Italian crespelle pancakes recipe

Italian crespelle pancakes are the Italian version of the classic French crêpe. 

They also have many other names across Italy. For example in the region of Abruzzo, just east of Rome, they're called scrippelle. While the most traditional type of crespelle are served with spinach and ricotta (like in our recipe here), you can serve these pancakes with either sweet or savoury toppings. This pancake recipe is so ideal for breakfast or brunch and you can make them entirely your own. If you like your pancakes to really fill you up person, opt for a classic high-protein combination of bacon, scrambled eggs and mushrooms.

Ingredients

For the pancakes:

• 75g/3oz plain flour
• pinch of salt
• 2 large eggs
• 200ml/7floz milk
• a little oil for frying

For the filling:

• 30ml/2tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 350g/12oz fresh leaf spinach, washed
• 1 (250g) tub ricotta cheese
• 50g/2oz finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 2.5ml/1/2tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 (345g) jar ready made tomato pasta sauce

Method

1. To make the pancakes: Place the flour, salt, and eggs in a large bowl, add half the milk and whisk well until the mixture is lump-free. Add the remaining milk and whisk again until smooth. Pour into a jug.
2. Heat a 20cm/8in diameter non-stick frying pan until hot, drizzle a little oil over the center and wipe around the pan with a piece of kitchen paper. Pour a little of the batter into the pan and immediately tilt the pan to spread the batter evenly over the base of the pan. Cook for 2mins or until the top is set and the base golden. Flip over using a spatula and cook for a further 1-2mins or until the base is golden. Make another 7 pancakes in the same way and set them aside.
3. To make the filling: Heat the oil in a medium pan, add the onion and sauté until soft - about 4mins. Add the garlic, then spinach, and squash down into the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 4mins or until the leaves are wilted
4. Tip the spinach into a sieve and press out the excess liquid. Tip into a bowl and mix in the ricotta, half the Parmesan, nutmeg and plenty of salt and pepper to taste. Lay the pancakes out on the work surface and divide the filling between them spooning it down the middle of each. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll up the pancakes. Place seam side down in an ovenproof dish.
5. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Spoon the sauce over the top of the pancakes, spooning it in a line down the centre of the pancakes. Sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20mins or until piping hot and crisp.

Top tips for making crespelle:

Many people in Italy own special crespelle pans. And they're perhaps worth an investment if you really get into make these tasty pancakes. But in the meantime, any non-stick skillet pan will be perfect for whipping up this pancake recipe. The only advantage that a crespelle pan really brings, compared to a skillet, is that it doesn't have the high sides - meaning you can flip the pancakes more easily.

You might also like: 

Banana pancakes

American pancakes

Pancake toppings