The Air Fryer Yorkshire Pudding Hack That You Need To Know About
Yorkshire pudding: When done correctly, it's a golden brown pastry that is both light and puffy while still being crisp and buttery and can be the perfect complement to a roast. And now, it's easier than ever to make perfect Yorkshire pudding at home — all you need is 25 minutes and an air fryer. We know the air fryer is a champ in the kitchen when it comes to crunchy wings and perfect fries, but it's also the answer to amazing Yorkshire pudding.
The traditional British pudding got the TikTok treatment when this hack began making the rounds, inspiring folks to bust out the muffin cups and get baking. But this pastry has a history that goes back way before TikTok — it first appeared as Yorkshire pudding in a cookbook in 1747 by Hannah Glasse. Back then, it was just considered a batter pudding. Traditionally, it was served as an appetizer before the meat course, supposedly to ensure that people wouldn't fill up on meat. Today, there's no reason it can't be the star of the show.
Whip up Yorkshire pudding quickly and efficiently using an air fryer
TikTok is known for fast recipes and kitchen hacks that go viral. In this case, it's a British grandmother from West Yorkshire who is responsible for showing us how easy it is to have Yorkshire pudding at home. The ingredients are almost always on hand: flour, milk, and eggs. The only other tools you need are individual muffin cups or small tart pans. If you're lucky and have a larger fryer, you can even get away with using a regular muffin tin.
Nanabea brings a particular sparkle to this classic dish, and it's easy to do the same. The batter is as simple as they come — she recommends one cup of flour, one cup of milk, and one cup of eggs, but this is an easy recipe to scale up if you're really hungry or expecting guests. Put a pat of butter or lard in each cup and heat them up in the fryer until melted, and then pour the batter into the cups. Bake them at 338 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes and prepare for rich, golden pudding.
Let the batter rest for even better results
Though the air fryer means you can get baking whenever, there may be some logic to planning your pudding ahead. Even though the batter is humble, it can benefit from some time resting in the fridge. Robert Owen, head chef at Mount Street Dining Room & Bar, shared his secret with Manchester Evening News, revealing, "I always make sure I do my batter mix 24 hours before to allow everything to ferment and bind together, so the mix can set properly." Allowing your batter to rest will mean a Yorkshire pudding that's more flavorful and tender when it comes out of the air fryer.
Now that the secret to quick Yorkshire pudding is out, don't limit yourself. Instead of serving it as an appetizer or side, get creative and try stuffing it with fresh chicken salad for a light summer lunch. Some sun-dried tomatoes and grated parmesan on top make for a pizza-inspired bite that's fancier than what's in your freezer. Really, most combinations of cheese and vegetables will work well. Once you've mastered the basics, there are endless ways to make Yorkshire pudding a regular on your table.