If anyone tells you it’s just fancy pancakes, they’re full of crepe!
Table of Contents
Does anyone else remember the tribalism of the pancake vs. waffles debate? It might just be me but there used to be heated discussions about the superiority of classic breakfast staples both in my school and online. One camp would dig their feet into the nooks and crannies of a perfectly gridded waffle and say that its crispy, square pockets made it perfect for retaining toppings like butter and syrup. Meanwhile, pancake apologists would entrench themselves in arguments about the fluffy flexibility for fillings and toppings only afforded by a plate of fantastic flapjacks. These discussions would dance back and forward with even further cemented opinions breeding a needless division among dessert enjoyers.
It was a simpler time.
It never feels good to be the oddity in such a seemingly obvious two-sided debate, but has anyone made the case for crepes? Before you get out your pancake pitchforks and waffle irons, hear me out: crepes have a thin, mixable batter perfect for slipping your favorite pancake fillings into while also being folded into neat pockets of toppings! It’s the best of both worlds if you ask me, and I’m tired of pretending it isn’t the solution to this tired debate.
Crepes are delicious, dessert, and delicate, making them so delectable when you fill the batter with your favorite ingredients (such as chocolate and coffee) and top them with your fruitiest flavors. Whether it be a simple butter and sugar crepe or a complicated affair of berries and cream (even savory options!), you can’t go wrong with a crepe creation of your own!
Are Crepes Healthy?
It might be a reflexive response to give an immediate “no” to the question “Are crepes healthy”? However, crepes can be the delicious, layered foundation for some spectacularly nutritious fillings, both sweet and savory! Fruits are natural harbors for antioxidants and vitamins while savory stuffings like cheese and ham are loaded with protein! Putting sautéed spinach into a savory crepe is a great way to incorporate essential minerals and shaving dark chocolate into a sweet crepe is an easy way to up the anti-inflammatory properties!
Fundamentally, though, crepes typically fail the regular checklists of most vegan, keto, and paleo dietary restrictions, and, due to the delicate nature of the batter, many changes to the recipe can result in very different results. That said, don’t let it discourage you from trying your hand at vegan crepes using vegan eggs, milk, and butter substitutes or a keto option with almond flour!
How to spruce the crepe out of our crepes!
Crepes, like pancakes and waffles both, serv themselves as a phenomenal foundation for flavorful toppings and fillings! Whether it be a chocolate pancake-inspired crepe batter or a deliciously salty experience inspired by chicken and waffles, use our crepe recipe as a springboard for some stellar sweet, and savory serves!
- Diner-style Blueberry and Whipped Cream Crepe-cake – If you’re looking for that classic combination of blueberries and whipped cream that you can only find in your local diner, just incorporate a handful of blueberries (blueberry raisins are especially good!) into your batter and top off your crepe folds with a dollop of homemade whip!
- Crepe-full of Chicken – Hankering for that southern-style comfort food, combining sweet and savory goodness with a little bit of heat? Serve our crepes with a drizzle of jalapeño honey and a couple of carefully fried strips of country-style chicken!
- Cash Money Cashew Crepes – If you’re looking for a delicious, vegan filling, try sating your craving with a combination you’ll go nuts over! Use salted/roasted cashew butter and some decadent mango pulp to get a tropical crepe flavor that tastes more expensive than it is!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup water, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter, for the pan
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend
Mix batter ingredients and let rest.
Cook
Pour and swirl batter in skillet; cook until golden.
Serve
Fill and enjoy warm crepes with toppings of choice.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Crepes are delicious and cook quickly due to their thin spread; however, refrigerating crepes runs the risk of them tearing when it comes time to separate them again! As such, when you store your crepes, make sure to store them with parchment paper dividers between each finished crepe. Then, toss them for a brief stint onto a hot pan/griddle to get them warm for filling and serving!
There’s no need for fillings or toppings when your crepe is scrumptious just the way it comes! That said, it’s hard to ignore the flexibility crepes have (both literally and figuratively) to be made into whatever your appetite desires! My personal favorite is as simple as a little butter and some granulated sugar.
At the very least, in my neck of the woods, there was a very distinct divide in tastes regarding pancakes and waffles. I think I latched onto the discourse because it failed to include other breakfast staples like crepes, French toast, and English muffins – if you’re gonna debate which is the best, you gotta let everyone have a seat at the table!
Serving Suggestions
Crepes make any breakfast table superior and stand out for dessert, but they shouldn’t have to do it alone! Thankfully, FFF provides dozens of delicious recipes to pair your crepes with like ham and cheese mini frittatas and a side of baked brown-sugar bacon or decadent smoothies to down with your dessert crepes (try a coconut milk smoothie or homemade strawberry juice!).
Simple and Delicious Crepes
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk at room temperature
- ½ cup water at room temperature
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter for the pan
Instructions
-
In a blender, combine flour, sugar, salt, milk, water, eggs, and vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture is smooth, about 20 seconds. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 1 day.
-
Heat an 8-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly butter the pan. Pour one-quarter cup of batter into the center of the skillet. Swirl the pan to spread the batter thinly. Cook until the edges are dry and the bottom is lightly golden, about 1 minute.
-
Carefully flip the crepe with a spatula and cook the other side for about 30 seconds. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, buttering the skillet as needed. Serve warm with your favorite fillings.
Nutrition
The post How to Make Crepes appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
