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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
Crepes are thin pancakes that are rolled or folded and can be enjoyed with sweet or savory fillings, from chocolate-hazelnut spread and jam to scrambled eggs and chives or even shrimp and lobster. If you've enjoyed crepes from a restaurant or street cart, you may be wondering how you can recreate the dish at home. Well, you can buy a crepe maker, and we rounded up the best options below.
Best Overall Electric
NutriChef Electric Griddle and Crepe Maker
Heats quickly and evenly
Quick temperature adjustments
Multipurpose
Inexpensive
Makes an electrical buzzing sound
Difficult to get crepes of even size and shape
The NutriChef Electric Crepe Maker has a large, 12-inch cooking surface and a simple dial for temperature control to make the perfect crepes, but we particularly liked that it can also be used to make anything else you’d cook on a standard griddle, such as eggs, bacon, and sausage. You can even use it to heat tortillas or flatbreads.
In testing, crepes turned out beautifully on both sides. The cooking surface is nonstick aluminum that heats quickly and evenly, and thanks to the raised outer edge, we never had to worry about batter, fats, or juices spilling over the sides. That said, it's low enough as to not interfere with a spatula when it comes time to remove food from the cooking surface. A wooden batter spreader and a wooden spatula for making and handling crepes are included. Just note that you have to wash the spreader after each crepe to avoid it sticking to the next one.
Price at time of publish: $31
Material: Aluminum | Diameter: 12 inches | Power: 1,000 watts
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
Runner-Up, Best Overall Electric
Health and Home No Edge Crepe Maker
Powerful heating element
Heats quickly and evenly
Large cooking surface
Easy to clean
No raised edge to catch drips
This electric crepe maker offers a 1,000-watt heating element that gets you up to temp fast and a 13-inch-diameter surface for cooking regular or large crepes. You can even make two or three mini crepes, perfectly sized for kids.
Like other good nonstick cooking surfaces, this one releases crepes easily and makes cleanup easy, too. There’s a temperature control knob to adjust the temperature, and a light indicates when it's done preheating. Side handles make this easy to move or reposition, and a wooden batter spreader is included.
Since there's no lip around the cooking surface, you might not want to cook foods that would release liquid or fat during cooking since it would drip off the edges, but you can certainly use this as a multipurpose appliance for eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and more.
Price at time of publish: $56
Material: Aluminum | Diameter: 13 inches | Power: 1,000 watts
Fantastic nonstick
Oven-safe up to 500 degrees
Stay-cool handles
Lightweight, but durable
Lifetime warranty
Not induction compatible
Cuisinart employed its proprietary Quantanium nonstick on this one, and with a name like that, you know it's serious. The titanium reinforced coating provides easy release and cleaning in tandem with the hard-anodized exterior, which is tougher than stainless steel, dense, porous, and highly wear-resistant. This pan heats quickly and evenly, promises no hot spots, and features a stay-cool handle to protect those hands. The handle also has a hole at the end for hanging storage.
Not only does this crepe pan perform on a stovetop, but it can also go into the oven up to 500 degrees. It even comes with a lifetime warranty, so while it's durable, you can rest easy knowing you're covered. Only use wooden and plastic utensils with this pan, and wash it by hand exclusively. One last thing: Those with induction cooktops, this is not the choice for you, as it is not induction-ready.
Price at time of publish: $25
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Diameter: 10 inches | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees
Best for Beginners
Nordic Ware Traditional French Steel Crepe Pan
Effective nonstick coating
Large cooking area
Affordable
Made in America
Easy to clean
Induction compatible
Nonstick coating may wear over time
Hand wash only
Made from craftspeople in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this traditional crepe pan works on any stove, including induction. It’s made from aluminized steel and has a nonstick surface, so the crepes release easily and cleanup is simple—just hand wash with a mild detergent. The steel conducts heat well, allowing super-thin crepes to cook evenly. In addition to the high-performance nonstick, we chose this as our best for beginners pick because of the affordability, versatility, large cooking surface, higher walls to avoid splatters, and long, stay-cool stainless steel handle for easy maneuvering.
