Easy Classic Crepes Made from Scratch

I make crepes when I want to feel like a delicate French chef without actually learning French or buying a fancy pan. These are thin, buttery, slightly elastic pancakes that fold into anything from jam and lemon to ham-and-cheese miracles. It’s special because it’s genuinely simple — pantry staples, a whisk, and a tiny bit of patience — and everyone at the table will act surprised when they taste something that looks hard but isn’t. Try it because it’s fast, impressive, and forgiving. Like me, it recovers from most kitchen mishaps.
My husband once insisted he could “help” by flipping the first crepe. He launched it like a frisbee, we both ducked, and the crepe landed perfectly on the ceiling light. He swore it was a new decorative hanging. The kids cheered, I googled “how to clean batter off a chandelier,” and we ended up eating the second crepe while he pretended he meant it to be avant-garde. Moral: supervise flips, not flights.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Classic Crepes Made from Scratch
– Thin and elegant without needing pastry school or a monocle.
– Uses ingredients you already have, unless you live in a monastery.
– Totally custom — sweet, savory, or “I-don’t-know-what’s-in-the-fridge” mode.
– Feeds a crowd and still makes you look like you planned brunch for a Pinterest board.
Time-Saving Hacks
– Make the batter in a blender: toss everything in, pulse, and call it “professional.” Fewer dishes, more smoothie vibes.
– Use a nonstick 10–12-inch pan and keep the heat medium — one pan, one spatula, less scrubbing. Yes, the pan is still too small when you want to impress.
– Stack crepes between damp paper towels or a clean kitchen towel while you work; reheating in a pan takes seconds.
– Keep fillings simple: Nutella + banana = happiness and no assembly line.
– If you’re rushed, skip the 30-minute rest and add a splash more milk; it’ll be fine. Probably.
Serving Ideas
– Classic: lemon juice + a dusting of powdered sugar. It’s classy and lazy.
– Breakfast: scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, chives, and a smug grin.
– Dessert: fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle — serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts.
– Savory: sautéed mushrooms, gruyère, thyme, and a whisper of garlic butter. Pretend you made it for dinner guests.
– Keep it simple: jam, butter, fold, eat, nap.
What to Serve It With
– A bright salad for savory crepes (arugula + lemon vinaigrette = hero).
– Fruit salad or macerated berries for sweet crepes.
– Coffee, tea, or something stronger for brunch emergency management.
– Crunchy things (nuts or granola) if you like texture drama.
Tips & Mistakes
– Pro Tip: Batter consistency matters. Think heavy cream — too thick and it’s pancake-adjacent; too thin and you’ll be puddling.
– Don’t overheat the pan. If it smokes, your crepe tastes like regret. Medium heat wins.
– Flip gently. If you try dramatic aeronautics, your ceiling loses but your ego gains character.
– Resting the batter helps with bubbles. If you skip it, expect more Hobbit-hole holes in your crepes. Still edible.
– Use a ladle or measuring cup so your crepes are consistently sized. Chaos is cute, but uniform stacks photograph better.
Storage Tips
Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Wrap stacks in foil or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
– Reheat gently in a hot, dry skillet for 20–30 seconds per side or zap individual crepes in the microwave under a damp paper towel for 10–15 seconds.
– Freeze separated by parchment paper for up to 2 months — thaw in the fridge overnight.
Variations and Substitutions
Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Dairy-free: use almond or oat milk and a neutral oil instead of melted butter.
– Gluten-free: 1:1 gluten-free flour blends usually behave well; let the batter rest a bit longer.
– Add-ins: a tablespoon of vanilla for sweet crepes, a pinch of salt and black pepper for savory.
Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Classic Crepes Made from Scratch
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 large Eggs Preferably organic
- 1.5 cups Milk
- 2 tablespoons Melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sugar Optional, for sweetness
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Add melted butter and stir to combine. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and pour in about 1/4 cup of batter.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges are dry, then flip and cook for another minute.
- Repeat with remaining batter, stacking the crepes on a plate.