Where pancakes are the ultimate tonic to a horrid hangover and a staple on a hearty breakfast menu, crêpes are the refined, ethereal Heathcliffe item; pleasantly surprise in its delicacy.
And yet, while you know they look different (one’s thick, the other’s thin) and also have opposing associations (pancakes = fast, filling grub; crêpes = a carefully cultivated dish that should be savoured), what are the blindingly big differences between the two? Is it the ingredients, the toppings… and which one really is the healthier option?
To find out why that flat pancake really wasn’t a crêpe after all, read on.
Ingredients
As far as ingredients go, there really isn’t much difference. The same cupboard staples – eggs, milk, flour, salt and butter – are the foundations of both pancakes and crêpes.
However, there is one outlier – and that’s baking powder. Baking powder is used in pancakes as a leavener, which is why they are much denser and fluffier than crêpes. That’s also why the batter of a crêpe has a higher liquid to flour ratio. (If you’re unsure, pancake batter should drip like double cream; crêpes should have the viscosity of single cream).
If you’re making crêpes for yourself, you’ll also have to consider resting time. While this isn’t essential when making pancakes, crêpe mixtures need to rest for at least one hour after it is whipped up. This helps to give it that smooth, thin texture when it’s poured out into the pan.
In the instance that a crêpe recipe is too thick, water can be added to loosen up the mixture, while you would want to just add milk to a pancake recipe in the same scenario.
Texture
You only need to glance at a cookbook to know that pancakes are the thicker sisters (on account of the baking powder).
As a result, crêpes are much thinner and, because they are cooked on the flat edges of the pan, are crispier. In fact, the word ‘crêpe’ comes from the Latin ‘crispa’, meaning ‘curled’. You’ll know the sign of a good crêpe is the edges wave in a slaloming serenade at the edge of your plate.
The texture and mouthfeel of pancakes, on the other hand, is much denser and claggy. As the name suggests, it’s a flattened cake made in a pan, which means you get the same filling taste and texture from the batter as a traditional cake – it’s just in a different form. You’ll also find pancakes are often served in a stack (one on top of the other), while crêpes are folded loosely side by side on the plate.
What’s healthier: crêpes or pancakes?
A single crêpe has less fat and calories than pancakes because they don’t have the baking powder and, so, are less dense. However, they’re not less calorific if you’re stacking up double the amount of crêpes vs pancakes, so bear this in mind before you get carried away.
And, of course, it depends on which toppings you add. A topping of berries and cinnamon, for instance, will always be healthier than, say, a tablespoon of Nutella and lashings of table sugar.
(A top tip is to use cocoa powder or cacao nibs in place of unhealthy chocolate spreads or milk chocolate chunks – you’ll never notice the difference).
Now you know the difference, it’s time to get cooking. Which will you be serving up this Sunday?
FAQs
Crepe batter is a lot thinner, meaning when you pour it into the pan it completely coats the hot surface. You end up with a super-thin pancake that's soft in the middle and crispy around the edges. It cooks much quicker than its American counterpart which means it can be topped, folded and devoured in minutes.
What is the difference between crepes and pancakes? ›
Unlike pancakes, crêpes are much thinner because they aren't made with baking powder, as are pancakes. Since they are thinner, they tend to be a tad crispier as well. This makes the crêpe an excellent vehicle for practically any filling or topping you like, sweet or savory.
How American pancakes differ from French pancakes or crepes because they American pancakes? ›
Amer- ican pancakes are made from chemically leavened batters mixed by the muf- fin method, while French pancakes, or crêpes, are made from thin, unleavened batters made of milk, eggs, and flour.
Is a crepe a pancake or egg? ›
Crepes are very thin pancakes made from a light batter containing flour, eggs, melted butter, salt, milk, and water. They are typically rolled or folded with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings, such as lemon and sugar, or ham and cheese.
What's the difference between pancakes and blinis? ›
Unlike regular pancakes, blinis are made with yeast rather than baking powder so they are softer and more delicate. And blinis are made with buckwheat flour which gives it the signature slightly nutty flavour.
