Crêpe Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This classic French crepe recipe is easy to make with 7 basic ingredients. Feel free to customize with your favorite sweet or savory fillings!

Is there anything more lovely than a plate filled with warm, delicate, buttery French crêpes? ♡

We were fortunate to have the opportunity visit a number of charming creperies during our years living in Europe, especially on our various trips to France. And I have to say, there is nothing like a well-made, paper-thin, lacy-edged crepe served fresh off of the pan. They are so effortlessly elegant and delicious in their simplicity. And, of course, the perfect blank slate for all of your favorite sweet or savory fillings!

The beauty of classic French crepes is that they are surprisingly easy to make at home too. All you need are 7 basic pantry ingredients, plus whatever fillings sound good, and your kitchen can transform into your own little French cafe in no time. I have always been partial to making crepe batter in a blender, which I find to be the simplest method, but you can just as easily make yours with a bowl and whisk if you prefer. Be sure to read the notes below for extra tips, plus bonus ideas for how to customize the batter or fillings to your liking.

Let’s make some crepes!

Classic Crêpe Ingredients

Here are a few quick notes about the classic crêpe ingredients that you will need to make this recipe:

• Butter: Melted butter adds wonderful flavor to the crêpe batter, while also helping to prevent the crepes from sticking to the pan.
• Milk: The milk provides the liquid component for the batter, giving the crepes an extra smooth and creamy texture.
• Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent to hold all of these ingredients together.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is used as the main dry ingredient, providing structure and helping to create the thin and delicate consistency.
• Sweetener: We prefer to use maple syrup to sweeten the crepes, which complements the other flavors without overpowering them.
• Vanilla extract: A hint of vanilla extract contributes adds a traditional warmth to the flavor of the crepes.
• Salt: And finally, a hint salt is added to enhance all of these delicious flavors.

How To Make Crêpes

Full instructions for how to make crepes are included in the recipe below, but here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. Rest the batter.Don’t skip this step! Resting the batter for at least 30 minutes allows the flour to properly hydrate, which will result in smoother crepes.
2. Keep the pan greased. In order to give the crepes a lovely golden exterior and prevent them from sticking to the pan, it’s essential to re-grease the pan before you add each round of batter. Just add a very thin coating of butter to the pan, so that there is enough to cover the bottom of the pan. I usually just swirl the end of a stick of butter around the pan, but you can also use a pastry brush or a paper towel to spread melted butter around quickly and evenly. It also helps to use a non-stick pan, if you own one.
3. Use the proper amount of batter.We ideally want the crepes to be as thin as possible, so try to avoid overfilling the pan with batter. I find that 1/4 cup of batter seems to be a good amount.
4. Swirl the pan. This traditional method is the best way to spread out the batter quickly! Just tilt and swirl the batter around as soon as it hits the pan so that it spreads out into a thin round circle.
5. Adjust the heat if needed.Keep an eye on the pan while cooking multiple crepes to be sure that it does not accidentally become too hot. You may need to lower the heat at some point.
6. Don’t worry about perfection.It can take a bit of practice to get the timing down with making crepes, so don’t worry if your first few turn out a bit wonky. You’ll quickly get the hang of it! :)

How To Store Crêpes

The best way to store crepes is to stack them with a layer of parchment paper or wax paper in between each crepe to prevent sticking. Once stacked, you can store them in an airtight container or seal them in a large zip-top bag. Properly stored, crepes can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

If you want to store crepes for a longer period, you can freeze them. Place parchment paper or wax paper between each crepe, stack them together, and then store them in an airtight freezer bag or container. Frozen crepes can be kept for up to 2-3 months.

When you’re ready to use the stored crepes, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Reheat them briefly in a skillet or microwave to warm them up before serving.

Crêpe Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations to this classic French crêpe recipe that you’re welcome to try:

• Make gluten-free crêpes: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of traditional all-purpose flour.
• Make vegan crêpes: Use a flax egg in place of a traditional egg and plant-based butter to make vegan crepes.
• Add spices: Add a hint of your favorite warming spice to the batter, such as ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground ginger or pumpkin pie spice.
• Add fresh herbs:Add some finely-chopped fresh herbs to the batter, such as chives, basil, dill, rosemary or tarragon.

10 Crêpe Filling Ideas

Looking for some fun ideas for how to fill your crêpes? Here are some of our favorite combinations:

• Nutella and sliced bananas
• Strawberries and whipped cream
• Lemon curd and blueberries
• Ham and cheese
• Sautéed spinach and feta
• Sautéed apples with cinnamon
• Sautéed chicken, mushrooms and onions
• Ricotta and berries
• Smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers

Crêpes FAQ

How do you pronounce crêpe in French? In French, the word crêpe is pronounced “krep.” (The “e” at the end is silent.) You can take a quick listen here.

What is the difference between French crêpes and American pancakes? French crêpes are thin and delicate pancakes, while American pancakes are typically thicker and fluffier.

How can I prevent crêpes from sticking to the pan? I highly recommend using a nonstick pan to prevent crêpes from sticking. If you do not own one, be sure that your pan is thoroughly greased with butter before adding in each new round of batter. And as always, be sure to wait for the crepe to fully cook on the first side before attempting to flip it.

How do I flip crepes without tearing them? To flip crêpes without tearing them, make sure the crepe is fully cooked on one side before attempting to flip it, then use a thin spatula to gently lift and flip the crepe. I highly recommend this large thin spatula.