46 Best Pancakes in Europe (2024)

FAQs

What are European pancakes called? ›

Palatschinke (or palaccinka, plural palatschinken) is a thin crêpe-like variety of pancake of Greco-Roman origin. The dessert is common in the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe.

France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland

They are thin pancakes and are served with a sweet (fruit, ice cream, jam, chocolate spread, powdered sugar) or savoury filling (cheese, ham, seafood, spinach).

France – Crêpes

You can't possibly make a list of the world's best pancakes and not include France. Crêpes are unavoidable throughout the country. There are two main types of French crêpes – sweet ones (crêpes sucrées) and savoury ones (crêpes salées). Savoury crêpes are commonly known as 'galettes'.

Although they are a French staple and a national dish, crêpes are so popular that they have spread worldwide since the turn of the 20th century, when white wheat flour became affordable. The word crêpe is derived from the Latin root crispa, meaning curdled.

In the UK, the word pancakes refers to the same thing, but the word flapjacks refers to something entirely different: a baked good made from oats, resembling what elsewhere may be called a granola bar or oat bar. The word flapjack is traced back to the late 1500s.

Crêpes are an ultra-thin pancake common in France that can be made sweet or savory, typically rolled or folded with a variety of fillings from jam or Nutella to ham and cheese to seafood.

Whilst you can have a savoury pancake in France (galette), this is all about eating crêpes with sugary toppings, with firm favourites such as Nutella, sugar, honey, cream, jam or sprinkles. Now as we are in Normandy, you will find that a dash of Calvados is offered on your crêpe.

The pancake's cake-y goodness has been making people happy since the dawn of man. Here are a few notable moments in the pancake's journey to greatness. 600 BC - The first recorded mention of pancakes dates back to ancient Greece and comes from a poet who described warm pancakes in one of his writings.

The study said only 34% of Americans eat pancakes less than once a month. While the U.S. maple syrup capital Vermont is No. 1 for loving pancakes, New Jersey loves them fifth most, with only Hawaii, Oregon and Illinois topping the Garden State, according to the study.

Are pancakes a thing in Italy? ›

Eating pancakes isn't customary in Italy the same way as in Britain, instead they traditionally enjoy 'Chiacchiere', a sweet fried dough. As a predominantly Catholic country, Italy celebrates the start of Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter.

Every day is Pancake Day in Amsterdam! From syrupy stacks topped with bacon to a bag of hot buttery poffertjes from a street vendor sprinkled in powdered sugar, this typical Dutch delicacy has something for sweet and savoury lovers.

A crêpe or crepe (/kreɪp/ or /krɛp/, French: [kʁɛp], Quebec French: [kʁaɪ̯p]) is a dish made from unleavened batter or dough that is cooked on a frying pan or a griddle. Crêpes are usually one of two varieties: sweet crêpes (crêpes sucrées) or savoury galettes (crêpes salées).

Not only are "flapjacks" their own thing in the UK, British cuisine also has a different understanding of what makes a pancake. Though they'll call it a "pancake," the British version is unleavened and closer to what we Yanks might call a crepe than the fluffy, pillowy food we tend to think of.

Not only are "flapjacks" their own thing in the UK, British cuisine also has a different understanding of what makes a pancake. Though they'll call it a "pancake," the British version is unleavened and closer to what we Yanks might call a crepe than the fluffy, pillowy food we tend to think of.

French Crêpes

Made from flour, milk and eggs, these are closest counterparts to English pancakes, and can be served sweet or savoury.

Literally translated “pannenkoek” is the Dutch word for pancake.

Pannenkoeken can be, and often are, eaten as a main course, served warm; in winter pannenkoeken are sometimes eaten after snert in a two course meal. Pannenkoeken are a popular choice for a child's birthday meal in the Netherlands and Belgium.