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Golden brown French Crepes folded on a plate with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries.

Basic Crepes Recipe

Master the art of simple, delicate crepes with this easy-to-follow recipe, perfect for a sweet breakfast or a savory meal. These thin, versatile pancakes are wonderfully adaptable and a joy to prepare.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 crepes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 95

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk whole or 2%
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted, plus extra for greasing the pan

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Non-stick pan (8-10 inch)
  • Ladle (approx. 1/4 cup capacity)
  • Spatula
  • Small bowl

Method
 

Prepare the Batter
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt until well combined.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add the milk, water, and 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter to the beaten eggs and whisk until thoroughly combined.
  3. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking constantly to ensure the batter is smooth and free of lumps. If any stubborn lumps remain, you can strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve.
Rest the Batter
  1. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This resting period is crucial as it allows the flour to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax, resulting in crepes that are more tender and less prone to tearing.
Cook the Crepes
  1. Heat an 8-10 inch non-stick pan or crepe maker over medium heat. Lightly brush the pan with a small amount of extra melted butter before cooking the first crepe.
  2. Pour approximately 1/4 cup of batter into the center of the hot pan. Immediately tilt and rotate the pan in a circular motion to evenly spread the batter into a thin, uniform layer across the entire bottom surface of the pan.
  3. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until the edges of the crepe begin to crisp and turn a light golden brown, and the bottom is lightly golden. You should see small bubbles forming on the surface.
  4. Gently loosen the edges of the crepe with a spatula, then carefully slide the spatula underneath and flip the crepe. Cook for an additional 30-60 seconds on the second side, just until it is lightly browned.
  5. Transfer the cooked crepe to a plate. Repeat this process with the remaining batter, lightly greasing the pan with butter between each crepe if necessary to prevent sticking. Stack the finished crepes on top of each other; their residual heat will help keep them warm and pliable until serving.

Notes

For best results, use a truly non-stick pan. If your first crepe doesn't turn out perfectly, don't worry! It often takes a crepe or two to get the pan temperature and batter distribution just right. Crepes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen between layers of parchment paper for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave. Serve crepes with your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit, whipped cream, chocolate spread, jam, or a squeeze of lemon and a dusting of powdered sugar. They are also excellent with savory fillings!