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Ham & Cheese Oven-Puffed Pancake
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This ham and cheese oven-puffed pancake falls halfway between a crepe and a soufflé: crisp on the outside and comfortingly tender inside.
The inspiration for this ham and cheese oven-puffed pancake comes from my latest cookbook crush, Tasting Paris: 100 Recipes To Eat Like A Local by Clotilde Dusoulier. Clotilde is the voice behind the Paris-based cooking blog Chocolate & Zucchini, and also the author of several cookbooks. I spent a lot of time in Paris in my early twenties, both as a student and an au pair, so the recipes and photos in this book have me wistfully longing to go back in time. (Wouldn’t that be nice to do, just for a bit?)
In France, an oven-puffed pancake is called a pascade. Clotilde writes, “If ever a dish was more than the sum of its parts, this is it. The simple batter cooks up to an astonishing texture, halfway between a crepe and a soufflé, crisp on the outside and comfortingly tender inside. Think of it as the French cousin to the Dutch baby…[it’s] a natural fit for brunch, but I like it better in the early evening, served with sparkling wine.” I took Clotilde’s basic recipe and — keeping with the French theme — added a spoonful of Dijon, some chopped ham, grated Gruyere, and chives to make it a bit more substantial.
What you’ll need to make a ham and cheese oven-puffed pancake
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, combine the eggs, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Whisk well to combine, then whisk in the flour.
Gradually add the milk, whisking until the batter is smooth.
Add the cheese and chives.
Mix well.
Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron or nonstick ovenproof pan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and swirl the butter around.
Sprinkle the ham evenly around the pan.
Pour the batter over the ham, then use a fork to be sure the ham is evenly distributed.
Carefully transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
It will appear puffed straight out of the oven, but will quickly collapse. Cut the pancake into thin wedges and serve.
You may also like
- Dutch Baby
- Quiche Lorraine
- Spinach Frittata
- Zucchini and Cheddar Frittata
- Crustless Broccoli Quiche
- Spinach and Cheese Strata
Ham & Cheese Oven-Puffed Pancake
This ham and cheese oven-puffed pancake falls halfway between a crepe and a soufflé: crisp on the outside and comfortingly tender inside.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Heaping ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into a measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1¼ cups whole milk (or substitute ¼ cup heavy cream + 1 cup skim milk)
- ⅔ cup grated Gruyere cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 slices (4 oz) thinly sliced ham, finely diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the flour. Gradually add the milk, whisking until the batter is smooth. Stir in the cheese and chives.
- Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron or nonstick ovenproof pan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and swirl the butter around. Sprinkle the ham evenly around the pan. Pour the batter over the ham, then use a fork to be sure the ham is evenly distributed. Carefully transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. It will appear puffed straight out of the oven, but will quickly collapse. Cut the pancake into thin wedges and serve. (Remember that the pan is hot; I usually place a dishtowel or oven mitt over the handle as a reminder.)
- The pancake is best served fresh out of the oven. However, leftover slices can be reheated in the microwave.
- Note: Unlike a Dutch baby where the edges of the pancake will remain puffy after coming out of the oven, this pancake should puff up a bit in the oven to about 1½ inches high all over, then settle to about ½ inch high as it cools.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (4 servings)
- Calories: 430
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Ridiculously. Easy……..this recipe epitomizes a perfectly delicious breakfast!
Yummy! I’ve made this before and we really enjoyed the flavors. Last night I served the listed salad with the pancake. I followed another reply about making it GF with using gf flour + 1/2 tsp baking powder. I used canadian bacon, instead of ham and had leftover shallot from the salad dressing, so I added it to the bacon. Yum yum yum. Thanks Jenn!
This was great – simple yet tasty. My cast iron skillet was “out of order” so I simply put 2 Tbsp of butter in an 8″ glass baking dish and let it melt inside the preheating oven. It was more than enough butter as I poured nearly a tablespoon off the top when it was done baking… and it was delicious! Our whole family loved it. We will be adding this to our rotation.
I was wanting a quiche but saw this recipe in your recent email and tried it as it was so easy. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out delicious. I’m looking forward to eating the leftovers for breakfast. I also made the apple and manchego cheese salad you recommended as an accompaniment and it too was well received. Love your recipes.
Made this for Eater breakfast today. Delicious and well received by my family. Thanks!
I just made this and it was wonderful! I had to substitute an egg, and the gruyere for sharp white cheddar (we were out) but it still came out great. I believe yours is a perfect cookbook – every new recipe I try gets added to the permanent rotation. And it’s nice to see this was inspired by “Tasting Paris: 100 Recipes To Eat Like A Local”; I just bought this a week ago!
