Classic (French) Crepes

Ah, crepes. The thin, delicate pancakes that originated in France and have since made their way all around the world. They’re a staple of French cuisine, and for good reason – they’re incredibly versatile and can be sweet or savory, filled with all sorts of delicious ingredients.

But where did these little pancakes come from? Well, the word “crepe” comes from the Latin word “crispa,” meaning “curled.” Crepes have been a part of French culture for centuries, with some sources dating them back to the 13th century. They were originally made with buckwheat flour, a staple in Brittany, a region in northwest France. Today, crepes can be found all over France, and are often enjoyed as street food or in cafes, with fillings like Nutella, cheese, and ham.

Now, if you’ve never made crepes before, you might think they’re difficult to make. But fear not, because we’ve got a classic crepe recipe that’s easy to follow and will have you feeling like a French chef in no time. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you’ll have a stack of delicious crepes ready to be filled with your favorite ingredients. So grab your whisk, and let’s get started!

Classic (French) Crepes

Yield: 8

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Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Whisk together all ingredients and let stand 30 to 45 minutes before cooking crepes. 
2. In a very hot pan, pour 1/4 cup of batter and swirl around. Cook about 2 minutes per side. 
3. Roll topping inside and powder with sugar or drizzle with maple syrup. 

Notes

You can make this recipe ahead and freeze using a layer of parchment paper in between each crêpe.

For a variation on toppings try my Lemon Butter recipe.