Crepes From Pancake Mix

If you love crepes but always thought they were too fancy or complicated to make at home, you’re going to love this. I’ve been making crepes for years—from classic fruit-filled ones to dairy-free versions with almond milk and oat milk. But you know what? Sometimes you just don’t want to drag out ten ingredients or sift flour at 7 a.m.

That’s why I decided to see if pancake mix could pull double duty. Spoiler alert—it can! It took a little trial and error (and a few crepes that fell apart in my pan), but once I figured out the right tweaks, it became one of my favorite breakfast shortcuts.

Why I Love This Recipe

I’ve always thought crepes felt a little bit magical. They look so elegant rolled up with fruit and whipped cream, yet they’re really simple to make once you get the hang of it.

What I love most is how customizable they are. When I have friends or family over for brunch, I just set out a bunch of toppings—berries, Nutella, whipped cream, lemon and sugar—and everyone gets to make their own perfect crepe. It feels fancy without being fussy.

And sure, I usually make crepes from scratch, but there are mornings when I realize I’m out of flour or just want to keep it easy. That’s where this pancake-mix hack comes in handy. If you have pancake mix in the pantry, you’re halfway there.

Try other pancake recipes:

• Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
• Sweet Milk Pancakes
• Strawberry Pancakes

Ingredients Needed

• Pancake mix (any brand)
• Milk
• Melted butter
• Egg

That’s it. Nothing fancy here. I love recipes like this because I almost always have these on hand. I’ve even made them in a vacation rental kitchen with just a whisk and a cheap nonstick pan.

If you’re cooking with kids, this is a great recipe to let them help crack the eggs or whisk everything together. They get so excited to see the batter turn into these thin, delicate crepes.

The Challenges of Pancake Mix

Here’s something I learned the hard way: not all pancake mixes behave the same way.

There are two main types:

• “Complete” mixes where you just add water
• Ones that need you to add milk, eggs, and oil

At first, I figured I’d just thin out the “complete” mix with extra water to make it crepe-like. Sounded logical, right? Wrong.

My first batch was a complete mess. The batter poured beautifully, but when I tried to flip them? Total disaster. The crepes tore and clung to the spatula like wet tissue paper.

That’s because “complete” pancake mixes don’t have enough structure on their own once they’re thinned out that much.

What finally worked was adding milk, melted butter, and an egg. Suddenly, the batter had enough richness and stability to hold together during the flip.

I can’t tell you how happy I was when that first crepe flipped over in one beautiful piece. I think I actually did a little victory dance in my kitchen.

So learn from my mistakes—don’t just add water!

FAQ

Can I make these crepes dairy free?
I’ve done it with almond milk instead of dairy milk and it works well. I haven’t tried plant-based butter, but I imagine it would be fine too. Just check the pancake mix you’re using, since many do contain milk powder. There are a few dairy-free mixes out there—just keep an eye on the label.

Can I make the crepes ahead and reheat them?
I tried cooking all the crepes ahead and reheating them later. They turned out limp and kind of sad. Not recommended.

What does work well is making the batter ahead of time. I’ll often mix up the batter the night before, pop it in a covered jar in the fridge, and then cook the crepes fresh the next morning. The batter keeps well for up to 2 days, and the crepes taste just as good as if you made the batter fresh.

More Breakfast Ideas

If you’re like me and breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, try serving these crepes alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a big bowl of fresh berries.

They’re also perfect for brunch parties. Make a big stack, lay out toppings buffet-style, and let everyone build their own. It’s such an easy, relaxed way to entertain without spending all morning in the kitchen.

I hope you’ll give these pancake-mix crepes a try. They’re one of those clever little kitchen tricks that make life easier and tastier all at once. Let me know what fillings you love to use—I’m always looking for new ideas!