Next Post
Weeknight Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken Meatballs.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Parmesan Popovers with Crispy Sage Garlic Butter…better known as the simple, 7 ingredient, melt in your mouth popovers that are roll your eyes back GOOD. These perfect parmesan popovers are light, airy, hinted with browned butter and parmesan cheese, and are SO delicious. Serve these cheesy popovers warm right out of the oven with homemade crispy sage and roasted garlic butter. Great for any night of the week from Sunday night dinner to an upcoming fall dinner party. You can’t go wrong with these popovers.
I made these on a Sunday with Sunday night dinner in mind. And while I wasn’t planning to share the recipe, I knew from the minute I pulled these cute little cheesy popovers out of the oven, that I indeed NEEDED to share this recipe.
Let me explain a little. Popovers have always been a food that both my mom and I have loved. I first made them way back when I had just started cooking. So around the age of 12 or 13? It was for our family’s Thanksgiving and I was in charge of the popovers and spaghetti squash. I remember the Williams-Sonoma recipe so clearly. I also remember the popovers being perfect, like so delicious.
But clearly I knew nothing back then, because those popovers score maybe a 2 in comparison to today’s parmesan popovers.
Oh. So. Good.
So why the need to make popovers in early October when I normally reserve them for Thanksgiving? Well, as I said, it was a Sunday. I’d been working non-stop since 9 am on some very fun Halloween recipes (more to come this Friday). I needed a break from all the sugar and something inspired me to make popovers. I’m not sure exactly what brought this on, but the idea of parmesan popovers with hints of browned butter, crispy sage, and garlic sound just delightful (not a word I really use, but it seems to describe these popovers perfectly).
About 5 minutes after dreaming up this recipe in my head, I was already browning butter and heating the oven in prep for popovers.
And about an hour later I had these popovers in front of me. Complete with crispy sage and “roasted” garlic butter for serving. I called my mom, because that’s what I do when I make popovers. She practically ran down to try these…delivering the final “oh my God, these are sooo good”, seal of approval.
And just like that the bestest (savory) popover was created. All in under an hour with almost no thought at all. I swear some of the best recipes are the ones I create on the fly. No overthinking, just take the initial idea and I run with it…I need to do this more often.
Here is how to make perfect parmesan popovers
The first step is key to this recipe. Brown some butter with garlic and fresh sage. As the butter browns, the garlic quickly caramelizes and the sage gets crispy. Reserve the garlic and sage for making the sage garlic butter, but use the browned butter within the actual popover batter.
Second step, position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Popovers rise a lot so it’s important to give them room! Now, add a pat of butter to each popover cup and then place the pan in the oven to preheat. Heating the popover pan ensures the popovers will pop in the oven. This is the 6 cup popover pan that I have and love. Here is the 12 cup popover pan if you want to double the recipe.
Tip: If you don’t have a popover pan, you can use a standard size muffin pan, but the popovers will be mini popovers. Still delicious, just smaller.
OK, next mix the batter, which is a basic mix of milk, flour, and eggs. BUT it’s made special with that browned butter, a little parmesan, and if you’d like, fresh black pepper. I prefer these minus the pepper so that the flavor of the browned butter and parmesan really shines through, but you do what you feel you will love most.
Add the batter to the hot popover pan and bake. About 40 minutes later you’ll have these popovers, and yes, your kitchen will smell amazing.
Ok, BUT. Let’s talk about that sage garlic butter…
Because it is very delicious and very much needed to complete these popovers.
Take the “roasted” garlic and crispy sage from the already browned butter and mix it into the softened, salted butter.
And now you have crispy sage garlic butter.
Tip: you will want to smear this on everything, so double it.
Simple, right?
By now I’ve made your mouth water, right? Or if not my words, you can’t deny those mouth-watering photos.
I hope so because I really cannot stress enough just how “roll your eyes back” good these popovers are. This is one of those recipes that you’ll look forward to making every fall. These popovers are warming, cozy, and so easy to make.
Plus, they go with pretty much any dinner you make. Slow cooker french chicken? Yes, for sure. Instant pot coq au vin? 100%. Creamy butternut and broccoli soup? Yep, great for dipping. Thanksgiving dinner? ABSOLUTELY.
You can’t go wrong.
Please do make these, and soon, I know you guys will love them.
Oh, and lastly, my mom suggests that you simply make and eat these…all on their own. They don’t need to be paired together with a meal…they can BE the meal!