Is a crepe just a thin pancake? ›
Crepes are thin pancakes made from a batter consisting of eggs, flour, and milk, with various fillings that can vary from sweet to savory.
Is a crepe made from pancake batter? ›
The batter consists of pancake mix (I used Krusteaz), milk, an egg, and vanilla. Whisk until there are no lumps left. Heat a small non-stick frying pan over medium high heat until hot. The size of your pan will be the size of your finished crepes, so keep that in mind!
What are American pancakes called in England? ›
Brits take a different approach to pancakes, too
Though they'll call it a "pancake," the British version is unleavened and closer to what we Yanks might call a crepe than the fluffy, pillowy food we tend to think of. In fact, what we call pancakes here in North America, Brits refer to as "American pancakes."
What are three types of pancakes? ›
15 Types of Pancake Recipes from Across the Globe
- French Crêpes. French crêpes are well known in the UK and are officially made in a crêpe pan to form a thin pancake. ...
- American-Style Pancakes. ...
- Scotch Pancakes. ...
- Indonesian Serabi. ...
- Russian Blinis. ...
- Moroccan Msem*n. ...
- Danish Aebleskiver. ...
- Irish Boxty.
600 BC - The first recorded mention of pancakes dates back to ancient Greece and comes from a poet who described warm pancakes in one of his writings. 1100 AD – Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) becomes a traditional way to use up dairy products before lent – the pancake breakfast is born.
What's healthier: crêpes or pancakes? A single crêpe has less fat and calories than pancakes because they don't have the baking powder and, so, are less dense. However, they're not less calorific if you're stacking up double the amount of crêpes vs pancakes, so bear this in mind before you get carried away.
What gender is crepe? ›
Answer and Explanation: In French, the word for crepe is a feminine noun. Une crêpe means 'a crepe. ' You can see here that the feminine indefinite article une is used since crêpe is a feminine noun.
What the heck is a crepe? ›
Crêpes are an ultra-thin pancake common in France that can be made sweet or savory, typically rolled or folded with a variety of fillings from jam or Nutella to ham and cheese to seafood.
What is 3 pancakes called? ›
In a typical US diner, a stack has three pancakes, and a short stack has two. The pancakes are usually five or six inches in diameter. A stack is a lot to eat, especially when you consider that an order of pancakes usually comes with a side of bacon, ham, or sausage.
What are the old pancakes called? ›
Previously, people referred to them as Indian cakes, hoe cakes, johnnycakes, journey cakes, buckwheat cakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks. Early American pancakes were made with buckwheat or cornmeal. Thomas Jefferson loved pancakes so much that he sent a special recipe from the White House to his hometown!
What's the difference between British pancakes and American pancakes? ›
British pancakes are more like crepes. American pancakes are thicker and have baking powder in them to make them rise. Yes, they do have a bit of sugar in them, but only 1 tablespoon for a batch that makes 8 servings. It's the maple syrup that has all the sugar.
Are crepes better for you than pancakes? ›
What's healthier: crêpes or pancakes? A single crêpe has less fat and calories than pancakes because they don't have the baking powder and, so, are less dense. However, they're not less calorific if you're stacking up double the amount of crêpes vs pancakes, so bear this in mind before you get carried away.
What is so special about crepes? ›
Crêpes can be healthy
Since the recipe is made using several eggs, the batter is full of 14 essential nutrients including hunger-curbing protein. By switching some toppings around, crêpes can make for a healthy meal at any time of the day.
Are crepes healthy or unhealthy? ›
They can also be a good source of fiber if whole wheat flours are used, which are very healthy. They are also a low saturated fat option, especially if low-fat ingredients such as fresh cheese or vegetables are used. In addition, they do not contain trans fats that are harmful to health.
Why are they called crepes? ›
These delicate pancakes are known as 'crêpes' in France. Their name comes from Old French 'crespe' which traces back to the Latin 'crispa' or 'crispus' which means curled. This probably refers to their often slightly ruffled edges. A French café that specializes in crepes is known as a crêperie.