Followed recipe and made it gluten free by using gluten free flour and added 1/2 tsp baking powder. I did not have a 10” cast iron pan and used my 12” and it worked fine. Delicious!
Hi Jenn,
My family LOVES this recipe. I’m hosting a brunch this weekend. Can it be made in a larger dish, 9×13? Would you just double the recipe for that size dish?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Gina, I do think it would work but I’d probably multiply by 1.5 (just use 5 eggs).
Made your pancake yesterday for lunch – deliciously gorgeous. Definitely be making it again. Thanks.
For a good crepe recipe try deliaonline.com
Here in the Uk we call her St Delia, she has helped a lot of us learn how to cook.
Really enjoy your web site as well Jenn and anxious to try this pancake, just made a Dutch Baby and it was delicious.
How wonderful that you mentioned Deliah Smith. I bought her “Complete Cookery Course” in 1982, I’m absolutely sure that’s why my now husband married me (38 years and counting) I have now lived in the USA for 38 years, but I still use my tattered cookbook and the online website. Wishing you and yours a healthy, and happy 2022! Fiona Stephan
Wow, thank you so much for this recipe! It was a last-minute decision on my part to try this for brunch and we all loved it. I subbed cheeses that I had on hand (mozza & gran padano) and left out the ham; it was still perfect! Served with a light salad and miscellaneous toppings on the side… our guests were visibly wowed.
This goes on the table much quicker than crepes, which have always been my go-to for impressing at brunch and, of course, has a fancier feel than serving a sheet pancake. Even the children loved it! This is going into rotation in our home. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jenn!
I have a 10.5-inch non-stick pan ovenproof pan, would that work? Would I need to make any adjustments?
Sure, that should work without any adjustments. Hope you enjoy!
I don’t have a 10 inch oven proof frying pan so I scaled recipe to 2/3rds and used a pyrex pie dish. I melted butter in microwave with 1 Tbs chopped shallots and then followed recipe. Wonderful.
Hi Jenn
I hope this note finds you and your family well and enjoying life more with fewer restrictions!
As you are my “go to” chef for recipes when I want to impress (always😜) I was surprised when I couldn’t find a basic (& fabulous) French crepe recipe? I know you spent a lot of time in France and naturally assumed yours would be fabulous:)
I had lunch at a quaint French bistro yesterday, enjoyed a shiitake, asparagus, chèvre crepe that was simply delicious. and I was hoping to replicate it at home.
Do you have or know of a tried and true great recipe for a crepe? If it’s tucked in one of your cook books which I don’t have, just let me know which one….happy to purchase it!
Thank you!
Anita
Hi Anita, So glad you like the recipes! As of now, I don’t have a proven recipe of my own for crepes – I’m sorry! I’ll have to add that to my list of recipes to potentially develop. In the meantime, this one looks good and gets positive reviews. (Please keep in mind that I haven’t tried it myself.) Thanks for the suggestion as I’m always looking for new inspiration!
We’ve made this numerous times as written and truly love it. At the moment, we have some fabulous bacon that arrived as a gift and I wonder if cooking the bacon and adding it in place of the ham would work, or not??
Sure, Merry, that will work!
Made this for brunch today and everyone LOVED it. So simple to prepare as well. Thanks for another winning recipe!
Family absolutely loved it. Didn’t have a 10-inch pan handy so used my 12-inch cast iron skillet, which resulted in a slightly thinner pancake but still delicious. The ham and chives were great, and I can see how adaptable this recipe would be when you have other ingredients on hand. Thanks for another winner, Jenn.
I added some broccoli slaw to the ham and butter…delicious! Second year for our new favorite Easter breakfast! Thank you Jenn!
Perfect for easy Easter breakfast! Thanks for another great recipe!
Jenn,
This delicious savory pancake is our new Easter tradition. I’ll be making it in the morning. I have some broccoli slaw in the fridge that I was thinking about adding. What do you think? I know I’m writing a little late, but hoping for the best!
I just read all the comments and see a few that added veggies during the initial saute, so I’m going to give it a shot!
Hi Laura, I’m obviously weighing in too late to help — sorry! Did you try it? If so, how did it turn out?
It was delicious with some broccoli slaw added! I sauteed a little bit in the butter, then added the ham! As I said, it’s our Easter tradition! Thanks for all your great recipes!
