are added to mixtures, or from water contained in a solid component (e.g. butter). Examples of recipes which use steam as a raising agent are batters (e.g. Yorkshire pudding) and choux pastry.

How to stop Yorkshire pudding from deflating? ›

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.

How do you elevate pudding? ›

18 Ways To Upgrade Instant Pudding Mix
  1. Give instant pudding mix a splash of booze. ...
  2. Fold in whipped cream for extra creaminess. ...
  3. Pair instant pudding with baked goods. ...
  4. Enjoy it with a dessert grazing board. ...
  5. Mix pudding with cake batter. ...
  6. Turn instant pudding mix into French toast. ...
  7. Choose a richer milk.
Feb 29, 2024

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