Top tips for making Yorkshire puddings

By

Lily Barclay – Group digital editor

Subscribe to our app – try 1 month for free

If you're having trouble getting your yorkies to rise, read our guide to achieving success. We've included our top Yorkshire pudding recipes and tips on the batter, oil and method.

Yorkshire puddings are as much a staple of Britain as red buses and rainy bank holidays. Getting them right isn't just a cooking conundrum, but a matter of national pride. So what's the perfect formula? First, arm yourself with one of our top Yorkshire pudding recipes, then follow our tips to make your best yorkies yet.

Yorkshire pudding recipes

No-fail yorkies
Best Yorkshire puddings recipe
James Martin's Yorkshire puddings
Gluten-free Yorkshire puddings
Vegan Yorkshire pudding recipe
Peppered beefy Yorkshire puddings
Wild mushroom yorkies
Sage & onion Yorkshire pudding recipe
Mustard Yorkshire puddings

Top tips for making Yorkshire puddings

1. Choose the right fat

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.

2. Let your batter rest

While it doesn't need to be cold, your batter should have time to rest. Our no-fail yorkies recipe recommends transferring your batter to a jug after mixing, then leaving it to rest for at least 15 minutes. If you leave your batter to rest overnight, as is the case in our mushroom yorkshires recipe, make sure you give it a good stir before cooking.

3. Use an egg white for extra height

Yorkshire puddings are made with a classic batter, but switching up your egg quantities can make a difference. Using one extra egg white could help make them extra tall.

4. Don't take them out until they're ready

Be brave! Yorkshire puddings always look darker through the door than they actually are. Leave them until they look deep golden-brown, or you'll end up with pancakes.

5. Give them plenty of of space in the oven

Don't put your yorkshires on the very top rack, or they will hit the roof and you'll end up with a squashed pudding.

6. Use a jug for control

Make sure the oil is really hot before carefully pouring in the batter with the help of a jug. The jug allows for more precision and speed than a ladle or spoon.

7. Utilise your freezer

Making Sunday lunch can be hectic. Get ahead by making batches of Yorkshire puddings in advance and freezing them. Cook them as usual and store in freezer bags, then on the day, heat in the oven from frozen. Try our from-the-freezer Yorkshire puddings recipe if you like getting ahead.

8. Give them a quick blast on a high heat

Our no-fail yorkies recipe suggests cooking the puddings on high for 5 minutes before dropping the temperature down for the remaining 30 minutes of cooking time.