Many consider themselves experts of the battered snack, but how well do you really know your pancake types?
The simplicity of the pancake means that it has been tried, tested, and tried again a hundred times over, with each effort forming something slightly different to the last. Now, thousands of years after it first made its way into our diets, you can find multiple types of pancakes around the world. From the well-known French crêpes and Scotch pancakes, to the Dutch poffertje and Korean jeon, which will you be dining on this Pancake Day?
If you want to diverge from the standard English pancake recipe, take your pick from the different types of pancakes around the world below.
French Crêpes
French crêpes are well known in the UK and are officially made in a crêpe pan to form a thin pancake. Made from flour, milk and eggs, these are closest counterparts to English pancakes, and can be served sweet or savoury. The key to getting it right? Keep your French crêpes super thin for a light-as-air treat.
American-Style Pancakes
Another pancake that has successfully made its way over to the UK, the American-style pancakes differ from our thin variations. The American pancake recipe uses a rising agent like baking powder to form much thicker, fluffier pancakes. These are best served with maple syrup and bacon for breakfast, or as a dessert with fruit, cream or yoghurt.
Scotch Pancakes
Similar to American pancakes, Scotch pancakes (also known as drop scones) are made with flour, eggs, sugar, milk, salt and cream of tartar. They are made much smaller than a typical English pancake and are often served with jam or cream as a snack. Whip up a batch of Scotch pancakes this Shrove Tuesday for something a little different.
Indonesian Serabi
Made with rice flour and coconut milk and distinctively only cooked on one side, most Serabi are eaten sweet, but can be paired with cheese and meat for a savoury snack. This different type of pancake is enjoyed throughout Southeast Asia, and some recipes add pandan leaf juice to form a green hue.
Russian Blinis
Russian blinis, or buckwheat pancakes, are yeasted pancakes traditionally made from buckwheat flour and served savoury with sour cream or caviar. Mini blinis have become popular in the UK and are often eaten with smoked salmon as an appetiser. Think of them as the party type of pancake.
Moroccan Msemen
Taking a departure from the traditional types of pancake, Moroccan Msemens are square-shaped variations made from wheat flour and semolina. They are traditionally served savoury with meats and meals. A hearty alternative for your Shrove Tuesday supper.
Danish Aebleskiver
Sticking with pancakes that don’t conform to the norm, Danish Aebleskiver are served hot, fluffy and spherical! Made in a special frying pan with deep holes for each pancake, they are then consumed like doughnuts – dipped in jam and sprinkled in sugar.
Irish Boxty
Made with egg, flour, milk, butter and potato, Irish Boxtys (or potato pancakes) are a kind of pancake-hash brown hybrid. This type of pancake is best served as a savoury snack or as part of a delicious meal.
Korean Jeon
A savoury take on the pancake, the Jeon is made from eggs, wheat flour, rice and green onions. Differing from many pancakes that are then topped or used as a wrap, the Korean Jeon combines fish, meat or vegetables with the mixture so that the ingredients are cooked within, making it a meal in itself.
Italian Crespelle
The Italian take is a different type of pancake that is similar to that of the French crêpe. Made from eggs, milk and chestnut flour, it forms a thin pancake best served savoury with meat or cheese.
Australian Pikelet
Made from milk, flour, eggs and a touch of icing sugar, the Australian pikelet is a sort of blini-crumpet crossover. Pikelets are made small like a Scotch pancake and served with jam, cream or butter.
German Dutch Baby Pancake
Don’t be fooled by the name. The pinnacle of giant pancakes, the Dutch baby pancake more closely resembles a Yorkshire pudding. Made with eggs, flour, sugar, milk and seasoned with cinnamon or vanilla, they are mainly served sweet. The biggest difference to other types of pancakes around the world – they are actually baked in a cast iron pan, which helps to form their shape.
Swedish Raggmunk
Similar to the Boxty, Swedish Raggmunks are made with milk, eggs, wheat flour and grated potato. Once fried, they are often served up savoury with meat or as part of a meal.
Dutch Poffertjes
Made with yeast and buckwheat, Dutch Poffertjes have a light, spongy texture. Served sweet with cream and a dusting of sugar, they closely resemble their Danish counterpart in that they have to be cooked in a special pan to achieve their unique shape.
Finnish Pannukakka
A sweet, baked variation made of eggs, milk, sugar, flour and vanilla, the Finnish Pannakakku forms a thick pancake that is crisp on the top and soft in the middle. It’s best served sweet with cream, jam or fruit.
Who said there was such a thing as a simple pancake recipe?
Find the Ingredients You Need to Make these Different Types of Pancakes at SPAR
So if you’re looking for the perfect pancake for breakfast, tea or dessert – you’ve got a world of sweet and savoury pancakes to choose from to satisfy your appetite. Whether you’re sticking to the classic English pancake recipe or venturing further overseas with some different types of pancakes, find all the ingredients you need at your local convenience store.
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