Easy Basic Crepes Recipe (Sweet or Savory)
This Basic Crepes recipe is a great way to make delicious crepes in minutes! Whether you’re looking for savory crepes or sweet crepes, this easy recipe has all the instructions and tips you need to have perfect crepes every time.
One of the best things about this perfect crepe recipe is that you can enjoy them for breakfast, dinner, or even as dessert crepes. Plus, they are easy to make so you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to make them!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy! This crepe recipe only requires a few basic ingredients, and you can make them on a nonstick skillet in just minutes.
- You can customize it! With this basic crepe batter, you can add your favorite sweet or savory fillings to create the perfect crepes for any occasion.
- They are quick to make! They come together in a matter of minutes, so you can make them for breakfast or dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
Equipment Needed
You only need a few simple kitchen tools to help you make these delicious crepes. Don’t worry if you don’t need to have a fancy crepe pan in your kitchen, a skillet will work just fine instead. So, grab these tools and get ready to enjoy these perfect French crepes.
- large bowl or blender
- crêpe pan or large non-stick skillet
- spreading tool or spatula
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour, sifted
- Salt (optional
- Eggs
- Milk (any variety; almond, coconut, dairy)
- Water
- Vanilla extract (optional – add when making a sweet crepe)
- Butter (for skillet)
How to Make This Basic Crepes Recipe
Making this simple crepe recipe is so simple. Just the step-by-step directions below and you will have an easy crepe batter to pair with your favorite toppings in no time at all.
Step 1: Make the batter
In a mixing bowl whisk together all the ingredients until smooth.
Step 2: Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet
Heat butter in your non-stick pan on medium-high heat.
Step 3: Add the to the hot pan with melted butter
Add ¼ cup of batter and swirl batter in a circular motion in the pan forming a thin circular pancake.
Step 4: Cook the crêpe batter
Cook for about 2 minutes and flip to cook the other side.
Step 5: Fill with your favorite crepe toppings
Fill these babies up with whatever you prefer and enjoy!
What To Serve With This Dish
These easy crepes are great on their own but if you want to pair them with a side dish or a little protein try serving them with this Fresh Fruit Salad or Cheddar Egg Casserole.
Get Creative With The Crepe Fillings!
Here are a few of my favorite ways to personalize this French crepe recipe. These are just suggestions so feel free to get creative with the toppings!
Sweet Fillings
- Pre-made fruit fillings like cherry or blueberry or make this homemade freezer apple pie filling
- Fresh fruits like bananas, and diced apples – try a combination of berries as I made here; raspberries, strawberries, blueberries.
- Fresh whipped cream
- Puddings or sugar-free lemon curd
- Nutella, chocolate chips, honey, or maple syrup
- Berry Sauce
Savory Fillings
- Cheese like cheddar, feta, or gruyere
- Vegetables like Sautéed spinach, leeks, kale, mushrooms, and onions
- Mushrooms sautéed in butter
- Eggplant and mushrooms
- Crab
- Sliced ham and bacon
Are you thinking of some of your own favorite ingredients you would fill crepes with?
How To Store
Storage: Store leftover crepes in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. I recommend that you layer them with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.
Reheating: To reheat briefly warm them on the skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes.
Here are the steps to freeze:
Freezing: Crepes can be frozen for up to 6-8 weeks.
- Cool completely
- Layer each crepe between a piece of parchment or wax paper
- Place in a freezer bag or they can be placed on a lined baking sheet with parchment paper and flash-frozen for an hour before transferring them to the freezer bag.
When you are ready to use the crepes place the frozen bag in the refrigerator overnight. Each crepe can be warmed on a skillet over low heat or place the crepes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Fill with your favorite ingredients!
Sandra’s Pro Tips
Here are a few tips that you can use to make sure that this basic crepe recipe turns out perfectly for you every time that you make it.
- For an extra smooth batter feel free to use your blender. Just add the ingredients to the blender jar and pulse a few times.
- If your skillet runs out of butter while you are making your crepes, add a little more. This will prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature and the flour is sifted before starting. This will ensure that your batter will be smooth and lump free.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this easy crepe recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked question for this recipe.
No, crepes are thinner than pancakes and require a different batter. Pancake batter is thicker because it contains baking powder or baking soda which helps them to rise when cooked. Crepe batter does not contain leavening agents so the crepes will remain thin.
No, crepes are made with a thinner batter than pancakes and also require less cooking time. Crepe batter is made with eggs to help give them structure when cooked while pancake batter is not. The result is that crepes will have a more delicate texture while pancakes will be thicker and heartier.
Your crepes should be golden brown when cooked through. To check for doneness, tilt the pan to look at the edges of your crepe and see if it is a light golden color. If it is not yet done, continue cooking until it reaches a light golden color.
Yes, it’s best to let the crepe batter rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will give the gluten time to relax and help create a smoother, more tender crepe that won’t tear when cooked.
