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
They both usually start as flour-based batters enriched with milk and eggs that's poured onto a skillet, griddle, or pan and cooked until firm enough to roll or flip, but American-style pancakes are thick and fluffy, while French crêpes are wafer-thin and delicate.
What is the difference between crepes and pancakes? ›
A pancake will normally contain a raising agent which makes them rise and is why they are so fluffy whilst the batter for a crepe will tend to be thinner by adding more milk or water to the batter. A Breton galette is like a crepe but is instead savoury and is made using buckwheat.
What is the difference between a crepe and a palatschinken? ›
In Germany and Austria, crêpes are called Palatschinken, and they are similar to French crêpes but are slightly thicker. They are often served with sweet fillings like apricot jam, but savory options like spinach and cheese are also common.
What is the difference between crepes and blini? ›
Oh my gosh, what do we call these? Basically, they're all correct, but it depends. In Russian, Blini is plural, while Blin is one singular crepe. Blinchiki is another term used, depending on the region, but also usually refers to when the blini are filled.
What's the difference between crepes and blintzes? ›
Blintzes vs Crepes
The main difference is crepes are only cooked once, and be be served plain, without filings. Blintzes, are always served filled, usually with a cheese mixture, and are cooked twice; once when made, and again after they are filled and pan fried.
Can you eat crepes like pancakes? ›
The French eat crepes, or "pancakes," for breakfast and dessert. Thin, tender crepes are served with various toppings such as Nutella, bananas, chocolate, lemon, and sugar.
Is crepes made from pancake mix? ›
Crepes with pancake mix is a quick and easy way to make thin, buttery and delicious crepes in a fraction of the time. Learn how to make these irresistible crepe pancakes using basic pantry ingredients, in a few simple steps. Fill these pancake mix crepes with fresh berries and whipped cream for the perfect breakfast.
Are crepes healthier 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's the difference between Swedish pancakes and crepes? ›
The most obvious difference is that crepes are made with a crepe roller and often have savory fillings. Swedish pancakes are made with a pan tilt to make them thin and they are almost always served with sweet fillings (lingonberries and cream, be still my heart).
What are crepes called in English? ›
A pancake is a thin, flat, circular piece of cooked batter that is eaten hot, often with a sweet or savoury filling.
According to historical Jewish customs, blintzes are served on Shavuot as part of a celebration after fasting for 24 hours prior for Yom Kippur. Blintzes have survived through being passed down in Jewish households and cooked as regularly expected dishes during holidays and other large gatherings.
What is the difference between Hungarian pancake and crepe? ›
Central European palatschinken (palačeke) are thin pancakes similar to the French crêpe. The main difference between the French and Central European version of the dish is that the mixture for palatschinken can be used straight away unlike that of crepes which is suggested to be left at rest for several hours.
What is the full name of 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.
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? ›
Crêpe batter is characterized by its liquidity, making it easy to spread in a thin layer. Crêpes are also characterized by their quick cooking time, usually 20–30 seconds per side.
Are crepes healthy or unhealthy? ›
They are typically made using water or milk, eggs, butter, and flour. Although nutrition may vary depending on the ingredients used, savoury crepes are considered to be a healthy food choice and are becoming immensely popular with healthy fast food restaurants.
Why are they called crepes? ›
The word "crepe" (or "crêpe" in the French spelling) comes from the Old French word "crespe," which itself comes from the Latin "crispus," meaning curled. The term likely refers to crepes' characteristic curved edges.