If you make these parmesan popovers with crispy sage garlic butter, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Parmesan Popovers with Crispy Sage Garlic Butter
Servings: 6 (or 10 mini popovers)
Calories Per Serving: 325 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons, +6 tsp salted butter
- 1-2 cloves garlic, lightly smashed
- 8 fresh sage leaves
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
Instructions
- 1. Heat 2 tablespoons butter, the garlic, and sage in a small skillet over medium heat and cook the butter until it begins to brown and the sage is crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the garlic and sage from the skillet and reserve for making the sage garlic butter. 2. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 3. Place 1 teaspoon of butter in each cup of a 6 cup standard popover pan. Alternately, you can use a 12-cup muffin pans and make 10 mini popovers. Transfer the popover pan to the oven.4. In medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the milk and eggs until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the browned butter, flour, parmesan, salt, and pepper - if using, and whisk to combine. It's OK if there are small lumps. 5. Carefully remove the popover pan from the oven and carefully swirl the butter around the cups to grease the pan. Evenly divide the batter between the popover cups, filling them about 3/4 of the way full. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake another 15-20 minutes, until puffed, golden and crisp. 6. Meanwhile, make the sage butter. Mash the reserved garlic with a fork. Chop the crispy sage. Stir both the mashed garlic and sage together with 4 tablespoons butter.7. Serve the warm popovers immediately, with sage butter.
Notes
Makes 6 popovers or 10 mini popovers.
To Bring Eggs to Room Temperature: place the eggs in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let sit 5 minutes.
Popover Pans: this is the exact 6 cup popover pan that I have and love. Here is the 12 cup popover pan if you want to double the recipe.
This post was originally published on October 8, 2019
Made these tonight and my belly hurts from eating so much, but it’s worth it. The grocery store was out of sage, so I used 3 sprigs of rosemary from my herb garden and it worked great. The only other substitution was that I used half n half that my daughter had left here because I was too afraid to use my unflavored almond milk. Next time I will try it though just to see what happens. Thank you for the recipe as my popover pan had been left in peace for too long.
Haha I hope your stomach is feeling better, but I am so glad this turned out so well for you Diana! Thank you so much for trying it out! xTieghan
It’s important to remember to spread the butter around and on top of the popover cups. I didn’t see that in the instructions and the popovers stuck so be aware!
Thank you os much for this Kim! xTieghan
These were so delicious! Perfect for a fall morning!
So glad you enjoyed these Jackie! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi, I love your recipes.
I did it yesterday, it was great and very tasty.
I had to test, tomorrow I will have a party here at home and I would like to serve something really different.
My visits love it and I always pass your site to follow.
Thanks so much for the recipes, they are great.
Cheers
Thank you Cristi! xTieghan
oh my goodness I now only have the trouble of deciding whether to make these or the ones with cranberry butter for thanksgiving dinner?! decisions, decisions!
Ooo tough one! But I am sure whichever you choose will turn out amazing for you Katie! Thank you! xTieghan
just wonderful and worth the carbs, saving this for the weekend, thank you
Thank you Sabrina! xTieghan
Like poppers but what to do an recipe of shredded chicken potato salad cooked inside an pop over. I will try to make it when they makes baked chicken..Yours look like your floating on an brown buttered garlic sage cloud. ? and delicious.keep up the treats. In Remember The Time Recipes. I ‘ll keep in touch.Peace Out.
Thank you so much! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Is there a way to make or prep these ahead of time? Thinking for a holiday.
Hi Meredith! Sure you can bake the popovers and make the butter in advance. Just warm the popovers before serving and then serve with butter. That will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
I’m a huge popover fan since my first baking experience in my own kitchen. Ok they make a mess of my oven I get over it fast! It adding crispy sage and browned butter with parm cheese can’t even imagine the goodness. Should I make these alone to eat them all or share the goodness ???
What ever you feel like doing!!… but honestly I for me, it would be the first haha! I am so glad you loved this recipe, Jill! Thank you! xTieghan
Can I use a muffin pan if I don’t have a popover pan?
Hi Jules! Yes, you can. It’s listed in the directions for you 🙂 Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Woke up early today, saw this recipe and made them immediately! I made the mini ones in a muffin pan and only had to cook for the first 20 min. Snacking on them now! Delish!
Thank you so much Kayti! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Can I use freezer sage the stuff in a jar that says instantly fresh, and how much should I use?
Hi Kayla! I am sure that will be great! I would use 2 teaspoons. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Every time I see someone make these I want to but I’m so intimidated. I saw them on Great British Baking Show and someone’s didn’t rise. Anyway, might have to find myself a popover pan and give it a try.
I hope you do give it a try, Rachel! Let me know how they turn out for you! xTieghan
These look sooooo good, I’ll have to make them soon to use up my sage.
Though I guess these aren’t really transportable if you need to serve immediately?
Hey Lauren! These are best right out of the oven, BUT the leftovers are beyond delicious too. Just warm them and serve with the better. That will work great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
oh my, this looks so delicious!!! Need to try them.
Thank you so much Ruth! I hope you love these! xTieghan