Description
These irresistible mini ham and cheese Dutch babies are light, airy, and packed with savory flavor. Perfectly puffed and golden brown, these bite-sized delights are baked in a muffin tin and filled with gooey cheese and diced ham. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a savory snack, they are easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk (helps create a light, airy batter; use whole milk for richness)
- 3 large Eggs (essential for puffiness; fresh eggs yield the best results)
- 4 tablespoons Butter (melted; adds richness; can swap with olive oil for a lighter option)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour (gives structure to the Dutch babies; sift for fluffiness)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (enhances flavor; sea salt works wonderfully)
Fillings and Toppings
- 1 cup Diced ham (brings savory goodness; feel free to use turkey ham for a lighter version)
- 1 cup Shredded cheese (like cheddar or Swiss; for that melty goodness; mix cheeses for added flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh chives (chopped, optional; adds a pop of color and mild flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the Dutch babies, which helps them puff up nicely.
- Prepare the Batter: In a blender, combine milk, eggs, flour, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and frothy, about 30 seconds, to create a light and airy batter.
- Prepare the Muffin Tin: Melt the butter and heat it in a muffin tin, filling each cup halfway with the warm butter to add flavor and help form crispy edges during baking.
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Carefully pour the batter into each muffin cup, filling them about halfway. The batter will puff and rise significantly while baking.
- Add Fillings: Distribute the diced ham and shredded cheese evenly into each muffin cup, ensuring each Dutch baby has a savory, melty center.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the Dutch babies are golden brown and puffed up impressively.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the Dutch babies to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let them settle, making it easier to remove them from the tin without collapsing.
- Serve: Enjoy them warm, optionally topped with fresh chopped chives for a burst of color and mild flavor that complements the dish beautifully.
Notes
- Use fresh eggs to ensure maximum puffiness.
- Sifting the flour before blending helps create a lighter batter.
- Melted butter in the muffin tin helps create crispy, flavorful edges.
- Feel free to substitute turkey ham for a leaner option or mix cheeses for additional flavor complexity.
- Resting the Dutch babies briefly after baking helps them settle and makes removal from the tin easier.
- These can be served as breakfast, brunch, or a savory snack.
