Few Sunday roasts are complete without a Yorkshire pudding that actually rises — that satisfying golden puff that makes the whole meal worth it. If you’ve been side-eyeing your air fryer wondering whether it can pull off this British classic, the answer is a resounding yes, with a few BBC-tested tweaks that make all the difference. This guide walks you through getting that signature crisp edge and hollow centre, whether you’re cooking for two or going large.

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Cooking Temperature: 180C (360F) · Prep Oil Time: 5 minutes · Air Fry Time: 8-20 minutes · Key Ingredient: Hot oil in moulds · Rise Method: Crispy perfection

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact carb count varies by brand
  • Diabetes impact by portion size
3Timeline signal
  • Air fryer Yorkshire pudding recipes took off in the 2020s
  • Multiple recipe iterations published since
4What’s next
  • Adapt recipes for different air fryer models
  • Try ninja-specific settings for best results

These parameters come from multiple tested recipes across Ninja and standard air fryer models.

Parameter Value
Preheat Temp 180C
Oil Heat Time 5 mins
Cook Duration 8-20 mins
Frozen Air Fry 5 mins at 180C
Flipping Point 10-12 mins
Total Time 15-25 mins

Can you do Yorkshires in an air fryer?

Absolutely. The hot oil method that works in a roasting tin translates beautifully to an air fryer basket, and you can skip heating up your whole oven just for the puddings. BBC Good Food’s recipe starts by heating the air fryer to 180°C, then preheating four heatproof pudding moulds with half a teaspoon of oil for 5 minutes — that initial oil blast is what gives you the dramatic rise.

Why air fryer works for Yorkshire puddings

  • Circulating hot air creates the dry environment needed for rising batter
  • No need to heat the entire oven — more energy efficient
  • Consistent heat distribution in quality models like Ninja Foodi

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Skipping the oil preheat — this is non-negotiable for rise
  • Opening the basket mid-cook — causes collapse
  • Overcrowding the basket — single layer only
Bottom line: Air fryer Yorkshire puddings match oven results when you follow the BBC method at 180°C with a 5-minute oil preheat — skipping the preheat is the most common failure point.

How to make Yorkshire pudding in an air fryer?

The method breaks down into three phases: preheat with oil, cook the batter, then flip halfway. Supergolden Bakes recommends preheating at 200°C for 10 minutes with half a teaspoon of vegetable oil in each cup, while BBC Good Food opts for 180°C over 5 minutes — both work, with the higher temp giving a slightly crisper exterior.

Ingredients list

  • 140g plain flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 200ml whole milk
  • Half teaspoon salt
  • Rapeseed or vegetable oil for the moulds

Step-by-step cooking process

  1. Preheat air fryer to 180-200°C with oil in moulds for 5-10 minutes
  2. Blend flour, eggs, milk, and salt until smooth — an immersion blender works best
  3. Rest batter for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in fridge)
  4. Fill moulds just under halfway with batter
  5. Air fry 10-12 minutes without opening the basket
  6. Flip puddings and cook 3-5 more minutes until golden

Muffin tin method

  • Use silicone muffin tins or ramekins — preheatGreased first
  • Fill just under halfway — batter expands significantly
  • Air fry at 190°C for 13 minutes total, flipping at 10 minutes per Daily Yum’s Ninja Foodi recipe
  • Yields 8-16 puddings depending on tin size
The upshot

Resting the batter overnight isn’t just superstition — it hydrates the flour properly and results in a better rise. If you’re in a hurry, 30 minutes minimum still helps significantly.

Bottom line: The hot oil preheat is the key to rise. Fill moulds just under halfway, don’t peek during cooking, and flip at the halfway point for even browning.

What is the best temperature to cook Yorkshire pudding?

Temperatures cluster around three ranges, each with trade-offs. BBC Good Food’s lower 180°C method is the most energy-efficient and produces reliable results. Supergolden Bakes pushes to 200°C for a crisper exterior, while some YouTube demonstrators use the bake setting at 210°C. The Ninja’s Max Crisp function can hit even higher temperatures for preheating tins specifically.

Air fryer specific temps

  • 180°C (360°F) — BBC standard, 5-minute preheat, 10-12 minute cook
  • 190°C (375°F) — Daily Yum method for Ninja Foodi, 13 minutes total
  • 200°C (400°F) — Supergolden Bakes method, 10-minute preheat
  • 210°C (410°F) — Bake setting, 8-minute tin preheat

180C success stories

  • The BBC recipe consistently produces golden, puffy results
  • Lower temperature means less risk of burning the edges
  • Works well for frozen puddings reheated at 180°C for 5 minutes
Why this matters

Higher temps shave a minute or two off cooking time but increase burn risk, especially with thinner tins. For a first attempt, stick with BBC’s 180°C — it’s forgiving and reliable.

