When you think of simple breakfast recipes, do crepes jump to the front of your mind? I’m guessing probably not. Despite simply being the thin cousin to practical, good old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes, crepes have a reputation for being a bit more… sophisticated? And therefore a bit more difficult. Maybe it’s their French heritage, or maybe I’m the only one who spent years being unnecessarily intimidated by crepes? Despite my previous and unfounded intimidation, crepes are actually one of the most simple breakfast foods that I’ve shared yet. They’re simpler than pancakes or French Toast and nearly as easy as pouring yourself a bowl of Fruit Loops. Today I’m walking you through the remarkably easy steps for flawless, delicate, golden crepes that absolutely melt in your mouth. You’ll be making crepes like a pro in no time.
What You Need
Remember I mentioned in my carrot cake recipe earlier this week that I’d be sharing more recipes that use pantry staples? Basic ingredients are all you need here: flour, milk, water, eggs, salt, and butter. If you’re making sweet crepes I also recommend using sugar and vanilla extract. Since crepes don’t require a leavener (like baking powder or baking soda), they actually use even fewer ingredients than pancakes do.
How to Make Crepes
There are two methods you can use to prepare the batter: Either way will give you the same results so long as the batter is thoroughly and completely combined and lump-free.
Can I Skip Resting the Batter?
So, you could, but I really recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before making your crepes. Resting allows any bubbles in the batter to escape and gives the gluten time to relax. Our ingredients (namely our flour and our liquids) have time to fully meld together, resulting in more tender (and non-rubbery) crepes that are less likely to tear when you’re turning them (source, if you want to read more about this).
Making in Advance
Since crepe batter is supposed to rest before you use it, it’s an ideal candidate for making in advance. Make your crepe batter, cover it, and then let it rest in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Sometimes I like to make the batter the night before, let it rest overnight, and I have crepe batter ready to go in the morning. I think that crepes are best served fresh, but you can prepare cooked crepes in advance, too. Prepare them and then let them cool, then stack with a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper in between each one (to keep them from sticking together). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days (up to 5) or in the freezer for several months.
Tips
I recommend a nonstick pan, especially if you’re a beginner. This makes it much easier to cook your crepes without tearing them. If you don’t have one, a traditional pan will work, but make sure you allow it to heat evenly and completely. Getting your pan to the right temperature is even more critical if you’re not using nonstick (too hot and they burn, not hot enough and they tend to stick to the pan and tear), so you may need a few practice crepes to get it right. An 8″ pan is ideal for perfectly round crepes; simply cover the entire bottom of the pan with a thin layer of batter. It can be hard to get a perfectly round shape if you use a larger pan (they’ll still taste good, though!). Whichever type of pan you use, allow the pan to slowly and properly preheat before using. Don’t crank up the heat to high to get it hot quickly, or your crepes will burn and not cook evenly. Have some patience! A little butter or oil on the pan keeps the crepe from sticking, but don’t use too much or your crepes will be greasy. Have patience when flipping your crepes. I included notes in the recipe on what to watch for before flipping. Flip too soon and your crepes are more likely to tear.
If this is your first time making crepes, it may be helpful for you to watch the how-to video that I’ve included below the recipe.
Fillings
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy crepes:
Dusted with powdered sugar Rolled around a whipped cream filling, drizzled with Nutella or chocolate sauce, and served with fresh fruit or fried apples Filled with cream cheese and strawberry sauce or blueberry sauce Filled with Nutella and sliced strawberries
Sweet crepes are my favorite, but you can also make savory crepes. Toss chopped herbs in the batter and fill them with ham and cheese, eggs and spinach, or whatever you prefer.
Enjoy!
More Great Recipes You Might Like:
French Toast Casserole Chocolate Eclairs Chocolate Sweet Rolls Homemade Donuts
Are you more of a visual learner? Check out my YouTube channel where I show you exactly how I make this recipe step-by-step in my own kitchen. I originally published a crepes recipe courtesy of Le Creuset in November of 2017. Today I’m updating the post to include my own personally-developed favorite easy recipe, new photos, and a new video!
