Cheese Popovers Recipe (2024)

Cheese Popovers Recipe (1)

Cheese Popovers Recipe

If there ever lived a family that could claim all-out bread obsession, it’s got to be ours. The bunch of us could justify hanging up a kitchen sign that says bread or bust. I’ve never seen such fabulous signage, but if you find it…please tell me before anyone else grabs it. I’m sure it’d be in high demand.

Whether it’s a classicCrusty French Breador a tried-and-trueRustic Rosemary Garlic Bread… such a loaf has a lifespan of approximately 17 seconds at our dinner table. I’m lucky if all the hands don’t try to grab (smoosh) all the fresh-from-the-oven breads before I can photograph it.

These incredible cheese popovers are no exception. In fact, they’re extra grab-able because they resemble magical, golden, fluffy rolls you can sink your teeth blissfully into with downright satisfaction. All of it = entirely true. Not only are these cheese popovers unbelievably tender and fluffy on the inside, they manage to be crispy on the outside.

Bonus: the cheese. These golden lovelies are loaded with freshly shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese for unparalleled flavor. My favorite one is labeled “seriously sharp” cheddar cheese and I’d highly recommend it if you can find it.

Also. Did you notice these cheese popovers need only 6 basic ingredients? You probably already have 5 of them in your kitchen this very moment. For more cheesy goodness try my baked puff pancake recipe.

Here’s how we do it…

Tips for the Best Cheese Popovers

  • For starters, you’ll need the right sized pans. I use two sets of thesesmall popover pans, which is ideal because of the deep wells that give the batter plenty of room to puff up without spillage. They also come in 12-cup pans so you don’t have to use two sets. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of my popover pans for less than 20 bucks, so it’s been 100% worth it.
  • That said, you can also use regular sized muffin tins; your popovers may be a bit less tall, but no less delicious. Just make sure your muffin tins are nonstick.
  • The recipe calls for coarse salt, which can be subbed with kosher salt. Occasionally, someone will ask me what the difference between kosher salt and table salt is. Salt is salt, right? Kind of. It’s not so much about the salt’s origins, but more about the volume. Because kosher salt is comprised of much larger individual crystals than table salt, the measured amount of kosher salt will be notably less than a seemingly equal amount of table salt, which I know you know is made up of tiny crystals. ← That’s a lot of words to say be sure to use coarse/kosher salt.
  • I talked about the cheese, right? It’s of utmost important to use sharp cheddar here, and the sharper the better.
Cheese Popovers Recipe (5)

make these popovers, Because:

  • They only need 6 simple ingredients. One of those is cheese. I could end here.
  • They’re crazy easy to make yet people think you spent all afternoon on them (Ha!)
  • They’re fluffy soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  • They’re perfect for switching it up from the usual dinner rolls.
  • Try one straight out of the oven. You’ll know what we mean.
Cheese Popovers Recipe (6)

You may want this Bacon Egg Casserole, too:

Did you make this?

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Cheese Popovers Recipe (7)

Cheese Popovers Recipe

5 from 2 ratings

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These cheesy Cheese Popovers are ultra tender, fluffy, and delectable. This popovers recipe needs only 6 simple ingredients and are sublime for appetizers or serve them in lieu of dinner rolls.

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • TB kosher salt
  • 2 cups whole or lowfat milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 oz freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese, I use white
  • Other: spray oil for pan

Instructions

  • Place a 12-cup nonstick popover pan (or regular sized, nonstick 12-count muffin tin) on oven rack in lower-middle position. Preheat oven, with empty popover pan in it, to 450F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and set aside on counter.

  • While oven and popover pan are preheating, continue with recipe. In a bowl, hand whisk the flour and salt until combined. Set aside.

  • Add milk to a small saucepan and place over medium heat, stirring and watching carefully until small bubbles form around edges. Remove from heat.

  • In a large bowl, whisk eggs with electric mixer on medium speed just until well incorporated and bubbles form. Continue to whisk on medium speed while very slowly adding the heated milk (don't stop whisking.) Mixture should become frothy. On low speed, gently and slowly whisk in the flour mixture just until batter is smooth; use rubber spatula to scrape sides and fold in any remaining flour. Do not over-mix, as over-mixing creates less tender results.

  • Carefully remove hot popover pan from oven and place it onto foil-lined baking sheet. Quickly spray each cup with cooking spray. Continuing to work quickly, divide batter evenly into greased cups, filling them to the top. Sprinkle cheese evenly on top of each popover, letting cheese sink in naturally.

