Pancake Mix Crepes

Learn how to make the best pancake mix crepes recipe! Super easy to whip up in a blender, they are perfectly thin with a tender texture and crispy edges. Pile them up with fresh fruit, jam, and a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt. A great breakfast and brunch idea for weekend mornings!

The best crepes with pancake mix

I love making crepes for weekend breakfasts and brunches. I also love baking with pancake mix, from banana bread to muffins to cookies and pie crust, and now these soft and light crepes!

Don’t get me wrong, pancakes and French toast have a designated spot at my breakfast table. But if you’re in the mood for something a bit more special, this easy crepe recipe with pancake mix is always a winner.

Pancake mix crepes are so delicious, folded up and stuffed with your favorite sweet or savory fillings. They taste just like classic French crepes with buttery, super crisp thin edges and everything.

Best of all, pancake batter crepes are super easy to make. The batter takes less than 5 minutes to prep in a blender with just 5 pantry staple ingredients, and they cook pretty fast as well. No doubt they will be a huge hit with your family!

Ingredients

Crepes out of pancake mix are such a delicious breakfast. The simple batter needs just 4 ingredients (plus butter for frying), and you can stuff them with whatever you like. Please find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

• Pancake mix: I often use Krusteaz buttermilk pancake mix, but the recipe works with about any pancake mix.
• Milk: Any type of milk works here (including dairy-free alternatives). I prefer whole milk for the best flavor, but you can also use 2% or skim milk.
• Egg: A large egg provides structure and binds the other ingredients together. Let the egg come to room temperature so it mixes readily into the batter.
• Vanilla extract adds flavor but is optional. You can skip it if you know you’ll be making savory crepes.
• Butter: I like to use butter to fry my pancakes because it gives them a rich buttery taste and a lovely golden-brown look. Cooking spray or a neutral-tasting vegetable oil is fine as well.

Tools

• Blender to mix the ingredients. Alternatively, use a large mixing bowl and a whisk.
• 1/4 cup measuring cup to portion the batter.
• Non-stick frying pan – any size from 8 to 10 inches is fine.
• Pancake turner or cooking spatula to flip the crepes.
• Baking sheet or large plate and aluminum foil to keep the crepes warm.

How to make crepes with pancake mix

This crepe recipe with pancake mix tastes so yummy and is super fun to put together. It’s a great dish to make with family and friends for breakfast and brunch, or just about any time. We even enjoy them as an afternoon snack. Let’s chat about the step-by-step:

#1: Mix batter

1. Combine liquid ingredients. Place the milk, egg, and vanilla into a blender. Apply the lid and whiz for a few seconds to mix until smooth.
2. Incorporate pancake mix. Remove the lid and pour the pancake mix into the blender. Cover and blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.

#2: Cook crepes

1. Preheat pan. Heat an 8-, 9-, or 10-inch non-stick frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Grease the pan lightly with butter.
2. Pour batter. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into the center of the pan. Immediately lift the pan off the heat and swirl the batter around to form a thin, even circle on the bottom of the pan. Keep turning and tilting the pan until the batter is evenly spread.
3. Cook crepes. Cook for about 1 minute, until the top looks set and matt, the edges are dry and begin to peel away from the pan, and the bottom is golden brown.
4. Flip crepe. Using a pancake turner or a spatula, slide under the crepe, lift off the pan, and flip over. If you have difficulty flipping crepes, use your turner/spatula to lift the crepe off the pan, and then use your fingertips to flip it over.
5. Finish cooking. Cook the other side for another minute, or until golden brown. Transfer the cooked crepe to a foil-lined baking sheet or plate and cover with tin foil to keep warm.
6. Repeat. Repeat this process with the remaining batter, grease the pan with small bits of butter, and adjust the heat as needed.

Cooking tips

Crepe perfection is only a few tips and tricks away! With a box of pancake mix and some know-how, you’ll be on your way to flipping the best pancake mix crepes in town.

• Mix in a blender: I like to mix the ingredients in a blender. It’s quick and easy and ensures there are no lumps in the batter. Alternatively, whisk everything together in a mixing bowl. Start with the pancake mix and gradually add the milk. Finally, whisk in the egg and vanilla.
• Make sure the batter is thin: Unlike thick pancake batter, pancake mix crepe batter should be very light and thin. In case your batter seems on the heavier side, thin it out with a bit more milk.
• Use a non-stick pan: It makes cooking the crepes so much easier without tearing or burning them. A traditional pan will also work, but make sure to heat it evenly and gently. You may need a few practice crepes to find the right temperature.
• Pan size: An 8- to 10-inch / 20 to 25 cm pan is ideal for perfectly round crepes. Simply cover the entire pan bottom with a thin layer of batter. A larger pan is okay too, but achieving a perfectly round shape can be harder.
• Grease pan: A little butter or cooking spray keeps the crepes from sticking. Just don’t use too much or your crepes might become greasy.
• Portion the batter: Use a 1/4 cup dry measuring cup with a long handle to portion the batter and ensure that all crepes have the same sizes and thickness.
• Disperse the batter: Since the pan is hot and crepes cook quickly, take the pan off the heat immediately after pouring the batter. Then tilt the pan in different directions to swirl the batter around the pan.
• Don’t let the pan get too hot: Medium-low to medium heat works best to cook crepes. Too high heat can result in the crepes burning and becoming dry. I usually adjust the temperature serval times throughout the cooking process, changing between medium-low and low temperature settings.

