Easy Savory Cheddar and Bacon Dutch Baby

If you want to see pure delight on your kids' faces, just turn on the oven light. This savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby is pure kitchen theater! We pour a simple blender batter into a screaming hot cast-iron skillet, and the heat works its magic. Within minutes, it puffs up dramatically, billowing over the sides like a golden, edible cloud.

It is the most impressive brunch recipe that requires almost zero effort, but looks like a culinary masterpiece when you bring it to the table. This savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby uses a simple batter with eggs, milk, flour, and salt, then gets topped with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. The cast-iron skillet method creates puffed edges with a crisp, golden-brown crust and a custardy center pancake texture. My family asks for it almost every weekend, and honestly, it's the perfect savory brunch or breakfast-for-dinner dish.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make It
• My Top Tips For Savory Cheddar and Bacon Dutch Baby
• Little Moments in the Kitchen
• Substitutions You Can Make
• Variations to Try
• Equipment You'll Need
• Storage Tips
• Adam's Tip For Savory Cheddar and Bacon Dutch Baby
• FAQ about Savory Cheddar and Bacon Dutch Baby
• Conclusion
• Related
• Pairing
• recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Impressive but easy - Looks fancy but requires minimal effort and simple ingredients.
• Ready in 30 minutes - Perfect for lazy weekend mornings when you want a special breakfast.
• Feeds a crowd - One skillet serves 4 to 6 people, making it ideal for brunch gatherings.

Ingredients You'll Need

This savory cheddar and bacon dutch baby recipe uses basic pantry ingredients. The simple batter with eggs, milk, flour, and salt with no leavening creates that signature puffed pancake, and the cooked bacon and shredded cheddar topping makes it irresistible. You can use a cast-iron skillet for the best results, but any oven-safe skillet works.

What You'll Need

For the Dutch Baby:

• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Topping:

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley for garnish
• Extra salt and pepper to taste

Why These Ingredients Matter

• Simple batter - Eggs, milk, flour, and salt create that signature custardy center with no leavening needed.
• Bacon and cheddar - The classic combo that makes this cheese-and-bacon savory Dutch baby pancake so satisfying.
• Cast-iron skillet - Holds heat beautifully and creates those dramatic puffed edges everyone loves.

How to Make It

This dutch baby pancake is similar to a cheesy german pancake but with a savory twist. The oven-baked Dutch baby in a hot skillet method is what creates that dramatic puff. Some people make a maple bacon dutch baby for a sweet and savory combo, but I prefer keeping it fully savory. You could also try a savory dutch baby with broccoli or other vegetables if you want to add more greens.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place your 10-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven to heat while you prep.
2. Cook the bacon. In a separate pan, cook the bacon until crispy. Set aside on paper towels and crumble when cool.
3. Make the batter. In a blender or mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, flour, salt, and pepper. Blend or whisk until completely smooth. The batter should be thin, like crepe batter.
4. Add butter to the hot skillet. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven (use oven mitts). Add the butter and swirl to coat the bottom and sides as it melts.
5. Pour in the batter. Immediately pour the batter into the hot, buttered skillet.
6. Add toppings. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the batter.
7. Bake. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the Dutch baby is puffed and golden brown around the edges. The center should be set but still slightly custardy.
8. Serve immediately. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh herb garnish like chives or parsley. Slice into wedges and serve right away. The puff will deflate as it cools, but it still tastes amazing.

Hint: Don't open the oven door while baking or your Dutch baby won't puff up properly. Wait until at least 18 minutes before checking.

If you love oven-baked breakfast dishes like this, you'll want to try our Apple Cinnamon German Pancake. It's the sweet version and just as impressive.

Little Moments in the Kitchen

The first time I made this savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby, Adam stood on his step stool watching through the oven door. He kept asking, "Why is it getting so big? Is it going to explode?" I told him to just wait and see. When I pulled it out all puffed and golden with melty cheese and crispy bacon on top, his jaw dropped.

He said, "Mom, this looks like a giant pancake pizza!" He wasn't wrong. When he took his first bite, he got quiet for a minute, which is rare for him. Then he said, "This is way better than regular pancakes. Can we have this every Saturday?" Now whenever I make this savory dutch baby, he invites his friends over because he wants to show off his mom's "magic pancake."

Substitutions You Can Make

• Bacon: Swap for cooked sausage, ham, or turkey bacon for a lighter option.
• Cheddar: Try Gruyère, Swiss, smoked Gouda, or pepper jack cheese. A bacon and cheese dutch baby with smoked Gouda is especially delicious.
• Milk: Use almond milk or oat milk for a dairy-free version, but use full-fat for best results.
• Add veggies: Include sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or cherry tomatoes for extra nutrition.

Variations to Try

• Full breakfast: Top with fried eggs, sausages, and baked beans for a full English breakfast style presentation.
• Veggie loaded: Make it without bacon and add sautéed Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, and onions.
• Spicy version: Add diced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
• Herb and cheese: Skip the bacon and add 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the batter.

You can also check out this Bacon, Cheddar and Spinach Strata from Allrecipes for another delicious savory breakfast bake.

For more savory breakfast ideas, try our Ina Garten Bacon Potato Frittata. It's another crowd-pleasing recipe that works for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Equipment You'll Need

• 10-inch cast-iron skillet - Essential for that dramatic puff and crispy edges.
• Blender or whisk - For making the smoothest batter possible.
• Oven mitts - The skillet will be very hot when you remove it from the oven.
• Separate pan - For cooking the bacon before adding it to the Dutch baby.

Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes to restore some of the crispy texture.
• Not recommended for freezing - This dish is best enjoyed fresh and loses its texture when frozen.

Looking for more easy breakfast options? Our Wrap with Egg and Cheese is ready in 5 minutes and perfect for busy mornings.

FAQ about Savory Cheddar and Bacon Dutch Baby

Conclusion

Make sure everyone is seated before you pull it out of the oven, because you don't want them to miss the puff before it settles! Enjoy the dramatic entrance and the delicious, cheesy reward. This savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby truly is the most theatrical breakfast you can make with minimal effort.

Give it a try this weekend and watch everyone's faces light up when you bring it to the table all puffed and golden. You can customize this savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby with whatever toppings you love, making it different every time. Whether you're serving it for Sunday brunch, breakfast-for-dinner, or a special occasion, it's always a showstopper. If you make this savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby, I'd love to hear how it turned out. And if you're looking for more impressive but easy breakfast recipes that wow your guests without the stress, be sure to explore our collection of oven-baked breakfast dishes.

They're perfect for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen. Drop a comment and let me know what variations you tried with your savory cheddar and bacon Dutch baby!

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Pairing

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