  • Bake on lower-middle rack for 15 min. at 450F. Then drop to 350F and continue to bake another 15 min. or until popovers are fluffy, tall, and golden brown. Serve warm and fresh out of the oven.

Notes

*Popovers are best enjoyed while warm and fresh out of the oven. After that, they will naturally deflate a bit with time - still delicious, but less fluffy once cooled.

*The best way to reheat leftover popovers is in the toaster oven. Toast until warmed through.

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Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.3g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2.4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 72.2mg | Sodium: 309.6mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 2.2g

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Method: baking

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FAQs

What is the secret to popovers? ›

3 Tips for Making Popovers
  • Use a popover pan. The key to perfect popovers is using a popover pan. ...
  • Bake on the lower rack. Anticipate volume when baking popovers: Placing the pan too close to the top of the oven could result in scorching.
  • Avoid opening the oven door during the bake.

What is the English version of popovers? ›

Yorkshire Pudding/ Popovers

Yorkshire Puddings are a staple in England with a Roast Dinner. Here in the US we know them as Popovers which are the same thing as the modern Yorkshire Pudding, except using a different pan.

Do you need to let popover batter rest? ›

Plan Ahead: The batter will need to rest for at least 1 hour, up to 48 hours ahead. For the best flavor and texture let the batter rest for 24 hours. Always allow it to come to room temperature for an hour.

What makes popovers puff up? ›

What makes popovers pop? Unlike cake or bread, popovers use neither baking powder/baking soda nor yeast to provide leavening. Steam is the engine that makes them rise — and rise, and rise!

What are the biggest causes of popover failures? ›

Until last night…
  • Preheat your popover pan.
  • NEVER open the oven door while baking.
  • Use room temperature ingredients.
  • Use the freshest eggs possible.
Jun 22, 2016

What are two reasons for failure of popovers to pop? ›

Best to use all warm ingredients in the 40-50 degrees celsius (100-120 fahrenheit) range. There are two major possible causes that seem likely: The oven was not hot enough. Popovers require a fast rise, so that they can expand from the steam before the outside sets.

Can popover batter sit overnight? ›

To make ahead: You can make the batter and refrigerate it for up to one day before baking.

Why don't my popovers puff up? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 with the pan preheating in the oven. When baking don't open it again until they're done. If you open the oven door the temperature inside can drop too quickly and the popovers will not rise properly. Whip the batter up really airy right before you add it to the pan they'll rise extra high.

What country invented popovers? ›

Popovers -- being traditionally an American invention in contrast to the French crepes and British Yorkshire pudding, which is again from essentially the same batter -- have traditionally been baked in heavy cast-iron pans. Popover pans look like muffin pans except that the cups are deeper.

What type of flour is best for popovers? ›

using room temperature eggs (see recipe for how to quickly bring your eggs to room temperature) room temperature milk (see recipe for how to quickly bring your milk to room temperature) hot oven. bread or all-purpose flour: for especially loft popovers, bread flour is your gal!

Should popover pans be greased? ›

And be sure to grease not only the cups, but the surface around them as well. The popovers are going to balloon up and over the edges of the wells. Fill the cups about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Put the pan in the oven, on a lower rack.

Should popover batter be room temperature or cold? ›

Beat till smooth and frothy; leave some lumps. Everything should be at room temperature.

Should popover batter be lumpy? ›

If your popover batter is excessively lumpy, you may want to strain it, pressing the batter through a sieve to remove lumps. However, if your batter is slightly lumpy, this is normal—much like making pancake batter.

What happens to an underbaked popover? ›

If your popovers lose volume when they come out of the oven, they are probably underbaked. When these airy baked goods aren't cooked enough, too much steam stays trapped inside. That moisture condenses once they're removed from the oven, causing them to collapse.

How is Yorkshire pudding different from popovers? ›

Chef's Notes. The difference between popovers and Yorkshire puddings is that Yorkshires use the beef fat (the drippings from a beef roast). These popovers are a bit lighter in flavor and you can also prepare them before the roast is even done.

How to prevent popovers from collapsing? ›

If you don't want your beautiful popovers to collapse, simply use a sharp paring knife and pierce the bottom of the hot popovers to allow steam to escape and place them on a cooling rack. Do not let them cool in the pan, they'll lose their shape.

Is it necessary to poke the popover when it comes out of the oven? ›

Remove from oven:

Popovers lose their crunch if they linger in the pan, so turn them out on a wire rack immediately and poke a small opening in the side of each with a paring knife to let the steam escape.

What is the best grease for a popover pan? ›

Grease the cups of a nonstick (6-cup) popover pan very generously with softened butter or the cups of a cast-iron pan generously with vegetable shortening.

References

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