When Macklemore sang “You know I feel good about these crêpes,” we felt that. Best Crepe Makers. Whether you’re a basic crêpe specialist or a buttermilk crêpe groupie, chances are you want a special pan to perfect your recipe. But what’s so special about a crêpe pan, aside from all the delicious brunch recipes in your future? Read on for all the details.
If you’re wondering whether pancakes and crêpes are the same, you’ve come to the right place. Made without baking powder, crêpes are the thinner, crispier, and dare we say cooler French cousin of pancakes. They’re perfect vehicles for all your favorite toppings, from the classic chocolate and banana combo to savory fillings like mushrooms and cheese. Read on for all the do’s and don’ts of shopping for a crêpe maker.
To really boost your breakfast game, check out our recommendations for the best waffle irons.
How we picked these products- Best Crêpe Makers And Pans
To find the best crêpe makers, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust. They tested a variety of crêpe pans and electric crêpe makers to see which ones were c’est magnifique and which ones were, well, crêpey (we had to). They evaluated everything from ease of use and cleanability to features and the finished crêpes’ quality (because who likes undercooked crêpe?!) to determine these top-rated picks.
Was John Denver singing about the delicious cakes he made on this griddle when he sang “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”? We can’t say for sure, but we think the Lodge 10.5-Inch Cast-Iron Griddle will put some pep in your step with its durable quality, even heat distribution, and ability to withstand high temperatures.
The Good Housekeeping Institute noted this pan cooked crêpes quickly, but keep in mind that the “handle does get hot” while in use. The Lodge comes in a variety of trendy colors and is pre-seasoned, so you get to reap all the benefits of cast iron without putting in any of the hard work. (Just please, for the love of crêpes, don’t put this in the dishwasher.)
If you’re looking for peak performance, look no further than the CucinaPro Electric Crêpe Maker, which boasts five temperature settings that helped this 12-inch model cook crêpes faster than any other electric options the Good Housekeeping Institute tested.
Though it’s hand-wash only, this gadget comes fully loaded with a bunch of convenient features, including sticky rubber feet to secure the base while you cook, green and red lights to indicate when the non-stick aluminum plate is hot enough to pour batter, and even a batter spreader, so you can be known as a skinny crêpe legend.
Furthermore, testers also loved the CucinaPro’s “very manageable size” and “relatively low profile”, which make it a breeze to store.
Gorgeous, gorgeous girls love crêpes…and saving money…which is why the Chefman 12-Inch Electric Crêpe Maker is such a great choice if you’re brunching on a budget.
Despite its lower price, this small appliance is plenty powerful, thanks to its 1000-watt heating element and adjustable temperature control knob. And for those who love to accessorize, it also comes with tools like a flat spreader and spatula.
Like many of the other electric models we recommend, the Chefman is not dishwasher-safe, but the Good Housekeeping Institute found the nonstick plate was still relatively easy to clean, saying “simply wipe with a damp cloth and you’re good to go”.
Le Creuset is pretty much synonymous with the term “heirloom piece”, so although the Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Crêpe Pan is the priciest crêpe maker on our list, this beauty is sure to last you a few generations—as confirmed by their lifetime guarantee—and look great while doing it.
Things might get a little hot and heavy, considering this pan is 4.5 pounds and its handle gets very warm during use, but the included wooden paddle and spreader solve these issues pretty easily. No matter what heat source you’re working with (even induction!) the Le Creuset Enameled Crêpe Pan heats up fast and works like a charm.
This colorful enameled pan is technically dishwasher-safe, but according to the Good Housekeeping Institute and Le Creuset itself, hand-washing is “recommended to maintain the nonstick coating”.
New to the art of crêpe making? Say “bonjour” to our favorite crêpe pan for beginners, the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic, which is budget-friendly and super easy to use. Perfect for those who want to try their hand at whipping up some basic crêpes for the first time, this lightweight pan is easy to flip and oven-safe up to 500°.
However, unlike some of our more durable recommendations, this one is not induction-safe and the Good Housekeeping Institute lamented that the Chef’s Classic “doesn’t seem to be good for longevity”, citing reasons such as the “nonstick wears off”. That being said, if you don’t want to spend much, this is a good option.
With a convenient wood scraper and keep-cool stainless steel handle, you’ll flip for the lightweight Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Crêpe Pan—literally! Praised by the Good Housekeeping Institute for being “good for flipping in the air”, this induction-safe, triple-reinforced pan is really and truly dishwasher-safe. Swoon.
Though hand-washing will help maintain the PFOA-free nonstick coating, Le Creuset guarantees that its Toughened Nonstick Crêpe Pan will never flake, peel, or rust. If you’re willing to pay a little more for optimal cleanability, this is the pan for you.
Cooking for a big family? The Proctor Silex Electric Crêpe Maker is sure to satisfy everyone’s crêpe cravings with its even cooking performance, eight heat levels, and large nonstick aluminum surface. Plus, it comes with multiple plastic tools, including a long spatula, spreader, and even a measuring cup, which left the Good Housekeeping Institute impressed, saying it “sits nicely inside [the] bowl to catch drips” thanks to its hooked design and consistently “scoops the perfect amount of batter.”
Though the Proctor Silex isn’t dishwasher-safe, you can safely stick its included accessories on the top rack for easy cleaning.