Air-Fried Yorkshire Puddings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Yorkshire pudding is a traditional British side dish typically served with a roast dinner. It is made from a simple batter of flour, eggs and milk, which puffs up into a crisp, light, golden pudding when baked in hot fat. While they can be tricky to perfect in the oven, air fryers provide a more convenient and consistent method for cooking Yorkshire puddings. The puddings come out perfectly puffed-up and golden brown every time.

Choosing the right ingredients

The ingredients for Yorkshire pudding batter are simple: flour, eggs, and milk. However, choosing the right type and quality of each ingredient is essential for achieving the perfect Yorkshire puddings in your air fryer. Here are some tips to help you select the best ingredients:

Flour

When making Yorkshire puddings, it is crucial to use plain or all-purpose flour. This type of flour has a lower protein content than self-raising flour, which is essential for the desired texture of the puddings. Using self-raising flour can cause the puddings to rise too much and become cakey and dense. Look for a quality brand of plain flour, such as Bero, to ensure the best results.

Eggs

While some recipes suggest using three eggs for the perfect Yorkshire pudding, others recommend just one. Using too many eggs can result in a doughy texture, so it is generally best to stick to one or two eggs for your batter.

Milk

The type of milk you use can also affect the taste and texture of your Yorkshire puddings. Semi-skimmed or whole milk is recommended for the best results. You can also use a mix of milk and water if you prefer.

Fat for Cooking

Choosing the right fat to cook your Yorkshire puddings in is crucial. You need to use a fat with a high smoking point, such as sunflower oil, vegetable oil, or extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, for a more traditional approach, you can use beef dripping, goose fat, or vegetable baking fat like Trex. These fats will give your puddings a delicious savoury flavour.

Seasoning

While seasoning is optional, adding a pinch of salt and pepper to your batter can enhance the flavour of your Yorkshire puddings. You can also experiment with other seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning to give your puddings an extra flavour boost.

Remember, the key to a successful Yorkshire pudding batter is to use plain flour, the right number of eggs, and the appropriate type of milk. Taking the time to select the right ingredients will ensure your air-fried Yorkshire puddings turn out perfectly golden, crispy, and delicious.

Preparing the batter

The batter for Yorkshire pudding is simple to make and requires only a few basic ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the batter:

• Gather your ingredients: You will need plain flour (also known as all-purpose flour), milk, eggs, and a pinch of salt. Some recipes also call for a small amount of sugar and your choice of seasoning.
• Mix the dry ingredients: Measure out your flour and add it to a mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and stir to combine. This ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
• Add the eggs: Crack the eggs into the bowl with the flour and salt. Start by adding just one egg at a time and mix well after each addition. You can use a balloon whisk or a fork for this step.
• Gradually add the milk: Pour in a small splash of milk and continue to mix. Gradually add the remaining milk, mixing until you have a smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to that of heavy cream.
• Rest the batter: Once you have a smooth batter, it is important to let it rest. Cover the batter and let it sit at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes. This resting period allows the batter to relax and will help your Yorkshire puddings rise better during cooking. You can also prepare the batter ahead of time and rest it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Optional: Use an immersion blender: If you want to speed up the process and ensure a smooth batter, you can use an immersion blender. Simply add all the ingredients (flour, milk, eggs, and salt) to a tall measuring jug and blitz until smooth.

Now that your batter is ready, you can preheat your air fryer and prepare your moulds or tins before pouring in the batter and cooking your Yorkshire puddings to golden perfection!

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in making perfect Yorkshire puddings. Place your chosen moulds—silicone muffin tins, ramekins, or cake tins—in the air fryer basket. You can use vegetable baking fat, sunflower oil, or olive oil to grease the moulds; add around half a teaspoon of fat or oil to each mould.

Preheat the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. The oil should be very hot and smoking when it's ready. This step is crucial to achieving the perfect rise and golden colour of your Yorkshire puddings, so don't be tempted to skip it!

Cooking the Yorkshire puddings

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F.

While the air fryer is heating up, make the batter. Add the flour to a bowl, then crack in an egg and slowly mix with a fork. Gradually add the milk, mixing until you have a thick batter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Leave the batter to rest for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight in the refrigerator.

Next, add a small amount of oil to your Yorkshire pudding tins, ramekins, or cake/muffin tins, and place them in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes to heat up. You want the oil to be very hot and sizzling.

Now, working quickly, pour the batter into the tins, filling them just under halfway. Place the tins back in the air fryer and cook at 200°C/400°F for 10 minutes. The puddings will be golden and puffed up on top, but still a little doughy underneath.

Use tongs to flip the puddings over and cook for a further 5-10 minutes, depending on the size. The puddings are ready when they are golden, puffed up, and crisp on the edges. If they still feel heavy, continue cooking for a little longer.

Serve the puddings immediately with roast beef or any roast dinner and plenty of gravy.

Tips

• If you have an immersion blender, you can add all the ingredients to a tall measuring jug and blitz until smooth.
• You can use silicone muffin tins, ramekins, pudding tins, or mini cake tins to cook the puddings.
• If you have leftover puddings, you can store them in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C/320°F for 3 minutes to regain their crispness.
• You can also freeze leftover puddings and reheat them straight from frozen in the air fryer.

Storing and reheating

You can also freeze your Yorkshire puddings. They freeze brilliantly and can be reheated straight from frozen in the air fryer. First, make sure they are completely cool, then spread them out on a tray and freeze. Once frozen, store them in a bag or suitable container. When you're ready to eat them, pop the frozen puddings into your air fryer basket and air fry from frozen for five minutes at 180°C/360°F.

Frequently asked questions