This 10-inch pan is big enough for standard or large crepes. It’s made in America, but has an imported handle. The sloped edge makes it so that crepes can slide out of the pan without tearing, so you can make a large batch and stack them neatly until you're ready to add toppings or make a crepe cake. (Here's our recipe for Earl Grey-infused crepe cake with mascarpone cream filling.) When you’re not making crepes, you can use this pan to make eggs, crispy hash browns, omelets, or standard pancakes.
Price at time of publish: $32
Material: Aluminized steel | Diameter: 10 inches | Oven Safe Temperature: 450 degrees
Best Cast Iron
Lodge 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Griddle
Affordable
Durable
Pre-seasoned
Cast iron requires special care and cleaning
Hand wash only
Lodge is known for cast iron cookware and makes this durable 10.5-inch griddle pan that can be used as a crepe maker. The pan has low side walls and a cooking surface that makes it easy to spread crepe batter and flip pancakes. It comes pre-seasoned to help foods release from the pan, but you'll still need to properly clean and oil it after each use to maintain the cast iron and its nonstick properties.
Also: Remember to use an oven mitt when reaching for the pan's handle since cast iron gets extremely hot (unless you go for the version with the silicone hot handle holder), but all that heat means food cooks quickly and evenly—just monitor your stove's heat and turn it down if necessary so you don't end up with a burnt meal. This option should last you a lifetime, and you can go ahead and use it for non-crepe food items, too, such as vegetables, tortillas, and sandwiches. As with all cast iron, you'll want to wash this by hand and dry it quickly to avoid rust.
Price at time of publish: $33
Material: Cast iron | Diameter: 10.5 inches | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees
Best Cordless
Salton Crepe and Tortilla Maker
Makes consistently sized crepes
Heats quickly
Lightweight pan
Slightly uneven cooking surface
Small crepe size
This crepe maker has a unique design: It features a removable, cordless pan that, once heated, you remove from the base, turn upside down, and dip directly into the batter for three seconds before returning right-side up to the base to finish cooking. This allows you to create the thinnest crepes possible with no batter overflow. The nonstick cooking surface is 7.5 inches in diameter; this is exactly how big your crepes will be. To remove the them, just flip the cooker over or use the included spatula.
We found that this was super simple to operate, since there's only one heat setting and therefore no need to adjust to find the perfect temperature. It also heated incredibly fast, so there wasn't much waiting around involved. An indicator light pops on when your crepe is done cooking, which is convenient, but we found it was best to keep an eye on the batter's surface and watch for dissipated steam to determine doneness. This took about 30 to 45 seconds per crepe.
Like the majority of crepe makers on this list, you could also use this for other applications, such as frying an egg, but don't dip the cooking surface into the yolks—use it upright. The pan portion of this appliance is cordless and gets its power from the base unit, which plugs into a wall outlet. The power cord tucks away neatly for storage, and a batter tray is included.
Price at time of publish: $56
Material: Nonstick cooking surface, plastic housing | Diameter: 7.5 inches | Power: 800 watts
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
Best High-End
Le Creuset Cast Iron Crepe Pan
Visually appealing
Large cooking surface
Durable build
Lifetime warranty
Expensive
Surface doesn't heat evenly
Slow to warm
Entire pan gets hot, including handle
The Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Crepe Pan retains heat to cook one crepe after another without pausing. The exterior is colorful enamel, and the interior is a satin-finish black that will never need the seasoning that raw cast iron requires. It can be used on any stovetop and in the oven up to 500 degrees.
We found that using this pan takes a bit of practice. Because the pan tends to get hotter in areas where it contacts the burner, we had to make our crepes a little smaller so that the edges cooked, too. After a few tries, once we got the temperature right and figured out how to use the pastry spreader, the crepes started turning out much better. The pointed edge of the crepe turner slid under the crepes without a problem, allowing us to flip them easily without splashing the batter.