So glad – thanks for reporting back! 🙂
Made this for the first time and will be making again and again. My husband and I loved it! I had leftover baked ham and also had Jarlsberg cheese so that’s the only changes I made. Just love your recipes!
I made this recipe today per the instructions. While the flavor was nice I really didn’t care for the texture of the final product at all. It was dense and gummy. I won’t be trying it again.
I’m going to guess your version was a bit underbaked, or maybe your oven is a bit cool as well? To achieve Jenn’s 425, My GECafe gets set at 435F, and I noted it took a full 25 minutes using a copper finish non-stick (oven safe) skillet.
And mine was made GF using half toasted oat flour and half Pamela’s GF Baking & Pancake Mix, which is, of course, a pretty major modification.
When I make this again, I wouldn’t mind even a bit more ham or maybe some leftover veggies such as roasted cauliflower. I had also, come to think of it, dialed back on salt as my ham had quite a bit as well as a small amount in the baking mix.
This recipe did have unexpected texture, but that’s what was great about it as a Sunday brunch! I was looking for something savory, warm, and different. The first bite I wondered about, but liked the crisp/tender. By the end I was hooked.
Someone mentioned bacon in their comment. That could be fantastic too, IMO.
Thanks so much, Jenn. I always appreciate your creative take and clear explanations.
Jenn this was fantastic. You have been our saving grace this past year. Every recipe is wonderful. We make the apple manchego arugula salad often will never make any other hummus then yours. A week doesn’t go by where we are not making one of your delicious recipes. So grateful to you…keep cooking and thank you. Next up the pork fried rice!
So glad you like the recipes!! 🙂
DELICIOUS! Fun family activity and reheats beautifully. I didn’t have chives so used scallions that I sauteed in with the ham. Just so yum. Served with fresh strawberries and asparagus!
I made this for my husband who loves everything ham and cheese. This was a really yummy comfort food dish that didn’t taste overly heavy or ready despite the decadence of the ingredients. We both really liked it and I found it is a nice, easier alternative to a quiche. Great for brunch and it did reheat well for us.
Another easy dinner that I always have handy in the fridge (except the chives but I never miss them). My kids love it and it is so lovely with a simple arugula and lemon vinaigrette salad but simple steamed broccoli makes a complete easy meal! Crushed it again, Jenn!
This is super easy and delicious. I bought a second 10″ cast iron skillet so I can make two at once when family is visiting. Gruyere is delicious, but I’ve used parmesan, asiago, etc. Also have swapped chives for parsley, etc. Whatever’s fresh and on-hand!
Delicious! Enjoyed with a beet and arugula salad. I couldn’t get Gruyere in our grocery store. I used a combination of Edam and raclette cheese. Loved how easy it was and quick to put together for a weeknight meal.
Enjoyed this for dinner with a salad! Both my husband and I loved the flavor and texture, and look forward to devouring the leftovers tomorrow! Thanks so much for this great recipe! (Good use of the remains of our Easter ham)!
Oh my, this is wonderful! I’ve been wanting to make this since I saw it in your weekly blog and now I finally have ham and a working oven. With a simple arugula salad it was the perfect weeknight supper. Love the flavor and texture!
Very good and looked just like your picture. The only problem I had was getting it out of my cast iron pan. Any suggestions?
Hi Tish, Glad you enjoyed it! If your cast iron sticks, it may not be “seasoned” properly. Here’s a link on how to season and care for it.
The kids loved it! I’m sold. Thank you!
Have made this many times and family loves it. Can it be made with buttermilk?
I’d recommend sticking with regular milk here (and glad you like it)!
Great recipe -I used pre-baked bacon instead of ham and served it
as a breakfast dish with Maple syrup! Delish!
Has anyone tried this with pepper jack cheese—any idea if that would work in this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Jenniffer, I haven’t tried it but it should be fine. Enjoy! 🙂
Thanks, I made it today with pepper jack and it turned out wonderfully!
👍
Will King Arthur gluten free measure-for-measure flour work in this recipe?
Hi Jim, I haven’t tried it, but I think it should work. Please LMK how it turns out if you try it! 🙂
I’m late to the game, but for the GFs among us: I used half Pamela’s Baking and Pancake GF blend, and half toasted oat flour with great results. If your GF flour or blend doesn’t already contain baking powder and/or xantham gum, which function much like gluten, then I would add (try 1/2T BP + 1 t baking soda). Have fun…it’s a great recipe to make GF!
Family verdict: definitely a keeper! My chives haven’t grown back yet after winter so instead I fried a bit of scallion in the butter first. Great recipe, yet again.