Serving suggestions

You can utilize pancake mix crepes for all kinds of sweet and savory meals. This is your chance to get creative and try new flavor combinations.

Just imagine what you enjoy on pancakes and waffles, and I promise you’ll love the same toppings on crepes out of pancake mix too. Here are a few delicious ideas to inspire you:

Sweet crepe filling & topping ideas

• Sugar and lemon juice
• Cinnamon and maple syrup
• Whipped cream and sliced strawberries
• Lemon curd and blueberries
• Sour cream and raspberry jam
• Nutella and bananas
• Whipped ricotta and orange marmalade
• Whipped cream cheese or mascarpone and pie filling

Savory fillings & toppings

• Ham and shredded cheddar cheese
• Mashed sweet potato and fried chicken
• Scrambled eggs and crispy bacon
• Sautéed mushrooms, herbs, and parmesan shavings
• Sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil
• Sauteed spinach & gruyere cheese

How to assemble pancake mix crepes

• Rolls: Spread the filling over the entire crepe, leaving a 1/2 inch / 1.5 cm border on one side. Then roll the crepe up toward the space you left empty.
• Quarters: Spread your desired filling over half of the crepe pancakes recipe. Fold the crepe over, creating a half-moon shape, then fold it over again into a quarter. You can place 4 quartered crepes back into a buttered skillet to warm the filling.

Storing instructions

How to store pancake mix crepes

Crepes using pancake mix store really well and still taste fresh and delicious once reheated. You can refrigerate or freeze your crepes and enjoy them warmed up in minutes.

• Store: If you have leftovers or want to meal prep, stack your crepes in a sealable bag and store them in the fridge for up to 7 days.
• Meal prep: Pancake mix crepes are excellent meal prep ingredients if you plan your week accordingly. Having a stack in the fridge or freezer for a quick breakfast or snack is super convenient.

Freeze crepes with pancake mix

• Freeze: Separate each crepe with parchment paper (so they don’t stick together), wrap the stack tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Defrost: Thaw the whole bundle in the fridge overnight, or take out individual crepes as needed and thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Reheat pancake mix crepes

• Individual crepe: Warm a single crepe in a non-stick pan or skillet. You can add a smidgen of butter and cook over medium heat until warm and crispy, about 30 to 40 seconds.
• Stack of crepes: Wrap the crepes in tin foil and heat in a 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4 oven until warmed through, about 5 to 10 minutes.

FAQ

What are crepes?

Crepes are light, thin French-style pancakes with a soft texture and delicate crispy edges. Unlike American pancakes, crepes are made without baking powder and baking soda, the leaveners that make American pancakes thick and fluffy.

Crepes also contain a higher portion of liquid (milk and eggs), which makes the batter more liquid and results in thinner pancakes.

Crepes are often served for breakfast or brunch but can also be enjoyed for lunch and dinner. They can be handed with sweet and savory toppings and fillings.

Can I make crepes with pancake mix?

Yes! Making crepes with pancake mix is such a fun and easy way to cook crepes. Though pancake mix has leavener, it still creates thin, crispy pancakes.

Do I need a special crepe pan to make pancake mix crepes?

No. You can cook your crepes in a specialty crepe pan if you have one, but it isn’t necessary. I always make crepe in a regular 9-inch / 23 cm pan and get perfect results.

Is pancake mix crepe batter the same as regular pancake batter?

No. Although the ingredients are similar, crepe batter is much thinner than classic pancake batter. This ensures the crepes turn out light and delicate.

Reasons to love pancake mix crepes

• Taste: Pancake mix crepes have a buttery, subtly sweet flavor. Unlike traditional crepes, they don’t taste eggy at all since there’s only one egg in the batter.
• Texture: Thin and flat, pancake mix crepes are tender and springy to the touch. They are perfect for rolling and folding with sweet and savory fillings.
• Ease: They may appear intimidating, but crepes using pancake mix are a breeze to make in just a few simple steps.
• Time: This crepe recipe with pancake mix will take about 30 minutes from start to finish. You can also prep the crepes ahead of time.

More crepe recipes

Want more easy crepe recipes? Here are our all-time favorite crepe recipes that you just have to try!

• Swedish Pancakes
• Buttermilk Crepes
• Frittata Crepes
• Savory Spinach Crepes

Other breakfast recipes to try

On the days you aren’t cooking crepes, try these tasty breakfast ideas. They are easy, family-friendly, and will get you situated for the week!

• New York Cheesecake Pancakes
• Condensed Milk Pancakes
• Triple Chocolate Pancakes
• Blackberry Pancakes
• Bread Pudding
• Hamburger Bun French Toast
• Condensed Milk French Toast
• Buttermilk Bread Pudding