You may think theres nothing more satisfying than a stack of pancakes cooked to perfection and doused with hot maple syrup on a Sunday morning. But have you tried a French crepe? Though it can be easy to confuse these two batter-based, doughy confections, there are some key distinctions. The main difference is that pancakes require a leavening agent (commonly baking powder or soda) to get their signature fluffy nature and rise as they bake on a hot, buttered griddle, while crepes are thin and flat. Advertisement
Its true; you could technically call a crepe a pancake (and they do fall alongside the likes of pancake-type formats globally, including South Indian dosa pancakes and Korean scallion pancakes). Compared to American flapjacks, however, crepes are significantly thinner (like paper thin) and often contain crisped lacy edges around the circumference. Though they are round like pancakes, which come in various sizes (including the recently popularized tiny pancake cereal bites), crepes are typically made into larger circles by pouring a thin layer of batter on a well-buttered round cooking surface called a billig. The batter is then spread out into a thin layer. Once cooked through and flipped to golden brown, unlike pancakes, which are stacked and dolloped with toppings, crepes are filled with ingredients like fresh fruit with chocolate, or cheeses, jams, and meat. They are then folded up to make a treat, which can be eaten with a fork or in a hand-held fashion, similar to a sandwich. Advertisement
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.
Crepes are uniquely French, and can be sweet or savory
Crepes, which originated in Brittany, France, around the 13th century, were first made with buckwheat flour cultivated in the region. Comparatively, thicker pancakes, which have been eaten in various forms for centuries, were popularized in the states in the late 1800s and experienced a resurgence in the 1930s with the invention of Bisquick. Today, crepes, like pancakes, can be made with various flour types, including but not limited to buckwheat — you can even find chickpea flour crepes, called socca, in some parts of France. Advertisement
The ingredients required to make crepe vs. pancake batter are similar: flour, sugar, salt, butter, and water or milk. However, crepes are always made sans leavening agents to achieve their flatness. Though pancake and crepe batter dont contain loads of sugar (usually just a tablespoon or two per batch), pancakes are often topped exclusively with sugary toppings like maple syrup, jam, berries, and whipped cream.
While crepes are also popular for their inclusion of sweets, such as thinly sliced fresh strawberries, and chocolate or Nutella spread, youll find these ingredients embedded inside the crepe or drizzled on top rather than baked in. Crepe batter is usually kept quite simple. The fillings provide a symphony of flavors in every bite — including savory variations, which are equally popular as sweet. With popular fillings like brie, prosciutto, fig jam, ham, and Swiss, crepes make a perfectly filling snack or meal. Advertisement
Crepes and Pancakes What’s the Difference
FAQ
Is a crepe a rolled up pancake?
Is a crepe made from pancake batter?
Is a crepe a small pancake?
Is crepe batter the same as waffle batter?
What makes pancakes different from crepes?
Apart from ingredients and presentation, there are two visual indicators that set pancakes apart from crepes. Both the size and thickness of pancakes differ from that of crepes. Pancakes tend to be smaller but thicker while crepes are much wider and far thinner. This is a difference brought about, in part, by how each are cooked.
Name some gluten free crepes.?
Gluten in wheat helps in binding and holding the texture. To attain the perfect texture, certain combinations of flours are used. Here are few combinations that replace wheat: 1. Almond flour and tapioca flour 2. Almond flour and arrowroot flour 3. Rice flour, buckwheat flour and cornstarch 4. Almond flour and gelatine powder Resting time should be increased compare to regular resting time to make them more resistant from breaking apart.
What is the difference between pancake batter and crepe batter?
The main difference is that pancake batter has a raising agent in it, such as baking powder or baking soda, and crepe batter does not. This means that pancakes are thicker and fluffy while crêpes are thin and flat.
Are crepes healthier than pancakes?
While both are rich in carbohydrates because of their flour-based batter, crepes are lower in calories and fat compared to pancakes. Additionally, the nutritional value can vary based on the ingredients and fillings used, so it’s important to consider portion sizes and choices of toppings for a well-balanced meal.