Can the crepes be frozen? - The best way
The crepes are delicious. They are a thin pancake-like structure that practically melts in your mouth. If you haven’t tried them yet, you’re missing out! If you’re a big fan of crepes, you’ve come to the right place.
Crepes are also very versatile. You can do a lot of different things with them. Whether you want to add fruit toppings or simply eat them rolled up in butter, there are so many ways to enjoy them.
Crepes are easy to make in large batches, but sure, then you need a method of preserving them.
Can the crepes be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the crepes and the process is very simple. You can make a big batch and freeze it with just some freezer paper or parchment and freezer bags.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the basic instructions for freezing crepes. We’ll share with you some basic knowledge about crepes, including how they’re made for general reference.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about freezing crepes, and then some.
Complete guide to freezing crepes
Crepes are pretty easy to make. They are light and airy and are often used as a dessert or breakfast menu option. You can do many different things with crepes. They are very similar to pancakes, but they also have some very clear differences.
What is a crepe?
If you are not familiar with crepes, we will explain it to you. The crepe originated in France and is essentially a very thin pancake. The crepes can be sweet or savory. They can be served flat with toppings or rolled to hold the toppings.
The most common way to serve crepes is to fill and wrap them almost like a burrito. Again, they can be made in two different ways (sweet or salty), so the fillings can vary depending on the type that is made. The sweet is the most common concoction and for which crepes are known.
Here are some ideas of things you can do with your crepes.
- Fold and fill with sautéed mushrooms
- Fill with yogurt and oats
- Fill with meat and eggs
- Fold and top with cinnamon, bananas, and Nutella
- Cover with various fruits and creams
- Roll up with various fruits and creams
- Cover with powdered sugar and syrup
- Fill with almond and banana slices and drizzle with chocolate
As you can see, there are a wide variety of ways to eat your crepes. Whether you want to eat them with sweets or vegetables, there are plenty of options for you. This list only gives you some popular crepe ideas, but you are certainly not limited to them.
crepes vs. Pancakes
Crepes and pancakes are often thought to be interchangeable. Although they are very similar, each one has its own characteristics. They are also often served differently.
Pancakes are always served flat. They can be topped with various toppings, such as fruit, butter, cream, and of course, syrup. They tend to be fluffy and thick compared to the papery consistency of a crepe.
The pancake batter has a raising agent that helps make the pancakes fluffier. The crepes do not have a raising agent, so they are thin in comparison. It is the raising agent that causes the main difference in texture and thickness between the crepe and the pancake.
Also, crepes are often 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 can be much more varied than pancakes.
How crepes are made
As we have already said, crepes can be made sweet or salty. We wanted to share with you a general guide on how crepes are made so that you know what types of ingredients you can work with when freezing your crepes.
This is a general guide for sweet crepes. You just have to know that all the instructions we provide for freezing work for both sweet and savory crepes.
- You will need plain flour, eggs, milk, water, salt, and butter.
- Beat the flour and eggs in a bowl.
- Gradually add the milk and water, stirring to combine.
- Add the salt and butter and beat until smooth.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium or high heat.
- Use about ¼ cup of batter per crepe. Pour it into the pan and tilt the pan to spread it out in a circle. (You can also use a ladle to do this.)
- Cook for about 2 minutes on each side until the crepe is browned.
It’s that simple. The cooking process is also quite similar to that of a crepe. You can also cook your crepes on a griddle.
Before you prepare your crepes to freeze, make sure you let them cool completely. If you don’t let them cool, they will retain too much moisture or may stick together.
Storing the crepes in the freezer
Freezing your crepes is very simple. It is recommended to separate the crepes with parchment paper, wax paper or freezer paper. This prevents them from sticking together and making them difficult to separate when you take them out of the freezer.
The most important thing to know is that crepes must be frozen before they are wrapped, covered or filled with various ingredients. Although you can freeze them afterwards, the process works much better if you simply freeze the cooked crepes.
This makes using them after freezing much easier too. Just plan ahead and only cover, fill or wrap the crepes as you use them. This will be the best method to use and freeze your crepes.
These are the instructions for storing the crepes in the freezer.
- Let the crepes cool to room temperature. Freeze within 2 hours of cooking.
- Use paper towels, wax paper, or another similar substance to separate the crepes. Stack them as you go.
- Transfer the stack of separated crepes to a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. Be sure to properly sell the storage device.
- Label, date and seal the container.
- Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Store it in the freezer for up to 12 months.
As you can see, storing your crepes in the freezer is a simple process. It’s almost as easy to use your crepes once frozen.
If you plan to reheat several crepes at once, you can do it in the microwave, oven, or even on the stove. In fact, you can microwave a stack of crepes for about 15 seconds and have them ready to go.
You can let the crepes thaw in the fridge overnight or simply reheat them from the frozen state. Either method will work acceptably and either will produce great results.
Your guide to freezing crepes is simple and straightforward. We’re sure your stomach will thank you later when you enjoy those crepes over and over again.
Related questions
We hope you have found this guide to freezing crepes a valuable resource for your needs. We encourage you to try it and see how easy it is to freeze your crepes and reheat them.
The best part is that you can make them in bulk and classify them into portions to freeze. This makes them versatile and easy when you need a quick fix. You just have to take them out of the freezer and proceed.
We invite you to take a look at our questions and answers section for more information.
How long can I freeze my filled crepes?
If you need to freeze filled crepes, you should be able to freeze them for 4-6 months, depending on the ingredients.
Remember that some fillings freeze much better than others. Be sure to wrap them individually in plastic wrap to keep them separate, as the freezer will make them brittle.
Do pancakes and crepes taste the same?
Many people associate crepes and pancakes, but they are quite different. They have a similar flavor and base composition.
However, the end result of the crepes without the raising agent makes them sweet and light instead of thick and fluffy.
Are crepes considered healthy?
Crepes are mostly made with flour, which means they are high in carbohydrates. However, a crepe is not necessarily unhealthy, especially if it is filled with healthy ingredients. You just have to keep in mind that you should not eat too many at one time.
Can crepes go bad?
Your crepe is not likely to go bad. However, over time it could lose flavor or texture due to long storage times.
You should be able to store your crepes for quite some time without worrying about this. If they seem to have a foul odor, throw them away.