When you’re not making crepes, you can use this on the stove to cook things like eggs or pancakes, or to heat tortillas or flatbreads. Since it's oven-safe, you can use it in the oven to cook personal pizzas, too. It can be cleaned in the dishwasher or washed by hand with hot soap and water.
Price at time of publish: $184
Material: Enameled cast iron | Diameter: 10.5 inches | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
The Spruce Eats / Stacey L. Nash
Best With Temperature Control
CucinaPro 12" Griddle & Crepe Maker
Raised edge keeps batters and other liquids contained
Large cooking surface
Five temperature levels
Some say included spreader is too big, flimsy
This maker from CucinaPro gives you a 12-inch cooking surface with raised edges, so you don't have to worry about spills, and five different temperature settings for the ultimate control over crepes and anything else you might want to griddle: pancakes, bacon, eggs, hash browns, French toast, and more. The indicator light, located on the front of the appliance, lets you know when the cooking surface is up to temp.
In a sea of positive reviews, one longtime user wrote that they'd used this crepe maker every Saturday as part of a family tradition for 11 years (minus a dozen vacations or so) and loved it so much that when it finally kicked the bucket, they bought another one. Not bad for a machine that costs less than $50.
Price at time of publish: $38
Material: Aluminum | Diameter: 12 inches | Power: 1,000 watts
Best Carbon Steel
De Buyer Blue Steel Crepe & Tortilla Pan
Smooth nonstick surface
Lighter than cast iron
Induction compatible
Affordable
Easy to clean
Needs seasoning and maintenence
Hand wash only
Crepes originated in France, so it should come as no surprise that the coveted cookware brand behind this durable and easy-to-use pan is French, too. De Buyer uses a blend of iron and steel for its blue carbon steel crepe pan, which comes in 7, 8, and 9.5 inches and has an extra-large welded handle designed to keep your hands away from the heat and execute the flipping required for making the perfect, thin pancake, ready to be filled with turkey and mushrooms, cranberries and cream cheese, or ham and cheese.
After you've scrubbed away the beeswax coating and given it the mineral oil seasoning it deserves, you'll quite enjoy the smooth surface, which allows an effortless removal of crepes and painless cleaning. If you'd rather use a pan with slightly better heat distribution, de Buyer also has a crêpe pan from its Mineral B cookware line.
Price at time of publish: $32
Material: Carbon steel | Diameter: 7, 8, and 9.5 inches | Oven Safe Temperature: 400 degrees
The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
Best Portable
Moss & Stone Electric Crepe Maker
Automatic temperature control
Comes with non-stick dipping plate
Long handle for mobility
Trickier to store with long handle
Most crepe makers sit on the countertop or stove while you move around the kitchen. How about a crepe maker that moves with you? This electric non-stick crepe maker from Moss & Stone does just that. After cooking up a crepe in a speedy 20 seconds, just lift the whole thing up by the long handle, and slide the crepe off onto a waiting plate. No need to fumble with spatulas or worry about tearing the thin pastry. The handle will stay cool-to-the-touch and keep your hands away from the heat, too.
Moss & Stone also add in a non-stick dipping plate where you can either store cooked crepes or dip them into chocolate or peanut butter for an even coating. It's a great option for cooks on the go. And, given its smaller size, you can easily travel with it for crepes on vacations, at family reunions, or big brunch parties.
Price at time of publish: $31
Diameter: 8 inches | Power: 800 watts
Final Verdict
If you're looking for an electric model, we recommend the NutriChef Electric Griddle and Crepe Maker, which received a perfect score from us in testing. Prefer a stovetop pan? The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 10-Inch Crepe Pan is affordable, has great nonstick properties, and is both easy to use and clean.
What to Look for in a Crepe Maker
Material
Many crepe pans are made with nonstick material. Similar to your favorite everyday nonstick cookware, this would allow you to use less butter or oil and release the crepe easily. Plus, the construction is typically lightweight for optimal control, and cleanup is a piece of cake when you don't have bits and pieces burned onto your pan.
