Name: Air Fryer Traditional Yorkshire Pudding
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 cup (130g) flour , plain / all-purpose flour; ½ tsp salt; 3 large eggs; 1 cup (240ml) milk , semi-skimmed; 3 tbsp vegetable cooking fat (such as Trex) or sunflower oil, as needed

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Air Fryer Traditional Yorkshire Pudding is a delicious way to enjoy this classic British side dish without heating up the oven. Made with simple ingredients like eggs, flour, and milk, these puddings rise beautifully, developing golden, crispy edges and a soft, airy centre. Serve them alongside a traditional Sunday roast with plenty of rich gravy for a comforting meal the whole family will love.

Traditional Yorkshire Pudding

Traditional Yorkshire pudding is a beloved British favourite, especially when served with roast beef, roast potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. Although it looks like a pastry, it is made from a simple batter that puffs up as it cooks in very hot fat.

Making Yorkshire puddings in an air fryer is a convenient alternative to using a conventional oven. The air fryer heats up quickly and can produce beautifully risen puddings with crisp edges and tender centres.

The secret is getting the cooking conditions right. Your batter needs the right consistency, your cooking fat must be hot, and the puddings need enough space to rise.

Because air fryers vary in size and power, you may need to experiment with the temperature and cooking time for your particular model. Once you find the right settings, these individual Yorkshire puddings are a fantastic addition to a Sunday roast or a special family dinner.

What Is Yorkshire Pudding?

Yorkshire pudding is a traditional British dish made from a batter of plain flour, eggs, milk, and seasoning. The batter is poured into hot fat and baked until it rises, becoming crisp and golden on the outside while remaining light inside.

Despite its name, Yorkshire pudding is not a sweet dessert. It is traditionally served as part of a savoury meal, particularly a roast dinner.

Yorkshire puddings have long been associated with Yorkshire in northern England. They are especially popular with roast beef, although they can accompany other roasted meats and vegetarian meals.

The magic happens when the batter meets the hot fat. The intense heat causes moisture in the batter to turn into steam, helping the pudding expand and rise.

For an air fryer version, the same principle applies. Using a preheated, air fryer-safe metal tin and hot fat helps create the best rise and texture.

Yorkshire Pudding vs Popovers

Yorkshire puddings and American popovers are very similar. Both use a simple egg-based batter and rely on steam to create a light, airy texture.

The main difference is how they are traditionally served and prepared.

Yorkshire Pudding: This British classic is usually cooked in hot beef dripping or another suitable fat and served with roast dinners, gravy, and vegetables. It often has a broader shape with crisp edges and a hollow centre.

Popovers: Popovers are popular in the United States and are commonly baked in special popover pans or muffin tins. They are often served with butter, jam, or alongside savoury meals.

Both dishes can rise dramatically when the batter is exposed to high heat. The exact shape and texture depend on the pan, batter, temperature, and cooking method.

For this air fryer recipe, the aim is to achieve the traditional Yorkshire pudding experience: golden, crisp edges, a light centre, and plenty of space for delicious gravy.

Tips for Making the BEST Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire puddings are made with only a few ingredients, but small details can make a big difference to how well they rise.

Let the Batter Rest

Resting the batter is a useful step when making Yorkshire puddings. It gives the flour time to absorb the liquid and allows the batter to become more uniform.

For the best results, whisk the batter until smooth, cover it, and leave it to rest for around 30 minutes at room temperature. If you prepare it further in advance, refrigerate it and bring it closer to room temperature before cooking.

A rested batter can help produce a more consistent texture, although the most important factors are still the hot fat and cooking temperature.

Before using the batter, give it a gentle stir. It should be smooth and pourable, similar to thin pancake batter.

Preheat the Pan

Preheating the pan is one of the most important steps for achieving a good rise.

Add a small amount of cooking fat to each section of a suitable metal muffin tin or individual metal pudding moulds. Place the tin in the air fryer and preheat it until the fat is very hot.

Carefully remove the hot tin and quickly pour the batter into the moulds, filling each one approximately one-third to halfway full.

The batter should begin cooking as soon as it touches the hot fat. This initial burst of heat helps the puddings rise.

Always use an air fryer-safe tin that fits comfortably inside your appliance, leaving enough room for hot air to circulate.

Use Fat!

Traditional Yorkshire puddings rely on hot fat to develop their distinctive crisp exterior.