Other Delicious Recipes You May Enjoy
Crepes are great for a snack too! Fill them with your favorite yogurt or how about a little Nutella with some sliced bananas?
Basic Crepes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla optional – add when making a sweet crepe
- 2 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together eggs, milk, water, vanilla and butter.
- Sift in flour and salt and whisk all ingredients together until the batter is smooth. Let the batter sit for 30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet with oil or butter on a medium high heat.
- Add 1/4 cup of batter and swirl the batter in the pan forming a thin circular pancake. Cook for about 2 minutes and flip to cook other side.
- Fill with ingredients of your choice.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 15 crepes.
- For an extra smooth batter feel free to use your blender. Just add the ingredients to the blender jar and pulse a few times.
- If your skillet runs out of butter while you are making your crepes, add a little more. This will prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature and the flour is sifted before starting. This will ensure that your batter will be smooth and lump free.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
This recipe was first shared on January 2019. This post has been updated with detailed instructions and additional photos on August 2023.
Low Carb Crepes
The traditional crepes are only 7 carbs each, but if you want to try grain-free crepes under 3 carbs each, then check out this low carb crepe recipe with ricotta cream.
Could I substitute whole grain pastry flour for the all purp? Or need some all purp? Could I sub oat flour as well? thanks!
Yes you could use whole grain pastry flour. The texture will be lighter and a different flavor, but you can swap these flours.
Love crepes!! I haven’t made them in far too long. I am really loving your ideas done both sweet & savory fillings! Definitely want to make these very soon!
I have always wanted to make crepes but it seems so complicated. Thank you for the great directions, I know I can make them now!!
I never really ate crepes until a friend of mine made them for me. Now I am totally hooked! Load them up with nutella and bananas!
Prepared your recipe at home. My family love it so much. It’s like a treat to for them.
So glad to hear this! Crepes are a treat, but we should make them more often.
I cant believe how easy you make these seem to be! I love crepes but have always thought they were so hard to make. Your step by step instructions make it seem really doable!
I can’t imagine anyone not loving a crepe…they are so light and delicious. I may be different from most, but the savory crepes are my favorite.
I love crepes but must admit that I’ve never made them. Your recipe looks so light and delicious!
I always order crepes anytime I see them on a menu, but never tried to make them! I think I could do it!!! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
They’re so easy to make, promise! You can totally make these with no problem.
My daughter LOVES crepes!! She is going to be so excited when I make your recipe!!
I’m a sweet lover and I would probably fill these with chocolate.. but I need to eat healthier so this fruit version is a good alternative.. I will miss chocolate though!! Love crepes.
I’ve never made crepes before, but I need to make these soon!
Oooh, you are in for a treat! Yes, add these to your must try list!
These look delicious. I love crepes, and my husband makes them for me. I’ll be passing these along to him; I love that they have no sugar!
I love making crepes, especially for brunch or special occasions! So easy to make too.
I think you have a typo, and mean add 1/4 cup of batter not butter…..
Yes! That’s correct. Thanks for letting me know!
I love crepes. They are so easy to make and so versatile!
Thanks for this wonderful crepe post, we’ve never made them but certainly enjoy eating crepes. Will give this a try!
I was wondering what you filled yours with? I was also wondering if you know how to make a nice cream cheese filling for them?:)
Hi Mackayla! You might want to try the filling I use to fill strawberries – https://www.thefoodieaffair.com/2012/04/19/green-chili-frittata-and-strawberries-with-fruit-dip/ or if that is too sweet best 8 Oz of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a teaspoon of vanilla together until it’s fluffy. Hope that helps!
Thank you, Heidy! It was fun to make…and eat 😉
I always forget about crepes, thanks for the reminder. I love them. I was introduced to them on vacation, by a food truck, no less. Crepes filled w/ nutella and strawberry are my favorite.
I always forget about them too and it’s such a fun dish! Crepes do seem like a dish you would order while on vacation. Those food trucks are awesome!!
I love crepes, these look really good!
Thank you, Mary! Now I’m craving something savory to fill them with!
Your crepes look fantastic 😀
The perfect weekend recipe!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Yes, crepes are great whenever you have time to enjoy, which is usually weekends for us!
I love crepes because they are so versatile! You can fill them with practically anything!
Isn’t that great about crepes?! What ever is in the refrigerator can go straight into the crepe!
Lovely! I love crepes and your recipe is great. I’d love to have mine with fruit and cream, much like your photos 🙂 Great post.
Thanks, Nicole! With such gorgeous fresh berries right now, fruit is the way to go!
My family loves crepes. It’s a treat I like to make special for them. I love that your recipe doesn’t have sugar. It’s hard to find one without it. This looks so delicious!
Thanks, Stephanie! I think we put way too much sugar in our dishes just cause that’s what we’re used to. I’ve been cutting back in my recipes and no one notices, especially since the fruit has plenty of natural sugars!