Simple Homemade Popovers with Crispy Edges and Light, Airy Center Recipe
These classic popovers are a simple and delicious treat made with just five ingredients. Crisp on the outside, light and airy on the inside, and rich with buttery flavor, they are perfect served fresh from the oven with butter, honey, or jam. Easy to prepare and ideal for breakfast or a snack, this recipe uses a popover pan or a muffin tin as a convenient alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 popovers
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Popovers
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1½ cups milk, at room temperature
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and sea salt until no streaks of egg white remain, ensuring a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Flour and Butter: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, whisking to combine thoroughly. Then, incorporate the melted butter into the batter until the mixture is smooth and uniform. Let the batter rest while preheating the oven.
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Generously grease one 12-cup or two 6-cup popover pans with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
- Preheat Pans: Place the greased popover pans in the oven and bake them empty for 2 minutes to heat the pans, which helps achieve a better rise.
- Fill Pans with Batter: Carefully remove the hot pans from the oven. Using a ¼-cup measuring cup, evenly divide the batter among the wells, filling each about halfway full to allow room for expansion.
- Bake at High Temperature: Return the pans to the lower oven rack and bake for 20 minutes at 450°F, allowing the popovers to puff up rapidly and develop a crisp exterior.
- Reduce Temperature and Continue Baking: Without opening the oven door, reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake the popovers for an additional 10 minutes until they are golden brown and fully puffed.
- Release Steam and Serve: Remove the popovers from the oven and immediately pierce the tops with a sharp knife to release steam, preventing sogginess. Serve warm topped with butter, honey, or jam for a delightful treat.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs and milk helps create a smoother batter and better rise.
- Letting the batter rest before baking improves texture and puff.
- If you don’t have a popover pan, use a 12-cup muffin tin as a substitute, though the rise may be slightly different.
- Do not open the oven door during baking to maintain oven temperature and ensure popovers puff properly.
- Piercing the tops after baking is crucial to release steam and maintain crispness.
- Serve immediately as popovers tend to deflate as they cool.