Description
These Pancetta Parmesan and Black Pepper Popovers are light, airy, and packed with bold flavors from crispy pancetta, sharp Parmesan, and freshly ground black pepper. Perfectly baked to a deep golden brown with a crisp exterior and tender, fluffy interior, these savory popovers make an impressive appetizer or side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Popovers Batter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Fillings & Toppings
- 1 cup cooked pancetta or bacon
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- cooking spray for greasing pan
- chopped chives (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C) and position the oven rack in the bottom third. This ensures even heat for a good rise.
- Heat Milk: In a 4-cup microwave-safe measuring bowl, heat the milk in 30-second intervals until it reaches about 125°F (approximately 1 minute). Make sure it does not boil. Set aside once warm.
- Prepare Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the freshly ground black pepper until smooth. Gradually whisk in the warm milk constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Add the flour and whisk until the batter is fully combined and smooth.
- Heat Pan: Place a popover pan or a muffin pan in the preheated oven for 2-3 minutes until it is smoking hot. This step is critical to help the batter rise dramatically and create a crisp shell.
- Fill Pan: Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Spray the molds generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Fill each mold about three-quarters full with the batter. Evenly distribute the cooked pancetta on top of the batter in each cup, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Reserve some Parmesan to sprinkle after baking.
- Bake: Bake the popovers in the 375˚F oven for about 40 minutes until they are puffed up and deep golden brown. Do not open the oven door during baking to prevent collapsing.
- Serve: Remove the popovers from the pans carefully. Sprinkle with the reserved grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with chopped chives if desired. Serve warm and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness.
Notes
- Be sure the pan is very hot before adding batter to achieve maximum rise and crispness.
- Do not open the oven door during baking as it will cause the popovers to collapse.
- Leftover popovers can be reheated in an oven to regain crispness.
- Substitute pancetta with cooked bacon if preferred.
- Chopped fresh chives add a nice fresh garnish but are optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popover
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