There are also cast iron and enameled cast options, which heat to much higher temperatures than nonstick and electric options, and they'll likely last longer, too. Just keep in mind these are much heavier, and therefore more difficult to manage, and the handles get hot. Cast iron also requires additional maintenance and seasoning as part of its upkeep (here's a look at what that requires) and will become more nonstick over time with proper care. Enameled cast iron does not.
Size
Different crepe makers produce crepes of varying sizes, so if you have a preference, pay special attention to the surface area. If you plan to use simple fillings, such as peanut butter, sugar, cream cheese, and so forth, a small pan is likely a fine choice. If you want to stuff your pastry with thicker items, such as fruit, meat, and more, pick a bigger surface area so that you have more room for fillings.
Also, if you plan to use the crepe maker for other purposes, like frying eggs or making bacon, make sure it has enough room to get the job done.
Versatility
Some crepe makers are designed with just crepes in mind, while others are meant to cook other foods, as well. Electric models will typically have a raised lip around the edge of the cooking surface to contain not only batter, but also egg yolks, juice and grease from meat, and other liquids. Consider the food you want to cook as well as the other pans and tools you have. If storage space is tight, a model that can serve double duty can be helpful.
FAQs
How do you make crepes?
The first step in making crepes is to prepare the batter. Crepe batter contains similar ingredients to other baked goods, including flour, eggs, milk, butter, and salt, but they do not require a leavening agent since they don't need to rise. Batter for sweet crepes may also have sugar and vanilla or almond extract.
The completed batter should be thin, and once prepared, it helps to refrigerate before cooking. The crepe pan or crepe maker should be preheated with a small amount of butter, oil, or cooking spray. The ideal amount of batter to add to the pan is about 1/4- to 1/3-cup of batter per crepe.
"For a standard 8- to 9-inch-diameter pan, start with 1/4 cup of batter right in the center and work your way around quickly by tilting the pan in a round motion and letting the batter fill the surface instead of pouring the batter on the entire surface," advises Sujhey Beisser, a personal chef and the creator of Five Senses Palate.
The batter should be quickly swirled or spread around the pan, as crepes cook very quickly. The first side should cook for about 30 seconds, then flip with a spatula and cook the other side for another 10 to 20 seconds. Repeat the process until all the batter has been used.
Should you let crepe batter rest?
"All crepe recipes call for the batter to sit in the fridge for at least [one to] two hours to allow the flour to absorb the liquid and obtain the right consistency," says Beisser. "Making it the night before is a time saver in the morning."
Just make sure to give your batter a good whisk again before cooking.
Do you need to oil a crepe maker?
Yes—even if you're using a nonstick pan, you should lightly grease the surface with oil or butter, using a paper towel to wipe out the excess.
Can you make crepes with pancake mix?
Pancake mix can be used as a shortcut to make crepe batter. The finished crepes may not be as thin and flat as traditional crepes, since most pancake mixes contain a leavening agent, which produces a thicker and fluffier texture. Milk, egg, and any optional extracts will need to be added to the pancake mix, and the cooking process is the same as using standard crepe better.
How do you clean a crepe maker?
Most crepe pans should be washed by hand. If you're using a raw cast iron pan, it will need to be thoroughly dried and oiled after each wash to prevent rust. Check out the product's user manual for your exact pan to be sure of the best way to clean it.
Electric crepe makers have nonstick cooking surfaces that are easy to clean. Simply unplug the unit and let it cool completely after making your crepes, then wipe the cooking surface clean with a damp cloth.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a cookbook author, as well as a writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats, specializing in all the latest kitchen gadgets. She's tested over 90 products for the brand.
This roundup was updated by Taylor Rock, a Spruce Eats commerce editor and crepe-lover, and Katya Weiss-Andersson, a writer and editor who has nearly a decade of experience as a professional chef.
Sources
Sujhey Beisser is a personal chef and the creator of Five Senses Palate.