Yorkshire pudding, main dish from the United Kingdom: what it is and how it is eaten

Yorkshire pudding is a classic British side made by baking a mixture of eggs, flour, and milk or water. Originating in Northern England, it is commonly enjoyed with roast meats and gravy, especially as part of a Sunday roast, but can also be served with sausages or even as a dessert in some regions.

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First called 'dripping pudding' in 1737
Named 'Yorkshire pudding' by Hannah Glasse in 1747
Traditionally baked under roasting meat to catch the fat
Served with roast meats, gravy, or as a dessert in some regions
Celebrated on National Yorkshire Pudding Day in the UK and US

What is Yorkshire pudding?

Yorkshire pudding is a baked dish from Britain, made by cooking a runny mixture of flour, eggs, and either milk or water in hot fat. The result is a golden, puffed-up pudding with a crisp edge and a soft, airy inside. Its mild flavor and light texture make it a popular companion for hearty meals, especially those featuring roasted meats and gravy.

Where does Yorkshire pudding come from?

This pudding comes from Northern England, especially Yorkshire, where cooks used to catch the fat dripping from roasting meat to cook a simple batter. The earliest known recipe dates to 1737, where it was called 'dripping pudding.' The name 'Yorkshire pudding' first appeared in Hannah Glasse's 1747 cookbook. The region’s coal-fired ovens, which reached high temperatures, helped create the pudding’s signature rise and crispness. Originally, it was served before the main course to fill diners up before the expensive meat arrived.

How is Yorkshire pudding made?

To make Yorkshire pudding, cooks prepare a thin mixture of eggs, flour, and milk or water. This batter is poured into very hot fat—often beef drippings—in a preheated pan or muffin tin. The heat causes the mixture to puff up and turn golden as it bakes. Some recipes add baking powder for extra lift. Using water instead of milk makes the result lighter and crisper.

from Nigella's How to Eat. Photo: stef yau, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A pile of Yorkshire puddings. Photo: Richard W.M. Jones ( talk ), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Yorkshire Puddings on a plate. Uploaded to Flickr with the following comment: I made a little bit too much batter but i was compelled to keep making them until the batter ran out so now i have a kitchen overrun with york — Yorkshire Puddings on a plate. Uploaded to Flickr with the following comment: I made a little bit too much batter but i . Photo: Sam Greenhalgh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Yorkshire pudding eaten?

Yorkshire pudding is most often served as a side dish with roast meats and gravy, especially beef, during Sunday lunch or dinner in Britain. It can also be filled with sausages to make 'toad in the hole,' or served with onion gravy as a starter. In some areas, especially the Midlands, people enjoy it as a dessert with sweet sauces. It is a flexible dish that can appear at festive meals or as a simple, filling main course.

Kinds of Yorkshire pudding

While the classic version is baked in a large pan, smaller individual puddings are also common. Some versions use only water for a crisper texture, while others add milk for a softer bite. Sausages baked in the batter create 'toad in the hole.' In some regions, Yorkshire pudding is sweetened and eaten with jam or sugar as a dessert.

What Yorkshire pudding means

Yorkshire pudding is a symbol of British home cooking and is especially tied to the Sunday roast tradition. It is celebrated with its own day in both the UK and the US. The Royal Society of Chemistry once suggested that a true Yorkshire pudding should rise at least four inches tall. The dish has a long history and remains a source of regional pride in Yorkshire.

Questions people ask about Yorkshire pudding

What is Yorkshire pudding made of?

It is made from a mixture of flour, eggs, and either milk or water, baked in hot fat until puffed and golden.

Where did Yorkshire pudding originate?

Yorkshire pudding began in Northern England, especially the Yorkshire region, and was first recorded in the 18th century.

How is Yorkshire pudding usually served?

It is most often served as a side with roast meats and gravy, especially during Sunday lunch or dinner in Britain.

Can Yorkshire pudding be eaten as a dessert?

Yes, in some parts of the UK, especially the Midlands, it is served with sweet sauces or jam as a dessert.

What makes Yorkshire pudding rise?

The high heat of the oven and the hot fat cause the batter to puff up and become airy inside.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Yorkshire pudding", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Yorkshire pudding