Perfect Crêpes With Pancake Mix

If you have a dire craving for crêpes but only have pancake mix on your hands, fear not, because today I will show you exactly how to make the perfect traditional crêpes with pancake mix.

This tutorial is super easy and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. The key is the ratio of ingredients you need to add to change the pancake batter into a crêpe batter.

For more delicious and fun breakfast recipes, try my Breakfast Cheese ArepasBanana Fresh Toast, or the world-famous TikTok Egg Sandwich.

Crepes made With Pancake Mix from above

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Crêpes Versus Pancakes – What’s The Difference?

Many people confuse crêpes with pancakes. But while the difference may seem obvious to some, in some parts of the world, the terms used are what cause the confusion.

First of all, there are different kinds of pancakes. American pancakes are small discs of batter that are roughly 1/4 to 1/2-inch in thickness. They have a cakey consistency with a fluffy texture.

Then, you get Dutch or South African-style pancakes. These look VERY similar to crêpes but are still called pancakes. They are much larger (usually about 8-12 inches in diameter) and only about 0.08 – 0.1 inches (2-3 mm) in thickness.

Dutch-styled pancakes are garnished with toppings and rolled before they are served.

Now, crêpes differ from BOTH these styles of pancakes. Crêpes are wafer-thin. In fact, you can practically see shapes through them! They are only about 0.04 inches (1 mm) in thickness and have a diameter of 7-8 inches (18-20 cm).

Crepes Versus Pancakes

How Do The Batters Differ?

To get thinner layers of batter, the consistency of the batter has to be more fluid.

An American pancake batter is quite thick to hold its shape better before it’s set in place.

A Dutch pancake, albeit considerably thinner, also still needs to have some thickness to it so it doesn’t just form a wafer-thin pancake.

And obviously, that means that a crêpe batter has a very thin consistency compared to a pancake mix. This enables the cook to effortlessly swirl around a very tiny amount of batter to coat the entire surface of the pan. If you add too much batter, the crêpe will become a pancake.

crepe batter close up.

Can You Make Crêpes With Pancake Batter?

It is possible, but it’s not as straightforward as many people would like you to believe.

As mentioned, a pancake batter (aka pancake mix) is quite thick. And even though you can make a crêpe batter with the EXACT SAME ingredients, their ratios change the consistency.

Now, if you’ve read “just add milk,” you will instantly see that your batter starts separating – again, because it’s not that simple.

While thinning the pancake mix for crêpe, you must add ingredients that will keep the batter together. 

However, you also need to remember that some additions could change the cooked texture of the crêpes.

So, if you add eggs, the crêpes will be spongy. Plus, while the eggs do thin the batter, they don’t make it spreadable.

After many trials and errors, here’s how I effortlessly make crêpes with pancake mix.

Crepes made with Pancake Mix close up.

How To Make Crêpes With Pancake Mix

To turn your pancake mix into a crêpe batter, you need to add two main ingredients: eggs and milk.

The milk is vital for thinning out the pancake mix. It takes it from a thick batter suitable for fluffy pancakes, to a more liquid one, perfect for creating thin and delicate crêpes.

The eggs, on the other hand, act as a binder, giving your batter the right consistency to hold together once it hits the hot pan.

Ingredients for Crepes With Pancake Mix

As a general guide, for every 1 cup of pancake mix, you will need to add 1 large egg and 1 cup of milk. Stir these together until the mix is smooth.

Steps on how to make crepes with pancake mix

However, remember, not all pancake mixes are created equal. Some are much thicker than others and may require more liquid to achieve the perfect crêpe consistency.

If the batter is still too thick, don’t hesitate to add 1/2 cup of milk. It’s all about finding the right balance and texture.

the perfect crepe batter consistency.

Once you have your crêpe batter mixed, it’s time to start cooking. You will see your crêpe mix transform into beautifully thin and delicate crepes.

Heat a non-stick or crêpe pan over medium heat. Test readiness by sprinkling a few water droplets; if they hiss and quickly evaporate, the pan is at the right temperature.

Lightly coat the pan with some oil or butter and then deposit roughly 1/4 cup of crêpe batter into the middle. Immediately swivel the pan around to distribute the batter in a thin layer evenly.

Making crepes and turning it

After 1-2 minutes, or when edges turn golden, flip the crêpe gently. The other side needs about 30 seconds. Remove the crêpe and repeat the process with the remaining batter, greasing the pan each time.

Crepes in a pan

Present your crêpes accompanied by fillings of your preference, be it sweet or savory. Remember, practice makes perfect when making crêpes, so have fun experimenting!

Crepes Wfilled with chocolate and banana

Tips For Making The Batter

  • You should never add textured flavorings to a crêpe pancake mix. If you want to flavor them, add extracts or essences. But keep in mind how they will affect the consistency of the batter. You can also use flavoring powders.
  • Always use room temperature ingredients when mixing a batter. Yes, I know we aren’t working with flour here. But even when mixing liquids together, you risk forming lumps.

Tips For Cooking Perfect Crêpes From Pancake Mix

  • Give the crêpe pancake batter a couple of whisks between uses. This ensures that all of the ingredients stay combined and that the cooked mixture will come out uniform every time.
  • Even though you are working with a non-stick pan, always lubricate it with cooking spray. Wipe the pan after every couple of uses and grease it again. This helps the crêpes come out consistently light every time.
  • Place a small piece of baking paper between them to keep the cooked crêpes from sticking to each other.
Crepes With Pancake Mix presented with chocolate and banana

Ways To Make Crêpes With Pancake Mix – The Ultimate Guide

Keesha
Making crêpes with pancake mix is easier than you may think, and my guide will show you exactly how to do it! This recipe is super straightforward and foolproof. You can add any type of flavoring extract you want to customize the profile to your liking.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 74 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup pancake mix
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cup milk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp flavoring extract (vanilla is most versatile and neutral)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp butter

Instructions
 

  • Merge all the components together in a sizable mixing bowl. Whisk them together until you get a smooth, uniform, thin batter.
  • Heat a 7-8 inch non-stick pan over medium heat. If the temperature is excessively elevated, the batter will set before it gets a chance to disperse evenly.
  • Spray the heated pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add 1/8 cup of the crêpes pancake mix and immediately swirl the pan around. The batter should cover the entire surface before you place it back on the heat.
  • Leave the crêpe to cook for about 1 minute only. It should start peeling away from the pan around the edges.
  • Flip the crêpe over and leave it to cook for another 30-60 seconds.
  • Take the crêpe off the stove and place it carefully onto a dish. Repeat the process until all of your batter is used.

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 110mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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