Irresistible Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers: Your New Favorite Savory Side Dish

Imagine a delightful treat that seamlessly transitions from a sophisticated dinner accompaniment to a comforting breakfast staple. These warm, fluffy, and incredibly flavorful Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers fit that description perfectly. They are an exquisite addition to your holiday roast chicken spread, and equally at home served alongside tomorrow morning’s ham and eggs. Versatile, simple to make, and utterly delicious, these popovers are destined to become a cherished recipe in your culinary repertoire.

What makes these savory popovers so special is their unique texture and rich taste. They are exceptionally light and moist, boasting a beautifully crisp exterior that gives way to a tender, airy interior. The sharp tang of cheddar cheese perfectly complements the mild, aromatic notes of fresh green onions, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is both familiar and exciting. This recipe elevates the humble popover to new heights, making it an unforgettable part of any meal.

Popovers: A Cousin to Yorkshire Pudding

These delightful savory popovers share a striking resemblance to the beloved traditional Yorkshire pudding, a classic British side dish typically enjoyed with roast beef and often drenched in rich gravy. Both are light, airy baked goods made from a simple batter of eggs, flour, and milk, known for their dramatic rise during baking, creating a hollow, puffed interior.

However, there’s a key distinction between the American popover and its British counterpart, primarily in the baking method. Traditional Yorkshire puddings are made by pouring a thin batter into preheated vessels containing a generous amount of hot fat – often lard, beef drippings, or bacon fat. This hot fat is crucial for creating that signature crisp, almost fried exterior and facilitating the dramatic rise.

For our Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers, the process is slightly simpler and lighter. You won’t need copious amounts of sizzling fat. A light greasing of your popover or muffin tins is all it takes. This makes the preparation a bit less messy and results in a less greasy, but equally delicious, puffed pastry. While Yorkshire puddings are typically served plain or with gravy, our popovers are already infused with incredible savory flavors from the green onions and sharp cheddar, making them perfect on their own or with a simple spread of butter.

The Simple Ingredients for Savory Perfection

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its straightforward ingredient list, with everything coming together in just one or two bowls. No fancy equipment like a blender or food processor is required – just your trusty wooden spoon or a whisk will do the trick!

Softened butter or nonstick spray: Essential for greasing your popover or muffin tins. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown crust.
Flour: We recommend unbleached all-purpose flour for its consistent results. For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free flour can be easily substituted, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delicious treats.
Salt: Finely ground table salt is perfect for enhancing the savory flavors. Don’t skip it, as it balances the sweetness of the milk and the richness of the cheese.
Eggs: Large eggs are key to the structure and rise of your popovers. Whether chilled or at room temperature, they will work effectively in this recipe. Eggs create steam during baking, which is vital for the ‘pop’ in popovers.
Milk: Regular whole milk is ideal for its fat content, contributing to the richness and tender crumb. However, reduced-fat milk can also be used if preferred, with only a slight difference in texture.
Shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese: This is where a lot of the flavor comes from! We highly recommend shredding your own cheddar cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect how smoothly the cheese melts and can sometimes dull the flavor. Freshly shredded cheese tastes superior and melts into gooey perfection.
Green onions: Finely chopped, these provide a fresh, pungent, and slightly sweet onion flavor that beautifully complements the cheddar. You can use both the white and green parts; the white parts offer a stronger flavor, while the green parts are milder and make for a lovely garnish.

I must confess, while I said “one large bowl,” there is indeed one other bowl involved for whisking the wet ingredients separately before combining. But truly, that’s it! The prep work for these popovers is wonderfully minimal. Chopping the green onions is the most significant task, and if you’re truly short on time, using good quality pre-shredded cheddar is an acceptable shortcut, though freshly shredded is always superior for flavor and melt.

Making Them Gluten-Free: An Easy Swap

For those following a gluten-free diet, you absolutely don’t have to miss out on these incredible Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers! Making them gluten-free is incredibly simple: just swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour blend. We’ve had great success with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour when the need arises. This type of blend is specifically formulated to replace wheat flour cup-for-cup in most recipes, including this one, ensuring your popovers still achieve that fantastic rise and airy texture.

When using gluten-free flour, you might notice a slight difference in the batter’s consistency, but the end result will still be wonderfully light and flavorful. Be sure to mix the batter just until combined, avoiding overmixing, which can toughen gluten-free baked goods. With this simple substitution, everyone at your table can enjoy these savory treats without compromise.

Baking Perfect Popovers Every Time

Achieving those impressively tall, airy popovers might seem like a secret art, but with a few key steps and a little patience, you’ll master them in no time. The trick to the best results lies in careful attention to oven temperature and resisting the urge to peek!

