Can You Freeze Crepes? – The Best Way
Crepes are delicious. They are this thin pancake-like structure that practically melts in your mouth. If you haven’t tried them out yet, you are certainly missing out! If you are a big fan of crepes, then you have come to the right place.
Crepes are also quite versatile. You can do a lot of different things with them. Whether you want to add fruit toppings or just eat them rolled up with butter, you can enjoy them in multiple ways.
Crepes are easy to make in large batches but of course, then you need a method for storing them.
Can you freeze crepes? You can absolutely freeze crepes and the process is very simple. You could make up a large batch and freeze them away with just some freezer or parchment paper and freezer bags.
In this guide, we will walk you through all of the basic instructions for freezing crepes. We will share with you some basic crepe knowledge, including how they are made for a general reference.
Keep reading to learn everything you should know about freezing crepes, and then some.
A Complete Guide to Freezing Crepes
Crepes are fairly easy to make. They are light and airy and commonly used for a dessert or breakfast food menu option. You can do a lot of different things with crepes. They are very similar to pancakes, but they do have some very definite differences as well.
What is a Crepe?
If you’re not familiar with crepes, we’ve got you covered. The crepe originated in France and is essentially a very thinly made pancake. Crepes can be made to be either sweet or savory. They can be served flat with toppings or rolled up to hold toppings.
The most common way to serve crepes is to fill them and wrap them up almost like a burrito. Again, they can be made in 2 different ways (sweet or savory) so the fillings may vary depending on just which type is being made. Sweet is the more common concoction and mostly what crepes are known for.
Here are some ideas for things you can do with your crepes.
- Fold and fill with sautéed mushrooms
- Top with yogurt and oats
- Fill with meat and eggs
- Fold and top with cinnamon, bananas, and Nutella
- Top with various fruits and creams
- Roll with various fruits and creams
- Top with powdered sugar and syrup
- Fill with almond slices and bananas and drizzle with chocolate
As you can see there are a variety of ways to eat your crepes. Whether you want to eat them with sweets or with vegetables, there are plenty of options for you. This list just provides you with a few popular ideas for your crepes but you certainly are not limited to these ideas.
Crepes vs. Pancakes
Crepes and pancakes are often thought to be interchangeable. While they are very similar, they each have their own unique characteristics. They are typically served differently as well.
Pancakes are always served flat. They can be topped with various toppings like fruits, butter, creams, and of course syrup. They usually are fluffy and thick compared to the paper-thin consistency of a crepe.
Pancake batter has a rising agent that helps to make the pancake fluffier. Crepes do not have a rising agent, which is why they are thin in comparison. It is the rising agent that causes the primary difference in texture and thickness between the crepe and pancake.
Additionally, crepes are typically served folded or rolled with their toppings and can be served with vegetables and eggs and meat. Pancakes are mostly served with sweet toppings. Crepes can have toppings or fillings and they can be a much larger variety of items than pancakes.
How Crepes Are Made
As we previously discussed, crepes can be made to be either sweet or savory. We wanted to share with you a general guidline as to how crepes are made just so you know what types of ingredients you might be working with when you freeze your crepes.
This is a general guideline for sweet crepes. Just know that all instruction we provide for freezing instructions will work for both sweet and savory crepes.
- You will need all-purpose flour, eggs, milk, water, salt, and butter.
- Whisk flour and eggs together in a mixing bowl.
- Add milk and water gradually, stirring in to combine.
- Add salt and butter and beat until smooth.
- Heat oil in a skillet on medium to high heat.
- Use about ¼ cup of batter per crepe. Pour it in the pan and tilt the pan around to spread into a circle. (You can also use a ladle to do this.)
- Cook for about 2 minutes on each side until the crepe is turning golden brown.
It’s that simple. The cooking process is also quite similar to that of a pancake. You can also cook your crepes on a griddle as well.
Before you prepare your crepes for freezing purposes, be sure to let them fully cool. If you do not let them cool, they will retain too much moisture or may stick together.
Storing Crepes in the Freezer
Freezing your crepes is very simple. It is recommended to separate your crepes with parchment paper, wax paper, or freezer paper. This just prevents them from sticking together and being hard to take apart when you’re ready to take them out of the freezer.
The most important thing you should know is that crepes should be frozen before they are wrapped, topped, or filled with various ingredients. While you can freeze them afterward, the process works much better if you are simply freezing cooked crepes.
This makes using them after freezing much easier as well. Simply plan ahead and only top, fill, or wrap the crepes as you use them. This will be the best method for using and freezing your crepes.
Here are your instructions for storing crepes in the freezer.
- Allow crepes to cool to room temperature. Freeze within 2 hours of cooking them.
- Use paper towels, wax paper, or another similar substance to separate crepes. Stack them as you go.
- Move the stack of separated crepes into a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. Be sure to sell your storage device appropriately.
- Label, date, and seal package.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Store in the freezer for up to 12 months.
As you can see, storing your crepes in the freezer is a simple process. It is almost equally as simple to use your crepes after they have been frozen.
If you plan to reheat several crepes at one time, you can do so in the microwave, oven, or even on the stovetop. In fact, you can microwave a stack of crepes for about 15 seconds and have them ready to use.
You can either allow the crepes to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or you can just reheat them from a frozen state. Either method will work acceptably and either method will produce great results.
Your guide to freezing crepes is simple and straightforward. We’re sure your stomach will thank you later when you’re enjoying those crepes again, and again, and again.
Related Questions
We hope you have found this guide to freezing crepes to be a valuable resource for your needs. We encourage you to give it a try and see just how easy it is to freeze your crepes and reheat them.
The great thing is, you can make them in bulk and sort them into servings for freezing purposes. This makes them versatile and simple when you need a quick solution. Just pull them from the freezer and proceed!
We invite you to take a look at our question and answer section for some additional information.
How Long Can I Freeze My Filled Crepes?
If you need to freeze crepes that were filled, you should be able to freeze them for 4-6 months, depending on the ingredients.
Remember that some fillings will freeze much better than others. Be sure to wrap them individually with plastic wrap to keep them separate as the freezer will make them fragile.
Do Pancakes and Crepes Taste the Same?
Many people associate crepes and pancakes together but they are quite different. They do have a similar base flavor and composition.
However, the end result of crepes without the rising agent makes it sweet and light rather than thick and fluffy.
Are Crepes Considered Healthy?
Crepes are made primarily with flour, which means they are high in carbohydrates. However, a crepe is not necessarily unhealthy, particularly if filled with healthy ingredients. Just be mindful not to eat too many in one sitting.
Can Crepes Go Bad?
Your crepe is not likely to spoil. However, over time it could lose flavor or texture due to extensive storage time.
You should be able to store your crepes for quite some time without worry of this. If they do appear to have an off odor, throw them out.