Beef dripping is a classic choice, particularly when serving the puddings with roast beef. However, vegetable oil or another suitable high-heat cooking fat can also work.

Add approximately half a teaspoon of fat to each small muffin-tin section, adjusting the amount to suit the size of your moulds.

The fat needs to be hot before the batter goes in. Adding batter to cold fat can lead to heavy puddings that do not rise properly.

Be careful when handling the hot tin, as the fat can splatter. Use oven gloves and pour the batter carefully.

Serve Immediately

Yorkshire puddings are at their best straight after cooking, when the outside is crisp and the centre is light.

As they cool, they naturally begin to lose some of their crispness. For the best texture, serve them as soon as they are ready.

If you’re making several batches, you can keep the cooked puddings warm briefly while you finish the remaining ones. Avoid covering them tightly, as trapped steam can make them soft.

Serve immediately with roast beef, vegetables, and plenty of gravy.

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

This easy air fryer recipe makes individual Yorkshire puddings using basic ingredients. Cooking times can vary by air fryer, so use the suggested timings as a starting point.

Ingredients

½ cup (60 g) plain flour
2 large eggs
½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
A pinch of salt
2–3 teaspoons beef dripping or vegetable oil, divided between the moulds

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Batter

Add the flour and salt to a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs.

Whisk while gradually pouring in the milk until you have a smooth batter without lumps.

Cover the bowl and allow the batter to rest for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes, following your appliance’s instructions.

Choose a small metal muffin tin or individual metal moulds that are suitable for air fryer use.

Step 3: Heat the Fat

Divide the cooking fat between the moulds, using approximately half a teaspoon in each small section.

Place the tin inside the air fryer for about 3–5 minutes, or until the fat is very hot. Watch carefully and follow your air fryer’s safety instructions.

Step 4: Add the Batter

Carefully remove the hot tin using oven gloves.

Pour the rested batter into the hot moulds, filling each section around one-third to halfway full. Work quickly but carefully so the fat stays hot.

Return the tin to the air fryer immediately.

Step 5: Air Fry the Yorkshire Puddings

Cook at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 10–15 minutes, checking the puddings as they rise and become golden brown.

Avoid opening the air fryer too early, as a sudden drop in temperature may affect the rise.

The puddings should look well risen and have crisp, golden edges. If they are still pale or look wet inside, cook them for a little longer.

Cooking time will depend on your air fryer, the size of the moulds, and the amount of batter used. If your air fryer tends to brown food quickly, check the puddings closely toward the end.

Step 6: Serve

Carefully remove the tin from the air fryer and let the puddings rest for a minute before lifting them out.

Serve immediately with roast beef, vegetables, and warm gravy.

Recipe Notes

Choose the right tin: A small metal muffin tin usually works well, provided it fits safely inside your air fryer.
Don’t overfill: The batter needs room to rise.
Keep the fat hot: This is essential for a good rise and crisp exterior.
Avoid opening the air fryer early: Let the puddings rise before checking their progress.
Cook in batches if needed: Overcrowding the basket can affect the circulation of hot air.
Check your air fryer manual: Confirm that your tin and cooking method are suitable for your appliance.

Serving Suggestions

Air Fryer Traditional Yorkshire Puddings are a classic accompaniment to a British roast dinner, but there are plenty of delicious ways to enjoy them.

Roast Beef and Gravy: The traditional pairing. Fill your plate with tender roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, and rich gravy.

Roast Chicken: Serve alongside roast chicken, crispy potatoes, carrots, and peas for a comforting Sunday lunch.

Roast Potatoes: Golden roast potatoes add extra crunch and make the meal more satisfying.

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up gravy alongside crisp Yorkshire puddings.

Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli all make excellent accompaniments.

Sausages and Gravy: Turn your Yorkshire puddings into a variation of toad in the hole by serving them with sausages and onion gravy.

Vegetarian Roast Dinner: Pair them with nut roast, vegetarian gravy, roasted vegetables, and potatoes.

Mini Yorkshire Pudding Bites: For a party appetiser, fill smaller puddings with roast beef and a little horseradish sauce.

However you serve them, these Air Fryer Traditional Yorkshire Puddings are a delicious way to bring a British classic to your table. With a rested batter, properly heated fat, and a little attention to your air fryer, you can enjoy golden, crisp puddings that are perfect for soaking up every last drop of gravy.