Before you begin mixing your batter, ensure your oven is preheated to a scorching 450°F (232°C). The initial high heat is critical for creating that dramatic “pop” and helping the popovers rise quickly. While the oven preheats, coat ten cups of a dedicated popover pan or ten 2½-inch muffin cups with cooking spray or softened butter. If you’re using a pan with empty cups, fill them halfway with water to prevent burning. This ensures even heat distribution.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a separate, second bowl (my earlier confession!), whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined. Gradually add the wet egg mixture to the dry flour mixture, stirring just until the ingredients are moistened. Overmixing develops gluten and can lead to tough popovers, so a few lumps are perfectly fine. Finally, gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions. This simple, no-fuss method means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor!

Fill each prepared cup about three-quarters full with approximately ⅓ cup of batter. Distribute the batter evenly, and once the tins are filled, get them into the preheated oven promptly.

The Secret to the Perfect Rise and Crispy Crust

The batter, now brimming with savory goodness, is poured into your prepared popover pans or muffin tins. Then, the magic begins in the oven!

Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F (232°C). This initial burst of high heat creates a rapid expansion of steam within the batter, causing the popovers to puff up dramatically.
After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Without opening the oven door, continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the popovers are beautifully browned and fully puffed.
Critical Tip: Do not open the oven door until the very end of the baking time! This is perhaps the most important rule for successful popovers. Opening the door releases the trapped heat and steam, which can cause your popovers to collapse, similar to what happens when baking a soufflé. The consistent oven temperature is vital for maintaining their airy structure.
Once baked, remove the popovers from the oven and immediately take them out of the pans. Pierce the side of each popover with a small knife or fork to release any trapped steam. This helps prevent them from becoming soggy and maintains their crisp exterior.
Serve immediately while still warm. The crispy edges and tender interior are best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
If you have any leftovers and wish to crisp up the outside edges again, simply reheat them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes.

The key to serving these beauties at their peak is timing. Plan to bake and serve them the moment your meal is ready. For instance, while your roast chicken is resting for its required time, your popovers can be baking to golden perfection, ready to be enjoyed as soon as everything else is on the table.

Versatile Serving Ideas for Every Meal

These Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for almost any meal of the day. Their savory profile makes them an excellent companion to a wide array of dishes:

Dinner Delights: They pair exceptionally well with roasted meats such as our Roast Spatchcock Chicken or our Herb Grilled Pork Tenderloin. They’re also fantastic alongside beef stews, hearty soups, or even a simple grilled steak. Think of them as a more exciting alternative to dinner rolls or cornbread.
Breakfast & Brunch Stars: Elevate your morning meal by serving them with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausage, or even smoked salmon. The cheddar and green onion notes make them a savory counterpart to sweet breakfast items, creating a balanced and satisfying spread.
Appetizer & Snack Perfection: Cut them in half and fill them with a dollop of cream cheese or a spread of herbed butter for an elegant appetizer. Or simply enjoy them on their own as a comforting snack.

Don’t forget to offer a pat of softened butter with your popovers, allowing it to melt into all those wonderful nooks and crannies. While these beauties are super moist on their own, a touch of butter truly enhances the experience. After all, everything is better with butter, right?

Final Thoughts and Enjoyment

These Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers are more than just a side dish; they’re a culinary experience. The satisfaction of pulling a pan of perfectly puffed, golden-brown popovers from the oven is unmatched. Their enticing aroma fills the kitchen, promising a treat that is both visually impressive and incredibly comforting.

The beauty of homemade popovers lies in their freshness. The delicate balance of crisp exterior and tender, savory interior is best enjoyed within minutes of baking. Each bite offers a burst of cheesy, oniony flavor, making them utterly addictive. Whether you’re serving them to guests or enjoying them with your family, these popovers are sure to garner rave reviews and disappear quickly.

Green Onion & Cheddar Popovers

Based on a recipe from an issue of Garden-Fresh Recipes from Better Homes & Gardens.

Like individual Yorkshire puddings, only way better with the tasty savory additions.

Servings 10 popovers

Author Rosemary Stelmach

Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray
(or softened butter)
1
cup
all-purpose flour
(or gluten-free flour)
1/2
teaspoon
salt
2
large eggs
1
cup
milk
1
cup
shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
(4 ounces)
3
green onions, finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
Coat ten cups of a popover pan or ten 2½-inch muffin cups with cooking spray or softened butter. Fill any empty cups with ½-inch of water to prevent the pan from burning.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until mixed. Stir in the shredded cheese and chopped green onions. Fill the prepared cups about three-quarters full with about ⅓ cup of the batter.
Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until browned and puffed. Do not open the oven door until the end of the baking time, or the popovers will collapse.
Remove from the oven and immediately remove the popovers from the pans. Pierce the side of each popover with a knife to release steam. Serve immediately while still warm.
If necessary, reheat popovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes to crisp outside edges.

Recipe Notes

For gluten-free popovers: Replace all-purpose flour with the same amount of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour.

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