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How to Find the Best Pancake or Crepe Pan

Updated on November 26, 2015
Nanciajohnson profile image

I enjoy painting fantasy art, going to art shows, creating delicious dishes, being with my grandkids, taking walks, and reading good books.

Why Do You Need a Specialty Pancake Pan?

Are you asking, why do I need a specialty pancake pan for my family? Well, making wonderful pancakes, crepes or other types of pancakes will need just the right specialty pan. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and pancakes are usually on the list of everyone's favorite morning meal. I must have made hundreds of pancakes over a lifetime already, and I am always successful when I have a good pan for what I am making.

My family loves every time of pancake there is! We own a collection of different pans for the different types of pancakes out there. We of course love the regular cake type round pancake, but also love the thin crepes, round Danish pancakes called Ableskivers, potato pancakes or "latkes", waffles and more. Breakfast brunch is our family's favorite type of get-together to have at all special holidays such as Mother's or Father's Day, Easter, and special birthdays.

This photo is of my eldest son making crepes for a family brunch last weekend. He has picked up the torch in making delicious pancakes and crepes. As you can see he has a nice non-stick crepe pan (Father's Day gift from his mom!). Look closely just under the pan and you will see the stack of crepes he is creating. Also, notice there is no batter sticking on the pan!

There are other specialty pancake pans to consider owning too. I have a cast-iron Elbelskiver Pan also that has made hundreds of Danish puff pancakes. When you use the proper pans and tools, you will have success in the kitchen. I hope you find your favorite style of pancake pan too.

Photo by Nancia

square pancake griddle
square pancake griddle

Square or Round Pancake Pans

Which shape do you prefer?

There are two shapes of pans to decide on before purchasing: a square griddle or a round pan. I prefer the square griddle to make pancakes at home. I have used a square pan for as long as I can remember. I recommend a heavy griddle with the handle bolted on.

However, there are wonderful round pancake pans that can be used for a number of different types of pancakes. There is the silver dollar pancake pan that makes three inch mini-pancakes at one time. The kids love this size pancake because they are kid-size. This round silver dollar pan is good to make specialty desserts too. Nordic Ware makes a variety of fun character pancake pans to use if you have children. They even have a holiday pancake pan for Christmas morning breakfast.

Then there are round pancake pans that make one large pancake or a round crepe pan to make the thin pancakes called crepes. My son is an expert in crepe making and we look forward to the call to come over for family brunch. My son learned to make these delicious treats from his grandmother (my mom) when he was a teen. Now she enjoys it when my son makes them for her.

Photo by Nancia

Farberware Cookware Aluminum Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle, Gray
Farberware Cookware Aluminum Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle, Gray
I use this pan for so much more than just making pancakes! It is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, cooking bacon or fried eggs!
 

Pancake Breakfast Needs

Pancake Pan

Light Oil

Pancake Mix

Wooden Spoon

Pancake Syrup

Soft Butter

Breakfast Plate

Fork

Appetite

pancake batter ingredients
pancake batter ingredients

Best Pancake Batter Recipe

This is the recipe I use when making pancakes. It is taken from my grandmother's Ann Pillsbury Baking Book (circa 1950). The recipe turns out a medium-thick pancake. If you want a thinner pancake, add a bit more liquid or thicker pancakes, put in a bit less liquid.

Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20-30 minutes

Serves: Eight 4" Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sifted flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat pancake pan or griddle.
  2. Mix dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. Add in egg, milk and oil. Mix just until large lumps disappear.
  3. Ladle small amount onto hot, greased griddle. Bake until bubbles form and begin to break.
  4. Flip with pancake turner and bake on other side until edges are dry. Serve hot right off the griddle.
Cast your vote for Homemade Pancake Batter

Fina a Fun Pancake Pan For Kids

Nordic Ware character pancake pans are fun for families with young children. The small 3" sized pancakes are fun for younger children. They will love the characters such as farm animals, zoo animals, smiley faces, holiday characters and more cooked right into their pancake. I purchased the barn animals one for my grandchildren since their daddy loves to make pancakes for them.

This is a perfect size for those with small appetites. If you have young children, you know they do not like the large monster sized (in their eyes) pancakes that adults eat, but love how these small versions of their favorite breakfast food is made especially for them. When entertaining my grandchildren, I even have individual little syrup holders for each of them. They love their special time at grandma's house!

Nordic Ware Barnyard Pancake Pan
Nordic Ware Barnyard Pancake Pan
Fun animal shapes cooked right on the pancakes. I bought this one for my grandchildren to enjoy at breakfast time.
 

Are You a Pancakes or Waffles Person?

If you could have your choice, would you pick pancakes or waffles for breakfast?

See results
crepe filling
crepe filling

the Best Crepe Recipe

I have had this family crepe recipe from my mother since I was a little girl. It was the recipe her mother used to make crepes for her when she was a little girl. It is the one we still use in the family. As you can see this recipe has been handed down for generations in our family. It is still a winning recipe.

Note: It is best if you make the batter the night before you will be cooking the crepes.

Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20-30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of sugar

Instructions

  1. Beat eggs in mixing bowl. Gradually add flour, whisking as you add to beaten eggs. Stir in milk, vanilla, salt and sugar. Set aside (or overnight in refrigerator). Preheat crepe pan until hot. Lightly oil or use a spray oil. Ladle batter into center of crepe pan, twisting pan at the same time so the batter spread to all sides of the pan. Bake until the batter is no longer shiny. Remove crepe to plate and repeat process until batter is all gone.
  2. We serve our crepes with fresh fruit preserves; spread on crepe, roll tightly and eat with fingers. Or, fill the crepes with a cream cheese and cream filling. Serve with fresh berries.
  3. Photo by LilMonkey

How to Cook Crepes - by Taste of Home

Ebelskiver Pan
Ebelskiver Pan

What are Ebelskiver or Takayoki Pans?

Other specialty pancake pans that I mentioned before are Ebleskiver and Takayoki pans. These pans fry the sweet Danish stuffed pancakes called Ebelskivers (or Ableskivers) and the unusual Japanese octopus dumplings called Takoyaki. Both pans have deep wells made into the pan so you can fry the dough or batter rolling as you fry to form the most perfect round pancake or dumpling.

Ebelsiver pans come in either a non-stick cast-aluminum or cast-iron type of pan. I prefer the cast iron for my Ebelskiver pan and have used one for years. It is a heavier pan, but the stuffed pancakes fry up so evenly without burning. Cast iron conducts the heat evenly. The only problem there could be with a cast iron pan is that you should not use it on a glass top stove.

The Takoyaki pan comes in cast-aluminum, cast-iron or electric counter-top styles. The size of the pan can be a stove top size with 12 molds to a large griddle size with 24 molds. This is a very popular snack in some areas of Japan and is served with a soy sauce or mayonnaise sauce.

Photo from Google Images

Nordic Ware Danish Ebelskiver Pan,Black 16.00 x 9.63 x 2.38 Inches
Nordic Ware Danish Ebelskiver Pan,Black 16.00 x 9.63 x 2.38 Inches
Another family favorite type of pancake is the Danish style made in an Ebleskiver Pan. It is lightweight and easy to handle with a nonstick surface that makes the perfect round pancakes.
 
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