How to make Yorkshire pudding in ninja air fryer?

Ninja owners have a few model-specific advantages. The Ninja AF500 can use Max Crisp for preheating tins at the highest temperature before switching to standard air fry mode. Daily Yum’s Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 recipe demonstrates that the air fry function at 375°F works well, while the bake setting allows up to 400°F for those who want extra heat.

Ninja Foodi adaptations

  • Preheat shallow tins with rapeseed oil at 200°C air fry for 10 minutes
  • Cook batter at 180°C for 16 minutes without peeking per In the kitchen with Carl’s Ninja AF500 demo
  • Use Max Crisp for the initial tin preheat, then switch to 200°C cooking
  • Fit about five tins comfortably with the crisp plate on top

Recipe video tips

  • Don’t open the tray during cooking — the rise depends on sustained heat
  • Work quickly when pouring batter into hot tins — temperature drops fast
  • Flipping after 10-12 minutes is necessary for even golden colour
  • Reheat frozen puddings at 180-200°C for 4 minutes
Bottom line: Ninja’s high-heat settings are an asset for preheating tins. Use Max Crisp for the initial blast, then drop to 180-200°C for cooking. The recipe makes roughly four large puddings in shallow tins.

Can a diabetic have Yorkshire puddings?

Yorkshire puddings are primarily flour, egg, and milk — so they carry notable carbohydrate content that affects blood sugar. Portion control is the key consideration here. A standard pudding made with 140g flour contains roughly 100g of carbohydrates total, which divides into roughly 12-15g per individual pudding depending on yield size.

Diabetes considerations

  • Traditional recipe is high in refined carbohydrates
  • One large pudding can contain 15-20g carbs
  • Blood sugar impact varies by individual response

Modifications for blood sugar

  • Reduce portion size — stick to one small pudding instead of two
  • Consider almond flour substitutions for lower carb impact
  • Pair with protein and fibre to slow glucose absorption
  • Check individual carb counts based on specific brand of flour used
The trade-off

For those managing blood sugar, the crisp exterior and hollow centre that make Yorkshire puddings desirable also mean you’re eating mostly air — which can be surprisingly filling for relatively few bites. Being mindful of portion size makes them manageable rather than forbidden.

“Flipping the puddings halfway through air frying and you will have excellent golden puffy Yorkies.”

— Supergolden Bakes, Recipe Author

“Preheat the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. This is an essential step for Yorkshire pudding success so don’t skip it.”

— Supergolden Bakes, Recipe Author

Additional sources

youtube.com

This air fryer method at 180C delivers crispy results akin to the traditional recipe for 4 which ensures perfect rise with classic oven technique.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you make large Yorkshire pudding in air fryer?

Yes. Use shallow tins (traditional Yorkshire pudding tins are 11cm external, 9cm internal) or mini 4-inch cake tins for larger puddings. Carl’s Ninja AF500 recipe shows a mixture yielding roughly four large Yorkshire puddings in shallow tins. Larger, shallower tins always seem to work best for a proper rise.

How to make air fryer Yorkshire pudding recipe for 2?

Halve the standard recipe (70g flour, 2 eggs, 100ml milk) and use a smaller muffin tin or two ramekins. Preheat with oil as normal, fill two moulds halfway, and cook at 180°C for 10-12 minutes before flipping. This makes two generously-sized puddings ideal for a romantic roast for two.

Air fryer Yorkshire pudding in muffin tin?

Silicone muffin tins work well and are recommended by Supergolden Bakes recipe. PreheatGreased tins in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes with half a teaspoon of oil per cup, then add batter just under halfway. Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes, flip, then 5-10 more minutes until golden. Recipe yields 8-12 depending on tin size.

Air fryer Yorkshire pudding recipe 1 egg?

A single-egg version uses 35g flour, 1 egg, and 50ml milk — scaled down from the standard four-egg batch. Mix until smooth, rest 30 minutes minimum, then cook the same way as a full recipe. Expect smaller,Individual puddings rather than large ones, but still with proper rise if the oil is hot enough.

What foods not to put in air fryer with batter?

Wet batters that drip through the basket are problematic — the air fryer needs food to sit in or on something. Yorkshire pudding batter works because it sits in moulds. Avoid loose wet batters like tempura-style coatings without a container. Also avoid very thin oils that smoke at air fryer temperatures — rapeseed or refined vegetable oil has a higher smoke point.

Best oil for air fryer Yorkshire pudding?

Rapeseed oil is the traditional UK choice and has a high smoke point around 204°C, making it ideal for preheating to 180-200°C. Sunflower oil also works well. Most recipes call for about half a teaspoon per mould — enough to coat the bottom and sides without pooling.

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